Sefer Keritut – Talmudic Methodology – First Edition – Constantinople, 1515

Sefer Keritut – Talmudic Methodology – First Edition – Constantinople, 1515
Sefer Keritut, Talmudic methodology, by R. Shimshon of Chinon. [Constantinople, 1515]. First edition. Name of printer not indicated.
First edition of Sefer Keritut, the renowned work by R. Shimshon of Chinon, which sets forth the methodology of Talmud and Halachic ruling. This work was later reprinted in many editions.
The book is divided into five parts. The first two parts are a detailed treatise on the 13 hermeneutical rules for interpreting the Torah. The third part discusses the 32 hermeneutical rules of R. Eliezer son of R. Yose HaGelili. The fourth part is a chronology of the Tana'im and Amora'im and various rules for deciding halachah, and the fifth part (titled Leshon Limudim), the largest and most comprehensive, explains the methodology applying to the Talmud, Mishnah and Beraita.
The author, R. Shimshon of Chinon, was a French commentator and Halachic authority at the end of the period of the Tosafists, who presumably authored his work in the early 14th century. The book is based on several earlier works, such as Seder Tana'im VeAmora'im and Igeret Rav Sherira Gaon. The final and main part of the book is based on the teachings of the Tosafists.
Glosses in Italian script on two leaves.
[63] leaves. Originally: [64] leaves. Lacking one leaf (leaf [9] from part I). 20.5 cm. Wide margins. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Minor wear. Marginal open tears to several leaves, not affecting text (leaves trimmed unevenly). Worming. Loose leaves and gatherings. Without binding.
See: E.E. Urbach, Baalei HaTosafot, Jerusalem 1976, II, pp. 720-721; Sefer Keritut, R. S.B.D. Sofer's edition, Jerusalem 1965, pp. 21-23.