Bidspirit auction | Sefer Yesod: Shu”t R. Levi

Sefer Yesod: Shu”t R. Levi Ibn Chaviv - Ralbach, Venice 1565, First Edition - First edition of the responsa by R. Levi Ibn Chaviv (c. 1480–1545), known as the Ralbach, a foundational work of Halachah, which addresses critical halachic issues of its time, including the significant debate over the renewal of Semicha, which spans over 50 pages of this work (pp. 277-328). Post-Spanish expulsion, Jewish communities anticipated imminent Messianic redemption amid global suffering and geopolitical shifts, such as Turkey’s expansion. The transfer of Tiberias to Jewish control under Don Yosef Nasi fueled hopes, as it was the last site of a recognized Sanhedrin. Renewing Semicha was proposed to restore judicial functions, like corporal punishment, and address issues like conversos, abandoned wives, and new innovations. A Sanhedrin, it was argued, could unify Halachic rulings and fulfill prophecies by appointing ordained judges. In 1538, R. Yaakov bei Rav, one of the preeminent Torah scholars of Tzfas, proposed that the Chachmei Tzfas could confer Semicha upon him, enabling further ordinations. (This was primarily based on the Rambam in Hilchos Sanhedrin 4:11). They accepted his proposition, and unanimously ordained R. Yaakov, who in turn ordained others - including R. Yosef Karo and R. Levi Ibn Chaviv. However, the Ralbach rejected the ordination, arguing it was invalid since Jerusalem’s sages were not consulted, per the Rambam’s requirement. Despite debates, the Ralbach stood firm, and opposition from Egyptian and Ashkenazic Rabbis, alongside silence from R. Yaakov’s disciples, led to the initiative’s decline by R. Yaakov’s death in 1546. Incomplete copy. This copy lacks the first title page, [3] pages of indices; pp. 290 and 293 were completed with handwritten replacement pages from the 17th or 18th century. Otherwise in fair-good condition; printed on crisp white paper. Like most copies, this copy too does not include the [2] pages of errata, which are found only in some copies.