LEESER, ISAAC. Catechism for Younger Children. Designed as a Familiar Exposition of the Jewish Religion.

(AMERICAN JUDAICA).

Adam Waldie

Philadelphia

1839

FIRST EDITION.

Singerman 674

An uncommonly scarce Jewish school-book. In this childrens textbook, Leeser sets forth the basic tenets of Jewish belief as contained in the Ten Commandments and Maimonides' Thirteen Principles of Faith. An appendix entitled "The Ceremonial Law" addresses the practical observance of Judaism: Prayer, Tzitzith, and Tephillin, as well as the Sabbath and Festivals. The work was based on German reformer Eduard Kley's Catechismus der Mosaischen Religion (Berlin, 1814), which Leeser translated into English and adapted to traditional Orthodox standards. Although the book is dedicated to Rebecca Gratz, ironically, Gratz found the work too obtuse for students in her Sunday School, suitable only for those in the more advanced classes. See L.J. Sussman, Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism (1995), pp. 100-101.