A Life of Menasseh Ben Israel; Rabbi, Printer and Diplomat [1604-1657]

Roth Cecil. A Life of Menasseh Ben Israel; Rabbi, Printer and Diplomat [1604-1657]. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America, 1934. First edition. Small octavo. xii, 373, (1)pp. Index. Dark gold colored pictorial dust jacket, spine lettered in black, over gray buckram, spine stamped in gilt. Frontispiece portrait of Menasseh ben Israel after a Rembrandt etching. Text with two plates and several facsimile title pages of works by Menasseh ben Israel. An ex-library copy but without the usual markings, only a pocket on the front pastedown and a blank “Date Due” sheet on the front free endpaper (apparently this book had never been checked out). Dust jacket lightly dusted and a small (1/4″) gouge near hinge of front cover.

Menasseh believed that in order to facilitate the coming of the Messiah, Jews must spread to every corner of the world. To this end he was instrumental in getting their readmission to Great Britain. Very good -. Hardcover. (50757) $40