The Book of Numbers from Derekh Selulah, with Moses Mendelssohn’s Translation

Collection ID

BIB.003896

Type

Bible - Printed Book

Date

1823

Geography

Fürth, (Germany)

Language

Hebrew, Judeo-German, Aramaic

Medium

Printed on Paper

Dimensions

10.25 × 8.25 × 1.31 in. (26 × 21 × 3.4 cm)

Exhibit Location

Not on View

Derekh Selulah, “Paved Path,” is a compilation text containing the Pentateuch and other standard Hebrew texts, such as the haftaroth and Megilloth. The unique works in this text, however, are Targum Ashkenazi and the Biur, which are Moses Mendelssohn’s translation and commentary of the Pentateuch written in Judeo-German (the German language in Hebrew letters). As a German Jewish philosopher, literary critic, key figure of the Jewish enlightenment, and advocate for Jewish rights in Germany, Mendelssohn believed it was important for German Jews, who mainly spoke Hebrew and Yiddish, to learn the German language and hoped to encourage that practice with his translation of the Pentateuch.

Printed in 1823 by Isaac David Zürndorfer in Fürth, Germany.[1] Acquired by Louis H. Levin and Bertha Szold Levin, Baltimore, MD. Acquired by the Library of Baltimore Hebrew College and Teacher Training School (now Baltimore Hebrew Institute), Towson, MD.[2] Acquired by Dan Wyman Books, LLC, Brooklyn, NY; Purchased in 2016 by Museum of the Bible, Washington, DC.

Notes: [1] This text was first published between 1801 and 1803 in Fürth, Germany. Mendelssohn completed his translation of the Pentateuch in 1783. [2] A book plate inside the cover of the text indicates this text was once a part of the library of Louis and Bertha Levin. In addition, there is a stamp from the Library of Baltimore Hebrew College and Teacher Training School. Though no dates are present, it seems likely (given the time frame) the set came into the Levin’s possession before it came into possession by Baltimore Hebrew College. [3] Dan Wyman Books did not provide any additional ownership history or date of acquisition.

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