Bidspirit auction | Classics. Ohr Zarua. First Edition.

Classics. Ohr Zarua. First Edition. Complete Set. Zhitomir Yerusholayim 1862- 1890 - Classic sefer of novella on the Talmud and halachic responsa by R. Yitzchak ben Moshe of Vienna. R. Yitzchak ben Moshe of Vienna (died 1260), commonly known as the Ohr Zarua, was one of the greatest Ashkenazic Rishonim. He lived in Wurzburg and later in Vienna. His Sefer, which is one of the most fundamental of the early commentators, remained in manuscript form for over 600 years. Eventually R. Akiva Leheren of Amsterdam acquired the manuscript and it was published by the renowned Schapiro printing press in Zhitomir to great acclaim. It is interesting to note that in his introduction, R. Akiva Leheren mentions that the manuscript was for a time in the possession of R. Shaul Berlin, publisher of the controversial sefer Besamim Rosh (Berlin 1793). As is well known, seforim printed by the Schapira family press were exceptionally favored by many of the great Chassidic Rebbes and in turn by their followers. Stefansky Hebrew Classics 233. Vols 1-2 Vinograd Zhitomir 282. Schapira press. 2, 232, 4, 184 pages. 37.5 cm. Fine condition. First few pages detached. Antique binding (loose). Volumes 3-4: Chaim Herschensohn press. There are a few variations of the Yerusholayim edition, often on poor quality paper. The copy before us, printed on quality paper, has the following pagination: [4], 79; 106; 72; [2], 79 pages. 37 cm. Very fine condition. Quality paper. Page 60 of the final part with slight damage, affecting some text. Antique binding. Opening bid $300