Lot 264
Three Leaves Handwritten by Rabbi Binyamin Ze'ev Son of R. Matitya, Author of Responsa Binyamin Ze'ev, Leading 16th Century Posek
Three handwritten leaves, replacements of passages from the book Responsa Binyamin Ze'ev, Venice 1538, presumably handwritten by the author R. Binyamin Ze'ev son of R. Matitya of Arta.
Three leaves written on both sides, in early Italian script from the 16th century, containing passages from Responsa Binyamin Ze'ev. The contents of these passages correspond with the text of leaves 443, 462 and 564 of the printed edition of the book.
The handwriting on the present leaves is typical of the author, who brought the book to print himself. Upon close comparison (see enclosed material), it appears that this is indeed the handwriting of R. Binyamin Ze'ev son of R. Matitya, who presumably wrote these leaves to complete one of the printed copies in his possession which was missing these leaves.
Responsa Binyamin Ze'ev was brought to print by its author, R. Binyamin Ze'ev son of Matitya of Arta, Greece, one of the greatest halachic authorities of his generation. This was the first book of halachic responsa to be published by its author. The author closely supervised the printing, and singlehandedly proofread the work, as he writes in the colophon at the end of the book.
The book aroused great controversy due to several halachic decisions it contains which some leading Italian rabbis strongly contested, and R. Binyamin Ze'ev was dismissed from his position as rabbi of Arta in its wake. Great importance has been ascribed to this book in halachic literature, though some halachic authorities banned it following the opposition it aroused. It is interesting to quote the words of the Maharshal, his contemporary, who opposed relying on the halachic decisions in the book, and relates to the errors which in his opinion crept into it: "If he is righteous, why did G-d allow an error to come about through him? Was he not the writer, who brought the book to print in person?". The Rema, however, lists the author among the greatest halachic authorities and relies upon his decisions. (About the book, the controversy it aroused and the differences between the copies, see: Meir Benayahu, Introduction to Sefer Binyamin Ze'ev, Jerusalem, 1989).
The author reputedly proofread and corrected some of the copies after the printing. Several copies with his handwritten corrections are known to us (see Kedem Auctions: 57 item 170, 62 item 23 and 65 item 73).
[3] leaves (written on both sides). 21 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Marginal wear and tears.
