Jewish Printing in the Incunable Period

The first episode of 'Treasures from the Rebbe's Library' showcases the very first dated Hebrew work to be published. Printed in Regio di Calabria in 1475, Rashi al Hatorah was the first Hebrew work to be printed with a date, thus allowing us to ascertain when it was printed. The book contains Rashi’s commentary on the Torah as a standalone volume, which was common during the incunabular period. It was only later that Chumashim were printed with Rashi’s commentary in the same volume. Published by Abraham ben Garton ben Isaac, it was printed in the Hebrew press of Regio di Calabria, which was open for a very brief period of time. The sefer is extremely rare with only a few known copies in existence. The Rebbe’s library has two leaves from the book, which were taken from the binding of later works, as detailed in Rabbi Levine’s lecture.