Jonathan Eybeschutz - Works

Works

Thirty of his works in the area of Halakha (Jewish law) have been published. In addition, several of his works on homiletics, teaching methodology, and Kabbalah are currently in print. It is interesting to note that only one of his works was published in his lifetime. The posthumous printing of so many of his works is testimony to his influence on his contemporaries through his oral teachings and his personality. It is claimed that he also published numerous Sabbatean works anonymously.

• Homiletics (derush) and popular preaching::
  • Ya'arot Devash a frequently quoted collection of the sermons of Rabbi Eybeschutz.
  • Tiferet Yehonatan on the weekly Torah portion
  • Ahavat Yehonatan on the weekly Haftarah
  • Taryag Mitzvot, the 613 commandments in rhymed acrostics.
  • Notes on the Passover Haggadah, as well as Perush al Piska Had Gadya on the poem Had Gadya

• On Talmud and halakhah::
  • Novellae to Shulchan Aruch: Urim ve-Tummim on Choshen Mishpat; Kereti u-Peleti on Yoreh De'ah; Sar ha-Alef on Orach Chayim.
  • Notes on Maimonides' Mishneh Torah: Binah la-Ittim and Chiddushim al Hilkot Yom Tov both dealing with the holy days, and both published by his students, based on notes taken from his lectures; Bene Ahuvah on the matrimonial laws.
  • Tiferet Yisrael, notes on the rabbinical laws of niddah (regarding menstruation), with additions by the editor, his grandson Israel.

• On Kabbalah::
  • Shem Olam, a collection of letters on the Kabbalah

• On Sabbatianism
  • Va'avo Hayom el HaAyin, an intensely involved and original text on Sabbatianism.

Rabbi Eybeschutz also wrote Luchoth Edut (Tablets of Testimony), in which he describes the whole dispute and attempts to refute the charges against him. It includes also the letters of recommendation which he had received from leading rabbis who came to his defense.