Eliezer Ashkenazi Moves from Poland to the Land of Israel and Establishes The First Printing Press in the Middle East
The renowned Hebrew printer Eliezer ben Yitzchak Ashkenazi of Prague departed from Lublin with his printing equipment and settled in Constantinople, where he operated a Hebrew printing press for approximately three years. Due to stiff competition, he moved to Tsfat (Safed) in 1577, where he established the first Hebrew printing press in the region, in partnership with Abraham Ben Yitzchak Ashkenazi, a Tsfat resident who funded the enterprise.
The press produced works by Rabbi Yosef Karo, the Ramak, Rabbi Shlomo Alkabets, and Rabbi Chaim Vital on the teachings of the Ari.
Due to economic instability in Tsfat, compounded by Ottoman hardships and competition from the well-established Hebrew presses of Constantinople and Venice, the press operated only briefly between 1577 and 1587, when it was destroyed as the city was once again plundered. Nevertheless, its historical significance remains immense.
Overview
The well-known Hebrew printer Eliezer Ben Isaac Ashkenazi left Lublin for Eretz Israel, taking with him this printing tools, type, and decorations. After operating his printing press for three years in Constantinople, he moved to Tsfat (Safed). There he set up the first printing press in Israel in partnership with Abraham Ben Isaac Ashkenazi, a resident of Tsfat who provided the funds necessary for the enterprise.
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