Halachot Gedolot, First Edition. Venice, 1548, First Introduction for a Hebrew Book

Halachot Gedolot, First Edition. Venice, 1548, First Introduction for a Hebrew Book

Halachot Gedolot [Beha"g]. Venice, Justinian Press, 1548. First edition of the most important sefer in geonic halachic literature.

The title page of the sefer boasts an impressive floral architectural border. The sefer opens with a preface by the author. This preface is considered the first introduction ever printed for a Hebrew book.

The book includes halachic rulings in Talmudic order by one of the ancient geonim. On the back of the title page, it is written that the author's identity is unknown. To this day, the author's identity has not been determined with certainty. There are those who are inclined to say that it was Rabbi Shimon Keira, one of the Babylonian geonim of the ninth century. Despite the anonymity of the author, the book was accepted across the Diaspora as the most important book of halachic literature by the geonim, and all of the Rishonim refer to this book many, many times, often using its abbreviation - Beha"g.

Stefansky, Sifrei Yessod 220.

Haberman, Hamadpis Cornelio Adelkind 51.

[4], 144 leaf. Approximately 29.5 cm.

Fine condition. High-quality paper, sometimes especially thick. Aging stains, some with small mold stains. Wear and tears in the margins of the title page and the final leaf, some reinforced with glue. New binding.