Lot 302
Tevu'ot Ha'Aretz by Rabbi Yehosef Schwarz – First Editions – Jerusalem, 1843-62 – Fine Set
Set of books by Rabbi Joseph (Yehosef) Schwarz, in their first Hebrew edition. Jerusalem, 1843-62.
1. "Divrei Yosef" ("The Words of Joseph") by Rabbi Yehosef Schwarz "of the Progeny of the Ashkenazi [Jews]," halakha (Jewish law) and astronomy of the Land of Israel. Jerusalem, 1843. Woodcut border to half title. [8], 70, [6] ff. Two title pages.
2. "Tevu'ot Ha'Aretz" ("The Produce of the Land," representing Part II of "Divrei Yosef"). Jerusalem, 1845. With two separate sections titled "Totz'ot Ha'Aretz" ("Yield of the Land") and Ma'aseh Ha'Aretz" ("Deeds of the Land"). Ownership signatures and several handwritten notes. [2], 156, 52, [3] ff.
3. "Divrei Yosef", Parts III and IV. Jerusalem, 1861. [7], 247, [1] ff.
4. "Divrei Yosef"," Parts III and IV (second volume). Jerusalem, 1862. [4], 170, [1] ff.
Rabbi Joseph (Yehosef) Schwarz (1804-1865) was an outstanding Torah scholar and kabbalist, one of the earliest of researchers in the field of Land of Israel studies. Learning under Rabbi Abraham Bing at the Würzburg Yeshiva, he concurrently studied geography and languages at the local university. While still in Germany, he became involved in Land of Israel studies, and in 1829, published a Hebrew-German map of Palestine which came to be highly regarded as a reference by historians and geographers at the time. Immigrated to Palestine in 1837. Upon arriving in Jerusalem, was warmly embraced by two colleagues of his from Germany, the founders of the renowned German-Dutch "Kollel HOD" ["Holland-Deutschland"], Rabbis Moses Sachs and Eliezer Bergman. Schwartz persisted in Torah scholarship for the remainder of his life, dealing both with standard Torah study and the esoteric, mystical field of Kabbalah, studying also at the kabbalistic Beit El Yeshiva. In Palestine, he resumed the research work he began in Germany on the history and geography of the Land of Israel. Exploring the length and breadth of the country and closely studying a great number of its sites, recording place names according to local traditions and biblical and Talmudic sources. His identifications of various ancient sites are recognized and respected to this day, and his literary works are regarded as foundation stones and starting points for a host of discussions regarding the history of the Land of Israel, from both halakhic and academic standpoints. His series of books titled "Tevu'ot Ha'Aretz" ("Produce of the Land"), named after the main work in the series, were first published in Hebrew in Jerusalem. In 1850, an English translation was published in Philadelphia under the title "Descriptive Geography and Brief Historical Sketch of Palestine" (see next item). It additionally contained two maps of Palestine and a famous portrait of the author, dressed in the characteristic Middle Eastern garments – including an Oriental turban – he had adopted in Palestine, having relinquished European garb. A German translation was published in Frankfurt in 1852 (see item 304).
Four books in four volumes, 15-16 cm. In handmade cardboard case (18X12 cm). Overall good condition. Ownership notations and stamps. One volume with several handwritten notes. Late 19th or early 20th century cardboard and leather bindings, in good condition.
Sh. HaLevy 17, 31, 58, 62.
