Auction 102 Part 1 Hebrew Manuscripts and Books from the Victor (Avigdor) Klagsbald Collection
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Kenaf Renanim, songs, bakashot and piyyutim for various occasions, with explanations, by R. Yosef Yedidiah son of R. Binyamin Yekutiel Carmi. Venice: Giovanni Calleoni, 1626.
Kenaf Renanim contains supplications and piyyutim to be recited at daybreak on weekdays, Shabbat and festivals. These piyyutim were composed by R. Yosef Yedidiah Carmi, a kabbalist, poet and rabbi in Modena, Italy. Even before this book was printed, a fierce polemic broke out against these piyyutim, which were being circulated in manuscript among Italian sages. The author's brother-in-law, the famed kabbalist R. Aharon Berachiah of Modena, author of Maavar Yabok, spearheaded the conflict, opposing the premise of prayers composed by contemporaries, especially those which are not compatible with the Arizal's kabbalistic approach.
Nonetheless, the book received enthusiastic approbations by Italian rabbis (see: M. Benayahu, Copyright, Authorization and Imprimatour for Hebrew Books Printed in Venice, Jerusalem 1971, pp. 103-105 [Hebrew]). In his second introduction to the book, the author tells at length the history of the polemic and explicates the claims of both parties and his rejoinder, including a report that the Rama of Fano was fond of the confession in Kenaf Renanim.
On last leaf, on verso of errata, appears the license of the Padua authorities to print the book (in Latin), dated 1626.
12; 107, [11] leaves. 20.5 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Light wear. Tears and open tears, affecting text of several leaves, partially repaired with tape. Loose and partially detached gatherings. Close trimming, slightly affecting text of one leaf. Early parchment binding, with non-original spine. Damage to binding.
CB, no. 5892,1; Zedner, p. 354; Roest, p. 596.
Petach Einayim, index to Biblical verses appearing in the Zohar and Tikunei Zohar, by R. Eliezer Sternburg. Cracow: Menachem Nachum son of Moshe Meisels, 1647. Only edition.
Topical index to Biblical verses appearing in the Zohar and Tikunei Zohar. After each verse appears a brief reference to its place in the Zohar or Tikunei Zohar.
The author, R. Eliezer son of Menachem Manish Sternburg of Cracow, lists several reasons for the book's name in his introduction, and blesses the purchasers of the book to have "lengthy days and years, and see children and grandchildren, in peace and quiet, and fly to the city of Zion like doves to their cotes". The introduction contains an explanation of the structure of the book and the verses included in it, and the key to the references.
The author's introduction is followed by several approbations, including one by R. Yom Tov Lipman HaLevi Heller, Rabbi of Cracow, the Tosafot Yom Tov.
Signature on title page (partially deleted by ink stains):
"G-d granted me this book, Avraham HaLevi of Chelm" – the signature of R. Avraham HaLevi of Chelm, Rabbi of Emden – a leading rabbi of his generation, successor of R. Yaakov Emden as Rabbi of Emden (ca. 1750-1760), mentioned in Responsa Noda BiYehudah (Yoreh Deah, Kama, 1) and Zichron Yaakov by R. Yaakov Berlin (Fürth, 1770). A responsum of his dated 1765 appears in Responsa She'elat Yaavetz (II, 24-25). In 1760 he began to serve as Rabbi of Hildesheim (his document of appointment to the position was published in Kerem Shlomo, IV, 1). He fought the vestiges of Sabbateanism in Germany alongside R. Yaakov Emden (see articles on him by A. Brik, Shanah BeShanah, 1980, pp. 335-340; Shanah BeShanah, 1993, pp. 409-420).
[2], 37, [2] leaves. 18.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dark stains to upper part of many leaves. Close trimming, affecting text (bottom line mostly missing from two leaves). New binding.
Rare.
CB, no. 5002,1.
Halichot Eli, Talmudic and halachic methodology, by R. Shlomo Algazi. Izmir: Avraham son of Yedidiah Gabbai Kaf Nachat, [1658].
On endpapers, many inscriptions and scribbles, repeating many times the names: "Zechariah Fontanella of Reggio", "Zechariah Chaim Fontanella", "Zechariah Fontanella son of R. Avraham Fontanella of Reggio", and more. At top of title page, signature (partially deleted): "M.Z.T.". Another signature, calligraphic, on title page: "Avraham son of R. Zechariah Fontanella".
Many glosses in neat Italian script – lengthy learned glosses, by an Italian Torah scholar of the 18th century. In some of them, the writer comments on or attacks the author's statements (for example: "Everything he wrote here is impossible…", "I already wrote above that there is no proof from there…", and more).
We know of a R. Avraham Mazal Tov son of R. Zechariah Fontanella, who was the son-in-law of R. Yeshayah Carmi, Rabbi of Reggio (disciple and successor of R. Yisrael Binyamin Bassan). A ketubah of R. Avraham Fontanella and Gentila daughter of R. Carmi, from Av 1795, is located in the New York Public Library. The author of the present glosses may be R. Yeshayah Carmi, but this requires further investigation.
80 leaves. 19.5 cm. Overall good condition. Stains and wear. Old leather binding, damaged, partially repaired.
One of the first products of the Hebrew press in Izmir; see: Y.Sh. Spiegel, Alei Sefer, IV, 1977, pp. 126-127, who reads the chronogram as dating the printing to 1658 rather than 1663.
Cuzary libro de grande sciencia y mucha doctrina, by R. Judah Halevi. Translated into Spanish from the Hebrew translation by R. Jacob Abendana. Amsterdam: [n.p.], 1663. Spanish.
The first Spanish translation of Sefer HaKuzari, one of the fundamental works of Jewish thought and philosophy. The translation was not based on the original Judeo-Arabic text but rather on the famous Hebrew translation by R. Judah ibn Tibbon.
The translator,
R. Jacob Abendana (1630-1695), a Dutch-English scholar of Sephardic descent, served as the Hakham of the Spanish-Portuguese Jewish community in London and as the Chief Rabbi of the Jews of England. He produced this translation following a correspondence with the German-Christian theologian Anton Hulsius, who sought to convert him to Christianity.
The author,
R. Judah Halevi (ca. 1075-1141), was among the greatest Jewish poets and philosophers of the Middle Ages. The book, originally written in Judeo-Arabic under the title Kitab al-Radd wa al-Dalil fi al-Din al-Dhalil (The Book of Refutation and Proof on Behalf of the Despised Religion), became known as the Kuzari due to its dialogue format between the King of the Khazars and a Jewish scholar (referred to as "the Haver"). It comprises five sections (ma’amarim), outlining the core principles of Jewish faith. A key aspect of the work is its emphasis on the foundation of Jewish belief through historical prophetic revelation, in contrast to other philosophical works that base religious belief on logical and rational arguments.
Sefer HaKuzari was accepted as a classic book on Jewish faith throughout the generations, employed by many thinkers. Especially famous are the words of the Gaon of Vilna in praise of the book, quoted by his disciple R. Yisrael of Shklow: "He [the Gaon of Vilna] would instruct to study Sefer HaKuzari first, since it is holy and pure, and fundaments of Jewish faith and Torah rest upon it" (Tosefet Maaseh Rav, Jerusalem, 1896, leaf 21).
See: Moshe Lazar, Book of the Kuzari... a 15th century Ladino translation, Culver City (California): Labyrinthos, 1990, introduction.
[4] leaves, 306 pages. 19.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains, including dark stains and light dampstains. Minor creases. Worming. Slight tears to several leaves, some repaired with tape, slightly affecting text. Numerous handwritten annotations. Bookplate on inner front cover. New binding with leather spine.
Divrei Nechemiah, novellae on the Torah according to the homiletical and kabbalistic approaches, by Nechemiah Chiya Hayyun. Berlin: Baruch Buchbinder, 1713. Only edition.
On title page, the word "Amsterdam" is emphasized.
At beginning of book, approbations from R. David Oppenheim of Prague, R. Gavriel Leib [Eskeles] Rabbi of Nikolsburg, R. Aharon Rabbi of Berlin and R. Yehudah Leib son of R. Moshe of Glogów.
Nechemiah Chiya Hayyun (ca. 1655-1730) was a Sabbatean Torah scholar and kabbalist, the most prominent Sabbatean after the death of Shabtai Tzvi. When Hayyun's books were brought to the Chacham Tzvi during his tenure as Rabbi of Amsterdam, he found them to contain heretical and Sabbatean material and issued a ban against them and their author, and began a fierce battle against him. The Chacham Tzvi was joined by R. Moshe Chagiz in his battle against Hayyun, and both suffered the persecution of Hayyun's supporters in Amsterdam. Hayyun extracted the approbations to his book by fraud and deceit. The approbation Hayyun received for this book from R. David Oppenheim was reused for his Sabbatean-kabbalistic Oz LElohim, along with an approbation he had received from R. Naftali Katz. Both later retracted their approbations, but Hayyun refused to return them; they both published their retraction in Milchamah LaShem Cherev LaShem by R. Moshe Chagiz (Amsterdam, 1714).
[2], 86, [1] leaves. 19 cm. Partially dark paper. Good condition. Stains. Early parchment binding, front side partially detached, with damage and light worming.
CB, no. 6656,1; Zedner, p. 183; Cowley, p. 508.
"Discourse", the first printed Yiddish periodical, published in defense of both the new and old Jewish communities of Amsterdam. Amsterdam, [1797-1798]. Yiddish. Two volumes.
Two volumes containing satirical-humorous pamphlets published in Amsterdam – one set issued by the new community Adath Jeshurun in opposition to the old community, and the other by the old community in response to the new one.
• "Diskohres fun di Alte Kehile" – periodical published by the new community of Amsterdam, refuting the old community. [Amsterdam: Yohanan Levi Rofe, 1797-1798]. 24 pamphlets.
The complete run of all 24 pamphlets published (lacking leaves in some places).
24 pamphlets (varying foliation, 4-8 leaves per pamphlet). Lacking first leaf of first pamphlet (with title), and leaves 2-3 of pamphlet no. 22. Blank leaves inserted between some pamphlets. 17.5 cm. Browning to some leaves. Fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear. Tears and open tears to first leaves, affecting text, partially restored with tape (leaving dark marks). New binding.
• "Diskohres vegin di Naye Kehile in Amsterdam" – periodical issued by the old community of Amsterdam, refuting the new community. [Amsterdam: Proops, 1797-1798]. 12 pamphlets: 2, 4, 13-22. Lacking pamphlets 1, 3, 5, and the final pamphlet, no. 23.
A total of 16 pamphlets were published. The first five, titled "Diskohres vegin di Naye Kehile in Amsterdam", were numbered 1-5, followed by issues titled "Diskohres Dreytzente fer folig" through "Drei un Tzvantzigste fer folig" – pamphlet nos. 13-23, numbered at the end as 1-11, respectively.
The first leaf of pamphlet no. 2 features a fine woodcut illustration depicting a carriage with passengers drawn by a pair of horses.
12 pamphlets (varying foliation, 4-8 leaves per pamphlet). Lacking final leaf of pamphlet no. 22 (containing a printer's notice on one side). Pamphlets 14-15 bound upside-down and out of order. 19 cm. Fair-good condition. Stains, including large stains. Wear. Tears, including one leaf torn in center, restored with tape. Trimming affecting headers and text on several leaves. New binding.
Both volumes are prefaced with photographic reproductions of a decorative title page, followed by a historical summary describing the conflict between the new and old communities, the figures involved, the leaders and rabbis of both factions, the resolution of the dispute and their reunification in 1808, along with additional details. These pages are known only from a single copy preserved in the National Library of the Netherlands (and are likely the source of the present reproductions). It appears that these pages were prepared (in lithographic print) as an introduction to the bound pamphlets, approximately a decade after their original printing. These pages are not mentioned in Roest’s detailed description of the copy in the Rosenthaliana Library.
Following the French conquest of the Netherlands in 1795, a group of Jewish adherents of the Haskalah established a new congregation, Adath Jeshurun, advocating for aesthetic reforms in prayer and customs under the influence of the Sephardic community. A fierce controversy ensued between the old and new communities, marked by mutual accusations.
Throughout this dispute, both communities issued pamphlets attacking one another. These pamphlets were printed in Yiddish using Tz'enah Ur'enah type (interspersed with Hebrew names and phrases), and presented in the form of dialogues between fictional characters – a common literary device of the period. They also contain satirical and mocking "proclamations" and "regulations" that each faction attributed to the other.
"Diskohres" is considered the first Yiddish periodical. See: Jozeph Michman, "The 'Discourses' of the New and Old Communities in Amsterdam", in Michmanei Yosef, Jerusalem, 1994, pp. 135-143 (Hebrew).
Adri K. Offenberg, Emile G.L. Schrijver and F.J. Hoogewoud, Bibliotheca Rosenthaliana Treasures of Jewish Booklore, marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of Leeser Rosenthal, 1794-1994. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 1994, pp. 86-87.
Roest, pp. 70-71.
Sefer Minhagim, by R. Shimon HaLevi Günzburg. Amsterdam: Uri Phoebus son of Aharon HaLevi, 1662. Yiddish integrated with Hebrew.
Illustrated title page, with figures of people, angels, fish and Biblical scenes.
31 fine woodcut illustrations printed throughout the book. In addition to these illustrations appear 12 small illustrations of agriculture and zodiacs according to the months of the year.
The Yiddish Minhagim was first printed in Venice, 1589. The first edition was printed without illustrations; in 1593, another edition was printed along with 32 fine woodcut illustrations throughout the book. These illustrations became an integral part of Sefer Minhagim in the subsequent editions. They became highly familiar and were reused many times over the 17th and 18th century, even in other books such as Passover Haggadot, Birkat HaMazon and various other Yiddish books.
The present edition was printed leaf by leaf after the Amsterdam 1645 edition. The last three leaves contain a calendar for 1662-1675. All copies of the present edition have the end of leaf 68 interrupted in the middle, and the last page of Sefer Minhagim went unprinted. A possible explanation is that the printer decided to reduce the calendar, which covered six and a half leaves in the Amsterdam 1645 edition, to four leaves, in order to avoid printing an additional gathering, leading to the text of the last page being omitted.
Signature on title page: "Shmuel son of R. Yaakov".
3, 5-69, [3] leaves. Vast majority of leaf 4 lacking, with only small part remaining. 17.5 cm. Fair condition. Many stains, including dampstains and paint stains. Much wear. Many tears and open tears, to title page and other leaves, affecting title frame and text, partially repaired with tape. New binding.
CB, no. 3823; Roest, p. 460.
L. Fuks and R.G. Fuks-Mansfeld, Hebrew Typography in the Northern Netherlands, Leiden 1987, no. 296.
Laurence Sigal-Klagsbald, Alexis Merle du Bourg and Juliette Braillon-Philippe (eds.), Rembrandt et la nouvelle Jérusalem, Paris: Panama musées, 2007, no. 20 (contains facsimile of the present copy).
Adri K. Offenberg, Emile G.L. Schrijver and F.J. Hoogewoud, Bibliotheca Rosenthaliana Treasures of Jewish Booklore, marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of Leeser Rosenthal, 1794-1994. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 1994, no. 16, pp. 36-37.
Sefer Evronot, astronomy and moladot of months by R. Eliezer Bellin Ashkenazi, with Noten Yeshuah by R. Meir son of R. Natan Yehoshua Sofer Stam. Offenbach, [1722].
Illustrated title page with figures of Moses and Aaron. At top of title page, illustrations of the sun and constellations. On leaves of book, many illustrations and charts, for calculating moladot and tekufot.
Between leaves 36-37 is bound a circle-shaped leaf comprising the "circle of hours".
Many signatures and ownership inscriptions on title page, first leaves and last leaf: "Yitzchak Itzek Chalfan of Metz, I purchased it from Moshe M.D.… 1725"; "I, Moshe son of R. Yehudah called Leib Elzus [Alsace] of Metz" (18th-century dayan in Metz); "Avraham son of R. Itzek Bloch of Niedernai, I purchased from my wealth in honor of my Maker from my relative… R. Getsl Bloch from here"; "Avraham son of R. Itzek Bloch of Niedernai, Sunday, 11th Nisan 1755"; and more.
[2], 40 leaves. 19 cm. Most leaves in good condition. Stains. Worming and open tears to several leaves, bordering text. Original parchment binding. Damage to binding.
CB, no. 4988,4; Zedner, p. 221; Roest, p. 346.
Tractate Shekalim from the Jerusalem Talmud, with glosses by the Gaon of Vilna and the commentaries Taklin Chadtin and Mishnat Eliyahu by R. Yisrael of Shklow, disciple of the Gaon of Vilna. Minsk: Simcha Simmel son of Yechezkel of Horodna, 1812. First edition.
Title page printed partially in red ink. Includes approbations from R. Chaim of Volozhin, R. Menachem Mendel of Shklow and R. Aharon HaLevi Segal of Shklow. The Jerusalem Talmud text follows the version and glosses of the Gaon of Vilna. Printed in the margins are "Old Variants" (where they differ from the Vilna Gaon’s version) and "Masoret HaShas".
Handwritten glosses in Ashkenazic script, some lengthy, from the period close to the printing. Most are by the same writer, transcribing R. Yisrael of Shklow's corrections and additions to his own work. These glosses were printed by R. Moshe Bloch in his book Mechokek Safun (Brooklyn, 2007, pp. 48-52), who notes that the source of the printed glosses was the author's own handwriting.
Ownership inscription in margin of title page (partially damaged): "This… R. Yisrael Porush of [Tzfat ---?] the Gaon of Vilna [---?] from R. Chaim of Volozhin". Another inscription appears on the final page: "R. Yehuda Leib Segal… Levin". A faded inscription at bottom of final page: "For this Jerusalem Talmud, I owe the emissary of the Holy Land, the posek of Shklow, R. Yisrael… one Reichsthaler…".
Several signatures on the title page of R. "Yochanan Hirsch son of R. Mordechai Schlank" – R. Yochanan Hirsch Schlank (1815-1884), a leader and founder of public institutions in Jerusalem. A disciple of the Chatam Sofer, he immigrated to Jerusalem alongside his father, R. Mordechai Schlank (1773-1861), a prominent disciple of the Chatam Sofer (see: HaChatam Sofer VeTalmidav, pp. 188-189, 335-336). R. Yochanan Hirsch was the son-in-law of R. David Tevele Berlin, son of R. Solomon Hirschell, Rabbi of London.
The author,
R. Yisrael of Shklow (1770-1839), was a leading disciple of the Gaon of Vilna (studying under him in his final days). He published the Vilna Gaon's writings, disseminated his teachings, and was a leader of the immigration of the Vilna Gaon's disciples to Eretz Israel. The title page and approbations mention the author as "formerly a preacher in Shklow, now residing in the Upper Galilee".
The book was printed by the author during his travels abroad to raise funds for the settlement of the Gaon’s disciples in Eretz Israel. In his introduction, R. Yisrael describes his travels and his hope "to return home", signing as "the weary wanderer, like a bird wandering from its nest, clinging to the dust of the feet of sages, my eyes and heart always there, the dust of Eretz Yisrael son of R. Shmuel…". The introduction contains valuable historical material on the Gaon of Vilna and his disciples, and includes his admiration for R. Chaim of Volozhin: "His preeminent disciple, the pride of the generation… the greatest of his time in the revealed and hidden Torah… R. Chaim, Av Beit Din and Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin…".
An introduction by R. Chaim of Volozhin appears before the author's introduction, "on our great teacher [the Vilna Gaon]'s work on Seder Zeraim". After the author's introduction, two halachic responsa are printed – a correspondence between R. Chaim of Volozhin and R. Akiva Eger (regarding one who married a convert and after her passing married her daughter). Another responsum by R. Chaim of Volozhin appears at the end of the book.
[5], 33, [1] leaves. 32.5 cm. Printed in part on blue paper. Fair condition. Stains. Worming and open tears, affecting text in a few places. Marginal open tears and damage (repaired with paper). Stamps. Bookplate. New binding.
Vinograd, Otzar Sifrei HaGra, no. 411.
Mishnayot, with Tiferet Yisrael commentary by R. Yisrael Lipschitz. All six parts in six volumes: Seder Zera'im, Hanover: E.A. Telgener, 1830; Seder Moed, Danzig (Gdańsk): Schrath & Rathke, [1844]; Seder Nashim, Danzig: Schrath & Rathke, [1843]; Seder Nezikin, Danzig: Schrath & Rathke, [1845]; Seder Kodashim, Königsberg (Kaliningrad): Rathke & Samter, [1850]; Seder Taharot, Hanover: E.A. Telgener, [1830]. First edition of the Tiferet Yisrael commentary to Mishnah, a classic which has been printed in hundreds of editions.
Six-volume set, bound in original leather bindings, with gilt decorations. The introduction to Seder Moed (called Kupat HaRochlim) bound after first two leaves of volume.
Glosses and inscriptions in several places (mainly to Nezikin volume). Censorship inscription and stamps.
Six volumes. Zera'im: 6, 141, [3] leaves. Moed: [2] leaves, 148 pages, 229 leaves. After first [2] leaves are bound 148 pages of Kupat HaRochlim introduction. Title page of introduction lacking. Title page of Seder Moed mounted on paper, with handwritten text replacements on verso. Nashim: [7], 162, [1]; [1], 25 leaves; Nezikin: [4], 6 pages, 281 leaves. Kodashim: [3] leaves, 71, [1] pages, 192, 198-234, 224-267, 272-319, 319-336 leaves. Lacking 7 leaves: first two leaves (text replaced in handwriting), leaves 268-271, and [1] folding leaf at end. Misfoliation. Some leaves bound out of sequence. Taharot: [4], 3-18; 54, [1] folding leaf, 55-179, [4] leaves. 16 cm. Good to good-fair condition. Stains, including dark stains in several places. Tears and open tears, affecting text, repaired with paper (with handwritten text replacements on several leaves). Original leather bindings, with gilt decorations and new color endpapers. Damage to bindings (open tears to spines and edges of binding of some volumes).
Fortalicium fidei contra iudeos saracenos aliosque christiane fidei inimicos, by Alonso de Espina. Nuremberg: Antonij Koberger, 1494 (printing details in the colophon). Latin.
Copy lacking title page.
This influential work by Alonso de Espina (1410-1464), a Franciscan monk and the "royal confessor" to King Henry IV of Castile (Confesor real), advocating for the expulsion of Jews from the Iberian Peninsula and the establishment of the Spanish Inquisition.
The work was completed circa 1460 and became one of the most influential anti-Semitic books in 15th-century Spain. The book likens the Christian faith to a fortress with five turrets, each corresponding to a chapter. It discusses various opponents of Christianity – Muslims, heretics, Jews, and demons – and provides 'means of defense' against each.
The book's second part is almost entirely dedicated to the Conversos of Spain, calling for the establishment of an active Spanish Inquisition to investigate their actions and eradicate their Judaism from the roots.
The third part of the book is dedicated to unconverted Jews – calling for their expulsion from Spain and the Iberian Peninsula.
The present edition was printed in February 1494, during the expulsion of Jews from the Iberian Peninsula (approximately two years after the Expulsion of Jews from Spain and about three years before the expulsion of Jews from Portugal).
[9], cclxxxix leaves. 19.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Copy lacking title page. Stains. Handwritten inscriptions (old, in the margins). Trimmed margins. Bookplate. Strip of paper glued to the margins of the last page, with a handwritten inscription. Several tears and perforations, most professionally restored. Fine leather binding, with gilt embossing on spine.
See: Alisa Meyuhas-Ginio, "The Fortress of Faith" at the End of the West: Alonso de Espina and his "Fortalitium Fidei", in: Proceedings of the World Congress of Jewish Studies, Division B, Volume I, World Union of Jewish Studies, Jerusalem, 1989, pp. 101-108 (Hebrew).
![De accentibus et orthographia linguae hebraicae [Pronunciation and Spelling of the Hebrew Language] by Johannes Reuchlin. Hag](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale102/120_1.jpg "Pronunciation and Spelling of the Hebrew Language – Johannes Reuchlin")
![De accentibus et orthographia linguae hebraicae [Pronunciation and Spelling of the Hebrew Language] by Johannes Reuchlin. Hag](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale102/120_2.jpg "Pronunciation and Spelling of the Hebrew Language – Johannes Reuchlin")
![De accentibus et orthographia linguae hebraicae [Pronunciation and Spelling of the Hebrew Language] by Johannes Reuchlin. Hag](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale102/120_3.jpg "Pronunciation and Spelling of the Hebrew Language – Johannes Reuchlin")
![De accentibus et orthographia linguae hebraicae [Pronunciation and Spelling of the Hebrew Language] by Johannes Reuchlin. Hag](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale102/120_4.jpg "Pronunciation and Spelling of the Hebrew Language – Johannes Reuchlin")
De accentibus et orthographia linguae hebraicae [Pronunciation and Spelling of the Hebrew Language] by Johannes Reuchlin. Hagenau (Alsace; today Haguenau, France): Thomas Anshelm, 1518. Latin and some Hebrew.
Copy lacking title page.
Third and last book by German scholar Johannes Reuchlin, on the subject of Hebrew grammar and philology. The book is concerned with the diacritic cantillation marks or accents (known in Hebrew as “ta’amei hamikra”) which indicate how the text of the Torah is to be musically chanted. It also discusses the orthography of Biblical Hebrew. The book concludes with nine pages of musical score, to be read from right to left, giving the names of the Hebrew cantillation symbols, in Hebrew, and above the text, the musical notation corresponding to each symbol (in four musical parts). This represents one of the earliest known printings of a Hebrew musical score.
The title page is lacking and is replaced by the colophon, bound at the beginning of the volume, containing publication details and the printer’s device of Thomas Anshelm of Baden-Baden: two semi-nude angels holding banners inscribed with the Pentagrammaton "יהשוה" (a combination of the name "Jesus" and the Tetragrammaton), and the name "Jesus" in Greek, flanking a monogram bearing the initials TAB (Thomae Anshelmi Badenis).
Johannes Reuchlin (1455-1522), among the most prominent of German scholars in the Humanist approach of the Renaissance period, and regarded as the father of the study of Hebrew during this period. Outspoken proponent of an attitude of tolerance toward the Jews. Invested much of his energies in enriching his Christian co-religionists with the wisdom of Jewish sacred writings and Greek philosophy, and in teaching them the Hebrew and Greek languages. Studied Hebrew under Jakob ben Jehiel Loans, personal physician to Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III, and under Rabbi Ovadia ben Jacob Sforno of Cesena. Continued with advanced studies in Kabbalah in Italy and was influenced by the writings of the Italian philosopher Giovanni Pico della Mirandola (1463-1494). Reuchlin was considered to be among the fathers of the Reformation, even though he personally placed himself in opposition to that movement, and remained steadfast in his loyalty to Catholicism and the Vatican throughout his life. In the famously heated argument that erupted between him and the German Catholic theologian and convert from Judaism, Johannes (Josef) Pfefferkorn, Reuchlin emphatically denounced the burning of the Talmud. Consequently, and because of his insistence on the need to study and teach the Jewish religious texts, he found himself targeted by the Church’s institutions. Reuchlin’s books on Hebrew grammar were thought to have played an important role in his overall theological-kabbalistic agenda, which, in principle, sought to rediscover the historical roots of the Christian faith through reference to its Judaic basis.
For further reading, see: W. Schwarz, Principles and Problems of Biblical Translation, Chapter IV, Cambridge UP, London, 1955. Ch. VI.
LXXXIII, [4] leaves (misfoliation; colophon bound at the beginning of the volume). Approx. 25 cm. Fair condition. Stains. Stamp, inscriptions, and some ink stains on several pages (slightly affecting text). Creases. Wormholes, slightly affecting the woodcut at the beginning of the volume. Minor marginal tears to some leaves. New binding, leather spine. Wear and blemishes to spine.