She’elot uTeshuvot by Rabbi David ben Zimra – the Radbaz. Three Parts. First Edition. Sefer Yessod

She’elot uTeshuvot by Rabbi David ben Zimra – the Radbaz. Three Parts. First Edition. Sefer Yessod
She’elot uTeshuvot by Rabbi David ben Zimra – the Radbaz. Three Parts. First Editions. Foundational Work.

Responsa by one of the greatest halachic authorities, who lived at the transition between the Rishonim and the Acharonim, and authored thousands of responsa. First editions.

Part I: Venice, 1749. [2], 129 leaves. 32 cm.

Part II: Venice, 1749. [2], 88 leaves. 32 cm.

Part III: Fürth, 1781. [1], 58, 41–46, [2] leaves. Approx. 33 cm.

Rabbi David ben Shlomo Ibn Zimra – the Radbaz (c. 1479–1573), named after his works presented here, was one of the great sages who lived during the transition from the Rishonim to the Acharonim. He was among the exiles from Spain, reaching Safed and later Jerusalem, then wandering to Fez and Cairo, where he served as Av Beit Din and leader of the Jewish community of Egypt, before returning again to Jerusalem and Safed.

In Egypt, the Radbaz abolished the use of the Seleucid (Minyan Shetarot) calendar and established the calendar based on the creation of the world from the Molad BaHarad (the traditional calculation for the beginning of year 1), which remains the standard Jewish calendar to this day.

Two well-known responsa of contemporary relevance appear in his writings. One addresses his view that the “Falashas” of Ethiopia are fully Jewish. Another is found in responsum 2931, where he writes extensively about the Temple Mount in his time. He discusses the tradition of entering the Temple Mount, the identification of the “Tzakhrah” (Dome of the Rock) as the Even HaShtiyah—the Foundation Stone where the Holy of Holies stood—and permits entry into the permissible areas of the Temple Mount.

Stefansky, Sifrei Yessod 281.

Overall good condition. Some age stains and minor worming. Worn plain bindings.