Diskuhrs, first Yiddish periodical, in defense of the new and old communities of Amsterdam. Amsterdam, [1797-1798]. Yiddish. Two volumes.

Two volumes containing satirical-humoristic booklets published on behalf of the new Adat Yeshurun community and the old community.

• Diskuhrs fun di naye kehila – periodical of the new community of Amsterdam, against the old community. [Amsterdam: Yochanan Levi Rofe, 1797-1798]. 24 issues (no more were printed).

24 issues (varying foliation, 4-8 leaves per issue; issue no. 21 includes 18 leaves). Blank leaves between some issues. Approx. 18 cm. Uneven trimming. Fair-good condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear. Tears (paper repairs to last leaf). Leather binding and new endpapers, gilt-decorated. Minor tears to spine.

• Diskuhrs vegn di naye kehila – periodical of the old community of Amsterdam against the new one. [Amsterdam: Proops, 1797-1798]. 15 issues: 1-5, 13-22. Lacking last issue, no. 23.

16 issues were published in total.

Fine woodcut illustration of passenger carriage on first leaf of issues nos. 1-2, 5.

15 issues (varying foliation, 4-8 leaves per issue). Leaves 2-3 of issue 3 lacking. 19 cm. Uneven trimming. Fair-good condition. Stains and wear. Creases and tears. New leather binding and endpapers, gilt-decorated. Minor tears to spine.

Each volume bound with a designed title page followed by a photocopy depicting the controversy, the individuals involved and the end of the controversy and reunion of the communities. These leaves appear in a copy in the Royal Library of the Netherlands (probably the source of these photocopies; see also: Kedem, Auction 102, 7 May 2025, Lot 114), and are not recorded by Roest.

After the occupation of Holland by the French in 1795, a group of Jewish intellectuals founded a new congregation named Adat Yeshurun that introduced aesthetic changes to prayers and to customs inspired by the Sephardi congregation. A dispute broke out between the old and new communities involving mutual accusations.

During this dispute, each of the communities published booklets against the other, including dialogues and satirical ordinances.

The Diskuhrs booklets are considered the first Yiddish periodical. For more information, see: "The 'Diskuhrs' of the old and new congregation in Amsterdam" by Yosef Michman, in: Michmanei Yosef, Jerusalem, 1994. pp. 135-143 (Hebrew).

And see also:

• 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.

Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.