Hebrew. Pentateuch). Chamishah Chumshei Torah. With Megiloth and Haftoroth.

<<Historic Court Room Hebrew Bible.>> Tipped in at front is an official German-language document dated “Prague, 6th March, 1810,” signed by the esteemed Rabbi of Prague, “Eleasar Flekeles, Rabbiner … Oberjurist,” noting that this Bible is to be used in courts of law to administer the oath to witnesses of the Jewish faith. Furthermore, the document specifies as to precisely which page the Bible is to be opened (f. 209 - marked with a green bookmark) upon which the Judge administers the oath. The leaves of the Pentateuch are numbered (presumably by a court-officer) until f. 209. On that page, verse 14 has been noted: Leviticus 26:14 which begins the “Tochacha,” or, maledictions. The beginning of Chapter 26 on the previous folio 208 is also noted. Opening blank with manuscript entry in Latin by Carl Fischer, the appointed Censor of Hebrew Books in the city of Prague attesting to the court-room use of this Hebrew Bible for Jews. Fischer was on friendly terms with Chief Rabbi Flekeles, indeed, the use of the Hebrew Bible in the secular court system would appear to be a direct result of discussions between them regarding the validity of a Jew’s oath. This communication appears in Flekeles’ volume of responsa, “Teshuvah Me’Ahavah,” Part I (1809), number 26.