Document Type
Journal Article
Date of this Version
10-13-2016
Publication Source
Tablet Magazine
Abstract
The Book of the Covenant (Sefer ha-Brit) was one of the most popular Hebrew books read by modern Jews, as reflected in 40 editions spanning two centuries, including three Yiddish and six Latino translations. Part scientific encyclopedia, part manual of mystical ascent, and part plea to Jews to embrace a universal ethics, the work was widely influential in an era of radical change and internal debate for Jews as well as for others. The amazing popularity of the author, the Eastern European Jew Pinchas Hurwitz (1765-1821), stemmed from his kabbalistic pedigree. He offered his readers an exciting compendium of scientific knowledge they could read in their holy language under the pretext that its acquisition fulfilled their highest spiritual goals.
Copyright/Permission Statement
Originally published by Tablet Magazine and can be found at the following: http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-arts-and-culture/books/211402/hebrew-bestsellers-pinchas-hurwitz
Recommended Citation
Ruderman, D. B. (2016). The 12 Covenants of Pinchas Hurwitz: How an 18th-Century Eastern European Kabbalist Jew Produced One of the First Hebrew Bestsellers. Tablet Magazine, Retrieved from https://repository.upenn.edu/history_papers/22
Included in
Cultural History Commons, European History Commons, History of Religion Commons, Intellectual History Commons, Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons, Yiddish Language and Literature Commons
Date Posted: 02 August 2017