Sefer HaTakanot – Jerusalem, 1842 – Including Rare Leaf of Approbations – Second Hebrew Book Printed in Jerusalem

Sefer HaTakanot – Jerusalem, 1842 – Including Rare Leaf of Approbations – Second Hebrew Book Printed in Jerusalem

Sefer HaTakanot VeHaskamot, public regulations and halachic customs established by Jerusalem rabbis over the generations, by R. Chaim Avraham Gagin. Jerusalem: R. Yisrael Bak, 1842.
Two title pages. The first title page is decorated with a woodcut (previously used for Avodat HaKodesh – see lots 59 and 60 in the present catalogue). The second title page is on leaf [5], after R. Gagin's preface.
The second Hebrew book printed in Jerusalem. Printed in the press established by R. Yisrael Bak of Berditchev and Safed, disciple of R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev and R. Yisrael of Ruzhin.

This book is comprised of two parts: the first contains R. Gagin's preface and a long responsum (dated 1824) by R. Shlomo Moshe Suzin regarding the authority of the Beit Din to issue public regulations. The second part includes a compilation of the regulations and customs of Eretz Israel following the order of the four sections of Shulchan Aruch. At the end of the book, approbations dated 1841 and 1842, by rabbis and community officials, according R. Yisrael Bak the exclusive rights to printing in Eretz Israel. The approbations describe how R. Yisrael established a new printing press in Jerusalem after his press in Safed was destroyed and looted. [There are some copies without the final leaf containing the approbation from 1842. See Bibliography of the Hebrew Book listing 123175, and Sh. Halevy, HaSefarim HaIvriyim Shenidpesu BiYerushalayim, no. 3].

The bibliographer A. Tauber, in his article "History of Printing in Eretz Israel" (Mechkarim Bibliographim, pp. 10-11; Kovetz Yerushalayim – Lachakirat Eretz Yisrael, Jerusalem 1928, pp. 179-192), posits that the main purpose of this book was to reinforce several controversial public regulations (especially regulations regarding estate and ownership titles). In order to print this book, R. Gagin and the Sephardic community officials encouraged the establishment of R. Yisrael Bak's printing press, intending this book to be the first published there.

R. Gagin, who was persecuted by his opponents, initiated the printing of this book in order to answer their contentions. In order that this should not be obvious, R. Gagin instructed R. Yaakov Capiloto and R. Avraham Ashkenazi, two Jerusalem scholars, to research the customs and ordinances of Eretz Israel, arrange them in the order of the four sections of Shulchan Aruch, and combine them with the rebuttals to those questioning the controversial ordinances.
This book was presumably printed in stages, according to the progress of the abovementioned editors. According to Tauber, the first part of Sefer HaTakanot was already printed in 1841 (before the printing of Avodat HaKodesh, which is recognized as the first Hebrew book printed in Jerusalem). The printing was only concluded after R. Capiloto and R. Ashkenazi finished compiling and editing the second part of the book.
Handwritten gloss to one of the last leaves. Signature on verso of last leaf (somewhat deleted): "Yitzchak Dahan son of Avraham".

[16], 13-72, [4] leaves. Leaves 15-16 bound out of sequence. Misfoliation. 15 cm. Most leaves in good condition. Stains. Small marginal open tears to title page and several other leaves, repaired with paper filling. New binding.

The second Hebrew book printed in Jerusalem. Sh. Halevy, no. 3 (this is in fact the second book printed in Jerusalem, since listing no. 2 by Sh. Halevy is actually a broadside and not a book, see previous lot).
Includes leaf with approbation from 1842, which is not included in all copies.