View Auction Listing - Ma’aseh Hiyya

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Bidding Information
Lot #		22518
Auction End Date		1/20/2009 10:06:00 AM (mm/dd/yyyy)

Title Information

Title (English)

Ma’aseh Hiyya

Title (Hebrew)

מעשה חייא

Author

[First Ed.] R. Hiyya Rofe

City

Venice

Publisher

Vendramin

Publication Date

1652

Collection Information

Independent Item

This listing is an independent item not part of any collection

Description Information

Physical
Description

First edition. [3], 105, 111-55, [1] ff. quarto 205:130 mm., wide margins, light age and damp staining. A very good copy bound in modern boards.

Detailed
Description

First edition of the novellae and responsa of R. Hiyya Rofe (c. 1550–1618). Little is known of Hiyya’s background, including his father’s name. It is known, however, that he was born in Sefad, studied in the yeshivah of R. Solomon Sagis, and counted among his teachers R. Tuvia ha-Levi, R. Joseph di Trani (Maharit), and R. Abraham Shalom; he was instructed in Kabbalah by R. Hayyim Vital. R. Hiyyah was one of the small group ordained by R. Jacob Berab. He served as a young age as a dayyan in the bet din of R. Moses Galante and afterwards resided at various times in Jerusalem and Tiberius, founding a yehsivah in the latter location. Hiyya eventually returned to Safed, his final residence. He was the author of numerous responsa, almost all lost, and novellae, included in this work brought to press by his son R. Meir Rofe. The title page states that it is “elucidation of tractates and some responsa at the end which, “he weighed, and sought out, and set in order” (cf. Ecclesiastes 12:9) by his instruction in Israel. . . . Brought to press by the son of the author. . . . In the year, “Let us go into the house בית (412 = 1652) of the Lord” (Psalms 122:1).”

Below the frame and Hebrew text in Latin are the name of the press, Presso Giovanni Imberti, and the Con licenza de’ Superiori of the censor. Additonal ornamentation consists of a frame of florets about the header of Berakhot and a woodcut (pressmark) between the novellae and responsa with the initials GI for Giovanni Imberti. On the verso of the title page is a letter (approbation) from R. Eliezer ibn Orhah of Hebron, followed by the introduction of Meir Rofe R. Moses Zacut, the latter the editor. The text is in a single column in small rabbinic letters, comprised of the novellae (1a-111a), followed by the responsa, and concluding with an epilogue from R. Joseph Venturin, also an editor, and an index of the novellae and responsa. The novellae are on fourteen tractates, Berakhot, Shabbat, Eruvin, Pesahim, Bezah, Hagigah, Megillah, Ketubbot, Kiddushin, Bava Kamma, Bava Mezia, Hullin, Shevu’ot, and Avodah Zara. Kiddushin is accompanied by novellae on Maimonides’ Hilkhot Ishot. The responsa, small in number, is varied, encompassing matrimonial issues, deposits, dedication of a Sefer Torah on condition, inheritance, and other subjects.

Paragraph 2

משטות על הגמ' וקצת שאלות בסופו אשר אזן וחקר... הרב... חייא רופא זצוק"ל. והביאו לדפוס בן הרב המחבר (מאיר) נר"ו...

מעבר לשער "חתימת הרב מארי דקרתא קדישתא היא חברון", ר' אליעזר ן' ארחא. בראש הספר הקדמות ר' מאיר רופא, בן המחבר, ור' משה ב"ר מרדכי זכות. בסוף הספר: דברי המגיה ר' [יוסף] וינטורין בכר דוד. עיין על הספר: מאיר בניהו, רבי חייא רופא וספרו "מעשה חייא" - ארשת, ב, תש"ך, עמ' 129-109.

Reference
Description

BE mem 3019; Heller, 17th Cent. Hebrew Book; Meir Benayahu, Rabbi Chiya Rophe and his Book “Mase Chija,” Areshet II (Jerusalem, 1960), pp. 109-29 [Hebrew]; Vanunu, Encyclopedia Arzei ha-Levanon, II, p. 566; CD-EPI 0175435

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