Pri Chadash. Amsterdam, 1706. First Edition with the Rare Leaf. Signatures

Pri Chadash. Amsterdam, 1706. First Edition with the Rare Leaf. Signatures

Pri Chadash - elucidations and legal novellae on Shulchan Aruch, hilchot: rosh chodesh, Pesach, yom tov and gittin, by Rabbi Chizkiyah da Silva. There is a dedication in Portuguese printed on leaf [2] to R' Ya'akov Pereira of Amsterdam. This leaf is not found in all copies. Rabbinic signatures.

Foundational book in halachic adjudication, which, despite opposition and bans, became one of the most important and well-known in the field of halachah. The section on Yoreh Deah was published in the author's lifetime (Amsterdam, 1692), but this part, on Ohr HaChaim and Even HaEzer, was published posthumously by his son David.

His rulings opposing the Shulchan Aruch spurred the sages of Egypt to declare a ban, to hide away the book and prohibit studying it. The ban did not extend outside Egypt, and it was permitted by Chacham Avraham HaLevi, head of the Egyptian sages, author of Ginat Vradim. The "Pri Chadash"'s disciple, R' Shlomo Algazi, was even appointed rabbi of Egypt and served there for 45 years, and all his instruction was per his rabbi.

Later generations accepted the book without objection. Compilations from his works were even printed in most editions of the Shulchan Aruch, and it serves today as one of the basic books of halachic ruling. Rabbi Chaim ben Attar wrote his book Pri Toar to respond to the Pri Chadash's issues with the adjudicators in the Yorah Deah section.

Rabbi Chizkiyah da Silvah [1656-1696] was an adjudicator, emissary, and one of the rabbinic leaders of the Land of Israel and rabbi of Jerusalem. He was primarily known for the book before us, Pri Chadash on Shulchan Aruch. He also authored a book called Mayim Chaim - novellae on the Ramba"m, and halachic responsa. He was also an expert in kabbalah. His disciples included: Rabbi Yitzchak HaKohen Rapaport, author of Batei Kehunah; and Rabbi Shlomo Algazi (II), rabbi of Egypt. It is known that R' Ya'akov Pereira of Amsterdam supported his yeshivah and his books; the copy before us even includes a dedication to him.

[4], 74, 19, [1], 9 leaves. 32 cm; fine condition. Aging stains. Worming perforations only in the first and last leaves. Restored margins in the title page without damage to text. Many signatures. Original binding, detached top.