A Set of All Five of the 'Levushim' on Shulchan Aruch. Prague, [1623-1624]. Sefer Yesod.

A Set of All Five of the 'Levushim' on Shulchan Aruch. Prague, [1623-1624]. Sefer Yesod.

All five volumes of the 'Levush' on sections of the Shulchan Aruch.

Prague edition, two volumes.

The author of the Levushim and his books:

The esteemed Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe, author of the 'Levush' (5690-5772), the great and distinguished student of the Ramah. President and head of the Vaad of three countries, he served in holy communities of Lublin, Prague, and Posen.

He became famous for his monumental series of books, 'Levushim' (or: 'Levush Malchut'), ten books, each bearing the name 'Levush, ' based on the verse in the Book of Esther: 'And Mordecai went out from the king's presence dressed [ levush] in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and a robe of fine linen and purple, and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad' (Esther, Chapter 8, Verse 15).

The five books of 'Levush' on the Shulchan Aruch were intended to explain the reasons for the laws presented in it. The 'Levush' became a popular and widespread halachic book among Ashkenazi Jews for years. Over time, it faced competition from other commentaries written on the Shulchan Aruch. Nevertheless, the book is considered an important halachic book, and halachic decisors rely on it.

The choice of the name 'Levush' was explained by Rabbi Yaffe as part of the Torah's metaphorical language as clothing for a person. This interpretation is based on the commentary of Rabbi Meir, who explains that God clothed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden with 'garments of light, ' and these garments are the words of the Torah.

The 'Chafetz Chaim' in his book 'Nidchei Yisrael' brings that Rabbi Mordechai named his books 'Levushim' because of an incident that occurred: Rabbi Mordechai was handsome, and a noblewoman desired him. She invited him to her house for business purposes, locked him in her house, and demanded him to comply with her for a transgression. Rabbi Mordechai vehemently refused, and when she refused to release him, he escaped from her house through the sewage doors, and all ten of his garments were completely ruined. In memory of the ordeal, Rabbi Mordechai composed ten 'Levushim'.

In the introduction to the 'Levush, ' Rabbi Mordechai chose to begin with the words 'Amar HaTofer' ('The Tailor says'). In his introduction, he explains that initially, he sought to compile a book that would include all the laws derived from the 'Tur' and follow its structure 'Beit Yosef.' However, when he came to Italy and requested to start printing a book, the 'Shulchan Aruch' was printed. Consequently, Rabbi Mordechai sought to compose a book that would elucidate the customs of Ashkenazim in contrast to the 'Shulchan Aruch, ' but the Rema (Rabbi Moshe Isserlis) preempted him in doing so. Therefore, he chose to compose a book that would explain the roots and reasons for the laws decided in the 'Shulchan Aruch'.

Prague, [5783-5784]. Printed by Rabbi Moshe Katz.

Volume 1 - Parts 1 and 2: Levush Tekhelet and Levush Chur (Orach Chaim), Part 4: Levush Habutz and Argaman (Even HaEzer) – 278, 108 [The title page of Levush Habutz and Argaman is bound at the beginning of Levush Techelet, and the title page of Levush Techelet and Chur is missing, damages and blemishes on the first four pages of Levush Habutz and Argaman with very minor impact on the text].

Volume 2 - Part 5: Levush Ir Shushan (Choshen Mishpat), Part 3: Levush Ateret Zahav Gedola (Yoreh De'ah) – 192, 174 [The title page of Levush Ir Shushan is restored with blemishes].

30 cm. In good condition. Impressive and attractive old cardboard covers.