Chamishah Chumshei Torah. With Judeo-German summaries

(BIBLE Hebrew. Pentateuch And Haphtaroth).

Anton Schmid

Vienna

1815

Not in Vinograd.

Historic Court Room Hebrew Bible. Tipped in at front is an official German-language document dated “Prague, 4th January, 1821,” signed by the esteemed Rabbi of Prague, “Eleasar Flekeles, Rabbiners, Oberjurist,” noting that this Bible is to be used in courts of law to administer the oath to witnesses of the Jewish faith. Furthermore, the document specifies as to precisely which leaf the Bible should be opened (f. 98) when the Judge administers the oath. The leaves of the Pentateuch are numbered (presumably by a court-officer) until f. 98v. On that page, verse 14 has been noted: Leviticus 26:14 which begins the “Tochacha,” or, maledictions. Additionally, f. 58v has been noted (the Ten Commandments). Opening blank with manuscript entry in Latin by Carl Fischer, the appointed Censor of Hebrew Books in the city of Prague attesting to the court-room use of this Hebrew Bible for Jews. Fischer was on friendly terms with Chief Rabbi Flekeles, indeed, the use of the Hebrew Bible in the secular court system would appear to be a direct result of discussions between them regarding the validity of a Jew’s oath. This communication appears in Flekeles’ volume of responsa, “Teshuvah Me’Ahavah,” Part I (1809), number 26. A significant material legacy highlighting the relationship between Jews and their host society, a time of increasing freedom and enfranchisement for the Jews of Prague.