SEFER HIZUK EMUNAH
[Jerusalem]: no publisher, 1844. Item #35202
Period Cloth, small 12mo, 100 leaves ; 16 cm. In Hebrew. Harry Barnstein’s copy, with his ownership signature “H. Barnstein, ” on the front end paper. “Asher hiber Rabi Yitshak bar Avraham z. L asher kevar nidpas be-Altorf `a. Y. Ha-adon Yoan Kristofer Vogenzeil. ” Isaac ben Abraham Troki (1533-1594) was a “Karaite polemical writer…. He was instructed in Bible and Hebrew literature by the Karaite scholar Zephaniah ben Mordecai, and in Latin and Polish literatures by Christian teachers. Moving in Christian circles, Troki was often called upon to take part in religious controversies; and this prompted him to study religious philosophy and Christian theology and to acquaint himself with the tenets of the various Christian sects. In the course of his studies he became interested in the anti-Christian and anti-Jewish writings of his contemporaries and compatriots Nicholas Paruta, Martin Czechowic, and Simon Budni. To refute the arguments of the writers against the Jewish religion and to show the superiority of Judaism, Troki wrote his epoch-making ‘Hizzuk Emunah’….. The author begins by demonstrating that Jesus was not the Messiah predicted by the Prophets…..Troki died before completing his work, the index …. The work was first published, with a Latin translation, by Wagenseil in his ‘Tela Ignea Satanae’ (Freiberg, 1681) , and was reprinted in Amsterdam (1705) , Jerusalem (1845) and Leipsic (1857) . It was also translated into Judaeo-German (Amsterdam, 1717) , into English by Mocatta (London, 1851) , into German by David Deutsch (Sohran, 1865, 2d ed. 1873, with the Hebrew text) and into Spanish, the last-mentioned translation being extant in manuscript. Through its Latin translation the “Hizzuk Emunah” became the object of passionate debates in Christian circles; and it’s arguments against Christianity were used by all freethinkers. Voltaire gives the following appreciation of it: ‘Il a rassemble toutes les difficultes que les incredules ont prodiguees depuis. Enfin les incredules les plus determines n’ont presque rien allegue qui ne soit dans le Rempart de la Foi du rabbin Issac’ (‘Melanges, ’ iii. 334) ” (JE, 1905, pages 265-66) . Two hymns by Isaac Troki are incorporated in the Karaite liturgy; he is also said to have composed works on Karaite ritual law. For more on Troki and this work, see: Furst, Gesch. Des Karaert. Iii. 30 et seq. ; Neubauer, Aus der Petersburger Bibliothek, p. 64; Geiger, Nachgelassene Schriften, pp. 178-224, Berlin, 1876; Gottlober, Bikkoret le-Toledot ha-Kara’im, p. 184; Gratz, Gesch. Ix. 490; Fuenn, Kenest Yisrael, p. 614. J. I. BR. SUBJECT(S) : Christianity -- Controversial literature -- Early works to 1800. Judaism -- Apologetic works -- Early works to 1800. Christianity. Hebrew language. Judaism. Jesus Christ -- Jewish interpretations -- Early works to 1800. OCLC lists 3 copies of this edition (WashU, U London, U Leeds) . Tear at crown of spine, otherwise Very Good Condition. (kh-2-15).
Price: $200.00