Sefer Yesod – Sifra (Toras Kohanim), Venice 1545/46 – First Edition Based on a New Manuscript – A Magnificent Copy!
Sifra, Toras Kohanim, attributed to the
Tanna Eloki, Rabbi Yehuda, printed by Daniel Bomberg, Venice 1545-1546.
It is widely accepted that the Sifra was authored by Rabbi Yehuda, as the Gemara states: "Stam Sifra, Rabbi Yehuda" (Sanhedrin 86a). However, according to Rav Sherira Gaon, this means that the statements recorded in the Sifra originate from the Beis Medrash and talmidim of Rabbi Yehuda. The Sifra is frequently referenced in both the
Talmud Bavli and
Talmud Yerushalmi.
Over the generations, great
geonim have written extensive commentaries explaining the Sifra, including the Seferi Debei Rav by the
Gaon Rabbi David Pardo, author of
Chasdei David, among others.
The Sifra was first printed in
Constantinople in the year
1570, and before us is a reprint based on a different manuscript—
a first edition of this manuscript.
