Joshua van Oven. A Manual of Judaism, Detailed in a Conversation Between a Rabbi and his Pupil.

(ANGLO-JUDAICA).

John Wertheimer

London

1835

First edition. Uncut copy.

English Hebraic scholar and medical doctor Joshua Van Oven (1766-1838) was deeply involved in community affairs. He established the Jews’ Hospital in London’s Mile End, and was the founding president of the Jews’ Free School. The present work, which provides a preface to parents, is presented as a dialogue between Rabbi and Scholar and discusses fundamentals of the Jewish religion. Included in this text are: Explanations of the Ten Commandments, Maimonides’ Thirteen Articles of Faith, and the Jewish calendar. It also includes a comprehensive index of the 613 precepts - citing the Biblical source of each one, and organized in categories such as: Matrimony, Food, Property and Temple Service. Each is identified as either laws enjoining action or those enacting prohibitions.