Obj. ID: 38922
Printed Books Seder Le-Arba' Tzomot ule-Arba' Parshiyot ke-minhag Carpentras, Amsterdam, 1762
This text was prepared by William Gross:
As the major center of Hebrew printing during the 18th century, Amsterdam printed books for use and distribution outside Dutch borders. This book is such an example, having been printed for the French community that prayed according to the rite of Carpentras.
Naftali Hertz ben Alexander Ziskind Levi Rofe of Emden set up his press in Amsterdam in 1726. He complemented his printing equipment with that purchased from the Isaac Templo press after it was closed down. He was a physician by profession, as evidenced by his moniker Rofe. He was granted title of doctor of medicine from the University of Harderwijk in 1716. He pursued his medical practice, as well as printing and bookselling. He was a member of a small group of Jewish intellectuals interested in scientific disputes. He tended to publish alone as well as in cooperation with others, but above all with his son-in-law Kosman ben Joseph Baruch, who was also involved in the book trade. Their cooperation lasted from 1742 to 1766, and resulted in many works being published. Kosman eventually ceased printing with his father-in-law, and continued instead with his son (the Gross Family Collection also preserves some of Kosman’s publications). Editor: Avraham Montil
