Sefer ha-Roke'ah, Eleazer ben Judah of Worms, Fano: Gershom Soncino, 1505

109 leaves (11¼ x 8 in.; 285 x 203 mm) lacking only the final blank. collation: ( )^{2,1-176, 185=109 leaves. Upper blank margin of title mended, mend in gutter margin of second leaf and in upper margin of last few quires, small wormtrack in upper margin of a few quires, occasional marginal spotting and dampstaining; owners' notes on title, f. 3 and final leaf; censors' inscriptions on f. 109 r. (Domenico Irosolomitano, 1597) and 109 v. (Dominico Carretto, 1617). Early Spanish calf, blind-tooled in a panel design with roll-tooled floral border, remains of green silk ties; scraped and gnawed, corners and edges rubbed.}

Jacob Shalom—his purchase note on title page; Israel Penso (d.1690)—his ms. exlibris on title page; Gershon Furt ben Abraham Furt Katz—his purchase note on f.3r and final leaf

Vinograd, Fano 12; Mehlman 954, Haberman, ha-Madpisim B'nei Soncino, 19

109 leaves (11¼ x 8 in.; 285 x 203 mm) lacking only the final blank, collation: ( )2,1-186, 195=115 leaves. Upper blank margin of title mended, mend in gutter margin of second leaf and in upper margin of last few quires, small wormtrack in upper margin of a few quires, occasional marginal spotting and dampstaining; owners' notes on title, f. 3 and final leaf; censors' inscriptions on f. 109 r. (Domenico Irosolomitano 1597-[Mantua]) and 109 v. (Domenico Carretto 1617-[Mantua.]) Early Spanish calf, blind-tooled in a panel design with roll-tooled floral border, remains of green silk ties; scraped and gnawed, corners and edges rubbed.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

the first hebrew book to be printed with a title page

Sefer ha-Roke'ah is a halakhic work which includes minhagim (customs) as well as a considerable amount of ethical material. The author, Eleazer ben Judah of Worms, (c.1165–c.1238) was a member of the renowned Kalonymid family, and the most prominent disciple and student of Judah he-Hasid, the leader of the pietist movement known as Hasidei Ashkenaz.  Eleazer ben Judah of Worms was the last major figure of this social and ideological circle which developed in the Jewish communities along the Rhine during the 12th and 13th centuries. Eleazar's main contribution to the ethical literature of Hasidei Ashkenaz is contained in the first two chapters of Roke'ah. In the first he discusses the central values of the pietists (love and fear of God, prayer, humility, etc.). In the second, he describes in detail the ways of repentance. Although following the tradition of other halakhic works by the tosafists of northern France and Germany, Sefer ha-Roke'ah was designed to educate the layperson rather than the scholar. Accordingly, the author eschews lengthy exegetical discourses, preferring to deliver the halakhah in a forthright manner, though still referencing Talmudic sources. Unlike other halakhic works written by the tosafists, Eleazar also includes minhagim in his work.