Ibur Shanim
Venice, 1579
Fundamental work on the Jewish calendar
Comprehensive composition on setting the Hebrew calendar, along with the calculations of the years, molados and seasons; rules on configuring the dates of Yomim Tovim and the order of krias HaTorah for the whole year; as well as laws and customs of krias haTorah and haftaros by Rabbi Yissachar ben Sussan, leader of the Congregation in Tzfas during the era of Rabbi Yosef Karo.
Rabbi Yissachar’s compilation of laws and customs regarding krias haTorah and prayers are based on his personal observations of his native community in Fez, testimonies of Jewish sages who fled Spain in the wake of the Expulsion, and the prevalent customs in Eretz Yisrael at the time, most notably those practiced in Tzfas.
Ibur Shanim was the first reliable source regarding customs of krias haTorah and tefillos practiced by Jewish residents of Tzfas in the early- and mid-16th century. Some of the greatest Poskim of all time, including the Knesses Hagedolah and Magen Avraham, cite his writings as a source in their halachic rulings.
This sefer presents the first testimony regarding the custom of calling every man and boy, including young children, to the Torah on Simchas Torah. Rabbi Yissachar attests that this was practiced by his rebbi the Ralbach in Jerusalem, and that it was likewise the custom in Tzfas (Leaf 56a). The sefer is also one of the earliest sources to mention the custom of eating fruit on Tu Bishvat (Leaf 22b).
In this work, the author describes his personal observations of halachos and minhagim practiced by Rabbi Yosef Karo and attests that the latter was a mohel (see Leaves 57a, 61a, 64a).
This work was originally printed in Constantinople in 1564 under the title Tikkun Yissachar without the author’s knowledge or consent. Rabbi Yissachar later printed the sefer with the title Ibur Shanim of his own accord in a revised format, with additions and amendments. In his preface, he adds a sharply-worded protest and criticism to the original printing to the sefer.
Rabbi Yissachar ben Sussan was born in Fez, circa 1510. In his youth, he journeyed to Jerusalem where he studied under the Ralbach, and later relocated to Tzfas to serve as leader of Kehal Adas Hamaaravim. Rabbi Yissachar was acquainted with Rabbi Yosef Karo, and on Leaf 57a notes that he assents to his ruling. Due to the abject poverty in the Holy Land, he was compelled to return to the Diaspora. The year of his passing is unknown.
Venice, 1579. 136 leaves. Page size: 20 cm. This work features six sphere shaped illustrations of calculations for the Hebrew calendar as well as calendrical tables. Margins stained. Good condition. New half-leather binding.
Provenance: William L. Gross Collection
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