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1733 Altona IGERET BIKORET by Rabbi Jacob Emden

אגרת בקורת

LANGUAGE: HEBREW

New Book, bound in English Buckram, A Renaissance Hebraica Facsimile

Responsa on the laws of eunuch. R. Jacob Emden (pen name Yavez; derived from Ya'akov Ben Zevi; 1697–1776), rabbi, halakhic authority, kabbalist, and anti-Shabbatean polemicist. Yavez was regarded as one of the outstanding scholars of his generation. Yavez's teacher was his father R. Zevi Hirsch Ashkenazi (Hakham Zevi). He inherited his father's interest in secular studies, his dissociation from the Ashkenazi method of study (pilpul) and customs, his stormy, independent, and uncompromising character, and his devotion to the campaign against the Shabbateans and their sympathizers. In addition, he possessed a fine literary talent, a critical tendency and a knowledge unusual for his age of general non-halakhic Jewish literature. He was also familiar with sciences and languages (German, Dutch, Latin). Despite his distinguished descent and his remarkable talmudic attainments, R. Emden occupied no official position, with the exception of a few years as rabbi of Emden (1728–1733). This made it possible for him to be exceptionally critical toward the society and the tradition of his time. He was more on guard about anything that he considered hillul ha-Shem (bringing the name of the Jew into disrepute) than for the good name of the rabbinate and of the community. He made extensive use of the private printing press he founded in Altona to disseminate his views. As a result, because of his views on a number of issues, both personal and communal, he became a figure of contention. His important halakhic works are: Lehem Shamayim, on the Mishnah (pt. 1, 1728; pt. 2, 1768); a letter of criticism against R. Ezekiel Katzenellenbogen, rabbi of Altona (1736); responsa, She'elat Yavez (2 pts. 1738–59), Mor u-Kezi'ah, on the Shulhan Arukh, OH, (2 pts., 1761–68). In addition, he published an important edition of the prayer book (whose parts had different names) with a valuable commentary (1745–48). This prayer book was reprinted several times. His main historical importance lies in his campaigns against the Shabbateans to which he dedicated many years. He relentlessly examined and investigated every suspicious phenomenon pertaining to the sect. He called upon the contemporary rabbis to publish excommunications and mercilessly attacked anyone suspected of supporting or showing sympathy to the Shabbateans. The Shabbateans were accustomed to introduce hints of their secret doctrine into their literary works, particularly in the field of Kabbalah. Consequently, R. Emden became an expert in uncovering such allusions and hidden meanings, and developed an extraordinarily sharp critical faculty by which he could recognize any suggestion of the Shabbatean heresy. Many books in which no one saw anything to which objection could be taken, were condemned by him as heretical. Though at times he was at fault and suspected the innocent without cause, his judgment in general was sound.

Renaissance Hebraica was founded in the 1980s and quickly became synonymous with high quality facsimiles of rare Hebraica. The quality of the facsimiles are astounding, bound in English Buckram, printed on 70lb archival quality parchment-like paper and gold stamped spines, all handcrafted, the facsimiles are attractive and practical. All books are of a limited edition, on the average only under 15 copies were printed of each title. The titles range from incunabula and first printings of classics to obscure books never before reprinted. The vast majority of the over 1400 titles are in Hebrew though Ladino, Yiddish and the Latin languages are represented as well. For those of you interested in liturgy, the selection of different Liturgical customs is astounding, and Haggadah collectors will be able now to get the closest thing to the originals to such Haggadot such as the Prague and Guadalajara Haggadot. Lovers of responsa will be impressed with the selection of early responsa represented as well. Renaissance Hebraica is no longer in operation, and the volumes being offered here are in all likelihood, the last ones to ever be offered for sale.

"A facsimile edition is the photo-mechanical reproduction of a unique, practically two-dimensional model; it eliminates as much as possible manual copy work, reflects to the highest degree the inner and outer aspects of the original, incorporates all possible technical means available, garantees the protection and preservation of the original, and is suitable for both scientific and artistic interests. A facsimile must act as a true surrogate of the original for research purposes and bibliophiles."

The advantages of a Renaissance Hebraica Facsimile:
Having an exact reproduction of an original printing, gives you an insight in to a printed work that a reprint can not give over. Looking at the original text and layout of an original printing, including the introductions, approbations, printing format and layout as they were first published gives you a look in to what the book was like for it's first readers and in the setting in history of the printing. Unfortunately, recent editions, more often than not, "improve" the original text, and remove sections that the publishers feel are no longer relevant, but to the author may have been vital. Nothing beats the original text in the original format to perceive the original feeling the book was intended to convey when first published.

Being that early printed works can be rather pricey and the paper often fragile and not capable of regular use, the Renaissance Hebraica Facsimiles offer the best opportunity to be able to build a library of enjoyable and useable Hebrew works. Libraries can safely lend out the facsimiles, without having to worry about the books being stolen or damaged, as the facsimiles are of the highest qualities and made to last and endure heavy use.