Sefer Trumat HaDeshen

Two important responsa works by one of the greatest halakhic authorities in Ashkenaz.

Israel Isserlein (1390-1460), who came from an old family of Jewish scholars, was considered to be the foremost Talmudic authority of Germany in the first half of the fifteenth century.

'Terumat HaDeshen' consists of 354 decisions in the form of responsa on synagogal, ritual and legal subjects (the number 354 corresponding to the numerical value of the word 'Deshen' in Hebrew and to the number of days of the lunar year). 'Pesakim U'Ktavim' includes 267 responses, 78 of which address marriage law with the remainder dealing with ritual and civil law. This work was edited by Isserlein's pupils after his death. Both works were first published in Venice in 1519.

'There responsa are important today, in addition to their halakhic value, for the information they provide about the life of central European Jewry in the fifteenth century' (Heller).

4to, later half-calf, leaves slightly browned, last few leaves dump-stained, corner of last leaf professionally repaired with no loss of text, inscriptions in old ink of previous owners, early 20th century transport ticket from Mannheim, Germany, inserted as bookmark; [5], 122, 45 ll.

Vinograd, Furth 508.