Tikun Lavan Ha’Arami.
AUCTION 63 |
Thursday, November 13th,
2014 at 1:00
Fine Judaica: Books, Manuscripts, Autograph Letters, Graphic and Ceremonial Art
Lot 91
GUENZBURG, MORDECHAI AARON.
Tikun Lavan Ha’Arami.
Vilna: 1864
Est: $800 - $1,200
Satiric poem and essay concerning a charlatan who masqueraded as a Kabbalist, who used the “Tikun” of the Biblical Laban - a swindler and a scoundrel - to “fix” those whom he ensnared. With an introduction by the author’s brother warning against so-called wonder rabbis (“Baalei Shem.”)
The author (1795-1846) was one of the leading spokesmen of the Vilna Maskilim and founder of the first modern Jewish school in Lithuania. Interestingly Guenzberg’s portrait here displays a man of traditional appearance, garbed with peyoth and frock-coat buttoned in the Orthodox style (right-over-left).