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In Hebrew. 95, (1), 16 pages. 205 x 115 mm. Tishrey, kheshvan, kislev Taf Kuf Aiyn [=1810 c.e.]. Lacks rerr wrapper. The periodical Ha-Me'assef, (Der Sammler, which translates as "The Collector") (1784-1811) was founded in 1783 in Koenigsberg by Hebrew writers who were students of Moses Mendelssohn. It was devoted to the education of youth, the increased use of Hebrew, and the raising of the readers? cultural level. It was planned as a monthly, but appeared quarterly in installments that were collected into annual volumes. Many of its articles, including a few by Mendelssohn, were unsigned. It criticized East European Jews for using Yiddish. In 1782 Moses Mendelssohn's German translation of the Pentateuch was published. In its bi'ur or commentary, which he added to this translation, he dwelt on the beauty of the Hebrew language, its wealth of imagery, and its adaptability for poetic expression. His comments on scripture stimulated Hebrew, grammatical, and exegetic studies. While reading and discussing Mendelssohn's scriptural expositions, Isaac Abraham Euchel and Mendel Breslau, who at that time were tutors in David Friedländer's house in Königsberg, conceived the idea of causing Hebrew as a literary language to be used more widely among the Jews. With Simon and Samuel Friedländer, they issued in the spring of 1783 an appeal to all Jews to assist in establishing a society for the study of Hebrew (Chebrat Doreshe Leshon 'Eber). The periodical Ha-Me'assef was projected as a rallying-point for all those who were interested in and able to contribute to the work. The undertaking met with a cordial reception in many quarters, esp. in Berlin. Mendelssohn and even the aged Naphtali Herz Wessely promised their support and contributed to Ha-Me'assef, the former anonymously. The first number of the periodical was announced April 13, 1783, in a prospectus, Nachal ha-Besor, signed by Euchel, Breslau and Samuel and Simon Friedländer. It was the earliest successful periodical published in Hebrew. The first 3 vols. (1783-1786) were issued in monthly numbers at Königsberg (the frontispiece to vol. iii being Naphtali Herz Wessely's portrait); vols. iv-vi appeared in quarterly numbers at Königsberg & Berlin (1788-1790); 4 issues of vol. vii in Breslau, 1794-97; (alternate source states ?volume vii (1 number only) at Breslau"); vol. viii in Berlin; the first 2 numbers of vol. ix at Altona, the last 2 at Dessau; vol. x (2 numbers only) also at Dessau. The new Collector (Achare ha-Me'assef or Ha-Me'assef he-Chadash), edited by S. Cohen, was a continuation of Ha-Me'assef. Vol. i appeared at Berlin in 1809; vol. ii at Altona in 1810; volume iii at Dessau in 1811. In addition to articles on Hebrew prose & poetry, Ha-Me'assef had general scientific articles, papers on mathematics & natural science, bios of eminent Hebrew scholars, articles on the history of the Roman emperors, responsa on religious questions, e.g., on the speedy burial of the dead, etc. The attitude of Ha-Me'assef was by turns Orthodox or Reform, depending on the writer. It was often very aggressive toward the strictly Orthodox view, although Wessely had from the very beginning advised a purely objective point of view. The principal collaborators on Ha-Me'assef were: Judah Ben Zeeb; Bras; Mendel Bresslau; Cohen; Dessau; Isaac Abraham Euchel; Franco-Mendez; Friedländer; David Friedrichsfeld; Herz; Joseph Hirsch Baruch Lindau; Joel Löwe; Löwisohn; Moses Mendelssohn; Naphtali Herz Wessely; Elia Morpurgo (fr); Witzhausen; Aaron Wolfsohn. This was the first and most influential Hebrew organ of the Jewish haskalah movement and in it also appeared writings of a Jewish nationalist nature. Additional images available. Seller Inventory # 014229
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