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LOT 72:
Sefat Emet - a Book that Angered the Jews of Amsterdam and was Banned. Amsterdam, [1707]. First Edition.
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Sefat Emet - a Book that Angered the Jews of Amsterdam and was Banned. Amsterdam, [1707]. First Edition.
Sefer Sefat Emet, on the virtue and sanctity of Eretz Yisrael, by Rabbi Moshe Hagiz.
The author's introduction which appears at the beginning of the book, was printed in Portuguese as well.
The anger the book triggered and its banning:
The work describes the virtues of Eretz Yisrael compared to other countries, referring to the financial situation of the Jews of Eretz Yisrael and Jerusalem, the emissaries of Eretz Yisrael and donations reaching the Jews of Eretz Yisrael.
As part of his description of the difficult financial situation of the Jews of Jerusalem, the author fiercely criticizes the philanthropists of Livorno and Amsterdam, who in his opinion, donate insufficient sums to the Jews of Eretz Yisrael and spend their money on "whores, carriages, eating beasts and building houses and yards..." (leaf 24b).
These words angered the Jews of Amsterdam and its philanthropists and following their complaints, Rabbi Shlomo di Oliveira and Rabbi Shlomo Aeilion decided to prohibit the distribution of the book in Amsterdam (see: Yitzchak Shmuel Emanuel, Pulmus Nechemya Chiya Chayun BeAmsterdam, Sfunot, IX, 1965, p. 211).
The Gaon Rabbi Moshe Hagiz [1672-1750]:
One of the leading sages of Jerusalem and one of the leaders of the war against the Sabbatean Movement, a disciple of the Gaon Rabbi Moshe Galanti the Rav of Jerusalem and the first Rishon LeZion. Was sent as a Shadar to Italy. From there, he continued to Amsterdam, where he printed this book. Assisted Rabbi Yaakov Emden in his dispute with the Ramchal, his letter being the first that triggered the conflict. During the years of the controversy, Rabbi Moshe wrote sharp letters demanding to destroy the Ramchal's writings and prevent him from distributing his doctrine, which Rabbi Moshe believed derived from the Sitra Achra rather than Kedusha. Eventually, the Rabbis of Europe, including the Gaon of Vilna, stated that Rabbi Moshe's struggle against the Ramchal was fundamentally wrong and that the Ramchal was never a Sabbatean.
Amsterdam, [1707]. First edition. The Press of Shlomo Katz Proops.
28 leaves. 16 cm. Very good condition. Bright quality paper. Ancient parchment binding.
