Beschreibung:

CONQUE, ABRAHAM BEN LEVI. Avak Soferim (Dust of Scholars) [Homilies on the Pentateuch, Biblical interpretations and nineteen sermons]. Amsterdam: Nathanel ben Jechiel Foa, 1704. 6, 192 leaves. Title within architectural woodcut border. Folio, 316 x 194 mm. (12½ x 7¾ in.), eighteenth-century diced russia over bevelled wooden boards, panelled and decorated in blind and gilt, two brass clasps, edges gilt and gauffered, joints and corners worn; endpapers browned. FIRST EDITION. Vinograd, Amsterdam 769; Steinschneider 4210; Cowley 23; Zedner 192; Roest 286; Wiener 112. The printer Nathanel ben Jechiel Foa began his printing activity as a hobby in Amsterdam in 1702, prompted by his uncle and brother-in-law Joseph Tsarefati. Most of the works he printed (12 up to 1715) were written by emissaries from Erets Yisrael or were manuscripts which they had brought with them. The author, cabalist, lived at Hebron, Palestine, in the second half of the seventeenth century. He was and remained until his death a faithful follower of Shabbethai Tsevi. Conque traveled, as a collector for the poor of Palestine, throughout Germany and Russia, and everywhere endeavored to win adherents to the Shabbethaian movement. This book was printed at Amsterdam during a stay of Conque there while he was acting as an emissary on behalf of the Jewish community of Hebron. Especially the introduction of this book has an important historical value. (See: Yaari, Studies in Hebrew Booklore pp. 367-375; M. Benayahu, Sefer Chevron p. 94, title-page illustrated; The Jewish Encyclopedia vol. IV, p. 229.)