First work on the mitzvos of Eretz Yisrael!
Kaftor Vaferach
First Edition. Venice, 1548
The sefer Kaftor Vaferach by Rabbi Ashtori Haparchi, the very first researcher and historian of Eretz Yisrael, is the only sefer from the era of the Rishonim devoted entirely to the mitzvos and geography of Eretz Yisrael, and is regarded as a primary source for all matters pertaining to the Holy Land.
While discussing the intricate halachos of the mitzvos hateluyos baAretz, the author clarifies the precise historical borders of Eretz Yisrael, topography of Yerushalayim, precise measurements of the Beis Hamikdash, botany of Eretz Yisrael, and sizes and weights of its currency.
Rabbi Ashtori Haparchi, a pen name for Rabbi Yitzchak ben Moshe Hacohen, journeyed to Eretz Yisrael in the 13th century where he devoted a great deal of time to researching the Holy Land and identifying over 200 historical sites mentioned in Tanach and the Gemara.
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Some of the greatest Achronim, among them Mahari Beirav, the Beis Yosef, the Mabit and his son Maharit, Rabbi Betzalel Ashkenazy and others, cite this unique work and, when relevant, usually rule in halachah based on his findings. The Rema of Pano famously writes in his teshuvos (Ch. 25), “take notice of him [the words of the Kaftor Vaferach] as he is a great man, and all his words regarding coming to the Mikdash are truly kaftor vaferach [beautiful]”.
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Rabbi Ashtori Haparchi lived in the 13th century. Expelled from France in 1306, he journeyed to Eretz Yisrael and lived there for several years, concluding his sefer Kaftor Vaferach in the city of Beit Shean in 1322 (Kaftor Vaferach Ch. 51). For several hundred years, this work remained in manuscript form until it was finally printed in Venice based on a copy possessed by the celebrated Jewish philanthropist Rabbi Yitzchak Hacohen Sholel of Egypt.
Venice, 1648. First Edition. Page Count: [182] leaves (original page count is erroneous).
Page Size: 20.8 cm. Condition: Water stains, mostly minute holes. Owners’ signatures and annotations. Elaborate new leather binding.
Bibliography: Stefansky, Sifrei Yesod #251
Owners’ signatures and annotations:
Nosson Kremser
Avraham ben Yakar
Various marginalia and one long annotation (leaf 22b) beginning with the words “Avraham said:”
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