Sefer Sifsei Yesheinim – The First Work of the Sifsei Chachamim, Amsterdam 1680. First Edition

Sefer Sifsei Yesheinim – The First Work of the Sifsei Chachamim, Amsterdam 1680. First Edition

Sefer Sifsei Yesheinim, a comprehensive bibliographical guide authored by R. Shabsi Meshorer-Bass, author of the famed Sifsei Chachamim commentary on the Torah. In this work – the first bibliography of the Hebrew book, R. Shabsi lists all Hebrew books and manuscripts which were available to him. In his introduction, he provides many reasons as to why he compiled this work, and relies mainly on the words of the Shela, who writes that one can merit his portion in the World to Come as if he learned them, just by saying the names of the titles. He therefore asks that one should not go through the work unless he reads the introduction in its entirety, since otherwise it would appear as if absolutely no benefit can be derived from his work. 

Interestingly, the introduction contains fascinating details regarding the way of Chinuch in Amsterdam, which the author was very fond of. He details the many differences that he witnessed there, and compares the differences between the way in Amsterdam to that of his native Prague. 

The very first work printed by the author. His monumental work Sifsei Chachamim was printed in Amsterdam just a few months after this work (see his introduction to Sifsei Chachamim, in which he references this very work Sisfei Yesheinim). 

This copy belonged to R. Eliezer Halevi of Helschau, with his personal ownership inscription on title. He authored Sefer Tikkun Sofrim, which was published in Prague in 1658, and is listed here within (entry number 171), with a handwritten gloss from the owner noting that he authored this work. 

He was also the author of a work on Tur Choshen Mishpat called “Ben Meshek”, which was never published because of the Chelminicki massacres of 1648-49 (Tach V’Tat). For this reason, he writes, he was compelled to publish his Tikkun Sofrim, a smaller work which cost less to bring to print. Interestingly, he also references this work in a marginal gloss on pp. 13. Another marginal gloss is seen on pp. 67. 

Interestingly, he signs his name on the title “Hakatan Eliezer Halevi from Jeruslem”, however in the abovementioned work printed in 1658, he writes that he very much desired to move to the Holy Land but hadn’t yet succeeded in doing so. From this inscription however, it would seem that he was already living in Jerusalem, providing a previously unknown anecdote into his life. 

In overall good condition. Title page within architectural arch. Some minor tears to edges of first several leaves, with no loss to text. A tear is seen on pp. 20, repaired with old tape. Bound in an old binding, cover detached, spine worn. 

[1], 2-20, 1-108 pp. 

Page size: Approx. 19cm.