Kirchliche Verfassung der heutigen Juden sonderlich derer in Deutschland [Ecclesiastical Constitution of Today’s Jews, Especially Those in Germany]

BODENSCHATZ, JOHANN CHRISTOPH GEORG.

J. F. Beckers

Frankfurt and Leipzig

1748-49

FIRST EDITION. Four parts in two volumes, bound in one. Engraved frontispiece with twenty-nine engraved plates of contemporary German-Jewish custom and life-style. Titles printed in red and black

Freimann 147; Rubens 590-617 (his copy lacking fig. 14 - text of Get)

Bodenschatz (1717-97) a South German Orientalist made Judaism his special study, producing this truly monumental work. "Because of its objectivity, it is a significant source for the ceremonial practices of the German Jews." (See Frederick Hauck, Neue Deutsche Biographie). The work, no doubt due to the detailed engravings, did much to secure for Judaism a favorable consideration in Germany. Of late, Prof. Elisheva Carlebach has shown that converts to Judaism, in order to assert their privileged position of knowledge concerning their former religion, criticized the naivete of this well-meaning but occasionally misinformed Christian Hebraist. See E. Carlebach, Divided Souls: Converts from Judaism in Germany, 1500-1750 (2001), p. 218