Studies in Judaism, First SeriesSchechter, S. (Solomon)
Religion
Studies in Judaism, First Series
Schechter, S. (Solomon)
Jews
In conclusion I shall mention the colophon to Codex Harl. 5713, which may
have some interest for the English reader. It runs: “I have written it in
honour of the noble and pious, etc., Humphrey Wanley, the noble Librarian
of my Lord Treasurer. May his glory be increased. In the year 5474 (1714)
in the holy community of London, under the reign of the noble and happy
Queen Anne. May the Lord increase her splendour and glory.” The signature
of the copyist is “Aaron the son of Moses, born in the city of Navaschadok
in Poland.” By the way, we learn from this signature that the immigration
of Polish Jews into this country had already begun in the time of Queen
Anne, and perhaps still earlier.
Thus everything in a MS., the arrangement of the matter, the remarks of
the owners, the signature of the copyist, sets the reader thinking, and
contributes many a side‐light to the history of the Jews.
XI. TITLES OF JEWISH BOOKS
It is now more than half a century since Isaac Reggio in his edition of
Elijah Delmedigo’s _Examination of Religion_, made the remark that this
book adds to its other merits that of bearing a title corresponding to its
contents,—a merit that is very rare in Jewish books. Reggio proceeds to
give a few specimens confirming his assertion, and concludes his remarks
with a eulogy on Delmedigo, who in this respect also had the courage to
differ from his contemporaries. Zunz also once wrote an article on titles
of books. But this article unfortunately appeared in some German
periodical which the British Museum does not possess, and I could not even
succeed in ascertaining whether Zunz treats at all of titles of Hebrew
books, nor am I aware that the subject has been taken up by any other
scholar, Isaac D’Israeli’s few notes on the subject in his _Curiosities of
Literature_ being scarcely worth mention. It seems to me, however,
interesting enough to deserve some illustration, though I can by no means
hope to be complete.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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