Mateh Dan Ve-Kuzari Helek Sheni
Nieto, David
8vo. 89 leaves. Modern paper covered boards. A work of Jewish apologetics, first printed in London in 1714. Hakham David Nieto, who served as rabbi for the London Jewish community, authored this book as an updated version of the classic medieval work the Kuzari by Judah Ha-Levi in order to better reach his audience. The London Jewish community consisted of many former conversos, who possessed an intimate relationship with Christian culture. Furthermore, the relatively open society of early eighteenth century England created the possibility of a more general religious skepticism, particularly in regards to the rabbinic oral law. This book stands as an important example of rabbinic thought at the beginning of the Enlightenment. Nieto's confrontation with a Jewish community in which traditional observance and belief could no longer be assumed as the norm marks him as a founding father of what would later come to be called Orthodox Judaism. Text in Hebrew. Head and tail of spine, edges and corners rubbed. Slight age-toning to leaves. Overall in good condition.
Edition: Second edition
Binding: Hardcover
Book ID: 33954
Price: $1,250.00
Browse by Category: Judaica > Rabbinics, Theology