Masa Melech. Salonika, 1601. Only Edition. Rare. Signatures

Masa Melech. Salonika, 1601. Only Edition. Rare. Signatures

Masa Melech is a unique composition. Authored by Rabbi Yosef ibn Ezra, author of Atzamot Yosef on tractate Kiddushin, it deals with the laws of various taxes. Rare sefer .

It was customary during that period for the governing authorities to impose a general tax on the Jewish community. The community heads would divide the tax burden on community members as they saw fit. They would collect the taxes themselves and transfer them to the authorities. This work is the first to deal entirely with this issue. It is a cornerstone for halachic rulings of these laws.

Rabbi Yosef ben Yitzchak Ibn Ezra [d. c. 1602] was a disciple of the Maharashda"m. He was one of the leading rabbis of Turkey and served as rabbi in Salonika, Constantinople, Larissa, and Sofia, Bulgaria.

Rare sefer. Rabbi Chaim David Chazan, in his sefer Nediv Lev (C. M. siman 66) complains that the sefer cannot be found, and as such, he cannot see what is written therein. Sdei Chemed ( mearechet 40, klal 35) writes as well: "I do not have the book Masa Melech in my possession to delve into its holy words."

Only edition. Only photocopy editions were printed.

Antique owner's signatures on the title page, along with an inscription on the flyleaf: "Bought with my funds for [the sake of] my Creator ... Gabriel son of Yehudah" Signature and stamp of Rabbi Ben Tziyion Weber, son of Rabbi Mordechai Eliezer Weber, "HaRav MiAda" who ascended with him to Jerusalem.

72 leaf. 27 cm.

Fine condition. Restored tear in the title page without lack. Aging stains. Isolated worming perforations. Simple binding.