Chamisha Chumshei Torah – Cinco Libros De La Ley Divina, Amsterdam 1691. An Impressive Copy In Original Binding

Chamisha Chumshei Torah – Cinco Libros De La Ley Divina, Amsterdam 1691. An Impressive Copy In Original Binding

Chamisha Chumshei Torah, with Haftorahs, Amsterdam 1691. This edition was printed entirely in Spanish for the benefit of the Marrano community then residing in Amsterdam. Because they had been living amongst Christians for roughly two centuries, they had very little knowledge of the Hebrew text. To that end, many editions of the Torah and Siddurim were printed entirely in Spanish, as the present copy. 

Printed by the famed printer David Tartaz, one of Amsterdam’s most prominent Jewish printers after Menasseh ben Israel. With a separate title page for Haftorahs which are read throughout the year.  

This edition also features a striking copper-engraved title page, depicting a beautiful arrangement of flowers, with the words “Chamisha Chumshei Torah” in Hebrew. At the top of the page is a quote from a verse in Proverbs (Mishlei) – “Ateres Tiferes Timagnecha” – the crown of glory are those who shield you. This is perhaps a cryptic reference to the Marranos, who risked their lives to practice Judaism in private. 

An exceptionally rare edition. To the best of our knowledge, it has never been offered at auction. 

An absolutely beautiful copy in mint, like-new condition. Printed on crisp white paper. Bound in original hand-tooled Dutch binding, with both original clasps intact. 

[1], 436, [3], 437-558 pp. Mispaginated. 16cm.