Group of Eight Autograph Letters Signed, all written to Isaac Leeser, on religious and educational themes, also conversions and mikvah. Texts in English and Hebrew.

(AMERICAN JUDAICA)

V.p

1848-66

Includes: * Jacob Rodrigues Peynado (d. 1877) of Hackney, London, a contributor to The Occident, who opines that parents and teachers make an error in forbidding children to read the New Testament. The result is they grow up knowing nothing of “the contradictions & absurdities it contains,” leaving Jews scarcely prepared to defend their faith or answer questions from Christians. Peynado advocates that the New Testament be taught by Jews with guidance. * H. VanBeil, a congregant of Leeser’s, who has questions concerning the After-life. He wishes to be better informed in order to be equipped to respond to others. VanBeil tells Leeser he prefers to have an answer in writing rather than to discuss the matter in person. * S. Solis. Regarding the shipment of “Citrons and Lulabs.” * Judah Middleman. Written entirely in Hebrew, inquiring of Leeser whether the Adams Express had delivered two “Bitelen” (bottles?). * David(?) Carvalho writes concerning Festival prayer-books ordered from Leeser.