Cohen, S[alomon] J[acob]. Shorashei ha-Emunah / Elements of Faith, for the Use of Jewish Youth, of Both Sexes. Translated from Hebrew to English by Joshua van Oven

(ANGLO JUDAICA).

E. Justins

London

(1815)

FIRST EDITION. Hebrew and English translation on facing pages

Roth, Magna Bibliotheca Anglo-Judaica, p. 428, no. 2

In the Introduction to this work, Cohen writes that the book was undertaken at the behest of the Rabbi of the Aschkenazic community of London, Solomon Hirschell, who approved the manuscript. The purpose of it being to protect Jewish children from the inroads of Christian missionaries. Upon publication it was subjected to scathing criticism by Solomon (Yom Tov) Bennett (Tenne Bikurim, London 1817), but was upheld by Meir M. Rintel (Minchath Kena'oth, London 1817) and later Meir Hahn (Shot Lashon, Altona 1817). Bennett's ire was most likely kindled not so much by anything specific Cohen had written, as by his ongoing antipathy to Chief Rabbi Hirschell, who was instrumental in the production of the book. Bennett claimed, perhaps rightly so, that the books in defense of Shorashei Emunah were actually authored by Hirschell himself, with Rintel and Hahn merely fronting for the Rabbi. (See lots 36 and 270). Concerning the controversy see A. Barnett, Solomon Bennet: Artist, Hebraist and Controversialist in: TJHSE Transactions, Vol. XVII, pp. 101-106