Pachad Yitzchak - Historical Book on the History of Italian Jewry. Amsterdam, 1685. Single Edition.

Pachad Yitzchak - Historical Book on the History of Italian Jewry. Amsterdam, 1685. Single Edition.

The story of the miraculous salvation of the Jewish community in Padua during the Austran-Turkish war in 1684. Authored by Rabbi Yitzchak Chaim HaCohen MehaChazanim.

The page preceding the title page at the front of the book features a copperplate illustration, depicting Akeidas Yitzchak. This title page is extremely rare, and is missing in some of the known copies.

10 Elul - Purim Padua:

In 1684, war broke out between Turkey and Austria over control of the city of Buda (today part of Budapest). At that time, the city of Padua was ruled by a Jew-hating Christian, who spread a libel that the Jews of Padua were aiding the Muslim Turks in the war. As a result, a furious mob broke into the Jewish ghetto of Padua. Miraculously, the Jews succeeded in putting pressure on the authorities in Venice to stop the riots.

As a result, the Jews of Padua established the tenth day of Elul as a second Purim, to be celebrated for generations to come.

In this rare book, the Gaon Rabbi Yitzchak Chaim HaCohen MehaChazanim, a Paduan resident who was in the ghetto at that time, relates the entire episode in great detail, using poetic language.

The book includes an original and important review, with unique information, of the history of Padua’s Jewish community and its Rabbis.

The author, Rabbi Yitzchak Chaim HaCohen MeHaChazanim: Author of Et Ketz (Amsterdam, 1710), is known by the initials of his name YaChKam. He was one of Italy’s great Chachamim in his generation, teacher of Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato - the Ramchal - and of Rabbi Yitzchak Lampronti, author of Pachad Yitzchak. Rabbi Yitzchak was a multifaceted person; a great Talmid Chacham, Halachic Authority, Doctor and poet. Rabbi Yitzchak’s responsa were printed in Italian Chachamim’s books. He was knowledgeable in many disciplines and close to the royal ministers. He lived past the age of ninety, and passed away in 1753 (Girondi, Toldos Gedolai Yisrael, pg. 154).

Amsterdam, 1685. Single edition.

[1], 53, [1] leaves. 18 cm. Very good condition. Renewed binding.

Extremely rare historical book on the history of Italian Jewry in general, and specifically the Jews of Padua.