Sepher Ha-Metzareph Vol. I. Vienna, 1820. * Sepher Ha-Metzareph Vol. II. Frontispiece portrait of the Author. Prague, 1857. * Bound with: Sepher Ha’Uyan. Vienna , 1796

KUNITZ, MOSES

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Three works bound in two volumes. All first editions

Kunitz was one of the most interesting enigmatic,controversial figures of his time. Although purportedly an Orthodox Rabbi (as is evident from his portrait) he had leanings to Reform and participated in their convocation at Braunschweig. His works however, contain responsa to and from such diverse figures as R. Nathan Adler, R. Elazar Flekeles of Prague, R.Baruch Jeiteles, Y. Reggio, and others. This work also contains responsa pertaining to his previous work “Ben Yochai” written as a defense of the integrity of the Zohar in response to the attacks of Jacob Emden in his Mitpachath Sepharim (see lot ***). Emden purported that parts of the Zohar were a far later composition than the era of Shimon b”r Yochai