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Lot : 12
Akeidas Yitzchak. Salonika, 1522. First Edition.Exceptionally Rare
Akeidas Yitzchak. Salonika, 1522. First Edition.
Exceptionally Rare
A complete copy of the first edition of the sefer yesod Akeidas Yitzchak.
In such an extraordinary state of completeness, this copy is truly exceptional and exceedingly rare.
A magnificent collection of drashos in the order of the Five Chumashim by Rabbi Yitzchak Arama, including explanations of Midrashim of Chazal, the mitzvos of the Torah, and the festivals.
Published by Rabbi Yehudah Gedaliah, founder of the printing press in Salonika.
The sefer Akeidas Yitzchak, also referred to by later authors as “Baal HaAkeidah, ” was warmly embraced and held in the highest esteem from the time it first appeared, becoming a foundational work for generations of darshanim and commentators. As the Chida writes, “The darshanim of earlier generations all drew extensively from his teachings and turned to them with gratitude.”
The Chavos Yair likewise writes in his well-known teshuva regarding the proper order of study (siman 124): “In earlier generations, as I have heard, they would study the sefer Akeidah in their youth… because their entire aim was the perfection of their souls, namely, faith in the fundamental principles of religion…”
The Ksav Sofer went even further in his praise, writing in his approbation to the 1849 Pressburg edition of Akeidas Yitzchak:
“It is well known throughout the Jewish world what the great and renowned Rabbi Yitzchak Arama zt”l, one of the foremost sages of earlier generations, accomplished through his monumental work. He illuminated the paths of Torah and faith with extraordinary wisdom and understanding, exploring profound and lofty ideas firmly rooted in the foundations of holiness. His teachings are both intellectually profound and wonderfully appealing — sweet to the palate and pleasing to the ear.”
Rabbeinu Yitzchak Arama (c. 1420–1494), the Baal HaAkeidah, was described on his tombstone as “a father in Torah, a father in wisdom, who left none like him among all his people.” Born in Spain, he served as rav and rosh yeshiva in Zamora, northern Spain, and in Calatayud.
At the time of the Expulsion, he went into exile together with his Jewish brethren, traveling to Italy and settling in Naples, where he passed away in 1494.
In his time, the study of philosophy had become extremely widespread. Rabbeinu Yitzchak therefore saw a need to address the public on the fundamental principles of faith, based upon the Written and Transmitted Torah. He poured fire and brimstone upon the shortcomings of philosophy (a striking example already appears in the first section), while with his great insight he knew which aspects of this wisdom to embrace and which to reject. His teachings made a profound impression and exerted tremendous influence. These drashos formed the basis of Akeidas Yitzchak.
Salonika, 1522. First Edition
Salonika, 1522. First Edition
A massive volume comprising more than 500 leaves.
Page Count: Bereishis–Shemos: [290] leaves.
Vayikrah: [94] leaves.
Bamidbar: [72] leaves.
Devarim: [102] leaves. The final leaf contains a list of all the leaflets.
Vayikrah: [94] leaves.
Bamidbar: [72] leaves.
Devarim: [102] leaves. The final leaf contains a list of all the leaflets.
Size: 28.5 cm.
Printed without a title page, but with a detailed colophon (see below).
Condition: The overwhelming majority is in good condition. The first and final leaves, as well as one additional leaf in the middle of the sefer, have artistic restoration to the margins. Censorship erasures appear in the seventieth section, where harsh statements against Christianity were printed.
Restored original leather binding. Preserved in a matching new leather case.
Bibliography: Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod, no. 11.
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Text of the Colophon
“Praise to G-d Who has helped us complete this sefer… Printed in the house of the venerable Don Yehudah of the Gedaliah family…
The benefactor who supported me financially in assisting with this sefer is the distinguished nobleman Don Shlomo ibn Yakar…
It was completed on the 12th day of Adar I, 5282 years to the creation of the world (1522), here in Salonika.
And it was completed by the distinguished craftsman Rabbi Yosef di Crasto and Rabbi Eliezer Darli, the printer…”
Don Yehudah Gedaliah — The First Printer in Salonika
Don Yehudah Gedaliah, the first printer in Salonika and founder of its printing press, had previously been a member of the household of Rabbi Eliezer Toledano, the printer in Lisbon. Following the expulsion from Portugal, he relocated to Salonika, where, around 1510, he established his printing press, which remained active until approximately 1530.
Rabbi Yaakov ibn Chaviv praised him in his introduction to Ein Yaakov (Salonika, 1516):
“It was through Hashem’s providence that here in Salonika I encountered a worthy and highly skilled craftsman, an elderly and distinguished man of integrity, Rabbi Yehudah Gedaliah. I had known him years earlier in Lisbon, in the home of the esteemed Rabbi Eliezer Toledano, where he was regarded almost as a son and brother and was closely involved in the sacred work of printing carried out there. After arriving in Salonika, he invested considerable resources and effort to establish the printing trade here on the highest level. Together with his sons and household, all upright men, he devoted himself to this sacred work.”
