Kirchliche Verfassung der heutigen Juden sonderlich derer in Deutschland in IV. Haupt-Theile. (Ecclesiastical Condition of Today’s Jews, in particular those in Germany) 2 Vols. bound in 1
Erlangen: Printed at Joh. Friede. Becker's University Print shop, 1748, 1749. First edition. Hardcover. Quarto. (16) 206, 386 (2), (14) 256, 270 (34)pp., 30 plates, plus frontispiece. Fully rebound in three-quarter brown leather over textured paper-covered boards, with blind-stamped ruling on cover gilt lettering and brown ruling on spine; raised bands. Cream endpapers. Frontispiece engraving by Gottfried Eichler (1715–1770). Both title pages printed in red and black. Historiated and decorative initials, head and endpieces.
Magnus Opus of Johann Christoph Georg Bodenschatz, theologian and orientalist in Erlangen.
This extensive work on the ecclesiastical status of the German Jews is drafted from their own and other writings. It is illustrated with thirty engravings, plus frontispiece. The preface is by Kaspar Jacob Huth. Dedicated to Friederich, Margrave of Brandenburg.
Volume one, Part one treats the origin and the fate of the Jewish people, part two the church and the service of the German Jews. Volume two, part three, the distinguished faith and doctrines of the German Jews, and part four other customs and the Jew's unique way of life. The work “treats living conditions, services, rituals, faith and doctrines of the Jews based on his own observations. It is a formidable source, particularly in view of his impartial open-mindedness, for the practice of ceremonies of the German Jews before the Emancipation. The precious engravings are prepared especially for this work.” (NDB II, 355). Contains thirty-four page register at rear.
A second edition was published under the title “Aufrichtig Deutsch redender Hebräer (Sincere German speaking Hebrew)” in 1756. The beautifully configured engravings, at time decorated with rocaille cartouches, show rites during holy days, everyday life customs, cult objects, scripts, etc. Some of the engravings were taken from B. Picart’s “Cérémonies et Coutumes religieuses de toss les peoples."
Bodenschatz (1717–1797) was a German Protestant theologian, educated in Gera. His teacher Schleusner interested Bodenschatz in Biblical and Oriental studies. It is said that Bodenschatz created elaborate models of Noah’s Arch and the Tabernacle as a young man. Bodenschatz went on to study oriental languages at the University of Jena. He entered the church, became vicar at Uttenreuth, and superintendent at Bauerndorf in 1780.
Text in German, Gothic script. Binding with sunned spine. Water-staining on verso of frontispiece and bottom margin below etching, not affecting image. Library stamp on title page and its verso. All plates are mounted to foredge of blank bound-in pages and folded. Some staining in margins, on plates iv and xii lightly affecting the upper right of image, foredges of plates with light wear. 12 plates are bound in after part I. Plate vii of part II with light water staining affecting image lightly at top and bottom, plate viii light water staining at bottom, else only in margins. Foredges with light wear and creasing. Binding and interior in overall good to very good condition. Good to fine condition. Item #50405
Price: $1,750.00