Obj. ID: 37291  Refuah ve-Chaim by Avraham Falagi, Izmir, 1871

This text was prepared by William Gross:

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the subject of medicine progressed rapidly. But still there existed the time honored traditions and formulas that were drawn from experience and tradition. Both science and tradition are represented in the publication of many books regarding medicine and cures of ailments. There are still many items that today would be considered amuletic. This one of those volumes.
This is the first edition of this book, which was reprinted many times in Jerusalem, four editions of which are represented in the Gross Family Collection. All later editions, even with changes and additions, are based on this text by Avraham Falagi, one of the great 19th century Kabbalists and perhaps the most prolific author of Jewish texts.
Izmir became an important center of Hebrew printing in the Ottoman Empire beginning in the mid-17th century. Its first printing house was founded in 1657 by Avraham b. Yedidya Gabbai, who published in Izmir in two distinct periods, from 1657-1660, and again from 1671-1675. After Gabbai left Izmir, all printing activity in that city ceased for the next fifty years. It was resumed between 1728-1739, and again between 1754-1767, and then lay dormant again for another 60 years.
Only from the mid-19th century onward did Hebrew printing in Izmir continue uninterrupted until 1950. Several printing houses were active by the 1850’s-60’s, including that of the De Segura brothers. This press was founded in 1862 and continued to exist until 1906. More than 106 books and other publications were produced there. The present volume was issued by Aharon Yehoshua De Segura.