Olat Yitzchak - Prague 1606 - First Edition. Rare!

Olat Yitzchak - Prague 1606 - First Edition. Rare!

Sefer Olat Yitzchak,   [Jewish Laws in the interrogatory ‘Heichi Timtza’ style], by Rabbi Yitzchak son of Rabbi Yoshia son of Rabbi Avraham HaRofeh.

Prague, 1606. First edition.

Title within illustrated woodcut border, depicting figures (angels, men and animals) and Jewish symbols (Star of David and Priestly hands) flanked by rampant lions. (Yaari, Printers Marks no. 38).

An unusual, novel collection of 843 riddles and problems covering all facets of Jewish law. Following the style of the book HaChazon composed by the author of HeAgur (see Shem HaGedolim by the Chida, Maarechet Sefarim, Sefer HaChazon).

The style of riddle is often cryptic and requires lateral thinking. Riddle no. 732, based on Ba’al Hatrumoth, asks: “If one has witnesses as to his actions, he loses - without witnesses, he wins.” Riddle no. 832, based on Reishith Chochmah, asks: “When should a scholar not be “tocho ke’baro” - his inside should not be as his outer appearance (two-faced).”

Arranged in order of Talmudic Tractates and later Codifiers, with an index of some one hundred subjects. Despite being printed over 400 years ago, the riddles are as challenging as ever.

Including an approbation by Rabbi Solomon Ephraim Luntshits (Kli Yakar).

Very rare.

Vinograd, Prague 145. Ginzei Yisroel 830.