Scholars > Jewish Polemics
TROKI, ISAAC BEN ABRAHAM (1533-1594).
Sefer Ḥizuk ha-emunah.
Manuscript in Hebrew on paper.
Ca. 18th century.
MS X893 H532
Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Isaac ben Abraham Troki, a 16th century Karaite scholar and liturgist, wrote the popular apologetic work Sefer Ḥizuk ha-Emunah, which criticizes many of the theological tenets of Christianity. Copyists sometimes changed the contents of Sefer Ḥizuk ha-Emunah to fit their respective ideologies and purposes. This particular manuscript edition states on its dedication page that it is intended for broad public use (Le-zakot et ha-rabim). Written in side-by-side Hebrew and Latin, it may have been used by Christians for missionizing. Its small size made this manuscript convenient to carry around to answer polemical questions.