Bidspirit auction | The Complete Jewish Faith –

The Complete Jewish Faith – Anti-Semitic Work by Apostate Anton Margaritha – Augsburg, 1530 – First Edition – First Translation of Siddur for Gentile Audience – Woodcuts - Der gantz jüdisch Glaub [The Complete Jewish Faith], by Anton Margaritha. Augsburg: Heinrich Steyner, 1530. First edition. Second printing (7 April 1530); printing details from colophon. German (and some Hebrew). Polemical anti-Semitic work by apostate Anton Margaritha (1492-1542), scion of a famous German rabbinic family – son of R. Shmuel Margaliot Rabbi of Regensburg, and grandson of R. Yaakov Margaliot Rabbi of Nuremberg. Several woodcuts incorporated in text, including woodcuts depicting Jews at the synagogue (after Johannes Pfefferkorn, Ich heyß ain büchlein der juden peicht [Augsburg 1508]). This work, which claims to expose the true face of Judaism, mocks Jewish customs and makes serious accusations against the Jews. Among other things, Margaritha warns his Christian readers against having contact and trading with Jews, cautions them not to consult with Jewish physicians and negatively portrays the custom of using a ”Sabbath Gentile”. One of the harshest accusations in the work challenges Jewish political allegiance, painting them as traitors and supporters of enemy nations, foremost among them the Ottoman Empire. This work deeply affected Martin Luther, who was inspired by it to write his book ”On the Jews and Their Lies”. Alongside its wide-ranging influence on early modern anti-Semitism, the work is also considered an important source for daily life and customs of contemporary Jews. This work includes the first translation of the Jewish prayer service for a non-Jewish readership (see: Daniel Lehmann, Bein Yahadut LeNatzru(yo)t, Bein Ethnografiya LePulmus). As a result of the grim accusations against the Jews made in his book, Margaritha was invited to a public debate, conducted in 1530 before an 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 activist R. Yosef son of Gershon of Rosheim (Joseph Loans). After Margaritha's claims against the Jews were refuted, Margaritha was banished from Augsburg. Early ownership inscription at top of title page (of Saint Peter's Abbey, Salzburg, Austria). Numerous references, notations and glosses in early handwriting to many margins and interior of binding. [183] pages (gatherings: A-Z4). 19.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Light wear. Light worming to margins of last leaves. Small marginal open tears to some leaves (without loss). Loose and partially detached gatherings. Early wood and leather binding, somewhat rubbed and worn; open tears to spine; leather and brass clasp.