Mateh Dan (HaKuzari HaSheni). Owners’ Signatures. Unique Copy. London, 1714.

Mateh Dan (HaKuzari HaSheni). Owners’ Signatures. Unique Copy. London, 1714.

First Edition. One of the First Hebrew Books Printed in England.

The book, Mateh Dan – HaKuzari HaSheni. Proof of the authenticity of the Oral Torah.

Authored by Rabbi David Nito, Rabbi of the Sephardi community in London.

On the title page and Leaf 1 appear handwritten owners’ signatures, penned in ancient Spanish cursive script.

On page 32b appears a scholarly gloss penned in beautiful, square script.

Mateh Dan is Rabbi Nito’s most famed and significant composition. In it he proves the authenticity of the Oral Torah and Chazal’s words, that the Marranos were contesting.

Rabbi Nito added the accompanying title ‘HaKuzari HaSheni’ to the book’s name, since the first Kuzari book deals with proving the authenticity of the Written Torah. One book thereby

complements the other.

The first edition was printed in three variants. Hebrew only, Spanish only and Hebrew and Spanish together. This edition is the Hebrew only variant.

Rabbi David Nito was a Rabbi, physician, philosopher and outstanding scholar. Born in Venice, he served as Rabbi in Livorno and later as Rabbi of the Sephardi community in

London.

London, Thomas Olive Press, 1714. First edition. One of the first Hebrew books printed in England.

[6], 118 leaves. Very good condition. Magnificent copy with especially thick ‘Rigel’ paper.

New binding.

Leaf [2-3]: “Dedicatoia” – Dedication in Spanish to the Sha’ar Shamayim Community Leaders

and Activists in London.

Illustrated title page depicting the author of the Mishanh, ‘Rabbeinu HaKadosh’, holding a

book of Mishnayot.

Otzar Hasefer Computerized Database, No. 46986.

Beautiful and complete copy of the Hebrew edition with signatures and a handwritten

gloss.