Hebrew. PENTATEUCH, FIVE MEGILLOTH AND HAPHTAROTH). Chamishah Chumshei Torah. With Rashi’s commentary and Targum Onkelos

Rare Court-Room Hebrew Bible. A manuscript document, dated 20th September 1807, signed by the esteemed Rabbi of Prague, Eliezer Fleckeles, with official seal, noting this Bible to be used in Courts of Law to administer the Oath to Jewish witnesses, tipped in at front. With a separate manuscript document signed by Karl Fischer, the appointed Censor of Hebrew Books in the city of Prague indicating which page is to be opened when administering the oath on front free end paper. Fischer was on friendly terms with Fleckeles, indeed, the use of the Hebrew Bible within the secular court system would appear to be a direct result of inquiries made by Fischer to Fleckeles regarding the validity of a Jew’s oath to a gentile. This communication appears in “Teshuvah Me’ahavah” Part I (1809), Fleckeles’ noteworthy volume of responsa, number 26. The William Hechler Copy. The Christian Zionist, William Hechler served as Chaplain to the British Embassy in Vienna. He was a supporter and close friend of Theodore Herzl, the father of political Zionism. Impressed by Herzl’s Der Judenstaat, Hechler introduced Herzl to the Grand Duke of Baden and through him, to Kaiser William II. Hechler attended the First Zionist Congress, for which Herzl expressed public appreciation. Hechler’s manuscript notation in English on the front paste down notes the particular use of this Bible. See EJ vol. IIX cols 237-9. PROVENANCE: Bloomsbury Book Auctions, Important Hebrew Manuscripts and Printed Books- The Property of the Late Ralph and Phyllis Yablon, Thursday, 13th June 1985, Lot 86