Bible translated to Yiddish by Jekuthiel ben Isaac Blitz.

Amsterdam, 1676-1679. Printed by Uri Feivish HaLevi.

Includes the "Corrector’s Apologia" and the "Haftarah” table, which is present only in some copies!


Six separate title pages: For the Torah, for Megillot, Nevi’im Rishonim, Nevi’im Achronim and Ketuvim. Approbations of the rabbi of Va’ad Arba Artzot, Amsterdam Sephardi and Ashkenazi rabbis. On the leaves preceding the title page – special permission by the King of Poland for this printing, in Yiddish and in Latin.


However, another translation of the Bible was printed concurrently in Amsterdam by Joseph Athias, he presumably began printing his Bible book around the year 1677 (the approbations from the Vaad Arba HaAratzot and the ban against printing this translation for sixteen years following the printing of the book are dated 1677 and 1678).

This led to a dispute between the printers, each one accusing the other of copyright infringement. Regarding the controversy between the printers surrounding this edition, see: A. M. Habermann, Perakim BeToldot HaMadpisim HaIvriim, pp. 300-310.

These two translations are considered the first Yiddish translations of the Bible.

 [7], 63, [1], 64-75, 77-138, 140-256, [2], 18 leaves. 31.5 Cm.


Good condition, light water stains, stains, sumptuous full leather binding.

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Lot #47

The first Tanach in Yiddish. Polemic. Tanach Bilshon Ashkenaz-Blitz, first edition, Six title pages, with illustrated title page and Haftarah-table leaf! Amsterdam, 1676/79.

Start price: $500

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