Letters of Certain Jews to Monsieur Voltaire, containing an Apology for Their Own People and for the Old Testament.

AUCTION 84 | Tuesday, August 20th, 2019 at 1:00pm
"K2" Online Sale of Judaica: Printed Books, Posters and Ceremonial Objects Including large sections devoted to: American-Judaica, Cook-Books, Holy Land and Minhagim Books

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Lot 6
(AMERICANA)

Letters of Certain Jews to Monsieur Voltaire, containing an Apology for Their Own People and for the Old Testament.

Second American edition, with corrections. pp. 612. Light foxing. Modern calf. 4to.

Cincinnati: E. Morgan & Co. 1845

Est: $100 - $150
PRICE REALIZED $180
The French Enlightenment thinker Voltaire (1694-1778) was well-known for his defense of free speech and his aversion to organized religion. Indeed, he wrote numerous searing criticisms of religion and the Bible and was consequently accused of anti-Semitism. This volume contains a collection of letters sent by contemporary Jews to Voltaire responding to his attacks. Though the collection’s purpose is to provide religious Americans (specifically Christians) with defenses against attacks from skeptics, the letters touch upon other Jewish topics as well.