Menasseh ben Israel (part 2)

Menasseh ben Israel: In the midst of history

In this section, some of the Brotherton Library’s early printed witnesses to Menasseh ben Israel’s mission to England were exhibited. Included were some Christian responses.

Edward Nicholas, Apologia por la noble nacion de los Iudios y hijos de Israel escrita en Ingles por Eduardo Nicholas. En Londres: E impresa en casa de Juan Field, 1649.
[2], 8 l [i.e. 15 p]. Special Collections Roth Collection 723

Translation of: Apology for the honorable nation of the Jews and all the sons of Israel, London: Printed by John Field, 1648 [i.e. 1649]. An interesting example of Spanish printing in London. Nothing is known about Edward Nicholas, who was once thought to be identical with the English statesman Sir Edward Nicholas (1593-1669). Some authorities consider the name a pseudonym, disguising, perhaps, Menasseh ben Israel, because he lists the Apology among his works in the appendix to Vindiciae Judeorum.

Manasseh ben Israel, Mikveh Yisra’el, Esto es, Esperança De Israel: Obra con suma curiosidad conpuesta / por Menasseh Ben Israel ... Trata del admirable esparzimiento de los diez Tribus, y su infalible reduccion con los demas, a la patria... En Amsterdam: En la Imprension de Semuel Ben Israel Soeiro, 5410 [1650]

[7] l, 126 p; 16 cm; 8vo. Special Collections Roth Collection 633

The treatise on the Lost tribes of Israel, allegedly rediscovered in South America, responds to and is preceded by the “Relacion De Aharon Levi, alias, Antonio de Montezinos”. Montezinos and Menasseh had met in Amsterdam in 1644. Montezinos created a sensation with his travel report, which identifed Peru as Ophir, Indian language words as Hebrew, and Indian tribes as Lost Tribes. His “Jewish Indian theory”, given guarded support in Menasseh’s book, was to have a long life in European literature. Samuel ben Israel Soeiro was Menasseh’s son and managed the printing press 1650-52. That Menasseh’s work created a stir at the time is evidenced by the simultaneous English translation: The hope of Israel: written by Menasseh ben Israel, a Hebrew divine, and philosopher. Newly extant, and printed in Amsterdam, and dedicated by the author to the High Court, the Parliament of England, and to the Councell of State. Translated into English, and published by authority. In this treatise is shewed the place wherein the ten tribes at this present are, proved partly by the strange relation of one Anthony Montezinus, a Jew, of what befell him as he travelled over the Mountaines Cordillære, with divers other particulars about the restoration of the Jewes, and the time when… Printed at London: by R.I. for Hannah Allen, at the Crown in Popes-head Alley, 1650; and The Hope of Israel, written by Menasseh ben Israel; an Hebrew divine and philosopher; newly extant and printed in Amsterdam and dedicated by the author to the high court, the Parliament of England, and to the Councell of State; whereunto are added in this second edition some discourses upon the point of the conversion of the Jewes, English translation by Moses Wall, London: Chapman, 1652.

Arise Evans, Light for the Iews: or, The means to convert them: in answer to a book of theirs, called The hope of Israel, written and printed by Manasseth Ben-Israel, chief agent for the Jews here, 1650 ... [etc.]. London: Printed for the author, 1656.

52, [2] p. Special Collections Strong Room Engl. 8vo 1656 EVA

Arise Evans (1607 – after 1660) was a self-proclaimed prophet, first court prophet at the court of Charles I and then at Cromwell’s court. His visions had a strongly biblical flavour. In the present work, he takes up Menasseh’s apocalyptic ideas for missionary purposes.

William Prynne, Short demurrer to the Jewes long discontinued remitter into England: Comprising an exact chronological relation of their first admission into, their ill deportment, misdemeanors, condition, sufferings, oppressions, slaughters, plunders, by popular insurrections, and regal exactions in; and their total, final banishment by judgment and edict of Parliament, out of England, never to return again: collected out of the best historians and records. With a brief collection of such English laws, Scriptures, reasons as seem strongly to plead, and conclude against their readmission into England, especially at this season, and against the general calling of the Jewish nation. With an answer to the chief allegations for their introduction. London: for Edward Thomas dwelling in Green-Arbor, 1656.
2 pts in 1; 4to. Special Collections Roth Collection 778

This tract (which is here presented in its second edition) in the form of the legal instrument of the demurrer (counter pleading) was a hostile response to Menasseh ben Israel’s petition To His Highnesse the Lord protector of the commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, the humble addresses of Menasseh Ben Israel, a divine, and doctor of physic, in behalf of the Jewish nation, originally published in Amsterdam in 1651 and then London 1655. Menasseh perceived the unique opportunity posed by the reign of the Puritans to reverse the expulsion of 1290. He was familiar with Millenarian tendencies (expectations of the Second Coming) and sought to convince Cromwell that a resettlement of the Jews would hasten universal redemption. In his tract, Prynne (Swanswick 1600-London 1669), a conservative Puritan lawyer and opponent of Cromwell, mingles learning with gross stereotypes. The text was redeployed in 1753 by opponents of Jewish naturalisation.

Manasseh ben Israel, Vindiciae Judeorum, or, A letter in answer to certain questions propounded by a noble and learned gentleman: touching the reproaches cast on the nation of the Jevves; wherein all objections are candidly and yet fully cleared. [London]: Printed by R.D., 1656.

41 p; 20 cm. Special Collections Roth Collection 636

This apologetic work, a defence of the Jewish people against the accusations of Prynne’s Short Demurrer, was to have a profound influence on the Jewish emancipation movement in the 18^th and early 19^th centuries. “A catalogue of such books as have been published by Manasseh ben Israel, in Hebrew” and a list of “Books ready for the presse” are appended at the end.

Margaret Fox, A loving salutation to the seed of Abraham among the Jewes ... And the way of truth opened to them ..., London: Printed for Tho. Simmons, 1656.

[iv], 74, [2] p ; 19 cm ; 4to. Special Collections Birkbeck Library 32.6.

Bound as part of a collection of Fox’s works from the library of Maurice Birkbeck (1734-1816).

Margaret Askew Fell Fox (Dalton-in-Furness 1614 – Swarthmooor 1702) “the mother of Quakerism”, was the author of feminist and missionary treatises. The second edition of this text (first published in English only in 1656, also bound in this volume) in parallel English and Hebrew columns is of particular interest. This collection contains two further works of relevance here: For Manasseth [sic] ben Israel. The call of the Jewes out of Babylon, which is good tidings to the meek, liberty to the captives, and for the opening of the prison doores. London: Printed for Giles Calvert, 1656; and A call unto the seed of Israel, that they may come out of Egypts darkness, and house of bondage, unto the land of rest. Also the righteous law of God justified. With an epistle to all those whose desire are after the truth as it is in Jesus where ever they are scattered. Also twenty five queries to all the worlds priests and people. London: Printed for Robert Wilson, [1668?].