Kaftor VaFerach, Venice, 1548. First Edition. Beautiful Copy

Kaftor VaFerach, Venice, 1548. First Edition. Beautiful Copy

Sefer Kaftor VaFerach - the laws and mitzvahs related to the Land of Israel, the boundaries of the Land of Israel and other Land-of-Israel-related topics, by Rabbi Ashtori HaParchi. Venice, 1548. First edition. Very beautiful copy in a beautiful binding.

The sefer Kaftor VaFerach is the first work that deals entirely with Land-of-Israel-related mitzvahs. Not a lot is known about the author, even his exact name, except for several hints from the sefer. Yet it is accepted as an authoritative work and a fundamental sefer for all mitzvahs dependent on the Land of Israel.

The sefer is divided into sixty chapters, and it includes all the mitzvot hateloyot baAretz and everything related to them. There are comprehensive chapters on the boundaries of the Land, the coins there, setting the shemittah year, and more. In preparation for this sefer, the author travelled throughout the Land of Israel and studied it for seven years.

Immediately after this sefer was printed, it was accepted by all the gedolei haAcharonim as a fundamental work in all issues related to Torat Eretz Yisrael. Quoting him most are those who lived in the Land of Israel and those who were occupied with Torat Eretz Yisrael. This includes the Beit Yosef, the Ram"a and the Radba"z, who cite him in their works.

The sefer was first printed from a manuscript found in Rabbi Yitzchak HaKohen Shull's home library. As written on the title page, he was both scholarly and wealthy. He was a naggid and led Jewish communities in Egypt and in the Land of Israel. Alongside his wealth, he was also a gadol baTorah and taught Torah.

Stefansky, Sifrei Yessod 251.

24, 24-95, 200-209, 300-309, 400-444, 444-447, [2] leaf, mispaginated. 18 cm.

Fine condition. Worming marks  professionally restored. Cut headlines. Elegant new binding.