Three Volumes, Teshuvos Mahari ben-Lev
First Edition. Salonika – Constantinople, 1573-1557
Sefer Yesod: Important teshuvos and chiddushim by Rabbi Yosef ben Lev (Maharibal).
All three parts are rare first editions.
Part One: Salonika, circa 1557. 157, [12] leaves
Part Two: Constantinople, 1561. 171 leaves
Part Three: Constantinople, 1573. 190 [5] leaves
(Part four which was later published in Kurucesme, 1598, is of utmost rarity and not available here.)
Rabbi Yosef ben-Lev (approx. 1500 – 1580) was a leading Sephardic halachic authority who lived during the times of the Beis Yosef. His teshuvos are one of the most important ones published in that generation.
The Chida writes that there were three chachamim (sages) named “Yosef” in the generation of the Beis Yosef, all of whom were worthy of compiling the Shulchan Aruch: Rabbi Yosef Karo, Rabbi Yosef ben-Lev and Rabbi Yosef Taitazak.
Rabbi Yehuda Alfandri writes in a teshuva at the end of the sefer Maggid MeReshis: “The Maharibal, the Maharshadam, and the Maharshach, in relation to us – are like the Rif, Rambam, and Rosh in their time.”
Shu”t Mahari ben Lev is one of the earliest sefarim of teshuvos from the Achronim to be printed.
Each part is exceedingly rare on its own; it is even more rare to find all three volumes together!
Three volumes. First edition.
Condition: Overall, in good condition; some leaves are in fair-to-good condition. Paper restoration to the title page of Part III and minor repairs to several other leaves. Stains. Matching antique wooden bindings with new spines incorporating remnants of the original spine material. Includes clasps.
With early signatures and owners’ stamps.
Bibliography: Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod, no. 293.
