The Bomberg Talmud

The Bomberg Talmud:

Daniel Bomberg, who was almost certainly the most important gentile printer of Hebrew books of all time. Born in Antwerp in the year 1480, rich and educated, Bomberg left Antwerp and moved to Venice. In 1515, he applied to the Venice Senate for permission to establish a printing house and to print Hebrew books. He was wealthy, influential, and a Christian, and this surely assisted in permission being granted.

From 1516, Bomberg systematically issued the basic texts of Judaism in unequaled typographical excellence, as well as superior in & paper. Nearly five hundred years later, the products of his press have survived in outstanding condition. 

Bomberg's first sefer was Mkra'os Gedolos, printed over the years 1516-1517, which was the first of its kind ever to appear. 

Bomberg's greatest achievement was the printing of the entire Babylonian Talmud, which he accomplished between 1520 and 1523 - the first complete edition ever printed. (in the previous century, Soncino had managed to print only a limited number of tractates.) 

It is Bombergs edition of the Talmud which established exactly which words appear on each page, followed in all editions to this day.

Between 1523 and 1524, Bomberg also printed the entire Jerusalem (Palestinian) Talmud, without commentary, which was the first time that any of it had ever been printed.

The only complete surviving copy of the Bomberg Babylonian Talmud was sold in auction by Sotheby's in New York City on Tuesday, December, 22, 2015. It was purchased by a private collector, Leon Black, for a record $8.1 Million, plus buyers premium totalling $9.3 Million. 

The Complete Bomberg Edition of the Babylonian Talmud 
on display at Sotheby's Auction House. Tractate Middos is open in this picture.
Photography: Sotheby's, New York.

Notice in the snipping below, taken from Ha'Eida, a weekly newsletter published by the Eida Hachareidis community in Jerusalem, they refer to him as R' Daniel Bomberg. 

This is evident of how his name has become synonymous with the printing & learning of Torah, his work revered by all, have become staples in every Jewish home, becoming part of the very fabrics of rabbinic literature and hebrew books through the ages!

Ha'Eida, Parshas Chukas, 2001