Bidspirit auction | AZULAI, R. CHAIM YOSEF DAVID

AZULAI, R. CHAIM YOSEF DAVID / CHIDA. SHA’AR YOSEF, WITH AUTHOR’S DEDICATION. LIVORNO 1756 - Novella on Tractate Horayos and halachic responsa by the Chida. The very first of the Chida’s works to be published. The dedication reads in Hebrew “To the great scholar, our friend R. Shmayah Seryanhu”. With additional signatures of various members of the Seryanhu family. R. Chaim Yosef Dovid Azulai (1724–1806), commonly known by the acronym Chida, was born in Jerusalem to a rabbinical family. He studied under R. Yitzchok HaKohen Rapaport, R. Shalom Sharabi, and R. Chaim ibn Attar (the Ohr HaChaim). At an early age he showed great proficiency in Talmud and Halacha, and he later mastered all Jewish disciplines from Kabbalah to bibliography and history. Held in tremendous esteem by the Jewish community of Chevron, he was appointed to serve as Shadar (emissary) to raise funds for the impoverished community. In this capacity he travelled through much of Europe and North Africa, where he was received with great acclaim. During his travels, he served for a time as Rav in Egypt and Livorno (Leghorn), Italy, the city where he published his first work in 1756. A prolific author, he authored almost one hundred works on a vast range of subjects. Vinograd Livorno 72. 16, 120, 40 pages. 30 cm. Fair condition, some foxing and staining, small holes, not affecting text. Original binding, leather spine (worn).