88 193 KURSHEEDT, ISRAEL BAER (1766-1852). Autograph Manuscript: Sermon preached in memory of the Hazan, Isaac H. Judah. Text in English and Hebrew. Taking as a point of departure Job 14:1 “Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble, ” the sermon relates the story of Job and contemplates life, death, and goodness. Applying the epithet given to King David in 2 Samuel 23:1 “sweet singer of Israel, ” Kursheedt praises Judah’s sterling character, particularly his serving as the Congregation’s Reader for no remuneration. In Judah’s last days, he experienced “days of trouble and great bodily affliction,” like Job. Kursheedt describes how Judah did not fear death, accepted the will of Heaven, and movingly describes his final moments with family and prayer. Eight pages. 4to. Richmond, Virginia, Undated, but from internal evidence: May, 1827. $4000 - $6000 ❧ Isaac H. Judah (1761-1827), was the original hazan of Congregation Beth Shalome of Richmond for at least three decades. His sister Rachel was married to Zalma Rehine, Isaac Leeser’s uncle and early sponsor in America. Israel Baer Kursheedt also served as a hazan in Congregation Beth Shalome. Kursheedt was a rare breed among American Jewish synagogue officials in those days, a Torah scholar trained in a European yeshiva. In his youth in Frankfurt, Kursheedt had been a pupil of the celebrated Talmudist, Rabbi Nathan Adler. An anecdote survives in which Rabbi Adler is to have said that Kursheedt was the Chacham, or “wise one” among his students. See M.J. Raphall’s obituary for Kursheedt in The Asmonean, May 7, 1852. 194 KURSHEEDT, MENDES (1814-86) Autograph Letter Signed written to Isaac Leeser, in English. Concerns the liquidation of Judah Touro’s estate so that the bequests in his will could be carried out. Touro had bequeathed his large fortune to a variety of Jewish causes, including more than $20,000 to benefit Philadelphia charities run by Isaac Leeser. Kursheedt assures Leeser that the executors, which included his brother Gershom, “will use every effort to place matters in a state of liquidation with as little delay as possible.” One page. 4to. New Orleans, 22nd February, 1854. $3000 - $5000 Lot 193 Lot 194