Responsa of the Maharshdam. Orach Chaim and Yoreh Deah, by Rabbi Shmuel di Modina. Brought to print by his son Rabbi Moshe di Modina. Salonica, printing press of Avraham Yosef Bat-Sheva, with handwritten scholarly glosses.
Specifications: 16, 21; 168 leaves. 16. 29 cm.
Background: The author was the greatest Turkish sage of his time. His son Moshe, who brought this book to print, relates in his introduction that he “wasted his treasures” to print this book. He brought paper, printing equipment and workers from Italy to Salonica. Two workers even converted to Judaism. The son printed his father’s book of responsa in the years 1585-1587, but the printing was of such bad quality, that it was decided to print it here again. The present copy has many changes and additions, and people ruling halacha only use this edition.
Unique Features: Ownership signature and many scholarly comments, some of them long. Sephardic handwriting. Two leaves in the Yoreh Deah section (33, 36) are in ancient handwriting.
Original binding, wood covered in light colored leather with embossed decorations, and with remnants of buckles to lock the book. On the rear side of the title page is a long inscription and stamp of the Russian censor from 1873.
Condition: Fine. Wide margins. Worming holes. Aging stains.