Kursheedt, Israel Baer (1766-1852). Autograph Manuscript: Sermon preached in memory of the Hazan, Isaac H. Judah. Text in English and Hebrew.

AUCTION 79 | Thursday, November 15th, 2018 at 1:00 PM

The Valmadonna Trust Library: Further Selections from the Historic Collection. * Hebrew Printing in America. * Graphic & Ceremonial Art

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Lot 193

(AMERICAN JUDAICA)

Kursheedt, Israel Baer (1766-1852). Autograph Manuscript: Sermon preached in memory of the Hazan, Isaac H. Judah. Text in English and Hebrew.

Taking as a point of departure Job 14:1 “Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble,” the sermon relates the story of Job and contemplates life, death, and goodness. Applying the epithet given to King David in 2 Samuel 23:1 “sweet singer of Israel,” Kursheedt praises Judah’s sterling character, particularly his serving as the Congregation’s Reader for no remuneration. In Judah’s last days, he experienced “days of trouble and great bodily affliction,” like Job. Kursheedt describes how Judah did not fear death, accepted the will of Heaven, and movingly describes his final moments with family and prayer. Eight pages. 4to.

Richmond, Virginia: Undated, but from internal evidence: May 1827

Est: $4,000 - $6,000

PRICE REALIZED $5,500

Isaac H. Judah (1761-1827), was the original hazan of Congregation Beth Shalome of Richmond for at least three decades. His sister Rachel was married to Zalma Rehine, Isaac Leeser’s uncle and early sponsor in America. Israel Baer Kursheedt also served as a hazan in Congregation Beth Shalome. Kursheedt was a rare breed among American Jewish synagogue officials in those days, a Torah scholar trained in a European yeshiva. In his youth in Frankfurt, Kursheedt had been a pupil of the celbrated Talmudist, Rabbi Nathan Adler. An anecdote survives in which Rabbi Adler is to have said that Kursheedt was the Chacham, or “wise one” among his students. See M.J. Raphall’s obituary for Kursheedt in The Asmonean, May 7, 1852.