Rittangelius, or Rithangel, John Stephen

Rittangelius, Or Rithangel, John Stephen, a German writer of the 17th century, was a native of Forchheim, in the bishopric of Bamberg, and is said by some writers to have been born a Jew; but others assert that he was first a Roman Catholic, then a Jew, and lastly a Lutheran. This, however, is certain that he published several books containing Judaical learning, was professor of Oriental languages in the Academy of Königsberg, and died about 1652. His works are, Commentary on Jezirah (Amsterd. 1642, 4to): — De Veritate Religionis Christianoe (Franeker, 1699): — Libra Veritatis (1698): — Letters: — German Translation of Prayers used by Jews in their Synagogues, etc. Rittangelius maintained this paradox, that the New Testament contains nothing but what was taken from the Jewish antiquities. See Chalmers, Biog. Dict. s.v.