Jacob Emden, also known as the Yaʿavetz (June 4, 1697 – April 19, 1776), was a leading German
rabbi
A rabbi (; ) is a spiritual leader or religious teacher in Judaism. One becomes a rabbi by being ordained by another rabbi—known as ''semikha''—following a course of study of Jewish history and texts such as the Talmud. The basic form of t ...
and
talmudist
The Talmud (; ) is the central text of Rabbinic Judaism and the primary source of Jewish religious law (''halakha'') and Jewish theology. Until the advent of Haskalah#Effects, modernity, in nearly all Jewish communities, the Talmud was the cen ...
who championed traditional Judaism in the face of the growing influence of the
Sabbatean movement. He was widely acclaimed for his extensive knowledge.

Emden was the son of the
hakham
''Hakham'' (or ''Chakam(i), Haham(i), Hacham(i), Hach''; ) is a term in Judaism meaning a wise or skillful man; it often refers to someone who is a great Torah scholar. It can also refer to any cultured and learned person: "He who says a wise th ...
Tzvi Ashkenazi and a descendant of
Elijah Ba'al Shem of Chełm. He spent most of his life in
Altona (now part of
Hamburg
Hamburg (, ; ), officially the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg,. is the List of cities in Germany by population, second-largest city in Germany after Berlin and List of cities in the European Union by population within city limits, 7th-lar ...
, Germany).
His son,
Meshullam Solomon, served as rabbi of the Hambro Synagogue in London and claimed authority as Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom from 1765 to 1780.
The
acronym
An acronym is a type of abbreviation consisting of a phrase whose only pronounced elements are the initial letters or initial sounds of words inside that phrase. Acronyms are often spelled with the initial Letter (alphabet), letter of each wor ...
Yaʿavetz (, also rendered ''Yaavetz'') is formed from his
Hebrew name
A Hebrew name is a name of Hebrew origin. In a more narrow meaning, it is a name used by Jews only in a religious context and different from an individual's secular name for everyday use.
Names with Hebrew origins, especially those from the ...
, Yaʿkov ben Tzvi ().
Seven of his 31 works were published posthumously.
Biography
Early life and education
Jacob Emden (born Ashkenazi) was the fifth of his father's 15 children. Until the age of seventeen, he studied Talmud under his father,
Tzvi Ashkenazi, a foremost rabbinic authority, first in
Altona and later in
Amsterdam
Amsterdam ( , ; ; ) is the capital of the Netherlands, capital and Municipalities of the Netherlands, largest city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It has a population of 933,680 in June 2024 within the city proper, 1,457,018 in the City Re ...
(1710–1714). In 1715, he married Rachel, daughter of Mordecai ben
Naphtali Cohen, rabbi of Ungarisch-Brod in
Moravia
Moravia ( ; ) is a historical region in the eastern Czech Republic, roughly encompassing its territory within the Danube River's drainage basin. It is one of three historical Czech lands, with Bohemia and Czech Silesia.
The medieval and early ...
(now
Uherský Brod
Uherský Brod (; ) is a town in Uherské Hradiště District in the Zlín Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 16,000 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as an urban monument zone.
Administrati ...
in the
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, and historically known as Bohemia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west, Poland to the northeast, and Slovakia to the south ...
) and continued his studies in his father-in-law's
yeshiva
A yeshiva (; ; pl. , or ) is a traditional Jewish educational institution focused on the study of Rabbinic literature, primarily the Talmud and halacha (Jewish law), while Torah and Jewish philosophy are studied in parallel. The stu ...
.
[Solomon Schechter, M. Seligsohn]
Emden, Jacob Israel ben Zebi
''Jewish Encyclopedia
''The Jewish Encyclopedia: A Descriptive Record of the History, Religion, Literature, and Customs of the Jewish People from the Earliest Times to the Present Day'' is an English-language encyclopedia containing over 15,000 articles on the ...
'' (1906).
Emden mastered all branches of Talmudic literature and later expanded his studies to philosophy,
kabbalah
Kabbalah or Qabalah ( ; , ; ) is an esoteric method, discipline and school of thought in Jewish mysticism. It forms the foundation of Mysticism, mystical religious interpretations within Judaism. A traditional Kabbalist is called a Mekubbal ...
, and grammar—even attempting to learn
Latin
Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...
and
Dutch despite his view that secular studies should be limited to periods when Torah study was not feasible.
Career
Emden initially spent three years in Ungarisch-Brod as a private Talmudic lecturer before taking up work as a dealer in jewelry and other goods—a trade that required extensive travel.
Although he generally declined formal rabbinic positions, in 1728 he accepted the rabbinate of
Emden
Emden () is an Independent city (Germany), independent town and seaport in Lower Saxony in the north-west of Germany and lies on the River Ems (river), Ems, close to the Germany–Netherlands border, Netherlands border. It is the main town in t ...
, from which he later derived his name.
He eventually returned to Altona, where he secured permission from the Jewish community to establish a private synagogue. Early on, he enjoyed cordial relations with
Moses Hagiz, head of the
Portuguese Jewish community in Altona, though these later deteriorated due to calumnies. Similarly, his initially positive relations with the chief rabbi of the German community,
Ezekiel Katzenellenbogen, later soured.
A few years later, Emden obtained permission from the King of Denmark to establish a printing press in Altona. He soon encountered controversy over his publication of a
siddur
A siddur ( ''sīddūr'', ; plural siddurim ) is a Jewish prayer book containing a set order of daily prayers. The word comes from the Hebrew root , meaning 'order.'
Other terms for prayer books are ''tefillot'' () among Sephardi Jews, ''tef ...
he wrote in 1747 with commentary according to the
minhag Polin, ''ʿAmmude Shamayim'' (), harshly criticizing influential local
moneychangers. Despite receiving the approbation of the
Landesrabbiner, his opponents continued to denounce him.
Ya'avetz Pen Name
In the preface to his work ''Responsa of Yaavetz'', Emden recounts how, as a child, he questioned why his father signed only as "Tzvi" () rather than also including his father's name as was the norm. His father explained that this was a homonym, Tzv״i (): an acronym for his full name, Tzvi ben Yaʿakov (). He advised that Emden should take the pen name Ya'avetz () under the same principles. The Hebrew name ''Yaʿavetz'' appears both as a place name in
1 Chronicles 2:55 and a personal name in
4::9-10..
Sabbatean controversy
Emden accused
Jonathan Eybeschutz
Jonathan Eybeschutz or Eybeshitz (; 1690–1764) was a Talmudist, halakhist, and kabbalist holding positions first as Dayan of Prague and later as rabbi of the "Three Communities": Altona, Hamburg, and Wandsbek.
He is well known for his confl ...
of being a secret
Sabbatean
The Sabbateans (or Sabbatians) are a variety of Jewish followers, disciples, and believers in Sabbatai Zevi (1626–1676),
an Ottoman Jewish rabbi and Kabbalist who was proclaimed to be the Jewish Messiah in 1666 by Nathan of Gaza.
Vast ...
, a
heretical belief. The controversy lasted several years, continuing even after Eybeschutz' death. Emden's assertion of Eybeschutz' heresy was chiefly based on the interpretation of
kabbalistic amulets prepared by Eybeschutz, in which Emden saw Sabbatean allusions. Hostilities began before Eybeschutz left
Prague
Prague ( ; ) is the capital and List of cities and towns in the Czech Republic, largest city of the Czech Republic and the historical capital of Bohemia. Prague, located on the Vltava River, has a population of about 1.4 million, while its P ...
. In 1751, when Eybeschutz was named chief rabbi of the three communities of Altona,
Hamburg
Hamburg (, ; ), officially the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg,. is the List of cities in Germany by population, second-largest city in Germany after Berlin and List of cities in the European Union by population within city limits, 7th-lar ...
, and
Wandsbek
Wandsbek () is the second-largest of seven Boroughs and quarters of Hamburg#Boroughs, boroughs that make up the city and state of Hamburg, Germany. The name of the district is derived from the river Wandse which passes through here. Hamburg-Wandsb ...
, the controversy reached the stage of intense and bitter antagonism. Emden maintained that threats initially prevented him from publishing anything against Eybeschutz. He solemnly declared in his synagogue the writer of the amulets to be a Sabbatean heretic and deserving of
ḥerem,
shunning
Shunning can be the act of social rejection, or emotional distance. In a religious context, shunning is a formal decision by a denomination or a congregation to cease interaction with an individual or a group, and follows a particular set of rule ...
by the Jewish community.
Emden's "Megillat Sefer" accused Eybeschutz of having an incestuous relationship with his daughter and of fathering a child with her. However, allegedly the "Megillat Sefer" was tampered with and had deliberately ridiculous accusations and narratives added to mock Emden.
Clashes between opposing supporters occurred in the streets, drawing the secular authorities' attention according to the "
Kuryer Polski" of June 16, 1751. The majority of the community, including
Aryeh Leib Epstein of
Königsberg
Königsberg (; ; ; ; ; ; , ) is the historic Germany, German and Prussian name of the city now called Kaliningrad, Russia. The city was founded in 1255 on the site of the small Old Prussians, Old Prussian settlement ''Twangste'' by the Teuton ...
, favored Eybeschutz. The council, therefore, condemned Emden as a slanderer. Under pain of ḥerem, people were ordered not to attend Emden's
synagogue
A synagogue, also called a shul or a temple, is a place of worship for Jews and Samaritans. It is a place for prayer (the main sanctuary and sometimes smaller chapels) where Jews attend religious services or special ceremonies such as wed ...
, and he was forbidden to issue anything from his press. Since Emden continued his
philippic
A philippic () is a fiery, damning speech, or tirade, delivered to condemn a particular political actor. The term is most famously associated with three noted orators of the ancient world: Demosthenes of ancient Athens, Cato the Elder and Cic ...
s against Eybeschutz, he was ordered by the council of the three communities to leave Altona. He refused to, relying on the strength of the King's charter, and he maintained he had been relentlessly persecuted. In May 1751, he finally took refuge in
Amsterdam
Amsterdam ( , ; ; ) is the capital of the Netherlands, capital and Municipalities of the Netherlands, largest city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It has a population of 933,680 in June 2024 within the city proper, 1,457,018 in the City Re ...
when it seemed his life was in danger. He had many friends there and joined the household of his brother-in-law,
Aryeh Leib ben Saul, rabbi of the
Ashkenazi Jews
Ashkenazi Jews ( ; also known as Ashkenazic Jews or Ashkenazim) form a distinct subgroup of the Jewish diaspora, that emerged in the Holy Roman Empire around the end of the first millennium CE. They traditionally speak Yiddish, a language ...
there.
The controversy was heard by both the Senate of Hamburg and the Royal Court of Denmark. The Hamburg Senate quickly found in favour of Eybeschutz. King
Frederick V of Denmark
Frederick V (Danish language, Danish and Norwegian language, Norwegian: ''Frederik V''; 31 March 1723 – 14 January 1766) was King of Denmark–Norway, Denmark and Norway and Duke of Schleswig-Holstein from 6 August 1746 until his death in 1766. ...
asked Eybeschutz to answer questions about the amulets. Conflicting testimony was put forward, and the matter remained officially unresolved, according to Grunwald, in the
''
Hamburgs deutsche Juden'' 107. However, the court sentenced the council of the three communities to pay a fine of one hundred
thaler
A thaler or taler ( ; , previously spelled ) is one of the large silver coins minted in the states and territories of the Holy Roman Empire and the Habsburg monarchy during the Early Modern period. A ''thaler'' size silver coin has a diameter o ...
for civil unrest and ordered Emden to return to Altona.
Emden then returned to Altona and took possession of his synagogue and printing establishment, though he was forbidden to continue his agitation against Eybeschutz. The latter's partisans, however, did not desist from their warfare against Emden. They accused him before the authorities of continuing to publish denunciations against his opponent. One Friday evening (July 8, 1755), his house was broken into and his papers seized and turned over to the "Ober-Präsident" (royally imposed mayor), . Six months later, Qualen appointed a commission of three scholars, who, after a close examination, found nothing which could incriminate Emden. Eybeschutz was reelected as
Chief Rabbi
Chief Rabbi () is a title given in several countries to the recognized religious leader of that country's Jewish community, or to a rabbinic leader appointed by the local secular authorities. Since 1911, through a capitulation by Ben-Zion Meir ...
. In December that year, the Hamburg Senate rejected the King's decision and the election result. The
Senate of Hamburg
The government of Hamburg is divided into executive, legislative and judicial branches. Hamburg is a city-state and municipality, and thus its governance deals with several details of both state and local community politics. It takes place in two ...
started an intricate process to determine the powers of Eybeschutz as Chief Rabbi.
The truth or falsity of his denunciations against Eybeschutz cannot be proved;
Gershom Scholem
Gershom Scholem (; 5 December 1897 – 21 February 1982) was an Israeli philosopher and historian. Widely regarded as the founder of modern academic study of the Kabbalah, Scholem was appointed the first professor of Jewish mysticism at Hebrew Un ...
wrote much on this subject, and his student Perlmutter devoted a book to proving it. According to historian David Sorkin, Eybeschutz was probably a Sabbatean, and Eybeschutz's son openly declared himself to be a Sabbatean after his father's death. Further background suggests that Eybeschutz may have been a Sabbatean. In July 1725, the Ashkenazi beth din of Amsterdam issued a ḥerem on the entire Sabbatean sect ( ''kaṯ hammaʾamin'') based partially on the discovery of Sabbatean writings.
Ezekiel Katzenellenbogen, Chief Rabbi of the Three Communities was unwilling to attack Eybeschutz publicly, but stated that one of the Sabbatean texts found by the Amsterdam
beth din, ''Va’avo hayyom el-haʿayin'' (), was authored by Eybeschutz and declared that all copies of the work that were in circulation should be immediately burned. The recent discovery in Metz of notarial copies of the disputed amulets written by Eybeschutz supports Emden's view that these are Sabbatean writings.
Other notable events

In 1756, the members of the synod of
Starokostiantyniv () in the
Volhynian Voivodeship (now
western Ukraine
Western Ukraine or West Ukraine (, ) refers to the western territories of Ukraine. There is no universally accepted definition of the territory's boundaries, but the contemporary Ukrainian administrative regions ( oblasts) of Chernivtsi, I ...
) requested Emden aid them in repressing the Sabbateans and
Frankists. As the Sabbateans referred much to the
Zohar
The ''Zohar'' (, ''Zōhar'', lit. "Splendor" or "Radiance") is a foundational work of Kabbalistic literature. It is a group of books including commentary on the mystical aspects of the Torah and scriptural interpretations as well as material o ...
, Emden thought it wise to examine that book, and after a careful study he concluded that a significant part of the Zohar was the production of an impostor.
Emden's works show critical powers rarely found among his contemporaries. He was strictly orthodox, never deviating the least from tradition, even when the difference in time and circumstance might have warranted a deviation from custom. Emden's opinions were often viewed as extremely unconventional from the perspective of strictly traditional mainstream Judaism, though not so unusual in more free-thinking Enlightenment circles. Emden had friendly relations with
Moses Mendelssohn
Moses Mendelssohn (6 September 1729 – 4 January 1786) was a German-Jewish philosopher and theologian. His writings and ideas on Jews and the Jewish religion and identity were a central element in the development of the ''Haskalah'', or 'J ...
, founder of
Haskalah
The ''Haskalah'' (; literally, "wisdom", "erudition" or "education"), often termed the Jewish Enlightenment, was an intellectual movement among the Jews of Central Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, with a certain influence on those in Wester ...
, and with several Christian scholars.
In 1772,
Frederick II, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin issued a decree forbidding burial on the day of death. The Jews in his territories approached Emden with the request that he demonstrate a Talmudic ruling that a more prolonged exposure of a corpse would be against
Jewish burial customs. Emden referred them to Mendelssohn, who greatly influenced Christian authorities and wrote in excellent German. Mendelssohn wrote the requested letter to the Duke. However, he privately complained to Emden that the Duke was correct based on his understanding of the Talmud. Emden wrote to him in strong terms, saying that it was ludicrous to assert that the custom of the entire Jewish people was blatantly incorrect and told Mendelssohn that this kind of claim would only strengthen rumors of irreligiousness Mendelssohn had aroused by his associations.
Views
Emden was a traditionalist who responded to the ideals of tolerance being circulated during the 18th-century
Enlightenment. He stretched the traditional inclusivist position into universal directions.
Like Maimonides, he believed that
monotheistic faiths have an important roles to play in God's plan for mankind, writing that "we should consider Christians and Muslims as instruments for the fulfilment of the prophecy that the knowledge of God will one day spread throughout the earth." Emden praised the ethical teachings of Christianity, considering them beneficial in removing the prevalence of idolatry and bestowing gentiles with a "moral doctrine".
[Falk, Harvey.]
Rabbi Jacob Emden's Views on Christianity
''Journal of Ecumenical Studies'', Volume 19, no. 1 (Winter 1982), pp. 105–11. Emden also suggested that ascetic Christian practices provided additional rectification of the soul in the same way that Judaic commandments do.
In many ways, Emden was a nuanced figure who navigated the tension between rabbinic and external historical sources. Emden often tempered the exclusionist approach of scholars like
Aviad Sar-Shalom Basilea, who outright rejected non-rabbinic sources, by cautiously engaging with external historical claims. For example, in addressing contradictions between Talmudic and historical accounts, Emden sometimes reinterpreted rabbinic texts to align with external evidence, as seen in his treatment of the Talmudic story about
Nero
Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus ( ; born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus; 15 December AD 37 – 9 June AD 68) was a Roman emperor and the final emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, reigning from AD 54 until his ...
’s conversion. He also critiqued
Azariah dei Rossi for uncritically accepting non-Jewish sources, but stopped short of branding him a heretic, instead viewing him as misguided. Emden’s approach reflects a balance between preserving the authority of rabbinic literature and cautiously integrating external historical insights, making him a moderate voice in the debate over the historicity of rabbinic claims.
He theoretically advocated the
pilegesh
(, , possibly related to ) is a term from the Hebrew Bible for a concubine, a female, unmarried sexual slave of social and legal status inferior to that of a wife.
Among the Israelites, some men acknowledged their ''pilgashím'', who thus had t ...
(biblical concubinage), since the
Sages stated "the greater the man, the greater his
evil inclination", and cited many sources in support. He also suggested it might be permissible under certain circumstances for a Jewish man to cohabit with a single Jewish woman, provided that she is in an exclusive relationship with him that is public knowledge and where she would not be embarrassed to attend the
mikveh
A mikveh or mikvah (, ''mikva'ot'', ''mikvot'', or (Ashkenazi Hebrew, Ashkenazic) ''mikves'', lit., "a collection") is a bath used for ritual washing in Judaism#Full-body immersion, ritual immersion in Judaism to achieve Tumah and taharah, ...
. He also wished to revoke the ban on
polygamy
Polygamy (from Late Greek , "state of marriage to many spouses") is the practice of marriage, marrying multiple spouses. When a man is married to more than one wife at the same time, it is called polygyny. When a woman is married to more tha ...
instituted by
Gershom ben Judah, believing it erroneously followed Christian morals. However, he admitted he lacked the power to do so.
Emden wrote that he owned books containing secular wisdom written in Hebrew but would read them in the bathroom. He was opposed to philosophy and maintained that the views contained in ''
The Guide for the Perplexed
''The Guide for the Perplexed'' (; ; ) is a work of Jewish theology by Maimonides. It seeks to reconcile Aristotelianism with Rabbinical Jewish theology by finding rational explanations for many events in the text.
It was written in Judeo-Arabic ...
'' could not have been authored by
Maimonides
Moses ben Maimon (1138–1204), commonly known as Maimonides (, ) and also referred to by the Hebrew acronym Rambam (), was a Sephardic rabbi and Jewish philosophy, philosopher who became one of the most prolific and influential Torah schola ...
, but rather by an unknown heretic.
Works

Jacob Emden’s corpus spans halakhic, liturgical, kabbalistic, and polemical writings—with some works jointly attributed to him and his father. His published writings include:
* ''Edut BeYaakov'' (Altona, Hamburg, 1756) – Addresses the alleged heresy of Eybeschütz, including the letter ''Iggeret Shum'' to the rabbis of the Four Lands.
* ''Shimmush'' (Amsterdam, 1758–62) – Comprises three works: ''Shoṭ la‑Sus'', ''Meteg laHamor'' (against the influence of the Sabbateans), and ''Sheveṭ leGev Kesilim'', a refutation of heretical demonstrations.
*
Shevirat Luchot haAven' (Altona, 1759) – A refutation of Eybeschütz’s ''Luchot Edut''.
* ''Sechok haKesil'', ''Yekev Ze'ev'', and ''Gat Derukhah'' (Altona, 1762) – Three polemical works published in the *Hit'abbekut* of one of his pupils.
*
Mitpachat Sefarim' (Altona, 1761–68) – In two parts: the first demonstrates that part of the Zohar is a later compilation; the second criticizes works such as ''Emunat Hakhamim'' and ''Mishnat Hakhamim'' as well as various polemical letters.
* ''Herev Pifiyyot'', ''Iggeret Purim'', ''Teshuvot haMinim'', and ''Zikkaron beSefer'' – On money changers and bankers (unpublished).
*
Lechem Shamayim' (Altona, 1728; Wandsbeck, 1733) – A commentary on the Mishnah with a treatise on Maimonides’
Mishneh Torah
The ''Mishneh Torah'' (), also known as ''Sefer Yad ha-Hazaka'' (), is a code of Rabbinic Jewish religious law (''halakha'') authored by Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon/Rambam). The ''Mishneh Torah'' was compiled between 1170 and 1180 CE ( ...
(Beit haBechirah).
*
Iggeret Bikkoret' (Altona, 1733) – Responsa.
*
She'elat Ya'abetz' (Altona, 1739–59) – A collection of 372 responsa.
* ''Siddur Tefillah'' (Altona, 1745–48) – An edition of the prayer book featuring commentary, grammatical notes, ritual laws, and treatises (including ''Beit‑El'', ''Sha'ar haShamayim'', and ''Migdal Oz''); also contains the treatise ''Even Bochan'' and a critique of Menahem Lonzano’s ''Avodat Mikdash'' (titled ''Seder Avodah'').
* ''Etz Avot'' (Amsterdam, 1751) – A commentary on
Pirkei Avot
Pirkei Avot (; also transliterated as ''Pirqei Avoth'' or ''Pirkei Avos'' or ''Pirke Aboth'', also ''Abhoth''), which translates into English as Chapters of the Fathers, is a compilation of the ethical teachings and maxims from Rabbinic Jewis ...
, with grammatical notes compiled in ''Lechem Nekudim''.
* ''Sha'agat Aryeh'' (Amsterdam, 1755) – A eulogy for his brother‑in‑law, Aryeh Leib ben Saul (rabbi of Amsterdam); also included in his ''Kishurim leYaakov''.
* ''Seder Olam Rabbah'' and ''Seder Olam Zutta'' (Hamburg, 1757) – The texts of Seder Olam and
Megillat Ta'anit, edited with critical notes.
*
Mor uKetziah' (Altona, 177?) – Novellæ on
Orach Hayyim (with additional novellæ on
Yoreh Deah
''Yoreh De'ah'' () is a section of Rabbi Jacob ben Asher's compilation of halakha (Jewish law), the ''Arba'ah Turim'', written around 1300.
This section treats all aspects of Jewish law not pertinent to the Hebrew calendar, finance, torts, mar ...
,
Even haEzer
( "The Stone of Help" or "The Rock of the ") is a section of Rabbi Jacob ben Asher's compilation of halakha (Jewish law), ''Arba'ah Turim''. This section treats aspects of Jewish law related to marriage, divorce, and sexual conduct. Later, Rabbi ...
, and
Hoshen Mishpat remaining unpublished).
*
Tzitzim uFerachim' (Altona, 1768) – A collection of kabbalistic articles arranged alphabetically.
*
Luach Eresh' (Altona, 1769) – Grammatical notes on the prayers and a critique of Solomon Hena’s ''Sha'arei Tefillah''.
*
Shemesh Tzedakah' (Altona, 1772).
*
Pesach Gadol',
Tefillat Yesharim', and ''Ḥoli Ketem'' (Altona, 1775).
*
Sha'arei Azarah' (Altona, 1776).
*
Divrei Emet uMishpaṭ Shalom' (Altona, 1776).
*
Megillat Sefer' (Warsaw, 1897) – Contains biographies of himself and his father.
* ''Kishurim leYaakov'' – A collection of sermons.
* Marginal novellæ on the Babylonian Talmud.
* ''Emet LeYaakov'' (Kiryas Joel, 2017) – Notes on the
Zohar
The ''Zohar'' (, ''Zōhar'', lit. "Splendor" or "Radiance") is a foundational work of Kabbalistic literature. It is a group of books including commentary on the mystical aspects of the Torah and scriptural interpretations as well as material o ...
and assorted works, including Dei Rossi’s ''Meor Einayim''.
His unpublished rabbinical writings include:
* ''Tza'akat Damim'' – A refutation of the blood libel in Poland.
* ''Hilkheta liMeshicha'' – A responsum to R. Israel Lipschütz.
* ''Mada'ah Rabbah''.
* ''Gal‑Ed'' – A commentary on
Rashi
Shlomo Yitzchaki (; ; ; 13 July 1105) was a French rabbi who authored comprehensive commentaries on the Talmud and Hebrew Bible. He is commonly known by the List of rabbis known by acronyms, Rabbinic acronym Rashi ().
Born in Troyes, Rashi stud ...
and the
Targum
A targum (, ''interpretation'', ''translation'', ''version''; plural: targumim) was an originally spoken translation of the Hebrew Bible (also called the ) that a professional translator ( ''mǝṯurgǝmān'') would give in the common language o ...
of the Pentateuch.
* ''Em laBinah'' – A commentary on the entire Bible.
* ''Em laMikra velaMasoret'' – Also a commentary on the Bible.
Emden Siddur
20th-century printings of the Emden Siddur exist, notably the Lemberg edition (1904) and the Augsburg edition (1948), both bearing the cover title ''Siddur Beis Yaakov'' (also anglicized as ''Siddur Bet Yaakov''; Hebrew: סידור בית יעקב).
The covers identify the work as being by "Jacob from Emden" (יעקב מעמדין). The 472-page Lemberg 1904 printing includes ''
Tikun Leil Shavuot'' on pages 275–305 and is considerably larger than Emden’s ''Shaarei Shamayim'' siddur.
Shaarei Shamayim
A physically smaller siddur, reprinted in Israel in 1994, was titled ''Siddur Rebbe Yaakov of Emden'' (Hebrew: סידור רבי יעקב מעמדין) on the upper half of the cover and ''Siddur HaYaavetz Shaarei ShaMaYim'' (סדור היעב"ץ שערי שמים) elsewhere. Its commentary is less detailed than that of the full Emden Siddur—for example, it omits ''Tikkun Leil Shavuot''. This edition is presented as a two-volume set.
Notes
References
External links
Emden, Jacob Israel Ben Zebi Ashkenazi jewishencyclopedia.com
jewishvirtuallibrary.org
Rabbi Jacob Emden's View on Christianity and the Noachite Commandments Reprinted from the Journal of Ecumenical Studies, 19:1, Winter 1982
*, from Shelyot Ye'avetz, v 2, 15
* .
* Cohen, Mortimer Joseph,
Jacob Emden, A Man of Controversy', Philadelphia, Dropsie College for Hebrew and Cognate Learning, 1937.
*
Schacter, Jacob J.Rabbi Jacob Emden: Life and Major Works Diss., Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 1988.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Emden, Jacob
1697 births
1776 deaths
People from Altona, Hamburg
18th-century German rabbis
German Orthodox rabbis
Kabbalists
Dutch Orthodox rabbis
Rabbis from Hamburg
Exponents of Jewish law