Sefat Emet V’Lashon Zehorit. Work opposing amulets with suspicious connection to the Sabbateans written by Rabbi Yehonatan Eibshitz, authored by Rabbi Yaakov Emden.
Specifications: [24] leaves, 20 cm. Sketches. First edition. Incomplete copy.
Backgound: Especially resolute work written by Rabbi Yaakov Emden against Rabbi Yehonatan Eibshitz. Includes copies of amulets attributed to Rabbi Eibshitz, and Rabbi Yaakov Emden’s proofs that they were written according to Sabbatean beliefs. The second section features letters from rabbis opposing Rabbi Yehonatan Eibshitz. The Luchat HaEidut [Altona, 1756] was printed to refute this work and justify Rabbi Eibshitz, with his preface.This work was at the center of a stormy controversy and many copies were destroyed. Many of the surviving copies are incomplete. Most complete copies have 34 leaves, but there are a few known copies with 4 additional leaves.This copy has 24 leaves. Details of the missing leaves will be provided upon request.
Condition: Fine. Minimal aging stains and worming holes. New half-leather and marbleized paper binding.
Defense of the Talmud, rebuttal to the libels of the Netivot Olam, by Christian Alexander McCall (London, 1839), by Naftali Hertz Bornstein. Published by S.Y. Abramowitz (Shalom Yaakov Abramowitz = Mendele Mocher Seforim).
Specifications: [7], 59 pages. 20 cm. First edition.
Unique features: Title page in Hebrew and Russian. Preface by Mendele Mocher Seforim with a short review of the books published to refute the Netivot Olam. The book was written by the author, a London resident, soon after the Netivot Olam was published.
Content: Bound with: Sefer HaChozeh by Yaakov Zvi Sobel, Odessa, 1872. Sobel (1831-1913) uses epic poetry to critique the lifestyle of Russian Jewry (refer to Kressel, Lexicon, p. 476).
Condition: Very fine. Simple, blemished binding.
Responsa for the wise of the nation, because of the opposition to the changes that the Reform leaders wished to institute in the Hamburg synagogue, such as changes in prayers and organ playing in synagogue, cancelling repetition of the chazan and more, by Eliezer Leiberman.
Specifications: 28 pages: [8] leaves [1] 2-52 pages. 19 cm.
Unique features: This is the first work with “revisions” to religion by the first Reformers in Germany. The pages of the book bear over twenty comments in an Ashkenazic hand, refuting the ideas in the book, disproving the weak arguments, showing that the comparisons do not compare, and attacking the exaggerated mistakes.
Content: The first section features responsa from the Leghorn rabbis allowing an organ in the synagogue [on weekdays] and a responsum from Aaron Choriner allowing the use of the organ even on Shabbat! It also includes proofs and other dubious authorizations, all as-if with pure halachic explanations, in addition to a letter from R’ Moshe Kunitzer.
Background: Torah leaders: the Chatam Sofer; Mahara”m Benet; and the Mahar”i of Lissa, author of the Netivot HaMishpat, all wrote strongly against this work and stated that it was heritical. Refer to their letters printed in Eileh Divrei HaBrit (Hamburg, 1819).
Condition: Very fine. Minimal aging stains. Simple binding.
A polemic against Christianity by Rabbi Yom Tov Lipman Muhlhausen. Arranged in the order of the portions of the Torah and books of the Bible. With Teshuvot HaRadak L’Notzrim.
Specifications: 110 leaves, 12 cm.
Unique Features: A historically important book printed as a response to the Christian attacks in the book Tela Ignea Satanae [The Fiery Darts of Satan]. The first edition of the book printed by Jews, without the sections written by Christians against Judaism. As written on the title page: Reprinted to fulfill the desire of those who want to find words to beat and silence those who speak negatively about G-d and His messiah, in a manner that anyone who reads this book will know what to respond.
Condition: Fine. Aging stains. Original parchment binding.
a. Kadmot Sefer HaZohar. A long article replete with astounding knowledge to prove the origins and true sources of the book of the Zohar by Rabbi David Luria (the Radal) of Byhov.
Specifications: [2], 36; 8 leaves. 20 cm.
Unique Features: The final booklet, “Kina L’David” – is a eulogy on the Radal by Rabbi Yechiel Heller, author of Amudei Esh.
Condition: Very fine.
b. Ma’amarim Yekarim V’Dvarim Nechbadim. Introductions to Pirkei D’Rabbi Eliezer written by Radal as an introduction to his commentary on Pirkei D’Rabbi Eliezer.
1. Shem Ha’Echad Eliezer – praises of Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus and his character traits based on the Talmudic literature.
2. Emek Bracha regarding the Talmudic discussion that Rabbi Eliezer is “shamuti”.
3. Beit Tzadik – his history and family history.
Specifications: [1], 44 leaves. 16 cm.
Condition: Very fine.
Unique work opposing changes to prayers and synagogue arrangements, primarily regarding holding wedding ceremonies in the synagogue and moving the location of the bimah. Authored by Rabbi Yisrael Dovid Margoliot Yaffe, Av Beit Din of Pezinok, disciple of the Chatam Sofer.
Specifications: [1], 80, [3] leaves. 19 cm. The last pagination includes a list of subscribers and catalogue of a book merchant in Pressburg. First edition.
Unique features: Includes a lengthy article with interesting proofs from numerology opposing the square hats worn by the Reformers.
Condition: Very fine. Marginal reinforcements to solitary leaves. Minimal aging stains.
