(Commonly misattributed to) Josephus [historical narrative of the Second Temple period]

JOSEPH BEN GORION

Isaac Prostitz

Cracow

1589

Presentation copy inscribed by R. Binyamin Shlomo Zalman Spitzer (son-in-law of the Chassam Sofer) to his nephew, Samuel Geiger (son of the Chassam Sofer’s other son-in-law)

Vinograd, Cracow 121, Mehlman1322

A SCARCE EDITION. Once thought to be an actual eyewitness report of events during the Second Temple era, the extensive research of the late Prof. David Flusser has proved that Yosiphon, composed by “Joseph ben Gorion” (an apochryphal figure, not be confused with the authentic Josephus Flavius, a true denizen of the Second Temple era), was written in Southern Italy in the year 953. See EJ, Vol. X, cols. 296-98. R. Binyamin Shlomo Zalman "Segal" Spitzer (1826-94), was a disciple of the Kessav Sofer and the Maharam Shick. In 1852 he was appointed Dayan in Vienna, and later exclusively serving the rabbinic needs of Vienna’s Schiff-Shul. See M.A.Z. Kinstlicher, HeChassam Sofer VeTalmidav (2005) p. 485.