Obj. ID: 39120
Jewish printed books  Tavnit Heichal by Ya'akov Yehudah Aryeh Leon Templo, Amsterdam, 1650

This text was prepared by William Gross:

Descriptive work of the first Temple built by King Solomon by R. Jacob Judah (Aryeh) de Leao (Leon) Templo, (1603-1675). Born to a Marrano family in Hamburg, Templo studied in Amsterdam under R. Isaac Uziel. He afterwards returned to Hamburg, returning to Holland to officiate as hakham in Middleburgh. In 1643, Templo was again in Amsterdam, serving as an instructor in the Etz Hayyim Talmud Torah and assisting at Menasseh Ben Israel's press, vocalizing the 1646 edition of the Mishnah. His main interest, however, was the architecture of the Tabernacle and the First Temple: Templo, whose name derives from this pursuit, prepared copper engravings and models of both structures. These models were taken to England and exhibited before Charles II, with the hope that Templo would receive an offer of purchase. While there he designed the coat -of-arms of the Free Masons. Templo first published his work on the First Temple in Spanish as Retrato del Templo de Selomoh (Middleburg, 1642). It was translated into French (1643), Dutch and Latin (1665) editions, and into Hebrew as Tavnit Heikhal.

The title is from "our daughters are like corner stones, crafted in palatial form (tavnit heikhal)" (Psalms 144:12). A border comprised of multiple rows of florets surrounds the text of the title page, stating that it is “the form of the Temple, examined in great brevity, of the house "that king Solomon made" (I Kings 7:51, Jeremiah 52:20) for the Lord, with all its ordinances and all its forms, that are found in it from the time it was founded on the holy mount until the time that the wicked Titus made it a desolation … And further, on all the precious utensils used in the service, each according to its work, none lacking: And from these also the work of the Tabernacle .... “

The title page further informs that all the utensils used to minister in the Temple are described and that it was originally published in another language and has been translated into Hebrew by R. Jacob Judah Aryeh (the author). It is dated, "The Lord is in his holy temple קדשו (410 = 1650), the Lord's throne is in heaven" (Psalms 11:4). The title page is followed by a Latin title page, two pages of privileges to print, both issued in 1642 for fifteen years from the States-General of the United Dutch Provinces, the second from the States of Holland and West-Friesland, here translated into Hebrew. Several laudatory poems follow from R. Saul Morteira, R. Isaac Aboab, R. Samuel Jessurun, and R. Aaron Zarfati. Next is Templos introduction, in which he describes the structure of the book and informs that this is but a small portion of what he knows on the subject.

There is a dedication to the officers of the Sephardic Congregation Talmud Torah and the text in a single column in square letters. The four parts of Tavnit Heikhal, which are further divided into chapters, are a general overview of the Temple, the structure of the building, its utensils, and the other related structures on the Temple Mount. The volume concludes with an index. There are two foldout illustrations, reproduced here.
Tavnit Hechal, on the building of the Beit HaMikdash and its utensils, by Rabbi Ya'akov Judah Aryeh Leon Templo. Amsterdam, [1650]. Printed by Yehuda ben Mordechai and Shmuel ben Moshe HaLevi. Printed at the beginning of the book are poems by R. Shaul Mortira, R. Yitzchak Abuhav, R. Shmuel son of Avraham HaRofeh, R. Aharon Tzarfati and the author.

The work is in four parts and provides a general overview of the Temple, the structure of the building, its utensils, and the other related structures on the Temple Mount. In his introduction, Templo states that this is but a small portion of what he knows on the subject.

Hebrew title page with multiple rows of florets, followed by Latin title page.

Two foldout engraved illustrations: 1. the Tabernacle and its implements 2. The Twelve Tribes encamped around the Tabernacle

First edition, 38 ff.., quarto