Sefatayim Yishak (Two letters regarding Jonathan Eybeschuetz), Jacob Joshua Falk and Aryeh Leib of Amsterdam, Altona: 1752

1 bifolium (13 1/4 x 7 1/2 in.; 337x 191 mm). Strengthened at gutter. Minor tears at crease lines expertly repaired. Blind-tooled brown crushed morocco.

The famous Emden-Eybeschuetz controversy erupted in 1751, when Jacob Emden, rabbi in Altona, accused Rabbi Jonathan Eybeschuetz of being a secret follower of the false messiah, Sabbatai Tzvi. This accusation was based primarily on amulets Eybeshuetz had written in Metz for the protection of pregnant women. Eybeschuetz had recently been appointed chief rabbi in the triple community of Altona, Hamburg and Wandsbeck, and the allegation of his being a closeted Sabbatian led to a controversy that divided the European Jewry, particularly rabbinic circles into two warring camps. 

In this document, from an early stage in the controversy, two of Emden's allies voiced their concerns to the rabbinical court of Prague and urged the excommunication of Eybeschuetz. The first, Rabbi Jacob Joshua Falk, the author of Penei Yehoshua, had previously served as Rabbi of Metz, and Eybeschuetz was his direct successor. The second, Rabbi Aryeh Leib of Amsterdam was Emden's brother-in-law and a staunch ally. The opening words of this folio sized pamphlet are taken from Proverbs 24:26: "He kisseth the lips that giveth a right answer."

Further discussion of the controversy and the role played by the present lot may be seen in: Sid Z. Leiman and Simon Schwarzfuchs, "New Evidence on the Emden-Eibeschuetz Controversy: The Amulets from Metz," Revue des Etudes Juives 165[1-2] (2006): 229-249; Ginze Yisrael 1715; Vinograd, Altona 53.