Mateh Yehuda / Shevet Yehuda First Edition. Livorno, 1783. Pedigreed Copy

Mateh Yehuda / Shevet Yehuda First Edition. Livorno, 1783. Pedigreed Copy

[2] books that were printed in a single volume: Mateh Yehuda section II and Shevet Yehuda, by Rabbi Yehuda Ayash. Livorno, [1783]. First edition. Rare. Pedigreed copy. 

Sefer mateh yehuda, on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, II [Siman 429-694 and Likutim], by Rabbi Yehuda Ayash. Printed and bound with his book Shevet Yehuda, on Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah [Siman 150, 334-403, Likutim and Shut]. The press of Avraham Yitzchak Castilo and Eliezer Sadon, Livorno, [1783]. First edition. Rare. With a dedication to the philanthropist brothers Rabbi David and Rabbi Yitzchak Hacohen. 

[1], 64; [1], 42 leaves. 35 cm. Without Mateh yehuda section I. 

Appearing on the title page is a dedication in Sephardic script, apparently by the author's son, the publisher, Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Ayash: 

הרי זו עולה מנחה בלולה שני צנתרות הזהב היקרים ונחמדים החשוסים ונחמדים הגבירים המעולים על כל ברכה ותהלה המשכילים יזהירו ועל טוב יזכר שמם כהה"ר דוד ישצ"ו וכהה"ר יצחק ישצ"ו בני מלכים המנוח כהה"ר שמואל הכהןן נ"ע בי"ת יהיה בעזרם ויהי דוד לכל דרכיו משכיל וה' עמו ויצחק יזרח כפרץ וגם זרח בברכת השנים דשנים ורעננים כי"ר.

Rabbi Yehuda ben Rabbi Yitzchak Ayash (1700-1761) was born in Midea, Algeria and then moved to Algiers where he became the disciple and Dayan of the Beis Din of Rabbi Shlomo Yedidya Tzrur. After his Rav's passing, he succeeded him as Av Beis Din and as the Rav of Algiers and was also a Rosh Yeshiva. He authored a Sefer Shut and compiled and elucidated the customs of Algeria. On his way to Eretz Yisroel, he passed through Livorno, where he printed some of his Seforim. After his immigration to Eretz Yisroel, he was appointed the Rosh Yeshiva of Knesses Yisroel. During his lifetime, his Seforim Lechem Yehuda (Livorno, 1745) on the Rambam, Beis Yehuda Shut (Livorno, 1746) and Sefer Bnei Yehuda (Livorno, 1758) were published. After his passing, additional Seforim were published from his writings: VeZot LiYehuda sermons, Mateh Yehuda - Shevet MiYehuda and Kol Yehuda on the Torah and Sefer Afara DeAra on Sefer Ara DeRabbanan. The Rav passed away on Rosh Hashana and was laid to rest in Jerusalem.

The Rishon LeZion Rabbi Yaakov Moshe ben Rabbi Yehuda Ayash (1727-1817) in 1756 immigrated to Eretz Yisroel from Algeria with a group of immigrants headed by his father, Rabbi Yehuda. In 1779, was sent as a Shadar of Jerusalem to North Africa. Later, he reached Italy where he worked as a publisher and was the Rav of the Siena and Ferrara communities. In 1803, returned to Eretz Yisrael. He established the Chaim Vachessed Yeshiva in Jerusalem and headed the Knesset Yisroel Yeshiva there. In 1806 was appointed Rosh Av Beis Din of Jerusalem and the Rishon LeZion. 

worn parchment binding. Stains. Moth holes. Fair condition.