This book, Sefer HaRashba”sh is one of the important Halacha (Jewish legal) books. It contains responsa (questions and answers) by Rabbi Shlomo ben Shimon Duran the son of the Rashba”tz, Rabbi Shimon ben Tzemach Duran. This first edition was printed in Livorno (Leghorn), Grand Duchy of Tuscany, Italy in 1742.
It was printed byAbraham Meldola, the uncle of Haham Raphael Meldola, who was the Rabbi of the Sephardic community in London, whose Synagogue was, and still is, known as Bevis Marks.
Haham Raphael Meldola was born in Livorno in 1754. He was a prominent Italian-born Sephardic rabbi who served as the Haham (Chief Rabbi) of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews in London. He was educated in Livorno and was appointed as a Dayan (rabbinic judge) in Livorno in 1803. In 1805, he was elected as the Haham of the Spanish and Portuguese Bevis Marks Synagogue in London, a post he held for 23 years. He died in London in 1828. A distinguished scholar from a long line of rabbis, he authored key works on Jewish law, including Chupat Chatanim, intended for new bridegrooms, and he played a significant role in London’s Jewish community, influencing both religious and social life, with a lasting legacy as a guardian of traditional Sephardic practice.
His uncle, Abraham ben Raphael Meldola (1705–1755) was a prominent Jewish printer and business figure active in Livorno, who played a significant role in the resumption of Hebrew printing in that city. He was active as a printer in Livorno between 1740 and 1755, often working in conjunction with his son, Raphael Meldola (cousin of the London Raphael Meldola).
The author of the book, the noted halakhic (Jewish legal) authority Shlomo ben Shimon Duran (known as Rashbash) was born in Algiers in 1400 and lived there until his death in 1467. He was the son of Shimon ben Tzemaḥ Duran and succeeded him as chief rabbi of Algiers. In that capacity he was the leading rabbinic authority for all the communities of Algeria.
Rabbi Malachi Hacohen, author of ‘ Yad Malachi ‘, had the manuscript and gave everyone permission to print it. Abraham Meldola, who was also a successful businessman in Livorno published the book at his newly established printing house. The book is accompanied by approbations (haskamas) by the Yad Malachi and the Mishnat Chassidim and more.
Among the topics discussed are:
Siman 89-90, a responsum about Conversos (Spanish Jews who were forced to convert to Christianity) and the sons of Conversos who returned to Judaism.
Siman 195, a responsum about being saved from a plague. The author was asked what is the point of escaping the town during a plague, since it has already been decided on Rosh HaShanah whether one is to die or live.
Siman 285, a responsum about whether one should wear shoes when praying in a synagogue. The Rambam (Maimonides) had said that one must not pray barefooted, but the Rashbash argues that one should follow the custom of the land, and be barefooted in a Moslem country but wear shoes in a Christian country.
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