ALFONSI, PETRUS

AUCTION 15 | Tuesday, March 12th, 2002 at 1:00

Fine Hebrew Books, Manuscripts and Works of Art The Property of Various Owners

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Lot 8

ALFONSI, PETRUS

(Sephardi, Moses). * Dialogi in quibus Judaeorum opiniones confutantur [“Dialogue on which the Unpious Jewish Opinions are Confuted”- anti-jewish polemic]. * Accessit Libellus Rabbi Samuelis,[Marochitani], ueri Messiae parastasim continens-Epistola Rabbi Samuelis Israhelitæ [fictional anti-semitic letter by “Rabbi Samuel” to “Rabbi Isaac” on “God’s just punishment of the Jews for having betrayed and murdered the Messiah”] pp.395,(3). Few light stains in places, previous owner’s inscription on title. Later chestnut mottled calf, spine gilt in compartments, gently rubbed. 8vo Adams A-741 and below S-238

Cologne: Joannes Gymnicus 1536

Est: $2,000 - $2,500

PRICE REALIZED $1,500

Born a Jew in Aragon, Spain, Moses Sephardi was baptized in 1106, thereafter assuming the name Petrus Alfonsi. He wrote the Diologi in quibus judaeorum opiniones confutantur, in defence of his own conversion. In the mold of the classic apologetics, the dialogues take place between a Jew and a Christian, named Moses and Peter respectively; the two figurations of the author himself, before and after his apostasy. Exploring aspects of Christian belief, the author attempts to prove that the Jews were only partially observing the Laws of Moses, before concluding that Christianity is not contradictory to Mosaic Law. See EJ, XIII col. 347