Sermons in Honor of the Inauguration of the Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam – Fine Engravings Depicting the ...

Sermons in Honor of the Inauguration of the Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam – Fine Engravings Depicting the Synagogue and the Inauguration Ceremony – Amsterdam, 1675

Sermões que pregaraõ os doctos ingenios do K.K. de Talmud Torah, desta cidade de Amsterdam, sermons in honor of the dedication of the Portuguese synagogue in Amsterdam. Amsterdam: David de Castro Tartaz, 1675. Only edition. Portuguese, with some Hebrew.
The book comprises seven sermons delivered during the celebrations of the inauguration of the Portuguese synagogue in Amsterdam, by R. Yitzchak Aboab da Fonseca (the third), R. Solomon de Oliveyra, R. Yitzchak Saruco, R. Yitzchak Netto (Nieto), R. Eliyau Lopes, R. Yitzchak Vellozino and R. David Sarphati.
The book opens with four pages of exquisite engravings by the Dutch artist Romeyn de Hooghe (1645-1708). The richly detailed engravings present various views of the synagogue – the exterior, a plan of the interior, the Torah ark, and more. One of the engravings depicts the inauguration ceremony; with the members of the Jewish community in prayer in the center (women and children are seen amongst the community members at the forefront of the engraving).
The Portuguese synagogue in Amsterdam served the community of Spanish and Portuguese Jews who immigrated to the Netherlands in the wake of the inquisition, and their descendants. In 1670, with the encouragement of R. Yitzchak Aboab da Fonseca (see items 127-128), the ground upon which the synagogue was to be built was purchased, and in 1675, on Motzaei Shabbat Parashat Nachamu, the inauguration ceremony was held with great splendor. The celebrations continued for eight days (as long as the reconsecration of the Temple in the days of the Maccabees; see: M.H. Ganz, Memorbook, p. 101).

[8], 155 pages + [4] leaves with engravings, bound before the title page (engravings printed separately and pasted to leaves). 20 cm. Good-fair condition. Stains. Worming (extensive marginal worming to several leaves; minor marginal worming to engravings). Marginal open tear to one leaf. Minor marginal tears to engravings. Early leather binding, with minor blemishes. Label inside front board. Slipcased.

Rare book.

The book is documented in the Center for Jewish Art (CJA), item 373985.
Exhibition: Yeshiva University Museum, New York, "The Sephardic Journey: 1492-1992", 1990-1992. See exhibition catalog, p. 344, no. 582.
Provenance: The Gross Family Collection, Tel Aviv, NHB.113.