Contesting Gambling Games
Tzachkan Melumad U’Mischaret.
Leipzig, 1686
A fascinating composition by Rabbi Yehuda Aryeh of Modena against gambling through playing cards and dice games.
Written in dialogue form between two young men, Eldad and Meidad, this delightful work presents the advantages and detriments of gambling games, with each party defending one side of the argument. At the end, the opponents bow to one another as they mutually conclude that gambling is a forbidden method for parnassah and should be strictly avoided.
Gambling with cards and dice games gained popularity among Italian Jewry during the 16th century, inspiring Rabbi Yehuda of Modena, who was still a youth at the time, to author this work which was originally entitled Sur Me’ra, (Venice, 1596).
The sefer contains additional chapters of Mussar and proper conduct in business and daily behavior.
The book features a translation into German (in Gothic letters) by Shlomiel ben Tzur Shadai, a pen name for the notorious apostate Baruch of Prostitz who, upon his conversion to Christianity, changed his name to Albricht Christian Friedrich. Various sources imply that he returned to Judaism toward the end of his life (Chaim Michal, Ohr Hachaim p. 440-441).
Leipzig, 1686. First edition with German translation and additions. Page Count: [27], 159, [5], sides.
Page Size: 15 cm.
Condition: Good. Attractive, high-quality printing. New binding.
Very rare!
…………………………………
Any inquiries about this lot ?
