Autograph Letter (unsigned), addressed to the Editor of The Occident, Rev. Isaac Leeser.

(AMERICAN JUDAICA).

1850’s

Fascinating letter written to Isaac Leeser by a self-styled “prophet.” “I seek through your newspaper to lay before the Jewish Public a series of communications… I feel myself called by a Superior Power to make known what has been revealed… a matter with special reference to the people of Israel. I am charged with a special accountability to declare it.” The writer describes how he brought a formal notice of a “Beth Din or Jewish Synod” to public notice in a New York newspaper and about his “remarkable intuitions about the future.” Prevails upon Leeser: “Believe me to be one, who by my rare spiritual impressions, is seriously inclined to be a servant of Israel.” He hopes that Leeser will publish his articles in order that he can “convince mankind there can be no appeal… and no legitimate argument but to acknowledge the truth.” From this letter one can glean how effective were Leeser’s publications, especially the Occident, devoted as it was to reuniting stray Jews with their cultural and religious traditions.