Tochachat Megula VehaTzad Nachash, two polemic books by R. Yosef Ergas, against the Sabbatian Nechemia Hayyun. London, [1715].
Tochachat Megula is a scathing attack by R. Yosef Ergas, author of Shomer Emunim HaKadmon, on the Sabbatian Nechemia Hayyun, who had published his Sabbatian views in his book Oz L'Elokim. In response to Tochachat Megula, Hayyun published his book Shalhevet Kah, printed in Amsterdam 1714, and R. Yosef Ergas rejoined with the booklet HaTzad Nachash.
On the verso of the title page, foreword of the publisher, R. Moshe Chagiz - leading opponent of Hayyun.
Copy of R. Mordechai Shmuel Ghirondi Rabbi of Padua. At the top of the title page, handwritten signature: "Mordechai Shmuel Ghirondi of Padua".
R. Mordechai Shmuel Ghirondi (1799-1852), Rabbi of Padua, was a kabbalist, bibliographer, teacher in the rabbinical seminary of Padua and researcher of the biographies of Italian rabbis. He served as rabbi of Padua since 1831, for 21 years. He composed several books on Halacha and ethics, yet is renowned primarily for his book Toldot Gedolei Yisrael U’Geonei Italia (Trieste, 1853). One of the leading Torah scholars of his generation praised his eminence in Kabbalah: "I have never seen anyone well-versed in Kabbalah like the kabbalist R. Mordechai Shmuel… Ghirondi". His son, R. Efraim Refael Ghirondi, describes his father: "A father to the poor… humble like Hillel, brought many to repentance… very well-versed in responsa and Halacha, rabbis of his time posed halachic questions to him, and his wise responsa to them are written in his book of responsa named Kevutzat Kesef which remains in manuscript…".
Stamps of the researcher R. Shmuel Schönblum ("S.S.") on the title page and other leaves.
[2], 62 leaves. 19 cm. Light-colored, thick, high-quality paper. Good condition. Stains. Small hole to center of leaves throughout book. Handwritten markings and references in margins. Library stamps. New leather binding.
Tochachat Megula was presumably first published in 1714, but no copies are extant of that edition. This edition is a reprint of Tochachat Megula, together with the first edition of HaTzad Nachash (see: M. Friedman, Letters Relating to the Nehemia Hiya Hayon Controversy, Sefunot, X, 1966, p. 618, no. 20).