Sephath Emeth Velashon Zehorith [polemic, includes letters in support of Jacob Emden in his pursuit of, and accusations against, Jonathan Eyebescheutz]

AUCTION 13 | Tuesday, June 26th, 2001 at 1:00

Important Hebrew Printed Books and Manuscripts Together With Fine Graphic and Ceremonial Art

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Lot 229

EMDEN, JACOB

Sephath Emeth Velashon Zehorith [polemic, includes letters in support of Jacob Emden in his pursuit of, and accusations against, Jonathan Eyebescheutz]

FIRST EDITION. Amulet illustrations within the text (one fold-out). The final leaves include the rare corrections to the amulets. These leaves were not noted by Raphael or Vinograd. With signature of the Dutch collector Chaim Wagner on title. ff. 37. Few light stains in places, previous owner’s inscriptions on title and front free-end paper. Later boards, gently rubbed at edges and along spine. Sm. 4to Vinograd, Altona 52; Raphael, Areshet vol. III, p.254-6 (no. 11:1)

(Altona): (By the Author) 1752

Est: $4,000 - $5,000

Jacob Emden’s tortuous controversy with Jonathan Eyebescheutz centered over amulets which Eybescheutz circulated in Metz and Hamburg. Emden published their content in this work and attacked them as Sabbatean heresy. In 1753 the work was banned and condemned to incineration by the Council of the Four Lands who judged Emden’s attack to be unjustifiably harsh and not based on fact. As a result, Emden was forced to escape to Amsterdam. See Carmilly-Weinberger p.87. A manuscript notation on the title-page suggests the author of the work is Nechemia Reisher. Originally a friend of Jonathan Eyebescheutz he later became allied with Jacob Emden, indeed he words of the title "Nechamah LeYa’akov" symbolically supports this supposition. A lengthy letter by R. Nechemiah appears on ff.5:1-3.