Obj. ID: 37233  Takpo Cohen, Thessaloniki (Salonika), 1801

This text was prepared by William Gross:

Kuntrus on the halachot of personal intervention to recover non-collectable debts and other financial disputes, written by R’ Shabbetai HaKohen (the “Shach”). This booklet reshaped the halachic landscape on this issue and attracted much commentary.
Title page with ornate woodcut frame in the form of a decorative archway with foliate columns, stylized urns, a crown above, and a tree below. For other title pages with the same border, see B.763 (1801) B.770 (1802) and B.769 (1804).
Shabbatai ben Meir HaKohen (1622-1663) was a noted 17th-century talmudist and halakhist. He became known as the Shakh, due to his most important work, Siftei Kohen. His rulings were considered authoritative by later halakhists.
The history of Hebrew printing in Salonica began in the early 16th and lasted some 400 years, being brought to an end only with the Nazi conquest. The first Hebrew press was established in Salonica in 1512 by a Portuguese printer and émigré, Ibn Gedalya. By the 1560’s, with the mass influx of former Marranos from the Iberian Peninsula, printing activity in Salonica reached its height, with more than 120 books published (including a few in Ladino). With the exception of a short period, however, the city did not have any well-established printing house until the end of the 17th century.
By the mid-18th century, several printing houses which were to enjoy long periods of activity had been founded. The Halevi Ashkenazi family became one of the foremost printing families in Salonica during the 18th-19th centuries. Its scion, Bezalel Halevi Ashkenazi, established his press in 1740. The press continued to operate under his sons until 1763.
Bezalel’s grandson, Sa’adi Halevi Ashkenazi, founded a new press in 1792 in partnership with the Nechama brothers. He brought with him his grandfather’s type molds (a similar title page design from his grandfather’s press can be seen on B.762). In addition to his partnership activity, Sa’adi engaged in private printing until 1815. His brother, Bezalel, continued his work until 1826. Printing activity continued there under the leadership of Bezalel’s widow and sons until 1839. A later descendant, Sa’adi Halevi Ashkenazi (the Second), was the most important printer in Salonica during the 19th century (1840-1902).