Eleh Divrei HaBrit – Altona, [1819], First Edition – Rabbis’ Letters Against Reform

Eleh Divrei HaBrit – Altona, [1819], First Edition – Rabbis’ Letters Against Reform

Eleh Divrei HaBrit, letters from rabbinic leaders “to foil a new religion (concocted by some non-Torah individuals) to establish customs not according to Jewish law, ” published by the beit din tzedek of Hamburg. Altona, [1819].

Buds of Reform Judaism in Germany emerged with the prayer customs in a Hamburg “temple.” In this framework, there were “revisions” to the prayer services. The Reform removed prayers about the final redemption from the siddur, a pipe organ was introduced into the temple, and prayers were recited in German. The Reform based the revisions on talmudic and rabbinic sources, and publicized this in a book called Noga HaTzedek – Ohr Noga (Dessau 1818) in which their rabbis expressed opinions justifying arranging the revisions.

This book was printed in response, including twenty-two halachic responsa from rabbinic leaders in Germany, Hungary, Poland and other countries, which bring proofs from halachah and poskim showing that the revisions are completely forbidden. Among the geonim of the generation whose responsa appear in the sefer: Rabbi Yaakov of Lissa, author of Netivot HaMishpat, the rabbis of Prague – Rabbi Elazar Flecklesh and Rabbi Shmuel Landau, the Chatam Sofer (several letters), Mahara”m Bennet, Rabbi Akiva Eiger, Rabbi Meshulam Zalman HaKohen (Maharz”ch) of Furth, author of Bigdei Kehunah, and others.

In the beginning, the Chatam Sofer objected to the book’s publication, reasoning that even raising the issue by engaging in debate with the Reform may strengthen them. Nevertheless, he afterwards acknowledged the book’s influence: “A collection of letters from the rabbis of the period was printed in Hamburg, and they called the book Divrei HaBrit and thank G-d, it performed wonders among the Jews.”

XVI, 131 pages. 22 cm. Light, high-quality paper.

Fine condition. Minimal stains. Taped reinforcements in the margins of individual leaves, without damage to text.

Beautiful binding, tear in the spine.