Index Librorum Prohibitorum Usque ad totum Mensem Martii MDCCVII (1717) Regnante Clemente XI [Index of prohibited books printed to the year 1717]

(ITALY)

Camera Apostolica

Rome

1717

Text in Latin. Woodcut papal arms on title

Edicts against heretical literature were first issued by the Church in 1542. In 1593, Pope Clement VIII issued his edict against Hebrew Books. The Church outlawed Latin, Italian as well as Hebrew language books which were deemed to contain views oppossed to Catholicism. This Index of 1717, lists many proscribed Hebrew books. Of particular interest, the Pontiff’s general observations state that it is forbidden to read the Talmud or any related materials, either collections, commentaries or innovations, since they contain heretical material. See p. (10). Specific reference is made to Menasseh ben Israel’s work, De Resurrectione Mortuorm, on p. 335