Perl, Joseph. (Ovadiah ben Petachiah). Sepher Megaleh Temirin [satirical letters]

(PARODY).

Anton Strauss

Vienna

1819

Vinograd, Vienna 507; Mehlman 1309, Davidson, Parody in Jewish Literature, p. 61.

Joseph Perl, a leading figure in the genesis of the Galician Haskalah Movement was a vigorous opponent of the Chassidic Movement - both on the political front by incessant denunciatory notes to government officials, as well as in the literary sphere, by means of parody. Megaleh Temirin, Perl’s principal work, is a ficticious body of 151 letters presenting a myriad of sinister plots that demean Chassidic philosophy and practices by ‘revealing’ the Movements’ stratagems and machinations for power, influence and material gain. Few copies of the work have survived the rage Chassisim have had against it. For a full biographical treatment of Joseph Perl, see I. Zinberg, vol. IX, pp. 238-42.