Marpe LaNephesh [selected readings from Zohar for recitation on the Sabbath]

(MONTEFIORE, MOSES)

Shmelke Yoseph and his brother-in-law Isaac Gaschzinni and Jacob David Slotki

Jerusalem

1873

Hebrew, with opening poem in Ladino. Title surrounded by four birds; on verso of title, woodcut engraving of the Temple Mount. Original calf-backed boards with central cartouche on front cover: "Minchah hi sheluchah LehaRav HaMefursam Eliezer Levi" (see below.)

Halevy 196

R. Eliezer Levi (Louis Loewe) (1809-88), a native of Zülz, Prussian Silesia, studied under R. Mordechai Banet in Nikolsburg, and later under the famed Chatham Sopher (R. Moses Schreiber) in his Pressburg Yeshivah. Afterwards, he enrolled at the University of Berlin. In 1835, Loewe arrived in London. An accomplished linguist and orientalist, Loewe became translator and traveling companion of Sir Moses Montefiore, accompanying him on no less than nine diplomatic missions on behalf of oppressed Jews, including missions to Syria and Russia, and several visits to the Holy Land. See Raphael Loewe, "Louis Loewe: Aide and Confidant" in S. and V.D. Lipman, The Century of Moses Montefiore (1985), pp. 104-117; M.A.Z. Kinstlicher, Ha-Chatham Sopher ve-Talmidav, pp. 61-62; JE, Vol. VIII, pp. 149-150; EJ, Vol. XI, col. 448-449.