(Hebrew Pentateuch). Motza Pi Hashem - Chamishah Chumshei Torah. With Five Scrolls and Haphtaroth.

(ITALY).

Eliezer Selomo d’Italia

Mantua

1785

Engraved frontispiece depicting the Sacrifice of Isaac.

Vinograd, Mantua 545.

An Uncommon Court-Room Hebrew Bible from Italy. Signed on the title by two Rabbis noting in Italian that this Bible is to be used in Courts of Law to administer and validate the Oath to witnesses of the Jewish faith. Furthermore, this Bible specifies as to precisely which page the Bible should be opened to when the Judge administers the oath. On that page (f. 159a), Leviticus 26:14 which begins the “Tochacha,” or, maledictions has been noted on the margin with the signatures of both Rabbis. The use of such Bibles are common within the German-speaking lands, but far less so within Italian-speaking society. A significant material legacy highlighting the relationship between Jews and their host society.