This study focuses on one medieval manuscript of the Palestinian Talmud, that served as a printer's copy for the first edition of the composition, printed in Venice (1523). A detailed philological examination of the preparation of the text for print, drives a comprehensive description of transition of Talmudic literature from manuscript culture to print culture.
With Dr. Yakov Mayer discussing the first edition of the Talmud Yerushalmi, Seforim Chatter Podcast, Nachi Weinstein, November 2022
"The invention of the printing press was revolutionary in myriad ways, including the division of Talmud texts from handwritten-manuscripts to printed books. Defus Rishon, by Yakov Z. Mayer, explores ways that the arrival of print technology raises questions about knowledge transfer and reception. Using a 13th-century manuscript of the Yerushalmi as his test case, Meir shows the movement from manuscript to first edition print book (Venice, 15th century). Through careful textual analysis we come to understand the impact of print technology on knowledge, authority, and the Talmud texts studied until this day." - "New and Noteworthy Books", Tradition Online, September 2022