Manuscript on paper. Letter in Judeo-German from Menachem b. Leib Goldsmith (E. L. Goldsmith) to Dr. S. L. Leiser in Amsterdam

(AMERICAN JUDAICA)

April 4th

New York

1848

Two folio leaves (four sides)

Contains many important historical details concerning the economic, social and religious life of Jews in America, especially the differences between the various Jewish-German, Polish and Dutch communities and synagogues. The writer reports that America is an “Eretz Zavath Chalav U’devash”, a land that flows with milk and honey. The French revolution has had a negligible impact on business conditions. Mentions the arrival of Dr. Lilienthal. Criticizes Lilienthal’s reform practices, stating that it will gain him enemies, as people are not prone to change. If you change the tune of “Yigdal”, people are horrified and think it is worse than cohabitng with a “Naarah Ha-meorasaah’“ (a betrothed young lady) on Yom Kippur that falls on a Sabbath! A number of Christian clergymen expressed an interest in studying Ibn Ezra and Talmud. An inverted world: - “Gentiles learn Torah and Jews devour (fressen) ham.” Makes caustic remarks on certain segments of the Jewish German society calling them “Behemoth (animals) in human form.” Mentions a scandalous affair where someone (Lilienthal?) ate stuffed oysters after a eulogy and in general desecrates the Sabbath and eats “Treifoth” in public a whole year. Refers to works by Luzzato, Reggio and especially Rappoport. He established a Gemara Chevrah but it did not last long, as he was too busy. A most amusing and insightful letter