Sepher HaPloiderzak, o Me’orath Tziph’onim [“Vipers’ Den.”]

DEINARD, EPHRAIM.

n.p.

Baltunowka (i.e. Newark, NJ)

1890-92

FIRST EDITION . Six cartoon plates. This copy inscribed and signed by Deinard on front free endpaper.

Singerman 4060; Israel Davidson, Parody in Jewish Literature (1907) p. 215, no. 51; Goldman 407.

Deinard’s criticisms are directed at the literary figures of his day: Eliezer Ben Yehudah (p. 37); Abraham Elijah Harkavy (p. 97); Michael Levi Rodkinson (pp. 16, 59, 73) et al. As ever, “R. Ephroimele” (as Deinard refers to himself) also lambasted various Chassidic groups: See his impressions of R. Moses of Sevran (pp. 5-6); R. Yochanan of Rachmistrivka (p. 10); and R. David of Tolna (p. 73.) The rabbinic leadership of Lithuanian Jewry is also targeted, including the Brisker Rebbetzin, wife of R. Joshua Leib Diskin of Jerusalem, who was notorious for her unrelenting attacks on free-thinkers (see pp. 59, 73, 90).