Set of Shulchan Aruch Gur Aryeh. Mantova, [1721-1723]

Set of Shulchan Aruch Gur Aryeh. Mantova, [1721-1723]

Variant – with the Rare Polemic Title page. Single Edition. 

Shulchan Aruch, with Likutei Rabbi Gur Aryeh Halevi. Complete set, 4 sections in four volumes.

Edited by the Italian rabbis, Rabbi Avraham Yedidya ben Rabbi Shimshon Basila, his brother Rabbi Aviad Sar Shalom Basila and Rabbi Raphael Chaim the physician, who also added comments to the book.

On leaf 3, a eulogy by the compiler for Rabbi Yehuda Briel Av Beit Din of Mantova. At the end of the book, the third editor wrote words in honor of Rabbi David Finzi, the Ramchal's father-in-law, with whom, so he writes, he consulted about the editing of the book.

With 2 handwritten comments [one lengthy] in the Yoreh Deah section.

Variant – appearing in the section of Orach Chaim is the rare title page with the imaginary illustrations of the figures of Rashi, Rambam, Maharil, Maharik, Rema and Rabbi Gur Aryeh Halevi. Allegedly, following the objection in Mantova to the attempt to illustrate the figures of Gedolei Yisrael, its rabbis ordered to shelve the original title page and replace it with a title page without illustrations (see: S. Winner, Daat Kedoshim, Petersburg 1897-1898, p. 38 [the third pagination]. This copy is with the original title page.

The Gaon the Mekubal Rabbi Gur Aryeh Halevi Finzi – Harav Ga'al (passed away in 1697, Otzar Harabbanim 4370): one of the famed rabbis of Mantova (Mantua) in the 17th century. The son of Rabbi Moshe Hoshaya Halevi Finzi. In 1665, was appointed Dayan of Mantova. Corresponded on halacha with Rabbi Shmuel Abuhav and dozens of responses in Shut Devar Shmuel are addressed to him, with Rabbi Moshe Zacuto (see Shut HaRemez) and with his disciple Rabbi Binyamin Hacohen Vitali (see Shut HaRabach). Was also knowledgeable of Kabbalah. The Chida in his book Shem Hegedolim (in the entry of the Remez), introduces a testimony of behalf of the Rav Gur Aryeh who heard the Maggid from Heaven who spoke with the Remez: "ושמעתי שהיה לו מגיד, והרב גור אריה שחיבר הגהות על הש"ע ונדפסו במנטובא סביב לש"ע, העיד ששמע המלאך הדובר בו". His glosses on the Shulchan Aruch were published after his passing in an edition of the Shulchan Aruch that was published in mantova (1721-1723) by his disciple Rabbi Avraham Yedidya Basila and by his nephew Rabbi Gur Aryeh ben Rabbi Binyamin Halevi Finzi.

Mantova, [1721-1723]. The Press of Yitzchak Yareh and Yaakov Chaver Tov. Single edition.

Section I – Orach Chaim: [3], 2-146 leaves.

Section II – Yoreh Deah: [1], 148-288 leaves.

Section III – Even HaEzer: [1], 2-88 leaves.

Section IV – Choshen Mishpat: [1], 90-268, [1] leaves.

26.5 cm. Very good condition. Stains. Some tears along the edges. Some moth perforations. Thick quality paper. Wide margins in sections II and III.

Fine, complete and rare set of an important commentary on the Shulchan Aruch by a leading Italian Rav, single edition – with the polemic variant title page.