Online Auction 31 - Jewish and Israeli History and Culture

Part I

"The Whole Jewish Belief" – Anti-Semitic Work by Antonius Margaritha – Augsburg, 1530 – First Edition – The First Translation of the Jewish Prayer Book for a Non-Jewish Readership – Woodcuts

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Der Gantze Jüdische Glaub [The Whole Jewish Belief], by Antonius (Anton) Margaritha. Augsberg: Heinrich Steyner, 1530. German. First edition, second issue (April 1530); printing details from the colophon. Incomplete copy.
An anti-Semitic, polemic work by the convert Anton Margaritha (1492-1542), a descendent of a well-known family of rabbis in Germany; son of the Rabbi of Regensburg Shmuel Margaliot and grandson of Rabbi Yaakov Margaliot. Several in-text woodcuts, including woodcuts depicting Jews at the synagogue (after woodcuts printed in Johannes [Josef] Pfefferkorn's book Ich heyss ein buchlein der iude[n] beicht).
Der Gantze Jüdische Glaube claims to expose the true face of Judaism, mocks Jewish customs and makes serious accusations against the Jews. Margaritha warns his Christian readers against having contact and trading with Jews, cautions them not to consult with Jewish physicians and portrays a negative picture of the Jewish Sabbath and the custom of using a "Sabbath Gentile". One of the worst allegations targets the political loyalty of the Jews, who are portrayed as treacherous subjects and supporters of enemy countries, headed by the Ottoman Empire.
This work deeply affected Martin Luther, who was inspired by it to write his anti-Semitic book "On the Jews and Their Lies". Alongside its wide influence on anti-Semitism in early modern history, the book is also considered a valuable source of information about the daily life of Jews and their customs during that period. This work includes, among others, the first translation of the Jewish prayer book for a non-Jewish readership (see: "Between Judaism and Christianity(ies), between Ethnography and Polemic: Antonius Margaritha's Writing on the Kabbalah in 'The Whole Jewish Belief'" [Hebrew], by Daniel Lehmann).
The grim accusations against the Jews made by Margaritha in this book led to a public debate, conducted in 1530 before the Imperial Committee, that convened in the Reichstag of Augsburg, in the presence of Emperor Karl V. Margaritha's opponent in this debate was the well-known Jewish lobbyist Rabbi Joseph ben Gershon of Rosheim (Joseph Loanz). After Joseph ben Gershon refuted Margaritha's claims against the Jews, Margaritha was banished from Augsburg.
This is an incomplete copy of the first edition of this work (second issue). Missing first gathering (the title page and three subsequent leaves). The missing leaves were replaced with photocopies.
[88] ff. Missinf first four leaves (including title page). One of the leaves (the first leaf of gathering F) is bound out of order. 19.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Minor blemishes. Tears and minute holes to some leaves, slightly affecting text (reinforcement with tape to two leaves). Handwritten notations and markings (early). New binding. Bookplate on inside front board.
Antisemitism, Holocaust and She'erit HaPletah
Antisemitism, Holocaust and She'erit HaPletah