Gans, David. Nechmad Vena’im [on astronomy, geography, as well as a rejection of astrology in Jewish tradition]

AUCTION 53 | Thursday, December 08th, 2011 at 1:00
Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts Autograph Letters & Graphic Art

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Lot 215
(SCIENCES)

Gans, David. Nechmad Vena’im [on astronomy, geography, as well as a rejection of astrology in Jewish tradition]

FIRST EDITION. Title within architectural arch. Numerous astronomical diagrams. With introduction in Latin (often lacking) ff. 82, pp. 20. Ex-library. Title and first few and final leaves worn and repaired, browned. Later boards. 4to Vinograd, Jessnitz 49

Jessnitz: Israel b. Abraham 1743

Est: $400 - $600
PRICE REALIZED $350
Latin introduction by Christian Hebenstreit, Professor of Hebrew in Leipzig, drawing attention to the keen influence the author received from the theories of the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe, with whom Gans worked in Prague. Scientific co-operation between Jewish and non-Jewish savants was unique to the Rudolfine era. The MaHaRa”L of Prague himself (whom Gans was a disciple) is said to have been invited to the Hradschin Palace to meet with Emperor Rudolph II. See A. Neher, Jewish Thought and the Scientific Revolution of the Sixteenth Century: David Gans (1541-1613) and His Times (1986) pp. 58-91 and pp. 6, 20, 24. (Accompanied By): Raziel ha-Malach [Kabbalah], With mystical illustrations. Lemberg, 1850.