The Library University of California, Los Angeles collection of Hebraica and Judaica yj3 \ ■ UA-^/ r- >^5 The Issue is one of only 250 copies of which this Book is No. I SQ. THE RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON FROM I 756-1 842 / BY Dr. C. DUSCHINSKY HUM I'll KEY MILFORD OXFORD UNIVIlRSriY TRESS LONDOiN EDINBURGH (il.ASGOW NIOW YORK TORONTO MICLT.OUkNI-: J'.OMUAY 1921 ISO TO THE SACRED MEMORY OF MY MOTHER (Died Junk 9, 1919 — Sivan rr, 5679.) PREFACE The following pages arc an attempt to reconstruct the modern history of the Ashkenazi Community in London on the basis of almost entirely new material, hidden hitherto in volumes of Hebrew manuscripts. The period dealt with is comparatively recent, and may be regarded by many as too recent. The idea that only earh'er history is worth reconstruction has taken hold of most of our eminent Jewish scholars, and may account for the fact that the manuscripts used by me were not taken note of before. The majority of these manuscripts are in the pos- session of Mr. Elkan Nathan Adler, M.A., whose unique collection of about 5,000 manuscripts has already furnished material for many important contributions to Jewish literature. I owe him a debt of gratitude for allowing me the unlimited use of his library, without which the present volume could never have been written. The essay appeared (originally in the Jewish Quarterly Review (new series), and this accounts for Appendices I-IV being printed between Chapters I and II. I have to thank the learned Editor of the J.Q.R., Prof. Ur. Cyrus Adler, President of Drojosie College and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, for the publication in its present form. C. D. T>ondon, November jo, 1920. C O N T E N 1 S PAGE INTRODUCTION. Orij^in and establishment of Ashkenazi community ; the first Rabbis : R. Juda Leb b. Efraim Anshcl and Rabbi Uii Phoebush Hart I I. RAlJIil ZEVI HIRSCH LEWIN. Parentage, early days, education, marriage .... 2-6 Election to London, 7. The Seven Years' War, sermons relating to same, 8-10 ...... 7-10 Other sermons: Conditions of London community, 11 -12. Festivals, Sabbath observance. Gentiles, 13-15. Communal organization, 16. Synagogue service, Shehita, Neglect of Thorah, 17-19. Historical References, 20. Religious philosophy, 21-3. Measfim, method of study, 24-6 . 11-26 Personal qualities, temperament, reasons for leaving London 27 In Halberstadt : Election, conditions of acceptance, salary, activity, reasons for leaving . 28-34 In Mannheim ......... 35 Chief Rabbi of Berlin : Clauses of Contract, salary, 36. Foundation of Yeshibah, Mendelssohn's liibic translation, 37. Glcim, Ritual- Cesetze, 38. Wcssely's Diljrc Shalom, 39-41. R. Saul b. Zevi Hirsch's Ketab Josher, Mizpeh Jekutiel, Responsa IJesamim-Rosch, 42-4. Attacks on R. Saul and the father's defence, 45. R. Saul's life and end, Meyer Joseph, 46-7 36-47 Rabbi Aryeh Leb b. Saul, Chief Rabbi of Silesia, his life and end 48-50 Hartwig Wessely's Dibre Shalom and the dispute aroused by it cause R. Zevi Hirsch's departure from Berlin, 51. His end, 52 . ' 51-2 Literary activity 535 Approbations 56-7 Pamily 58 CONTENTS VU PAGE Appendix I. R. Zevi Hirsch's Ancestry .... 59-60 Appendix II. Description of MS. Adler 22S6 ... 61 Title page and introduction of 'Torah book' . . . 62-3 Appendix III. Hebrew Poem on chess, translation of same ; A Song for Passover 64-70 Appendix IV. Will of R. Saul b. Zevi Hirsch and tomb- stone inscription 71-73 II. RABBI DAVID TEVELE SCHIFF. Election to London, Aaron Goldschmidt, Rabbi Jacob Emden's references to the election, R. Meshullam Zalman b. R. Jacob Emden Rabbi of the Haml^ro Synagogue and his departure from London . . 75 8 Origin and early days 79-^8 1 R. Tevele in Worms, Vienna, and Frankfurt . . . 82-3 Activity in London. Correspondence with Rabbis, 85 7. Reconsecration of Great Synagogue 1766, 88. Isaac Michael Speyer, 89-91 85 91 Conditions in the community. Neglect of Torah studies, Beth-Din Dayanim, 94. Salary, Hambro Synagogue, 95. Private life of Jews, secret marriages, 96-7. Reconsecration of Great Synagogue 1790, Judith Levy and her family, 98-9 . .... 92 9 Correspondence with his brother R. Meir Schiff Dayan in Frankfurt, Historical references, Hazan Isaac Polak, 100-2. Business connexions of London Jews, 103. Charitable gifts, 104. Frankfurt Jews, 104 5 . . 100 5 R. Tevele candidate for the RaljOinate of Rotterdam and Wiincburg, 106-7. Personal characteristics, 108. Literary activity, 109-10 106-10 Death, memorials, tombstone inscription . . . . 111 12 III. RABBI SOLOMON HIRSCH ELL. Youth and early training, date of election to London . .113 '4 Activity in London : Strict administration in religious cjucbtions, Sholiciini, 1 1 5-1 7. Picth-Din, names of Dayanim, Divorces, 118-20. Names of London Jews, 121. Consecra- tion of A. L. Moses' almsiiouses. Cases before the Beth-Din, 122 1 1 5 22 VIM CONTENTS PAGE Correspondence, MS. Adler 4160, 123-6. Duke of Sussex, 127, Letters to Gentiles, London Society for promoting Christianity among Jews, 128-30 . . 123-30 Missionaries, 131. Joseph Wolf, 132. Collections for Palestine, Hebrat Terumat Hakodesh in America, 133. Jews in Jamaica, 134. Letters to provincial congregations, 136 1 3 1-6 R, Solomon as protector of youths, 137-8. As peace- maker, 139. Letters from R. Akiba Eger, 141 . . 137-41 The Reform Synagogue, 142. Controversies: S. Cohen's Elements of Faith, Solomon Bennet's ' Tene Bikkurim ', Mayer Rintel's ' Minhat Kenaoth', 144-5. Bennet's ' Present reign of Duke's Place displayed ', 146-9 . 142-9 R, Solomon's mode of life, his end 150 Family . . . . . . . . .151-4 Funeral and Memorials ....... 155-6 Appendix V. Twenty-one Hebrew Letters and Docu- ments by and to Rabbi Tevele Schifif . . . 157-217 Appendix VI. Translation of letters, I-IX . . . 218-53 Appendix VII. Extract from the Minutes of the Frankfurt Beth-Din relating to the sale of the house ' Zum Griinen Schild' by R. Meir Schiff to Mayer Rothschild ......... 254-59 Appendix VIII. Hebrew Elegies on the death of Rabbi Tevele Schiff by Isaac and Zalman Keyzer, and translation , . . 260-3 Appendix IX. MS. Adler 2261. Records of authoriza- tions to Shohetim in the years 1822-45 .... 264-73 ADDITIONAL NOTES AND CORRECTIONS . . 274-95 INDEX 297-305 INTRODUCTION The history of the various Jewish communities, the tales told about the numerous Kehillahs, forms as great and as important a part of Jewish history as do the tales of woe and persecution of the Jews as a people, and as the political history of the Jews, in their relation to other nations. Every community, be it large or small, has its own history with its personalities, scholars, benefactors, and — cranks. It might be difficult to write the history of a small non-Jewish community, but monographs on many a small Kehillah with no more than 50 to 100 families have often been written and form a valuable part of Jewish history. The Ashkcnazi community of London was at first a small hebrah only, but very soon increased in numbers. London, as the capital of the British l^mpire, as the centre of the world's commerce, soon after tiie rcadmission of the Jews in 1650, attracted many co-religionists from the Continent. Although the first settlers were Scphardim, we find a small Ashkcna/.i communit}' as early as the year 1659. In 1675 the community had already developed so far as U> be aljK- to elect a Rabbi in the person of the learned R. Judah Locb b. ICphraim y\n.schcl, who in 1 70 "j became Rabbi of Rotterdam. (See J.Il.S.E. Transact. ^ vol. Ill, p. lo-;.) D. IJ 2 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON Most of the Ashkenazi settlers of that time hailed from Germany, only very few from Poland. The first Parnas of the congregation, Abraham, or R. Aberle, came from Hamburg, and the first Rabbi of Duke's Place Synagogue, Uri Phocbush Hart, at first opponent of R. Judah Loeb's and afterwards his successor, was a native of Breslau and was known as R. Phybush Bressler. He was in office from 1692 until 1752. His successor was Rabbi Zevi Hirschel Lewin. Through the kindness of Mr. E. N. Adler I have been enabled to obtain an insight into the spiritual life of the Ashkenazi community under the guidance of Rabbi Zevi Hirschel and his successor in office, David Tevele Schiff, who was Rabbi of Duke's Place Synagogue from 1765 until 1792. Mr. Adler allowed me the use of his manuscripts, Nos. 1 160, 124N, and 2286 and others. MS. Adler 1248 contains, on 84 folio leaves, most of the discourses which Rabbi Zevi Hirschel Lewin, or as he was called in London Hart Lyon, delivered during his tenure of office in London in the years 1756-63. The first discourse is dated Sabbath Beha'alotka 5517 (June 1757} and the last the Sabbath preceding Pas.sover (Sabbath Haggadol) 5523 (March 1763). MS. No. 1 160 contains talmudic and other notes by David Tevele Schiff, some of them having been written in London. MS. 2286 is again the work of R. Zevi Hirsch. I Rabbi Hirscijel Lewin as we shall call him for brevity's sake, and as he was generally called in later life, was born in 1721 at Reisha in Poland. I Ic was the son of Rabbi Aryeh Loeb (Loewen- stamm), then Rabbi of that town. Rabbi Aryeh Loeb was a descendant of great men. His father was Rabbi Saul of RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN 3 Cracow, and his grandfather was the famous Rabbi Heschele Cracow, but the family traced their origin to Rabbi Jacob Weil of Regensburg (flourished about 1435) called Mahari Weil, to Rabbi Meir of Padua (IVIaharam Padua, died November 1583), Solomon Luria (Maharshal, died 1573), and even to the great Spanish statesman and Hebrew scholar Don Isaac Abrabanel (born 1437, died 1508). Rabbi Hirschel's father, R. Aryeh Loeb, was at first Rabbi in Reisha, where he still lived in the year 1728. Later he became Rabbi of Lemberg, then of Glogau and lastly of Amsterdam. In 1734 he signs in Glogau an approbation (no3Dn) dated 17th of Sivan, 5494, to the Talmud edition printed at Frankfort and Berlin. On the New Moon of the month of Tammuz, 5400 = July 1740, he received the call to Amsterdam. Doubt has been expressed by various historians as to whether Rabbi Aryeh ever officiated in Lemberg. Landshut in his history of the Berlin Rabbis (p. 71) devotes a whole page to the task of solving this mystery. In the approba- tion to the Talmud edition just mentioned, he refers to himself as Rabbi elect of Lemberg. There being then no other proofs known of his ever having filled the office in Lemberg, Landshut, having no evidence, ventures the opinion that he was only elected to the office, but never actually officiated there (op. cit., \). ']%). Dembitzer, in his excellent work on the Rabbis of Lemberg. entitled Kelilat Jofi (Cracow, 1888), II, 83 a (without referring to Landshut's work), is of the opinion that R. Aryeh Loeb was at one and the same time Rabbi of Glogau and of Lemberg. According to Dembit/cr he lived sometimes in the one town, sometimes in the other. We need only look at the map and measure the distance between the.se two pkices 4 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON to become at once convinced how improbable such a theory is. The journey by coach must have taken several weeks. We are now in a position to discard both these theories. MS. Adler 2286 is a scholar's note-book (a so-called 'Torah book') by Zevi Hirsch written in Glogau, and commenced in the year 1737. The title of this manuscript tells us that Rabbi Hirschel, who was then studying under his father, made these notes in order to keep a record of all the new points raised by his father in his talmudical lectures delivered at his Yeshibah (College). He styles his father nn^ p"pi i"nN* d-jd^ '\n i^a wi^j p"pi Tax )">:> i^b 'ns* i"o) nT3n) ' R. Aryeh Loeb Rabbi of Glogau, who tv as formerly Rabbi of Lemberg' (see, however, Megillat Sefer, p. 67). This leaves no doubt that for some time he was actually Rabbi of the latter congregation. Rabbi Aryeh Loeb is described as one of the most humble men that ever lived. Of a quiet disposition and saintly life, worldly goods had no value for him. He never said a word which he did not mean ; strict as regards himself he was very lenient and most tolerant to others. Only on one point did he admit of no compromise, and that was in his unrelenting opposition to the adherents of the pseudo-Messiah Sabbatai Zevi. He sided with Jacob Emden, who was his brother-in-law, in the latter's quarrel with R. Jonathan Eybeschlitz. Many members of his famil}- (his father R. Saul and his grandfather R. Heschel) had already before him actively combated the spreading of the sect of ' Shebsen ' (as the adherents of Sabbatai Zevi were called). Many of the letters which he wrote against Eybeschlitz arc printed in Emden's works {Hifabkut, Sefat Emet. &c.). Rabbi Aryeh Loeb's wife was Miryam (died in RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN 5 Amsterdam, 17th of Tammuz, 1753). daughter of the famous Haham Zevi, Rabbi of the combined congregations, Hamburg, Altona, and Wandsbeck, later of Amsterdam and Lemberg (where he died on Monday, ist of lyyar, 17 18), who Hkewise came from a family of great scholars. (See Appendix I.) Born of such parents, it is no wonder that R. Hirschel Lewin was, from his earliest childhood, brought up in a religious atmosphere, taught to love his people and their tradition, and he soon became an eminent scholar. The education of Jewish children in those days consisted mainly of Hebrew. From the age of five the child was taught Hebrew, from morning to night, and Hebrew only. Not infrequently many boys of twelve or thirteen years of age had mastered a considerable part of the Talmud. Of a similar nature was Hirschel Lewin's early training, with the exception, that in addition to the Talmud, he was taught also Hebrew grammar, a very exceptional thing in those days. The MS. Adler No. 2286 was begun by him when he was only sixteen years old and gives proof that even then he was a master of Hebrew style, possessed of a clear head and had quite original ideas. We do not hear about him again until many years later. The first letter which we possess (rom him (Landshut, p. 72) is dated 1751, written when he was a private scholar in Glogau. This letter refers t(^ the I'.mdcn-Eybeschut/. controversy and is addressed to his brother Saul, then Rabbi of Dubno (later in Amsterdam). It appeared in the booklet, Sc/a/ Evicts of his uncle Jacob Emdcn (p. 22a). Having married Golde, daughter of David Tcvele Cohen, Parnas in Glogau (died on the gth of Tishri, 551 = 1751 ; see Zevi Lazzadik, p. i 7 J, note 20), he .settled there and continued his studies 6 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON under Rabbi Lemmil Levi, Chief Rabbi of that town. At the instigation of this teacher he wrote another letter to his father R. Aryeh Loeb, intimating that Eybeschiitz was tired of the endless strife with Emden, and was willing to give an undertaking not to write any more charms or amulets (printed in Ediit Bejaakob, p. 59 a). ' Rabbi Aryeh Loeb sent this letter to his brother-in-law Jacob Emden, who replied in a bitter spirit. ' He was disappointed in R. Hirschel ', he writes, ' whom he had estimated to be a man of strong will and character, and in that opinion had asked him to be his messenger to the Rabbis of Poland and win them over to his side. Instead of this he turned conciliator, but there can be no conciliation with the evildoer Eybeschiitz. " Keep away from his net " ', he ends up. (Emden's letter is dated the 25th Adar, 5513 = 1753, ^"^ is printed in Ednt Bejaakob, p. 59 b.) It is nearly certain that he lived in Glogau for several years. When in 1756 the Rabbinate of the Ashkenazi congregation in London became vacant, R. Hirschel had already won fame as an eminent scholar, a great Hebrew linguist and also as one who had some knowledge of secular subjects. He was elected to the vacant office in the same year. He had received an offer, shortly before his election, to become Rabbi of Dubno in succession to his brother Saul, who had been appointed to succeed his father R. Aryeh Loeb (died 7th day of Passover, 1755, at the age of 64; see Landshut, pp. 72 and 118) as Rabbi in Amsterdam. The conditions were that he should pay the government fees, which had to be paid in Poland on the election of every Rabbi, and to provide a house for himself. He refused, probably because he had already received the call to London. RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN 7 Rabbi Zevi Hirsch in London. Rabbi Hirschel was Rabbi in London from the end of the year 1756 until the ist of Sivan, 1764, about eight years.' It was during the Seven Years' War, when the pohtical conditions of Europe were totally different to what they are to-day. England was the ally of Prussia and had to fight against France, Russia, and Austria. The year 1756 was an especially critical one for England. The Duke of Newcastle, who had followed his brother Henry Pelham as Prime Minister, began the war with only three regiments fit for service. England suffered in that year not onh' defeats by the French in Minorca, losing Port Mahon, but also in America the English arms were far from victorious. Part of the English Fleet was destroyed and a despondenc}- without parallel took possession of the population. Chesterfield cried in despair, ' Wc are no longer a Nation '. Under such external conditions R. Hirschel entered office. The first sermon which we possess from him was delivered at an Intercession Service'- ordered by the King, ' It is not quite clear as to when he entered upon his duties. Jacob Kimhi in his 'VJTI npNti' (p. 7) states that he was elected at the beginning of the year 5517 ^September or October 1756), and signs a letter to him dated : = Sidra Noah (= November) 5517. The date of this letter seems beyond question, the letters giving the same being printed in large type. On the other hand, in an approbation to the book T\\1X\ P3D (Amsterdam, 1765, sec Bcnjacol>, Oznr Hase/aritn, p. b88. No. 339, Rabbi Hirschel states that he wrote it at the Hague on Monday the aotli of Elul, 5517, on his way to take up his duties in London. This cannot be rigiit, and must have been a mistake of the printet (^the book having been printed eight years later;, who very likely printed the wrong letters in large type. There can now be no doubt as to Kimlii's date being the correct one, as wc possess in M.S. Adier, No. 2248, a sermon delivered in London on "jni/yHD T\2^ = May 1757 (p. 3 . ' The manuscript contains four sermons given at Intercession Services 8 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON and was held on Sabbath Beha'alotka 5517 = about June 1757. (MS. Adler 1248,^ p. 3 a.) He remarked in that discourse : ' The fact that the king had commanded a special service is a proof that he does not rely on his own strength alone, but prays for the help of God '. He reminds his congregation that they live in a country where Israel is treated with kindness and where they enjoy liberty. This was said at a time when, in Germany, Jews were required to pay, not only extra war-taxes in money, but had to give up all boxes, watches, and rings, made of gold or silver. If a tax was not paid, the community had to give hostages, and the lot of the German Jews of those days was, accordingly, not an enviable one.'* ' We Jews ', continues R. Hirschel, 'can help the King as much with our prayers as by joining the Army ' — an opinion very much questioned nowadays. In another discourse, ' by command of the King ', referring to some victory, he says : ' The King does not attribute victory to his own arms but to the help of God. We Jews have double reason to be thankful for the victory, as the King's peace will mean peace for us '. 'by Command of the King': (i) on pp. 2a-2b; (2) pp. 21 a-22b; (3) pp. 23a-24a; (4) 24 a-27 b, all of the year 5520=- 1759-60. An Intercession Service was held in the Sephardi Synagogue on Feb. 6, 1756 (see Gaster : History of the Ancient Synagogue Bevis Marks, p, T37), when Haham Isaac Nieto preached the sermon. (Published in Spanish, London : Richard Reily, 1756.) ^ MS. Adler 1248 consists of ninety-one folio leaves, numbered recto only. Fol, I is a fly-leaf, fol. 2 contains short notes on various talmudical subjects. Foi. 3 a begins with : B"y nyiM Dvb c^'m im^ynn 's n"2 nV ]i:)b na psh 3l"Dpn n"T ^^0n nva. This manuscript belonged to Mr. Adler's father, the late Chief Rabbi, Nathan M. Adler, and was sent to him as a Purim present by the Dayan R. Aaron, son of R. J. of Lissa. We find on the first fly-leaf the dedication : ]"t2^r\ DmS ni3D^ nm^C N\"l HnJCl acb^ •'"-13 iir^ii uniNi ^i^]} nt3), are outside the Cove- nant of Abraham and have not taken upon themselves the observation of the Torah and its precepts (Mizwot). To marry a non-Jewish woman is, therefore, tantamount to abandoning the faith, even if she should become a Jewess.' Festivals. The laws of Passover, Sukkah, the dietary laws, were not observed in the proper manner. Referring to Sukkah he says, ' This precept commands us to eat and to drink, to live and to sleep in the Sukkah. God knows that I alwa}-s endeavoured in my younger days to fulfil this Mizwah in its proper manner, and I was not satisfied until I succeeded in having a large room, beautifully furnished, adapted for the purpose. There I lived during the whole seven days of the festival. Now, my soul grieves that here I cannot fulfil this commandment as 1 ought to and as I used to do. The bulk of the people (DJ? \'it2n) go into the Sukkah. say the blessing but do not eat even a morsel of bread (n-nj there, and go home to have tlicir meal outside " Pages 69a, 73 a. Card-playing was apparently very frequent, he mentions it often, sec pp. 19 b, 24 b, 33 b, 73 a. •0 Literally : a settled stranger. 14 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON the Sukkah. What blasphemy ! They not only do not keep the precept, but say a blessing in vain (MS. A., p. 35 a). They say, " God has commanded us to dwell in the Sukkah," and, as soon as they have said this, they go and transgress the command. The same applies to the Etrog ; they pay a good price for it, and very often in their ignorance do not even examine whether one or more of the four plants are not unfit for use (PIDD).' Concerning Sabbath he has also several other grievances to report. Apart from the already mentioned points, in connexion with the kindling of fire (see above, p. 112), he complains that sometimes even cooking itself is done, and that generally the Sabbath is not observed as the ' Holy day ' it ought to be. ' If you are thus keeping the holy day ', he exclaims, after having reproached them for various failings, 'by doing things which even the Gentiles do not do on Sundays, I ask you, " Why do you come to the House of God?" God knows how tired I am of my life, when I see all your doings : I am even afraid to hear what, I am told, is happening publicly, let alone of how you desecrate the Sabbath-day in private.' He mentions among other things that people have their letters opened in front of the Post Office on Sabbath. ' Although this is not forbidden ', he says, ' I have heard that it is a scandal (DtJTi S^Ti) in the eyes of the Gentiles.' What this means is not quite clear. It cannot refer to tearing the letters open, as he says, ' it is not forbidden '. I am inclined to think that many people gathered before the Post Office on Sabbath mornings and asked non-Jews to open their letters. The large gathering may have become a nuisance to the general public. Fearlessly he raises his voice against all disobedience RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN 15 to the law. ' Day by day ', he says, ' we can see with our own eyes the decay of our people. We sin and act against the law of God ; all our endeavours are to associate with the Gentiles and to be like them. That is the chief source of all our failings. See, the women wear wigs (nniJ nss) ^^ and the young ones go even further and wear decollete dresses open two spans low in front and back (D^ony D''S^'V □"'nsD DnnnxbDi DiTJd^d), see pp. 12 b, 19 a, 33 a, 62 a, 70 a, and 70 b). Their whole aim is, not to appear like daughters of Israel (p. 16 b). On the one side we claim with pride that we are as good as any of our neighbours. We see that they live happily, that their commerce dominates the world, and we want to be like them, dress as they dress, talk as they talk, and want to make everybody forget that we are Jews. But, on the other hand, we are too modest and say : We are not better before God than the Gentiles, we all come from the same stock, are all descendants of Noah's three sons, and need not keep more than the seven precepts which the sons of Noah are obligated to observe. Know you that ideas like these are the ruin of Judaism ? We must be conscious that we are the chosen people of God, the kingdom of Priests, and behave as it behoves " Israel ", the Princes of the Almighty. Reverse the order! Be modest in your personal ambitions, be content with the material advantages you enjoy in tliis country, but be not modest with your faith. Sec where these thoughts lead you to, and how we live here. We dress on non-Jewish holidays better than on our own festivals ; the Christmas pudding which tlic Christians prei)are in memory of the Apostles " Parhon, the grammarian of the twelfth century, has ah-cady the same grievances. See his lexicon "in>n n~OnO, Posonii, 1844, p. 57, s. v. QV. See also Zunz, Rilus, p. 4. l6 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON is more favoured than the Mazzoth. Even the children call the non-Jewish feasts " Holy " days and do not seem to know that our holy day is the Sabbath. Soon they will come to regard the " Habdalah " service (ceremony at the conclusion of Sabbath) as a sign for the beginning of the Sabbath.' Covimtmal Organization. The only institutions the community apparently possessed were the Synagogues, Rabbi Hirschel does once mention in a sermon the Yeshibot, but only to state that they are vanishing. There was no hospital, and no schools were maintained by the congregation. The Rabbi had a Bet- Hamidrash in his own house, where he also held divine services. It appears that some one reproached him once for not coming frequently to Synagogue, and his answer was given in a discourse (p. 40 a) in which he appeals for more frequent attendance of the Synagogue. ' Then as an excuse for not coming to Synagogue you quote the text : "It is vain for you to rise up early, because you sit up late " (Ps. 127. 2), and my answer to you is likewise with the words of the Psalmist : (Ps. 19. 12 : DnrD"J'3 Dn3 inn inay d: 21 npy) " My servant is warned by them, and they watch the heel of the great " (which is a witty translation instead of the literal meaning of the text ; " in observing them there is great reward "). The people (oy \yor\) indeed look at (ai 2py) the heel of the Rav, how he walks and where he goes. I know full well that many criticize me for not coming to Synagogue, although I am certain that my coming would not increase the number of Synagogue- goers. " They stood each at the doors of their tents and looked after Moses"' (Exod. 33. 8), can be equally RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN I7 applied to myself, but I tell you: Do not judge me, you who sit in the evenings in beer-houses and music-halls, who sleep in the morning and do not come to the House of the Lord, and then say that you stay away because you follow my example. My conscience is quite clear ; I pray to God in my Bet-Hamidrash, a place designed to the Glory of God. I do not sleep, but pray with a congregation of ten, at the same time as the service in the Synagogue is being held, so that I fulfil all the require- ments of the Law. I would, nevertheless, go to Synagogue ("inifn 1133 ""iSD) out of respect for the congregation, but for my weak state of health. The congregation knows that not the desire for sleep keeps me away, but the physical impossibility of attending.' In another sermon (p. ^^ a) he refers again to Synagogue-attendance, and protests against people who had contracted mixed marriages having the audacity to demand being called up to the Torah. The decorum in the Synagogue cannot have been above reproach. People gossiped during the Service (24 b). ' Within the Synagogue all seem to be friends and have confidential news to tell one another, but outside disunion reigns among the members' (p. 12a). He attributes the cause of disunion to the desire to be more than one's neighbour, and to false pride. We find also a reference to the Shehitah. The Shohctim were often irreligious and he feels helpless against this evil: 'The Shohetim are devoid of Mizwot and ignorant, and what can the Rav do?' arc his words (3nn iTjT nci nivcn |d Dnyi^o ony: onbc D^oniu'ni , p. 12 b). * The former times were better than these. See how many hospitals and houses for the poor were built and maintained, and here, with us, not one such institution is to be found. I). C l8 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON If any one does support a poor man or a poor official, they would like him to behave as if he were their slave and not like the man of self-respect that he was in former days. (Very likely a personal note.) Try and imitate the Gentiles in this ! See how many houses for the poor they have built and surrounded with beautiful gardens. They have houses for learning, called Academies, where anybody who has a thirst for knowledge can go and study, all his wants being provided for ; but we do not possess even one single Bet-Hamidrash. Look at our brethren the Sephar- dim (p. 19 b), they have a Bet-Hamidrash and support several scholars. Although this support is small and they have to find additional means of livelihood, nevertheless the congregation is doing its best and deserves praise for it. Especially laudable are they as many Ba'ale Batim (householders) also take part in the Shiur (Portion of study). We, the Ashkenazim, have neither a place where to learn, nor where to teach, and the " kindness of Gentiles " thus becomes our destruction, for we are too well treated and so forget our Torah.' The Gentiles, he says on another occasion (Intercession Service held in 1759, P- 24 b), are versed in the whole twenty-four books of the Bible, but our people are so ignorant that they can really recite all they know while standing on one foot.^^ They waste their time in coffee-houses and clubs playing cards, instead of devoting some hours, when free from business, to the study of the Torah. It is done in other congregations not far from us, e.g. in Amsterdam. 'It were better if you would '^ Referring to Talm. B. Shabbat, p. 31 a : Hillel was asked by a heathen to teach him the whole Torah while he was standing on one foot. Hillel answered him : * Do not do to your neighbour what you would not like yourself; that is the whole Torah, everything else is only the commentary, go and study '. RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN 19 read at least secular books instead of playing cards.' ^^ In another sermon (p. i8b) we find again bitter complaints of the neglect to teach Torah to children and young people. ' The Yeshibot are going from bad to worse and the children, while they are quite young are, first of all, taught by their parents the English language and customs, and when they grow older they do not want to learn Hebrew. Thus it happens that when an old scholar dies, there is nobody to take his place. In olden times the saying of Ecclesiastes (i. 5) "The sun arises, the sun goes down " was true, for when the sun of one Rabbi went under, another one arose and gave light to Israel. We find that on the day Rabbi Akiba died Rabbi Judah Hanasi was born. In these times when a scholar departs from this life he is lost for ever to Judaism, there are no young men to replace him, and thus the succession of scholars in Israel is broken. All this is the result of our mixing among the Gentiles and of the desire to be like them.' Historical Notes. In connexion with this exposition he mentions, as was customary in Memorial orations, the loss of Rabbis who had died within that year (1757-f^). Their names are : (i) Moses Lwow Rabbi in Nikol.sburg •?'' (2) Abraham Mollcr '• mon^o ^""12'D n£D3 nnpb niD nSi, sec a., p. 27 a. '< B>"j p"p-l l"3N yd} n:rO I'lnO, Moscs Aaron Lcmbcrgcr known also as Moscs Lwow was first Rabbi in Lcipnik, afterwards in Berlin, and lastly Landrabbincr of Moravia in Nikolsburg, where he died 17th Tebet, 5518, 28th Dec, 1757. See Fcuchtwang in Knii/*MaitnGcdeukbnch, p. 378, and Landshut, op, cil., 23. c a 20 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON of Bamberg ;i^ (3) Wolf Rabbi of Friedberg;^^ (4) Meir of Hannover ; ^"^ (5) Abraham Rabbi of Emden ; ^^ (6) Leb of Heitzfeld ; ^^ (7) Jacob of Greditz (Graetz) ;2o (8) Isaac of Hanau ; ^^ (9) Akiba Eger Rabbi of Pressburg ; ^^ and (10) Zevi Hirsch of Hildesheim.^'* In another Hesped (Memorial Service) held on the 17th of Tammuz, 5522 = 1762 (p. 71a) he mentions the death of his relative 'the Rabbi of Berlin', referring to David Fraenkel,^* Mendelssohn's teacher ; the Rabbi of Fuerth,^^ likewise '5 J-iy3?0N2 p'pi TON n^bs'O Dm3N n'10. See Kaufmann, DpJS nnon p"p, T bv }*2ip, vol. VII, p. 27. He was formerly Rabbi of Oettingen. See his approbation to Baruk b. Elkana's minn Ci'l^^Q, Fiirth, 1752. '« jnimnD p"pi Yia ^bii)) nio. '^ iniM p''pi n"nN TNO H^ID . See Emden, Megillat Sefer, p. 144 and D. Kaufmann in Monatsschrift, 1896, pp. 220 and 274. " ivncy p"p'^ n"3N Dmas* n"iro . *' DbyaVM p'p'-S "l"nN ih n"l». Heit^rfeW or Hatzfeld is Heidings- feld near Wurzburg in Bavaria. z" Jacob of Greditz = pny~IJ p"p'^ '^"1\^ apy ."["lO yNZS. the son of R. Hirsch of Pintschow and became Rabbi of Glogau. He was an ancestor of Rabbi Dr. Kaempf of Prague. See Landshut, op. cit., p. 75 and Emden in Edtit Beja'akob, p. 59 a. 21 N:yn p"pi n"ax pv'N n"iD. " JIUw'y-lS p"p'^ l"3N ■)J''N i^y'PV rfyCi . Akiba Eger the Elder was Rabbi of Pressburg, died 15th of September, 1757 (and not, as Zunz, Mottats- tage, has it, in 1746). He was author of the work Mishnat de R. Akiba, See Auerbach, Gesch. d. Juden in Halberstadt. 2s D>'nDy"i^\i p"p'\ n'^N ti'Tn o^f iY'id. 2* P^~ia p"p''\ 13N":n nXtr. David Fraenkel was a teacher of the Philosopher, Solomon Maimon, and author of the work V^y^ P"lp) a com- mentary on the Palest. Talmud (see Kayserling, Moses Mendelssohn). He was at first Rabbi in Dessau, and became Rosh-Beth-Din in Berlin on the 14th Ab, 1743, and died, 55 years old, on 12 Nisan, 1762. ** Died, 81 years old, on May 21, 1762. He was formerly Rabbi in Holleschau and Worms, and was born in Frankfurt, ca. 1681. See RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN 21 without mentioning his name, referring to David Strauss of Frankfurt, and Rabbi Moses Rapp,^*^ Dayan of Frankfurt- on-the-Main. There are only two other historical references in this volume of sermons. The one is the mention of the Jews * who were drowned at Portsmouth, of which we have already spoken, and the other is an appeal for the congregation of Jungbunzlau in Bohemia (N^oron), where the Synagogue was destroyed by fire (Discourse on Sabbath Teshubah, 5.522, p. -j^). The neglect of the Torah studies seems to have been his chief grievance against the London community. It occurs many times in the MS., but the following is, I think, worth quoting, ' Instead of gathering in the houses of learning people go to operas, plays, concerts, and clubs.^*^ There is no respect for learning and learned men. Why then should a bo}' be anxious to study the Law ? He cannot yet grasp the meaning of 01am Habba (namely, that by studying Torah he fulfils a divine command for which he will receive reward in the world to come), what other attraction could a child have than the wish to become a Rav, a great and honoured man? If, however, the men of Torah are not held in respect the child, naturally, has no wish to study, and thus the Torah is forgotten. Oui- Sages in the Mishnah say: "Raise up many disciples" (Abot c. I, Mishnah j). I was not able to follow this rule in your congregation. I have no pupils, not even a col- L. Locwcnstcin, Jahrb. d. Lit. (ies. Fmnkfuii, vol. VI, 1908 9, p. 187 ; Barbcck, Geschuhtc derjudeit in Niimberg und Ftitili, p. 64. ••• p>m E3"d P"PT 3"-! flCSI iTJ'D n"lD bnJH IINCni, died 27 Adar, 1763; sec Horowitz, Frank/. Grab., p. 338. " DK^pS OiyOilp^ y^E^ y?.2lbv c;nipn miay ^a (Num. 7. 9). RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN 23 of man.' (See Hainmagid, 1870, p. 125, and Landshut, p. 109.) In London he did not find the field where his work would bear fruit : ' The pillars of the Torah totter, very {q\\ are the students of the Law who desire to rise to a higher standard, and these few are scattered into the different distant parts of the town, live therefore a lonely- life and cannot profit from one another. There are no Talmud-Torahs for children, and what will be the future of Judaism if this state of affairs continues? See what is being done in nearly every congregation, large or small, in Germany. Are they larger than yours or richer than you ? And yet how many Synagogues and Bate Midrashim have they founded to the Glory of God, as a sign that Judaism is eternal and will never become extinct (62 b).' He urged for co-operation with the Sephardi com- munity (pp. 7 and 17 a). The Passover lamb, he says, had to be eaten in separate unions (mnn), but for its preparation all Israel entered at one door ; so should we, too, even though we be two distinct congregations, in matters that concern all Jewry, co-operate and act together. In many instances he combines reflections of a religious- philosophical nature with his moral teachings. Already in those days there were people in London, who disregarded the Jewish religious ceremonies. He was a clear thinker, and h.ifl a profound knowledge of Maimuni's Guide of the Perplexed, from which he took most of his philosophical arguments, and made effective use of them in combating the views of the half-educated Jew of the day (cited on pp. 4a, 31 b, 32b, 33a, 39b). 'By studying philosophy in a superficial manner people became unbelievers. After reading three or four pages of a philosophical book they 24 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON think they have found more wisdom than is to be found in all the folios of both the Talmuds' (p. 15 b). Maimonides and Bahya said that the chief precept of Judaism was to arrive at the belief in God by means of intellectual contemplation.^^ Others argued against this view, holding that it is better to believe without trying to understand. Belief is called in Hebrew ' Emunah' = trust. As no human mind can attain to understand God, those who think they have reached that standard are only deceiving themselves. What they really have achieved is, that they believe in themselves, in the great power of their own mind (p. 33 a). We Jews have to believe in the Torah and its precepts as revealed to us by God and as handed down to us in the oral tradition. Human beings can never succeed in understanding God's Being. Maimonides, who considered that the highest human perfection lay in truly grasping the es.sence of God's Being, did not mean this literally but only said it as an apology against aggressions by the religious thinkers of other nations. He also tried to give reasons for all the Mizvot, but he failed. More true is the view of our Rabbis, that mankind reaches the understanding of God only when the body parts from the soul. The thirteen articles of the creed are supposed to embody every precept of the Torah. All the 613 Mizvot are only the means for the attainment of the belief contained in these articles. If that were so, why should not people say : ' I believe in all these " Ikkarim " (articles of creed), will say them every day, and then I need not do anything else, as all the other precepts are only intended to bring man to the belief in God and to prevent him from being an idolater '. This argument would be quite in accordance with the teaching of Maimonides, '^ See Maimonides, Moreli, II, 33. RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN 25 and shows at once the fallacy of his doctrine, that the thirteen articles contain the essence of Jewish religion. R. Hirschel comes to the conclusion that all precepts are of divine origin and all equally important. They are not only means to an end or a preventive against idol worship, but are in themselves a safeguard against the wickedness of man- kind. The Mizvot are holy because their intention is to make us holy and bring us nearer to God. Man cannot decide which precept is important and which is not. For this reason it happens that people who by philosophical thinking want to attain the understanding of God mostly fall into sin. The spirit of enlightenment seems to have spread to London, and his references to the 'Philosophers' were probably meant for tho.se who .studied the books of the Measphim, the forerunners of modern Jewish research. We must not think, from what we have just heard, that R. Hirschel was opposed to all learning which fell outside the sphere of the Talmud. Like his uncle, Jacob Emden, he possessed a deep historical sense, a critical mind far in advance of the Rabbi of tho.se days. Most students of his time concerned thcm.selves exclusively with the Halakic side of the Talmud. To them it was of more interest to know what a Rabbi in the Talmud .said and how he decided a Din (point of law), than to know that Rabbi Judah Hanasi was not a contemporary of Rabbi Akiba. Rabbi Hirschel, however, held that the Talmud cannot be properly understood without a thorough knowledge of its chronology. He impressed upon his students to study the methodology of the Talmud, and recommended them to read Samuel Hanagid's Mcbo I/aiahnud, Simson of Chinon's Sefer Keritut and other books of the kind. 26 RAHHIXATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON Later, when Rabbi of Halbeistadt and head of an important Rabbinical school, he used to give an historical introduction to his lectures. The sources of the text, the commentators and their periods were all discussed before he actually commenced the reading of the Talmud proper. When he heard of the publication of Heilprin's Seder Hadorot, which was printed in his time in Karlsruhe, he was full of joy. The publisher asked him for an approbation of the work, but he answered : ' A work like this does not need any approbation ; that the sun shines nobody need testify ' (Auerbach, p. 92). One of the reasons for his dissatisfaction with his position in London was that he felt his preaching had not made people more religious. On Sabbath Teshubah, 1760 (p. 35a), he says: 'When first I came here I was anxious to do something great, something that would benefit the whole congregation. I had made up my mind that nothing should be too much trouble for me if I could only diminish religious transgression and lead my flock into the right path. You brought me from a far-off land across the ocean, incurring great expense thereby, and I said to myself, "This surely is the work of God". Although I knew my worth to be little, I thought of the saying of our Fathers : " Those who occupy themselves with communal matters the merits of their Fathers are their help" (Abot, c. 2; Mishnah 2). I had courage and hoped to succeed in my endeavours. Now, after having been with you for four years, and never having refrained from pointing out your failings, I see that nobody has hearkened to me and that things have not improved in any way (p. 70 h). I know, you have often wondered why I repeat so frequently my reproaches about your trans- RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN 27 gressions of the Laws of Sabbath and the festivals, of your faih'ngs in public and private life, about the behaviour of your women-folk, although I saw that my words had no effect. But what else could I do if I would fulfil my duty ? God had spoken to me : " Call out with thy voice, do not keep back, raise thy voice like a Shofar and tell my people their sins and the house of Jacob their failings "'. I kno.v also there are many scoffers among you, who, like the Rasha' (wicked man) in the Passover Haggadah, tell you : n^b nxrn miayn no '' What good is this service to }0U ? " What right has the Rav to speak in the Synagogue of your private doings ? My answer to these people is : ''b "n n:;'y nr inya " It is my sad lot for which I was destined by Almighty God, it is my dut}-, which I shall not be deterred from fulfilling " (p. 70a).' Half a year later, on the 17th of Tammuz, 1762, he exclaims (p. 73b): 'God Almighty only knows how weary I am of my life here. I cannot bear any longer to behold all that you do in public and in your private life. Is it not enough that for nearly 1 ,700 years we have been expelled from the table of our Father, arc like sheep with- out a shepherd, and (n"ii?3) how many misfortunes have befallen us, how many kinds of illnesses have we and our children to bear, how many terrible wars have come upon us, and all this on account of our sins '. Notwithstanding the vigour of these utterances he was a man of even and calm tem[)eranient. He was averse to all sort of quarrel : ' It is more necessary to avoid strife than to keep a fast-day' he says ([). 17 b). His general outlook on life was likewise calm and peaceful. ' Forgel- fulness ', he says (p. 71a) 'is very necessary '. Onr sages recommend the provision of a nuiub(.r of wine-cups in 28 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON a house of mourning, so that the people may drink and forget sorrow and pain. To worry over the past is not the act of a wise man. It increases melancholy and deranges the mind of man."^" jR. Hirschcl in Halberstadt. In spite of this calm view of life he seems to have become more and more dissatisfied with his life in London. A few months later, at the beginning of the year 1763, the Halberstadt community opened negotiations with him, offering him the position of Chief Rabbi in their congrega- tion. On the 1 6th of Shevat, 5523 (= February, J 763), R. Elijah, son of Naphtali Hirsch Fraenkel, Parnas in Halberstadt, who was on business in Berlin, writes home as follows : ' One of the leading men of the Berlin com- munity had said to him, that if the people of Halberstadt elect the Rabbi of London, they simply pave the way for him to Berlin. Halberstadt would only be a halting stage and give the Berlin community a splendid opportunity for observing the pastoral activity of the Rabbi, and enable them to judge whether he was worthy of the Rabbinate of Berlin '. When, a few months later, the Parnasim of Halberstadt recommended him for election (Sivan, 1763) a letter was written to him, in which this passage of the Parnas's letter was quoted, the Parnasim expressing their anxiety that the possibility mentioned might become true. The letter of the Parnasim says further : ' They had heard that the study of Torah was very much neglected in so »3 ^^^-^ p^y^^ pnt^'' ;yob ^aNn n-aa niDia nnnn^ V\r\ ivv pi NUroi n-iincn n^-icc' ir D:3nn nihysD p-x ^niii layn hv nwNin DnK3 nVnn amy. .See Xalm. Babli KetubotSb; Krauss, Tahn. Archdologie, II, p. 70; A. Buechler, Am-ha arez, p. 210.) RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN 29 London and was causing him to be dissatisfied with his position and that, for this reason, he was anxious to exchange his present office for one in a really observant congregation on the Continent '. It having happened to them on a former occasion that a Rabbi, whom they had elected, had, on his way to them, accepted a call from another congregation,^^ they were now anxious to avoid a recurrence of such an event. For this reason they must ask him to give them not only his consent in writing, but also an undertaking to commence his duties within six months after his election, and not to leave them before three years had passed. R. Hirschel replies in a letter, remarkable for its beautiful Hebrew style, that he was willing to accept the position offered to him ; but the undertaking asked for he did not give until the month of Shebat, 1764, when he received in exchange for it his Contract of Appointment, called 'Rabbinical Letter' (m:3"i ariD). This was handed to him in Amsterdam by Samuel Halberstadt. In another letter written in London on the 22nd Shebat, 1 764, Rabbi Hirschel signifies his intention of coming to Halberstadt between Pcsah and Shabuot of the same year. The Contract of Appointment is dated the 14th of Ab, 1 763. He was to receive a .salary of three hundred Thaler (£Jf)0 — in London he had ;^25o), a free house suitable for his position, and certain fees for marriages and other ceremonies. The community under- took to assist the Rabbi in founding or re-establishing a Rabbinical Academy (Yeshibah) by providing for the " The Rabbi was R. Jacob Colu-n Popcrs, who on his way to Halberstadt was elected Rabbi of Frankfurt a. M. and remained there without ever going to Halberstadt. He was first Rabbi in Coblciiz. In Frankfurt he was the teacher of R. Tevele Schiff (sec later i, and died 70 years old on Sabbath, 22nd Shevat, 1740 Horowitz, Frmik-f. Rahh., II, pp. 82 and 105'. 30 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON maintenance of twelve scholars. On his election the district of Ravensberg rejoined the Halberstadt community and undertook to pay the Rabbi a separate salary. His moving expenses were defrayed by the congregation and amounted, according to a detailed account in the possession of the congregation, to 481 Thaler, 11 Groschen, and 6 Pfennig. The Rabbi received on his installation the customary Derashah present ^^ consisting of 179 Thaler and 8 Groschen (Auerbach, loc. cit., p. 91). His predecessor in Halberstadt was R. Meir Barbi,^^ who in 1763 was elected Rabbi of Pressburg. According to Auerbach, who gives no authority for his statement (p. 91), R. Hirschel arrived in Halberstadt on the ist of Sivan, 1764. This date does not seem quite beyond question. He signs an approbation to the book : D^^n niJtJ* (printed in Amsterdam, 1765) in Amsterdam on Friday, the 27th of Tammuz, 1764, where he says: ' I am on my way to, and looking forward to officiate in, Halberstadt '."* Landshut, referring to this approbation, says that he went to see his relations in Amsterdam, his brother Saul being chief Rabbi there. So far he is quite correct, R. Hirschel went to the wedding of his daughter Sarah, who was married to R. Jacob Moses, the son of his brother Saul. He is, however, not correct when he says that R. Hirschel went soon after his installation from Halberstadt to Amsterdam. He passed through that city on his way from London, as he clearly states in the approbation just referred to, ^^ Derashah present was given to the Rabbi on preaching his first sermon (Derashah), similar to a wedding present likewise called by the same name, on account of the discourse of the bridegroom delivered at the wedding or on the preceding Sabbath. 33 Meir Barbi, author of mS D"l"nD n^V.;', Dyhrenfurt-Prag, 1786-92. RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN 3I which, curiously enough, is mentioned by Landshut. In the' work ZeviLassaddik, published by Zevi Ezekiel Michelsohn, Rabbi of Plonsk (printed in Piotrkow, 1904), is published a letter, bearing no date, of Eliezer Libermann, Dayan in London, addressed to Rabbi Hirschel, who was then in Amsterdam on his way to Halberstadt."' Libermann congratulates the Rabbi and his brother, the Rabbi of Amsterdam, on the occasion of the wedding of their children. He also mentions that a young student (ins ninn) who left Halberstadt two months previously and had arrived in London had told him of the elaborate prepara- tions the Halberstadt community were making for the reception of the Rabbi. A fine house ' filled with every- thing of the best' was in readiness for him, and the com- munity was awaiting his arrival like the advent of a festival. R. Hirschel in his reply to Libermann does not refer to anything of a personal nature, but confines himself to the ritual question asked. He writes that he is very worried and low spirited and subscribes himself, 'Your friend, who is troubled on all sides and careworn, who writes with a weak hand, &c. Zevi Hirsch' (Michelsohn, /(?<:. cit., p. 71). Although no exact date is given the earliest at which R. Hirschel could have written this letter is the month of Elul, as he sends New Year greetings to Libermann. He was therefore not only in rammuz (date of the approbation just mentioned above) but also in IClul still in Amsterdam. It consequently seems more likely that he entered upon his duties in Halberstadt shortly before the New Year, 5525 = I 764 and not, as Auerbach states, that he came on ** Sec also letter of Meshuliam Zaiman Emdcn lo his father in the ' Get of Cleve ' affair, dated ao Tammuz, 1767, in Orllaynsyhar, p. 79 a, where he mentions Libermann. 32 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON the 1st of Sivan. The wedding of his daughter probably took place soon after the Fast of Ab and only after that day could he have left for his new place of activity. He could not possibly have come there in Sivan and gone away again for two months shortly afterwards, while he might have remained in Amsterdam for that period before proceeding to Halberstadt. Soon after his arrival he was called upon to settle a dispute between the congregation and his predecessor R. Meir Barbi. A certain R. Sender, of Braunschweig, had presented the congregation with the sum of 6,oco Thaler, the interest of which was to be given one half to Rabbi Barbi and the other half was to be used for charitable purposes. When the Rabbi left for Pressburg the donor wrote to the wardens instructing them that they should not send the half share of the income from the said fund to Rabbi Meir. The latter made a protest, and the newly appointed Rabbi Hirschel successfully brought about an understanding between the parties, Barbi receiving in commutation a sum equal to the interest for five and a half years, and after the year 1768 the half share was to be given to the Rabbi of Halberstadt for the time being. In Halberstadt our Rabbi's chief care was devoted to the development of his rabbinical school. He succeeded in bringing it to fame, and many of his pupils became great Rabbinical authorities in later years. One of his pupils was R. Loeb Eger, Rabbi in Halberstadt, another, Rabbi Issachar Berisch, became Rabbi of Hannover. His pastoral activity outside this Yeshibah made him generally respected and honoured. His congregants had unbounded confidence in his honesty and clearness of judgement, and he was able to RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN 33 bring to satisfactory conclusion many cases of dispute which had been before the Bet Din of Halberstadt for many years previous to his arrival. Nevertheless, he did not long remain in Halberstadt. In J 770 he left for Mannheim. Auerbach gives two reasons for his relinquishing the office at Halberstadt. The congre- gation of Bleicherode, formerly belonging to the district of Halberstadt, had some dispute with the latter congregation and Hirschel decided in Halberstadt's favour. Thereupon a certain unnamed individual insinuated that he decided in this way, on account of his dislike of the Bleicherode people, who did not welcome him on his arrival as other congre- gations of the neighbourhood had done. This was declared publicly, and vvas a grave charge against the Rabbi's impartiality as judge, and an attack on his honesty. Although the Halberstadt community did everything in their power to repair the assault on their Rabbi's honour, he himself never forgot the incident. The other reason for his relinquishing the office, mentioned by Auerbach, is that there were many adherents of Eybeschiitz in the community. Rabbi Hirschel had in earlier years written several letters in defence of his uncle Jacob Emdcn. He had, as we have mentioned, tried to bring about a recon- ciliation between him and Eybeschiitz, but failed. Although in later years he is not known to have taken any active part in the dispute, the fact that he was a nephew of Emden and son of R. Aryeh Loeb of Amsterdam, h-mdcn's vigorous supporter, was sufficient reason for the adherents of I'Lybcschiitz to regard him as their enemy. The appoint- ment of a Shohct with an authorizaticm from ICybeschiitz may have been regarded by him as a personal slight, and confumcd him in his decision to leave Halberstadt. D. D 34 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON A letter written by Abraham Halberstadt, one of the Rabbis of that place, to Jeremiah Levy of Berlin,^" is worth quoting, as being an impartial opinion of his work in Halberstadt, Abraham having been an admirer of Eybeschiitz, and consequently not a friend of the Emden family. He says : ' That the great man has gone away from us is felt as a real loss by every- body. His personal virtues, his activity in the community and in the Yeshibah deserve all praise. We were proud to have such a scholar at the head of our community. Who will replace him ? He has undoubtedly left a difficult position for his successor whoever it be, for he will never gain laurels or recognition however much he may try to imitate his predecessor. The splendour of his personality is still before the eyes of all, and where one was used to something good, only the better can be appreciated. To achieve being better than he is, is indeed very difficult. Already there are cracks in the body of the Yeshibah, which I fear will be followed by its entire collapse. More than half of the Bahurim (scholars) have already left, and they were the best ones. Still it may be God has ordered it so, that no strife should ensue in Israel. The small spark of disunion which has been glimmering in the congregation might have increased if he had remained '. To judge from the last part of this letter, R. Hirschel's relationship with Emden was at least one of the causes of his departure from Halberstadt. (See Auerbach^ loc. cit.^ pp. 192 ffi) ** Brother of Judah Levy, grandfather of Adelheid wife of Dr. Zunz (see Landshut, p. 120). RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN 35 7v. HirscJicl in MannJieim. In Mannheim he succeeded Samuel Ilehnan, or Hilman, who had been one of the chief supporters of Jacob Emden. He accepted a smaller salary than he had at his former place (Halbeistadt), proving how little he valued worldly goods where his principles and conviction were at stake. He was not to find rest and satisfaction even in Mannheim. In a sermon preached there on Sabbath Teshubah (between New Year and Atonement-day) of the year l^w'S : 5,-331 = 1771, he complains of slanders which were very frequent there. (SceZ^wZ^^-., p. 135.) * I always heard that Mannheim was a great kehillah', he said, ' but it is not really so, they are very provincial ' (Dnois "Tii'DC Tsr:^1 nND Th\'\\ 1^'ND ^<^^tr tw:! lym rh\'M nsin n^np:;'). Mannheim at that time was a very observant congrega- tion, and consisted of 264 families (Loewenstein, Kurpfalz, p. 2 j6). He once said, by way of a joke, that in London he had money but no Jews, in Mannheim Jews but no money, and in Berlin no money and no Jews (Loewenstein, loc. cit., p. 2jj). He had been elected to Mannheim in \ 768, but did not go because he expected a call to Berlin, and when, in 1770, he finally accepted the call, he stayed there barely three years. His ministration left so little mark that Carmoly doubted his ever having held the office of Rabbi in Mannheim. ^^ Very likely the negotiations with Berlin commenced soon after his arrival, and that may have diverted his mind and prevented him from initiating any- " To the profifs montioncd by Loewenstein for liis li.ivin^r officiated in Mannheim Tp. ^55, note) is now to be afJ^Jeil the scrinoii in Miehel.soliii, of>. cit., p. 135. 1) I 36 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON thing impoitant. The Contract of his election to Berlin is dated theistoflyyar, i772(Landshut, pp. 78-80; Michelsohn, op. cit., p. 149). while the negotiations had commenced as early as 1771. R. Hirschel as Chief Rabbi of Berlin. He was elected Chief Rabbi of Berlin and the provhices, his title being ' Oberlandesrabbiner '. The first clause in the Contract stipulates that his chief duty should be to attend the Bet-Hamidrash, to study and teach Torah to old and young and to deliver a special talmudic discourse at the beginning of every term (NriDnn NPID^'DD). His duties were further (§2 of Contract) to preach on Sabbath Haggadol and Sabbath Teshubah, for which he received additional remuneration. He had to administer the Jewish law in religious matters as well as in civil disputes brought before him. Amongst his obligations was also the reading of the Tal, Geshem, and Neilah services. The custom for the Rabbi to read the Neilah service at the conclusion of Atonement-day is still in force in orthodox congregations, while the reading by the Rabbi of the Tal and Geshem services was not general, and has since entirely been abandoned. It does not seem to have been usual even at the beginning of the nineteenth century. It is not mentioned in Rabbi Ezekiel Landau's 'Rabbinical Letter' when he was elected Chief Rabbi of Prague (edited by Kaufmann in Yearbook Haeshkol, I, pp. 177 ff.). In the Synagogue he had his seat on the left side of the ark, and was called up to the reading of the Law every Sabbath to the third portion (Shelishi). His salary was 50 Thaler a month (i Thaler was 6 Gulden = approximately loj., the RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN 37 yearly salary was consequently about ^300) from the Berlin community, but other congregations belonging to the district paid him additional remuneration. A separate fee was due to him for every function performed and for every decision given by the Bet Din. In Berlin his fame as a scholar was soon established and to his Yeshibah flocked students from far and wide. In those days, when hardly any Rabbi possessed even a superficial knowledge in secular subjects, our Rabbi, who was well read in various branches of worldly literature, was regarded as a phenomenon. Even a knowledge of Hebrew grammar was unusual and was regarded as an innovation, which laid any Rabbi open to suspicion as fraternizing with the ' Modcrnisers '. Mendelssohn was then at the zenith of his career, and R. Hirschcl was not afraid to give an approbation to his edition of the German translation of the Bible, which called forth'a strong protest from many Rabbis of Poland, Austria, and even Germany. This appro- bation was signed the 12th of Elul, 177^, and the Bible was printed in Berlin in 17H3. R. Hirschel hails the publication as a necessity from the JcwisJi point of view. All the nations, he says, have prepared translations of the Bible, and such Jews as desire to read a German translation had to use those of Christians which contain many mis- translations due to theological bias, and entirely contrary to Jewish tradition. The Yiddish translati(jn i)ublishcd, with the sanction of the I-'our-lands-Synod, in i^>79, gives no satisfaction to those who speak a grammatical German, lie recommends tlu- translation and i)raiscs the skill and efficiency of Mendel.'-sohn. Whilst in Ilalbcrstadt K. Hirschel had already become an admirer of Mendelssohn, as may be seen from a letter of Gleim, the poet, to 38 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON F. E. Boysen, a priest, written in August, 1770, in which he states that the Rabbi admired the Socrates of Berhn and was proud of the fact that this Genius had sprung from his race. (See Landshut, p. 83, reprinted from Geiger's Jiid. Zeitschrift, vol. X, 1872, p. 232). Gleim's opinion of R. Hirschel is worth quoting from this letter. ' The views of this man regarding Jewish scholarship are, you may believe me, thorough, profound, and vigorous. There is nothing treacherous, nothing false, nothing misanthropic about him, and as far as I know, he is naturally good and honest. Herr Loebel wishes, my friend, that you should know the great worth of the old teachers of his people in the same way as you know and appreciate Mendelssohn's merits in philosophy, and he has asked me to tell you that he so wishes.' When, in 1777, the civil jurisdiction of the Rabbis was abolished and vested in the ordinary courts of justice, the Government asked the Chief Rabbi Hirschel Lewin to compile an excerpt of the Jewish Laws on inheritance, wills, trusts, and marriages. At R. Hirschel's request Mendelssohn compiled a treatise dealing with these matters. Apparently Mendelssohn did the whole work himself, although the book, under the title Kitual-Gesetze der jfudcn, was published as having been written by the Rabbi. (Berlin, j 778. See Kayserling's Moses Alendelssohn, p. 281.) The friendly relations -^^ between Mendelssohn and the Rabbi '8 A proof of tlie friendly relations between them is in the London Bet-Hamidrash library in form of a manuscript volume, containing Hebrew translations of some of Aristotle's works presented by Moses ben Menahem of Dessau to Zevi Hirsch, Rabbi of Berlin, as Purim-present in 5533 = 1773. (See Neubauer, Catalogue, No. 43, 4, p. 18.) Ber Goldberg, in Hammagid, 1879, p. 54, states that he saw a book in London which Mendclssolin presented to R. Hirschel ; he probably refers to this manuscript. RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN 39 became strained when the latter attacked Mendelssohn's friend Naphtali Herz Wessely, for having written a letter entitled ' Words of Peace and Truth ' (nosi Dl^t' nan). The letter (printed in Berlin, 1782) owed its origin to the following circumstances. When the Emperor Joseph II of Austria issued, in 1780, his ' Toleranz-Edict ' in which he promised the Jews of Austria full political rights ' as soon as they were worthy of it ', he ordered them to establish German schools and to train their children in handicrafts. This was regarded by the strictly orthodox Jews as an onslaught on their religion. If their children will have to learn German and other ' Goyish ' things, they will have no time and also no inclination to study the Law, the religion of their Fathers. They thought that the order to establish schools was only a pretence and was really aimed at the destruction of the Torah and intended to make their children irreligious (Goyim). It was then that Naphtali Herz Wessely issued his * Words of Peace and Truth', in which he asked his people not to disregard the Emperor's wishes. He endeavoured to disperse the anxiety for their religion and explained that they could just as well keep their religion in speaking a correct and gram- matical as a corrupt German, namely Yiddish. Many listened to his words. Most of the Rabbis of Galicia, however, raised their voices against Wessely as they had against Mendelssohn's Bible translation. Later events proved that the apprehensions of the Rabbis were well founded. The I'lmpcror Joseph's attempt to force his own culture upon the Jews of Austria and Galicia was ill-judged. He was a liberal and high-minded man, who would have liked to see all the people under his rule civilized, educated, and happ>'. I'ut his methods in achieving this end were 40 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON loo rapid. He recognized this, for with one stroke of the pen he revoked before his death all his reforms. As far as the Jews were concerned, instead of giving them at once liberty and full political rights, and thus an opportunity of acquiring knowledge, he forced upon them schools of the prevalent type, with teachers, who were not conforming Jews and who did their utmost to alienate the Jewish children from their faith. It is from that time that the aversion of the Galician orthodox Jews to secular studies dates, for it was not so in earlier times. When Haham Zevi was elected Rabbi of Lemberg, he was praised for being able to speak to the Government officials in their own language. They were far-seeing men, the Rabbis of the eighteenth century, who did not believe in taking the Jew right out of the Ghetto and making a modern scholar of him. Rabbi Hirschel probably foresaw the danger which threatened the Galician Jews. Although himself a lover of secular studies, he did not believe in the too sudden modernization of the Jew. Possibly the expectations he had placed in Mendelssohn's Bible-translation were not realized, many young Jews were unsettled in their religious belief by the desire to become German scholars.^^ He may even have regretted having given his approbation to the Bible-translation. When Wessely was attacked by the eastern Rabbis, and the Rabbi of Prague, R. Ezekiel Landau, had excommunicated him for supporting the Emperor Joseph's reform, Hirschel likewise protested against this friend of Mendelssohn. Possibly he was urged to this by these Rabbis and felt that if he remained " See Bernfeld, Biography nf S. J. Rapaport: -|"'C:' nn^lfl , Berlin, 1899, P- 3- RABBI HIRSCHEL LEVVIN 4I silent he would be risking his reputation as an orthodox Rabbi. Whatever may have been the reason, the fact remains that he joined in the general attack against Wessely and tried to stop him from printing his works. He even did his best to have him expelled from Berlin ; Mendelssohn, however, intervened on his behalf. He in- duced the Minister von Zedlitz to write to Daniel Itzig, President of the Berlin Jewish community, in Wessely's interest, and this intervention, as well as several letters by Mendelssohn to David Friedlaender, secured peace to the much harassed scholar.*" There appeared anonymously a small pamphlet called "IC'V 3nD 'A just letter', in which the author satirically deals with the question of learning Hebrew grammar and speaking German correctly. It is in the form of a dialogue between an ultra-orthodox Rabbi and a modern youth, and was a vindication of Wessely's ' Dibre Shalom '. The author was no other than R. Hirschel s son Saul, Rabbi in Frankfort on the Oder. This son was to cause our Rabbi other anxieties aLso. He attacked the well-known Raphael Cohen, Rabbi of the threefold congre- gation Hamburg, Altona, and Wandsbeck in an anonymous booklet entitled Micpch Jekntiel, which was a strong attack against the book Turat Jckuticl (Berlin, 1772), and its author R, Raphael Cohen, whom he accuses not only of having written a large book on trifling matters, and of in- accuracy, but also of deciding religious questions contrary to Law and of having been guilty of plagiarism. The book was published by Isaac, son of Daniel Jaffc, and his brother-in-law David I^'iicdlaender, two friends of Mendelssohn. As author figures nominally Obadiah son of Rabbi Baruch from Poland, the real author, however, ♦" Sec Kayserling, oji. tit., pj). 307 (T. 42 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON being Rabbi Saul ben Hirschel. In the month of Adar, 5549 (1789) the book left the press (see Zedner, p. 619) and was sent out broadcast to all prominent Rabbis. In Hamburg, where Raphael Cohen was highly respected, it caused great consternation, and it seemed unjust that a book, that had been printed and known for sixteen years previously, should form the ground for such a violent attack on the honour and scholarly reputation of the Hamburg Rabbi. The Bet Din of Hamburg promptly issued a Herem (ban) against the book Mizpeh Jekutiel and its author. R. Hirschel himself was greatly annoyed at this slanderous book, and, not knowing who the real author was, prepared to sign a Herem against him, when one of his friends, R. Meir Weil, whispered to him, 'Oh, my Master, it is Saul ' (2 Kings 6. 5 ; see Landshut, p. 91, cited by H. Adler in his ' Chief Rabbis of England ', in Jeivish Hist. Exhib. Papers, p. 283). The father had not the heart to issue a ban against his own son. Landshut gives as reason for this, that he regarded him to be of unsound mind [ibid., p. 92). Saul, however, proclaimed in a second pamphlet the right of the author of the Mizpeh to criticize any work by any Rabbi, and states that there were no grounds and no justification for excommunicating the author. The booklet, consisting of 16 pages in 8vo., entitled Teshubak of R. Saul to Rabbi Moses, was printed in Berlin, 1789 (Zedner, p. 682). On pp. 15-16 appears a letter from his father, which is a confession that his son was the author. He says : ' Do you suspect me not to have joined the Herem for personal reasons? Thank God, everybody knows that in anything that concerns the honour of God and his Torah I would not regard the interest of cither my brothers or my sons. The Herem would only increase RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN 43 Strife in Israel and give reformers an opportunity to laugh at " Talmide Hakamim " (scholars).' The whole letter, however, contains nothing which constitutes a valid defence of his son. With the same object R. Hirschel next pub- lished two more letters, both from anonymous writers, purporting to come, one from a Rabbi in Germany and the other from a Rabbi in Poland, together with a Re- sponsum of his own (Landshut, pp. 94-9), in which he states that the author of the MizpeJi proves by his work that he is a great scholar. He, R. Hirschel, is aware of the fact that the author studies Torah day and night, that he wrote his criticism in true religious enthusiasm and in the conviction that certain passages in the Toj-ai Jckntiel might be construed as decisions against the traditional Law. The critical writer of Mizpeh Jckutiel raised his voice against these points in honesty and religious fervour without fear of causing to himself harm, inconvenience and pecuniary losses. His language may have been too aggres- sive, and I do not approve of that ; nevertheless, there is no justification for excommunication.' He warns his con- gregants not to take any notice of the same, and that anybody who regards the author as subject to the ban, deserves to be, and is to be regarded as excommunicated. A letter from K. I'>x'kicl Landau of Prague to R. Saul follows this decision = pT pD3. Landau says in this letter that a controversy between two great scholars cannot form a grounJ for excommunication, but reproves the author for having used offensive language against a great Rabbi. This letter is dated the 29th of Sivan, .'',5.',o (Landshut, p. 9S), There is also another letter in a similar strain which the Prague Rabbi wrote to Saul on I'!lul the 17th, 5549 {ibid., \). 99), R. Saul himself wrote an apologetic ■44 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON Rcsponsum on the matter, which was published in the Ilamcaseph, 1790 (p. 223). He is mentioned there as Rabbi of Frankfort and refers to the forthcoming publica- tion of a volume of Rcsponsa, the famous NJDnm ND3. This work he had printed at the same office as the Mizpeh Jekutiel, namely in the Verlag der Jiidischen Freysc/nde, called nny: I13n man, at Berlin in 1793, and brought still more trouble upon himself and grief and annoyance to his respected father. The full title of the book is, * Responsa Besamim Rosh, 392 Responsa by great teachers, mostly by R. Asher b. Jchiel *^ which were collected by Rabbi Isaac di Molina, a great scholar of the time of the Bet Joseph ; *''■ printed with notes and additions, called XJDim ND3,^^ by Saul, son of Zevi Hirsch, Chief Rabbi of this Town '. Soon after its publication doubts were expressed as to whether the great Rabbis had actually written the Responsa attributed to them. Wolf Landsbcrg, formerly Rabbi of Wallerstein, published a booklet called Zeeb Jitrof = finD* 3XT, and pointed out that the author of the book declared lawful certain matters which are really forbidden according to Jewish law. ' If the author of the book had had any regard for his father ', says Landsberg, ' he would not have done such a thing.' Rabbi Mordecai Baneth, Chief Rabbi of Moravia, went further and declared ** that the whole book was a forgery by R. Saul, denying that either Asheri or Isaac di Molina had ever written or seen these Responsa. R. Saul had stated in the preface that *^ Called ' Rosh ', died in Toledo, 1327. *' Joseph Caro, author of the Shulhan Aruk and Bet Joseph to Turim ; born in Spain 1488, died in Safed Nisan 1575. *' Literally: a tasty dish. Cp. Talm. B. Bezah 16 a and Abodah Z., p. 38 a. ** See Litemlurblalt d. Orients, 1844, pp. 53 and 140. RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN 45 when in Piemonte some years before, he bought the MS from a Turkish Rabbi called Hayyim b. Jonah Sabi. R. Hirschel thereupon again issues a booklet in defence of his son and calls heaven and earth as witnesses that he, personally, had the MS. copied by his son R. Solomon (Solomon Herschcl, later Rabbi in London) and that he himself had prepared an index to the work while in Piemonte.''^ Some of the people who now write against it and attack the editor had seen the MS. and had read it with pleasure. If it were as the enemies of his son allege, then he would be the guilty party for having assented to the publication and given his approbation to the book. Landshut remarks on this (p. 104) that he was at a loss to understand how R. Hirschel could have written in this manner. Azulai, Straschun, Zunz have fully proved that the Responsa attributed to Asheri and other early scholars were never written by them. R. Saul seems to have lost his position as Rabbi in Frankfort-on-Oder soon after the publication of the Mizpdi Jekuticl. In Hameaseph, 1790 (p. 222), he is still mentioned as holding that position, while in the title to the volume of forged Responsa there is no mention of his then being Rabbi at l<>ankfort. It would seem that by the publication of the Mizpch he had already lost whatever respect and esteem he had possessed in his community. He, apparently, moved to Berlin prior to 1793, because he describes himself in the title of the Responsa as 'Saul b. Hir.schel, Rabbi of our congregation'. Ikit even in Berlin his residence was made unpleasant after the publication of the latter work. *^ He writes: "t:iCTD ; I liavc found no otiicr reference of his sojourn in Piemonte or any reason for his journey there. He slates in 1791 th;it it was a matter of ten years previously. 46 RARRINATK OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON For ill it ideas which evidently belonged to the Mendelssohn school are propounded as coming from Asheri, whose aversion to all secular learning is well known. The falsifi- cation is in some places even clumsy. References are made to circumstances which did not exist in those bygone days, but which existed at the time of Mendelssohn and R. Saul. (See Brann in Graetz-Jubelschrift, p. 257 ; cp., however, Straschun in Fuenn's Kiryah Neeinanah, p. 296, and S. J. Rapaport in Biography of Nathan Hababli, Note 13. The latter scholars praise Saul as scholar and clever head.) R. Saul, seeing himself abandoned by his friends, left Berlin and proceeded to London, where, a few years later, his brother R. Solomon Herschel was elected Rabbi of the Ashkenazim. In Halle he became so ill that he made his will. However, he reached London, where he died soon after his arrival on the 23rd of Heshvan (i6th November), SSSS = I794' His name is still mentioned in the Hazkarah recited for the Rabbis on Holy days. Michelsohn {Zevi Laz., p. 176) doubts the veracity of the statement that he ever came to London. We have, however, the testimony of a scholar named Meyer Joseph, who states that he visited him there re- peatedly before his death,^*" and published his will in *^ See Literaiurblatt d. Orients, 1844, p 714 and H. Adler, loc. cit., p. 284. A letter by Meir Joseph is printed in Kerent Chented, IV, p. 239. See also I. Abrahams in JQR., vol. Ill, p. 471. Meyer Joseph was also known as Michael Josephs, and was generally called Meyer KOnigsberg. He wasa native of KOnigsberg (Oct. 8, 1761), came to London 1781, and was one of the founders of the Free School. (Information of Mr, Israel Davis. See also Jew. Ertc, vol. VII, p. 274.) B. Goldberg in Kerent Clienied, vol. IV, p. 239, mentions that Meir Joseph had one son in China and another in New York. Joseph translated into Hebrew the Statutes of Dukes Place Synagogue (London, 1827) and was author of an English and Hebrew Lexicon, entitled DvD l^'■^10 (London, 1834). Steinschncider in Hebr. BiUiogr., \ol. V, p. 39 RABBI HIRSCHEL LEVVIN 47 Orient. Liter atiirblatt^ 1844. Moreover, apart from the will, Meyer Joseph pubhshed an elegy on the death of R. Saul, 'n -|'n3 hxc niD ^y nycn ^ip, in three verses of six lines each. Joseph adds hereafter: 'It was in the year 1794 when this exceptional man died here, and I think I have a right to publish this article as I was the only friend he had here. He was on a long journey, the object of which I do not remember any more, and intended also to stay in London for some time. I visited him daily, we remained often together for hours at a time, and^ although I am now (in 1844) 83 years old,'*' the impression he made upon me, his eloquence and his whole personality remain unforgettable to me. A few months after his arrival he fell ill with cramp {Krdmp/c) and it was I who closed his dying eyes. On his death the London community paid him respect. He was buried with great honours on the 25th of Hcshvan, J 794. On arranging the things he left behind him I found this will, which I then copied for myself. The will stipulates that R. Saul wished to be buried in his clothes, just as he would be found, in some forest far away from the graves of other men. The will was not found until some time after his burial, as Dr. Abrahams already pointed out in 7GAMII, p. 371. mentions tliat : * The London Jews College Library was enriched by several hundred volumes from the library of ihc late Mcir Joseph (died 1849) presented by his son Walter'. Leopold Dukes wrote a memoir about M. J. in Orient. I ith., 1850, pp. 7-10 in which he describes him as a charming personality, who was a protector of every Jewish scholar who visited London. 'His house was a meeting-place of Jewish students in London, where otherwise the study of the Talmud was nn unusual tiling'. Dukc.^ also wrote his tombstone-inscription which is reproduced at the end of the memoir. *' Jew. Awf., Vli, p. 274, gives M. Joseph's d.ntr nf birlh as 1863. It was according to this, his own testimony, 1761. 48 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON Saul was the son-in-law of Joseph Jonas Fraenkel, Landrabbiner of Silesia in Breslau (born 1721, died 20th October, 1793), having married his eldest daughter Sarah (born 1744), and having thus become related to the famous R. David Oppenheimer, Chief Rabbi of Prague, whose wife was Rabbi Frankel's first wife (Kaufmann, Samson Werthcimer,^. 96, note i). R. Saul had a son called Aryeh Judah Loebusch or Lewin, who afterwards succeeded his grandfather and was the last of the Chief Rabbis of the province of Silesia. This Aryeh Loebusch, likewise, had a very sad end. Born in 1765 he spent his childhood with his maternal grandfather at Breslau, later he became a pupil of his grandfather R. Hirschel in Berlin and spent also some time in Frankfort-on-Main at the Yeshibah of Rabbi Phinehas Horowitz,*^ teacher of the famous Moses Sofer known as the Hatam Sofer.^^ He became Rabbi of Dubienka in Poland and on the 3rd of July, 1800, Lewi Saul Fraenkel, as he was officially styled, was elected as ' Chief Rabbi of the Province of Silesia with the exception of Breslau and Locum Tenens of the Rosh-Bet-dia of Breslau ' (Brann., ibid., p. 267). Like his father, he had an inclination for the modern Mendelssohn type of Judaism. In the preface to the book Or Enayiin of SoTomon Peniel, a work on mysticism, he mentions nearly all the Greek philosophers, modern classics and scientists in one breath with the Rabbis of olden and recent times in the obvious desire to impress the reader with his profound knowledge in all subjects. A sound Talmudist and good Hebrew writer he read with- out any system all kinds of secular books, and probably ** Called the ' Haflaah ' after a book he published. *'' Born in Frankfort a. M. 1762, died as Kabbi of Pressburg, 25th Tishri, 5600 ^Oct. 3, 1839). RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN 49 thereby unbalanced his mind. When in 1807 the Sanhedrin of Paris was summoned by Napoleon to discuss the modernization of Judaism, Lewin received a passport to travel there ' on family matters ' for which he had asked, on the ground that a relative of his, a certain Carl Anton von Pavly, had died in Paris and left a considerable fortune, to part of which he was entitled. Before his departure, however, he addressed * a letter to his coreligionists referring to the latest, most wonderful, events in the Christian world '. He is overjoyed at Napoleon's happy inspiration to summon the Sanhedrin, and says: 'You can profit from such Christians, upon whom rests the Spirit of God ! Examine, therefore, carefully the resolutions of the Sanhedrin and listen to their appeal '. In the further course of this letter^" he advocates a general reform of all religions, in which Jews and Christians, Turks and idol worshippers should all unite into one universal religion. In spite of this plea he later tries to prove that Jesus was a descendant of the house of David. This made his position quite clear to everybody. Although he still uses the title of ' Oberlandesrabbiner von Schlcsicn ' the Jews had long ceased to regard him as one of their own. Already in 1 796, before he was appointed in 15reslau, his grandfather, R. Ilirschcl, to whom he had announced his intention of visiting him, writes to him on the 13th of Tammu/, to Frank fort-on-thc-Oder, that he does not wish him to come, especially after ' the great thing (3~i n"'yo) which he had lately been guilty of '.'^' Wc do not know what 'important event' he refers to, but it would appear that his grandfather was ashamed of hini, and that he was '•o This letter was publislicd in liicblau by Adolf C.clir in 1807 and consisted of sixteen pages. •' Sec Ztvi Laz., p. 176. D. ii 50 RAHHINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON afraid of what people would say if he were to receive this fjrandson in his house. In i(So9 the Schlcsische Provincial' Blatter pubHshed the announcement that ' Lewi Saulssohn Fraenkel having, by virtue of his altered religious persua- sion, embraced Christianity, resigns his post as Chief Rabbi of Silesia '. What became of him during the next six years IS not known. The tale goes that he repented soon after his conversion and spent his life as a beggar wandering from town to town, and everywhere spending his time at the Bet-Hamidrash studying Talmud. He made notes in the books he read and these were always excellent, proving the writer to be a great scholar. When the Rabbis found these notes and inquired after the writer he usually had already left the town. Like Cain he had no rest on earth, never slept where he had spent the day, always disappearing before night set in. In 1815 he arrived, a complete wreck in body and mind, at the Jewish hospital at Frankfort-on-the-Main, where he died as true Baal Teshubah (repentant) on the 27th of Kcshvan, 5576 (30th November, 1815). But now to return to R. Hirschel Lewin. The scandals caused by his son, Saul, embittered his life. Although there was no animosity against him personally, the part he took in defending his son's literary falsifications probably caused many of his former friends to turn against him. His position had become still more unpleasant when the Rabbis of Poland and Germany publicly protested against Wessely's Dibri Shalom. Among the letters which Rabbi Tevele Schiff, R. Zevi Hirsch's successor as Rabbi in London, wrote to his brother, R. Meir J)ayan in Frankfort, is one which is of special interest, and throws a clear light on the whole affair. The RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN 5I letter is dated the 20th of Elul, 1782 (see Appendix to part II), and R. Tevele writes there with reference to R. Hirschel as follows : ' It is now known here all about the Rabbi's departure from Berlin. I have seen a copy of the letter which he left behind with instructions that the same should not be opened until six days after his departure. He is now said to be in Vienna, and from the letter it appears he intends going to the Holy Land. I have also seen a letter from the Rabbi of Lissa to the Rabbi of Amsterdam, as also a copy of a sermon of the former, in which he blames R. Herz Wessely, and strongly disapproves of his letter. This sermon is very clearly written, full of wise and pious words, and carefully construed so as not to commit an offence against the Emperor (Joseph II). From the letter and sermon of the Rabbi of Lissa it appears that they did the same in Posen (preach against Herz Wessely), and in Vilna they burnt the letter of R. Herz Wessely outside the town by order of the famous Gaon R. Eliah ; also that the Rabbi of Prague likewise preached about it at first, but now he is obh'gcd to remain quiet, is only acting secretly, and induces other famous Rabbis to condemn him (i. e. Wessely). — After all this it is easily to understand that the Rabbi of Berlin could not continue in his office, and left. If you can send mc a copy of the proclamation issued there (namely, at the Synagogue of l-Vankfort) I should be glad to receive it.' Rabbi Ilir^chel's letter, which is printed in Landshut's work, sots forth the reasons for his leaving in a slightly different form. lie says tliat he saw he could not improve the religious status of the congregation. Kspccially difficult had become his task since reform had raised up its head and estranged the young t 2 52 RAHRINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, I.ONDON people from their faith. He had decided to migrate to Palestine, and asked the leaders of the community to forgive him for not leaving with a solemn farewell. The answer of the Parnasim is not extant ; they, however, succeeded in inducing him to return to Berlin and remain in office until his death on Monday the 4th of P!lul, 5560 = 1800. lie , had spent his life as Rabbi of the most important congre- gations then existing. His fame as a Rabbi and leader was known far and wide throughout Jewry and, still, all his life he had hated being a Rabbi. Nevertheless, or on account of this, he devoted all his life to promoting the welfare of his people, bearing high the standard of the Torah, which he loved from the depth of his heart. He was the last of the Chief Rabbis of Berlin. A brilliant preacher and great scholar, he commanded respect wherever he appeared. Although in later years he always writes in unhappy strain, there are many little bonmots of his in circulation showing that he possessed a deep sense of humour. In many sermons he offers witty interpretations of biblical and talmudic sayings: '"'VPn "jTta ". In a dis- course given in Berlin [Zevi Laz., p. 142) he admonished his congregants to restraint. They should not follow what their hearts desire, and not always desire what their eyes see. The Jezer Hara, the evil spirit, is alive in everybody and must be kept in check by strict adhesion to the Torah and religious precepts. ' Once I met a man, he says, who seemed familiar to me, but I did not remember where I had previously seen him. He was then very downhearted and low-spirited. Some time later I beheld the same man and saw him running busily about the streets. He only nodded to me and ran away. I met him again a short while ago here in Berlin. He was sitting in a restaurant, treating himself RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN 53 well. I asked him who he was, and why he had avoided me when I met him before. He answered : " I am the evil spirit, the Jezer Hara. The first time I saw you was in Halberstadt, which is a very religious community and business was not at all prosperous with me, as I hardly had any customers and felt so downhearted that I would not speak to anybody. When you next saw me it was in Mannheim. There I had plenty to do, for the people were inclined to listen to my persuasions and I was busy all day long and, therefore, could not stop to speak to you. Here, in Berlin, I have, at last, found satisfaction, the whole Kehillah readily follows me and I can now enjoy myself ".' So far as we are concerned it seems a pity that R. Hirschcl does not state what opinion the Jezer Hara had of London Jews. Literary Activity. His literary activity was many-sided. Halakic responsa of his are to be found in many of the contemporary collec- tions, a list of which is given in the book Zcvi Lazzaddik^ by Michelssohn (pp. 151-2). He used to make extensive notes in all the books he studied from, and many of these are preserved in the Ik-t-Hamidrasii library in London. So far the book Zevi Lazzaddik is the only C()nn)lctc work of his which was .sei)arately iiublishcd, and this is also more of the nature of a collection. It contains tahnudic notes, some responsa and sermons, copied from various manuscripts in the Bct-Hamichash library. The appendix contains biogra- phical notes by the editor Michclsohn,who claims to be one of the Rabbi's descendants, under tlic title ' T5ct Zaddik '. Besides these the book contains many occa.sional verses, some of them humorous. Interesting is a poem on I'mim 54 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON entitled nms^ 1D1?:i p^^ nn 'The daughter of wine (or a barrel of wine) and a moral for Purim '. This is a warning against the custom of getting drunk and disorderly on Purim under the pretext of fulfilling a Mizwah, based on the talmudical saying : Everybody must drink wine on Purim until he does not know the difference between >3l"iD inai pn -inx ' Cursed be Haman and blessed be Mordecai ' (Talmud b. Megillah 7 b). He points out that the sages never intended this saying to be taken literally. The festivities of Purim bore a holy character in olden times and not like at present, when people only keep that part of Purim which refers to eating and drinking (and to do what they like to do).^^ A short elegy on ' Zion in Ruins ' is given in the book Bet Meshidlam, edited by the same Rabbi Michelsohn in Pietrkow, 1905 (p. 57), where the editor also prints a list of homeopathic remedies and charms, some of them Kabbalistic, similar to the recipes contained in MS. Adler 2286 (pp. 133 fif.).^^ The Bet-Hamidrash library which consists mainly of the late Solomon Herschel's books and manuscripts has several MS. written by R. Hirschel. The MSS. of this library were catalogued by the late Dr. Neubauer and the Catalogue was published under the misleading title Catalogue of the Hebrew MSS. vi the Jews' College, London (Oxford, 1886). Under 'Jews' College' is meant the Bet-Hamidrash in Mulberry "^ Of the further contents of the book are to be noted : Pages 1-13 haggadic notes to the Pentateuch, pp. 32-91 Talmudic collectanea and responsa, among which the editor interweaves some of his own. On pp. 92 140 are haggadic discourses, arrong them one for Sabbath before Passover, 5544, held in Berlin (p. 108), anotiier held in Mannheim, 5530 ''P- I '7)1 0"G to 'he Penitential Sabbath, 5531, likewise given in Mannheim, while pp. 154 6 contain small verses, some of them already previously published. ^' About this manuscript see Appendix II. RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN 55 Street and not the Institute known as Jews' College.^* MS. No 22 contains notes on the Turim copied from the margins of the books belonging to the R. Zevi Hirsch of BerHn. On folio 140 of this MS. is to be found the will of R. Leb Norden, Jacob Emdcn's friend. This will was published by Dr. Israel Abrahams in JQR., IV, p. 341. Michelsohn mentions another MS. written by R. Hirschel which is in the possession of M. Isaac Bcharier of Lodz, and contains discourses held in London in the year 1756 on the occasion of his installation, and on the following Sabbath Haggadol and Sabbath Teshubah and thus seems 10 complement MS. Adier 1248. The British Museum possesses a copy of Sabbatai Bass's Sifte Jeshenhn with manuscript notes by R. Zevi b. Aryeh. The Order of Service at the consecration of the New Synagogue, on the 13th of September, i^3'^, contains the ' Consecration Anthem composed in Hebrew by the late Rev. Dr. (!) H. Hirschel'. This Anthem is reprinted in the Order of Service of the rcopenings of the New Synagogue on the 2nd of September 1847 (r"-in h!?N n"3 'n), and of the 6th of September 18,55 (rt:-in hh^ :"3 'n), also in the Order of Service at the Opening of the Branch of the Great Synagogue Portland Street, London, on March 29, 1H55, and frequently since. Mr. Israel Solomons possesses a poem by R. Hirschel to be used at the consecration of a Sefer Torah. It was " No. 24 of Nciihaucr, Co/., contains rcsponsa to R. Hcrz Pintscliow, .ind on folio 41 has the date Venice, 1744 ; folio 42 is daleil Rovigo. Page 18, No. 43, 4 is a manuscript whicii was presented to R. Hirscliel by Moses Mendelssohn. At the sale of the property of the late R. Soloindii Ilcrschc jn March, 1843, was sold a small Kiddiish-ciip 'containing the medal of the Emperor Vcspasi.in commemorating the conrinest of Jiidea, iircscntcd by the great Mendelssohn to the father of the late Rabbi '. It fetched five guineas. Some of R. Hirschel's poems are published in Kobaks Jcscliurun, others in Ihinm^il, XIV, under the title: '^V vb^l . 56 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON used XL": 'd, 1 819, by his son R. Solomon Herschel.and was printed under the title Tit:rD -ck', by H. Barnett, St. James's Place, Aldgate.^^ Two letters by R. Hirschel referring to the quick burial of the dead, dated November 9th, 1794, are printed inZeitschr.f. Gesch.d. Judenthums in Deutschlandy vol. Ill, pp. 216 fif. Approbations R. Hirschel gave to the following works : *in '3"n by R. David b. Raphael Meldola, Amsterdam, 1793 (appr. dated Amsterdam, 17 Elul, 1757). Pentateuch, Amsterdam (Proops), 1764 (dated Halberst., 27 Tam- muz, 1764). Responsa Maimonides, nnn 1XD, Amsterdam, 1765 (dated Halberst., 22 Shebat, 1765). ni33"i "TiDC* 'd of Isaac b. Moses Satanow, Berlin, 1773 (dated Berlin, 10 Elul, 1773). Job with Commentary ("im "i^^D "12D HT), Berlin, 1777 (dated 4 Adar, 1777). D^r:K' moy '^, by Baruk b. Jacob, Berlin, 1777 (dated 27 Tebat, 1777)- PD: 'dd ijy D^D": '"l '""n, Berlin, 1778 (dated 3 Kislev, 1777). Pentateuch : Dl^rn nUTiJ ed, Mendelssohn with translation in German, Berlin, 1783 (dated 12 Elul, 1778). Psalms : bn'^U'' niTDT, Berlin, 1785-90 (dated 15 Heshvan, 1783). Pentateuch ivith Commentaries, ed. Frankfort-on-Oder, 1784 (dated 22 Tammuz, 1784), B'mp mw 'd, by Simon b, Nata Walisch (Wolcz), Berlin, 1786 (21 Elul, 1786). " The Sefer Torah was presented by ^"f 5]DV niJ?2n3 ^Dj;T = Semi Josephs. The booklet consists of i6 pages 12°. There are seven poems, one for each ilEpn, each consisting of six verses, dealing with the objects of the Revelation and the value of Torah for Israel and the world in general. , RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN 57 nyi n?:K of Isaac Satanow, Berlin, 1784 (17 Shebat, 1784; con- tains also an approbation by Rabbi Saul, Rabbi of Frankfort-on-Oder). Responsa: DVIcy D^» of R. Eliah Mizrahi, &c, Berlin, 1777 (19 Sivan, 1777). pyi n£in mane, Berlin, 1778 (dated 13 Heshvan, 1778). h^DO 'd, Hebrew Grammar by Hajjim b. Naphtali Coeslin, Berlin, 1788 (dated 1788, no month and day given). Responsa: :;'X~i D^CC'D, Berlin, 1793 (see above), (dated 1793). p^tTin ^^^3 of David b. Meir Friesenhausen (about whom cp. now C. Duschinsky : 2py^ nn^in, London, 191 8, p. 27), Berlin, 1795 (dated 18 Ab, 1796). D"n ^"510 by R. Jacob Hajjim b. Josua Cohen, Berlin, 1796 (dated 28 Adar H, 1777). n^'J'TJ'n 'd ed. Isaac Satanow, Berlin, 1787 (dated 25 Elul, 1783). ni3^n njlf 'd of R. Simon Kahira, ed. Amstd., 1762 (dated 30 Shevat, 522). pain p^O 'd ed. Frankfort-on-the-Oder, 1781 (dated 28 Adar II, 1780). (This list does not pretend to be complete.) To the list of notes made byR.Zevi to various works, enumerated by Landshut, p. 112, is to be added the Aruk, ed. Basel, which was used by Kohut ; cp. Aruk Completum^ Introd., p. liii. His Family. Rabbi Hirschcl's first wife was, as already mentioned, Golde, daughter of David Tevelc Cohen of Glogau. She died in Berlin on Thursday, ist of April, 1794 (ist of lyyar, 5554), and had borne him three sons and three daughters. R. Saul was the eldest son, the second was Abraham David Tevcle, called Berliner, and the third was K. Solomon Uerschel, afterwards Rabbi in London. 1 lis three daughters were (i) Sarah, who married his nephew, Jacob Moses, .son of his brother Saul, Chief Rabbi of Amsterdam ; ''" (2) Rciscl, "* Jacob Moses was at first Rabbi in Filchnc and afterwards succeeded his falhtr as Cliicf Kubbi of Ambtcrdain, where lie 5 became Rabbi of Cracow, where his son K. S.uil succeeded hini aflcrwardb. R. Heschele was the son of Rabbi Jacob of 6o RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON Lublin and grandson of R. Ephraim Naphtali Hirsch (died 1664) of Brisk. R. Aryeh Loeb's wife was the daughter of the Haham Zevi who likewise came of a family of great scholars. His father was Rabbi Jacob son of Rabbi Benjamin of Wilna. Rabbi Jacob was son-in-law of Rabbi Ephraim Cohen, Rabbi of Buda (Budapest), who afterwards settled in Jerusalem, author of the Responsa collection Sha'ar Ephraim. (See preface of this work, ed. Sulzbach, 1688). Jacob Emden in his Autobiography, Megillat Scfer (p. 3), states that R. Ephraim possessed a pedigree right up to Aaron the High Priest. R-. Aryeh Loeb and his wife Miryam had two sons and three daughters. The sons were R. Saul and Rabbi Hirschel ; the daughters were: (i) Dinah, wife of Saul Halevy, Chief Rabbi of the Hague ; (2) Sarah, wife of R. Isaac Halevy of Lemberg, Chief Rabbi of Prague; and (3) Naitsche, wife of Moses Zolkiew, Parnas in Lemberg (see Bet Meschnllam, p. 66), The eldest daughter Dinah was a very good Hebrew scholar. She wrote a letter in excellent Hebrew to her brother R. Hirschel, then Rabbi in Mannheim, on the 3rd of Tammuz, 1770 (printed in Michelsohn's Zevi Laz., p. 158). Rabbi Aryeh Loeb gave approbations to various works. As Rabbi of Reisha he signs one for the work 3py^ nnbin by Jacob Eulcnburg, the approbation bears the date 484=1724: to the Pentateuch, printed in Dyhrenfurt, 1727, and finally to Moses Jekutiel Kaufmann's "|"n vn (Dyhrenfurt, 1747), which approbation is dated in Reisha, 1728. (See Landshut, loc. cit., p. 71, Dembit/.er, I, p. 132 a, and L Zunz, pTSP^ TV, p. 158.) In Glogau he signs an approbation on the 17th of Sivan, 1734, to the Talmud-edition Frankfort-Berlin. RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN 6 1 APPENDIX II MS. Adler 2286. This MS. contains 138 quarto pages, many of which are only half filled and a good many are blank. The contents are mostly short notes written down after a talmud- ical lesson at the Yeshibah. R. Hirschel used this book for several years. On p. 61 b we find, after his signature, the date pal? a^pn ]up cms "a nv ^:zh "n mpn nr = 14th of Adar I, 5502 = 1742. On p. 67 b is the date given a'pn nr:n ai'o Dvn = 17th of Tammuz of the same year. But we find many notes of much later origin. On p. 91 b he writes : ' It is now twenty years since I wrote the foregoing ; in the meantime I found a reference to what I said here in the book of Responsa : |VJ'c N'-ino fc'ni '. Most interesting are the first and last leaves. P^ol. i has an elaborate title in verses, the contents of which we have already mentioned. Fol. 2 a is a continuation of the same as a secondary title. Fol. 2 b has a ' Nice song for Hanukkah ' — (n3i:n^ nx3 nor), a rather primitive, but considering the youth of the author, remarkably well written verse. Then follows : ?]} ns3 mn ^^nCDNC impi:' pinvn ' A nice conundrum on chess ' what he calls ' the game of Chcsstable '. This verse is, in spite ot a few linguistic errors and platitudes, cjuitc a remarkable piece of work. Here I will only mention that R. Hirschel compares chess to a battlefield. The King is guarded by his statesmen, the knights and bishops, and has a dutiful wife at his side. The Queen manages all his affairs for him, while the King in his high dignity only moves one step at a time wherever he goes. His soldiers fight for him regardless of their lives. I'Varlessly they go forwarcm 210 313 D^Ow-n jd d^^d3 n3>33 ':3n' Nin> nb: "n 11331 D'^nn }-in3 irN''3^i D'?:vo pin^ Tn3i ^3 nN i)^bb p3n^ m^3 in n^ Folio 2 a. Dyo 1^ DVD' bix i^n 'yrh loy: na C'Di^ S2-IO CDsn Dyi: nos n*L" "iid n3L"^ px:n cnn tj'x b'r c^nnsi d*:vj'ni D'pdidi nsDin niw ^m^n N^sicn :''nti:^N3 bm 'L!3;^'3 |Dp *33n ^3X1 13'Xw' '^3 u'rrntr'i nnx xi3> x^ iy?:>!? ."^did L:y3 .iccn ^y D3n3h 64 RABBINATF. OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON TJ'^' i?3X nsr HN-i ^3 •'"-13 ]'\ii:in ^3si .i^"i:S idc niDon jyro^ i^b' na D'pnnD^ N*\n D^'n yv noN:^ min n^n n^-n pNi c^nn tit na DNT ^ycu'3 ^31:ni Tii'-i T-ax bi^^ ^^"03 ^j^xc' ^:a ynn x^ nij'xi T»:^y Tii'wS*3 .^r\''i^'D nai >mDX ncxa niB^y^ ^2^2 "•nvoxn^i "Tiprnnj .ani^'^D "ixT ,t:L"2n pbm mnn p^m on^B^n pbn nnxn ov^n n^^Dni? in^np^ni ^3V p"n (?) ariDon p^m pn p^m nxn p^n n-'p^n ^jcr^ tid^ oc'Dni .2^b "nx "12 pxjna t:'-i\n Fol. 2 b. pxjna trn^n ^nv "pn n::^ nr .ni^no >:^ .noDm nj^n a"y novo rnon^tDi -i^c^ miK'x nnxn |d ni^no ^:E^'^ p^nnj mnDi nano ^di .o^nMxn anni' n^axj nr -iXB'jn njnDn "mi .hod hdd nj-'-nni inani nnxn nanon ^x xu^ ^aK' P31 .nasi nv bo .n^icc' onio ^!jy cynp n:n ]m .r^D^bth Dnn "iK'x .D'^'-atr n"^ m m^ yiap nii'njn nunDn oy D''3^cn D^B'naa IDT m:nr:n r\}:ir\ i6n .DnTiiDnbo i^nyi .on^jsix \m^> niiinx ''n^n .ona: ^j::> .onnj D/Id .onnx nninn .onvaoi .njiB^xnn m'lti'n '•nvci .D':n:i dd^d^ D^anp .o^ypT ^Jt^'i .omnv ^x non^D itrr incx oy xin ?ix "]^cni njn^ onciy ont^ ijk' ncn^on ha .onny njioc' .nn^D^n vnc^i i^dh ••jd^i .no-in nyaa ^3 nnt:i:^'D nuya o^^'^ *i^'^ mciyn n^^oni .onoiy nprnn iiDC'^ .mcni?:] a'y n^n x'-n .n^ya nnuy .n^^incn ny^xm .n^ Dncy "i^"" 2Dnni .niaicri D'-^-nn -iiiot^'b nn»iy i^i'*' n^jpini .mn* t2Qti'D3 Dipy nnxi .0-^:113 it^'-n d*:u' .ni^iaj ib hk'I^k^i .nii^p^py nprna "a ."laaDy* x^ e'"'xi n^-in xy'' .n^'nroa xim D'-cam n^jprn ,xnvn niJ' nnc^ni ^yr ivsn nno ^x ny ,y*DS* oy •'tj'x-i ^yi /asnn* ,Dnn:»' ^x cn^n^D id'^jd"' coysi nanxi run 3-13 ,n1t^•^ 3r»3 d^dSh nns 1^ D''nni2"i i»^^y vxjvj' ixu* x^ ]v^b loipo ^x pxn'' ncni RABBI HIRSCHEI. LEWIN 65 Folio 3 a. r,'a nn3 b .ncni'oa f]x "]^j:n *3 ^onnin -in-j-d ^onia yms Q"y DDi^M ^231 ^i:n^i lyD' pnvDH D"yi /;2^ inynns^ Dn^:3 CTk^'ni ,n^''Dcn n3i:^ ^ribnni onciyn n^bnn na^o ,Dnxrn p v^3 cnn^n^i ion' n^nn ba D2i .n^i^no nnx htj' D"yi nh^D im D^D^in non .Dnninsb n:n' sh .on'-ja ud'' i6 onD^at icm^ x^i 13^ onoipya D^^:nni ,v:nK nx -iij::-^'!? ^vjs iny ^n t^'-'s* dn ^d ,Dnnv ks US'" n^i n:non *iv3 QnDiyn D'!7:nni ma^i-n nr\b r^iyb'C' ,qd^o nvn ^ja^ ncx 1-j'N nSni oniD n-^^::^ s"y ^onnw ly^os^ ^non^on n^nna ncn ca :r\x DN1 nioy nv^^tj-n mv^'n /t^i ohajo ipnT omu nr^ti' q"j; d: ni?:n nnws*n nicai ;^\-i ^53 nya pnic^ i^^sn^ i^jcn ^y t ah) ,n:y y^'cxn .lopa ^ym -no nDiy nnx !?d irvxi ^nav^-m nbyn i-y rnai::^: ,n3V3 b:i:> "h^m) ,n^'iJi ,i3-iy3 no CXI na: ox ipinD nnx b:ib ,Tirn '2^ imn onnin^ |pr T^i ,njno3 (? m^ni?) p^n^ ^ncn^o noi^o 33n poiy ipr ^d nvo^ 2n' /3^ix inline "\ni ^no^^ nc'y^ tj'x n-j-yon nx ,nv3 nr^iy xai'n "n2n^ ,n^nn pn^-j-" onix ^o^any Dn*:Q^ n^m^t:' n:ir:::'i nnx o ,nn Dnoibo nni /i? a^'j'o im^c nfjc'^ /^dc' ^2!? nnx b^) ,r6'\:i n:non nx ^x D'ipn ;o ,xr xiv^ nx n^ni pox Tina Dy323 ^p•;^T "i-'x n'j*yf:n nx noy na'x nir:3 loy anpa tj'I /ovyb pnx ni:']}^ .nvcti'i ^2n ^^3 ^nvpn ^x 12.T ,i!?cn 3U'i?D nn bx y^:^ n^ni n^in .-ir cxi ,ioipD3 r32i> ,D'rcn*:'o nnx -^n^i d^^^d ^rj' nvn^ pn^ x!? ^d ^nc^x nnn n\:'tin "b ni-'N^ nxr nx ,inL"x nnpi^D ix n^'j': ^nc nnx i^o^ pn^ !^3X x'HK' nz'iin niD ,.Tj'x-i3 niD^o inD |n:i ^n^vj-x-in inrx nnn /ijto^ .nSinh Di^'b r\bv^ niDy .nD2^ nx: idt iDyi D'h:f?D D^n y::o ib'm nyiD ,d'^x ^x ba D*Si'\m D'nai" "^n Nin /'h n'DD c"x ^"y x*an nno TJ'y *2^\x ny-a ^y ^^^'3'3 imn .nrro p:x: nyn D. F 66 RARRINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON Folio 3 b. ^mirx'i ^33 nnny .niinn npb n-m:n "do n^-on nv^n^ ip^''ni ^n^ijD Dy^ nr^v nu" n n^isj DV sin hds :n*j'n"3 dji nnt min Translation. Title-page (i a). Hear, O Israel ! This book contains 139 leaves on which I will arrange before you, what Thou, O Holy One, wilt teach me of Thy statutes. I have offered my prayer to the Most High God, the God of our Fathers ; be gracious unto us, God our King He will help us. Make us understand Thy statutes and enlighten our eyes in Thy Law. O Almighty God, turn to the prayers of Thy beloved Jacob, Thy only one, and give wisdom in Thy great mercy to Zevi son of Aryeh Thy servant and teach him all Thy numberless secrets in the Torah which Thou gavest with Thy hand to Moses Thy saintly (servant). In the following I will arrange before you, and as I shall write it will be made plain, that ' which is perfumed with myrrh and incense and all the powders of the merchant' (Cant. 3. 6). God is our King, to Him is due praise, I will praise Him in assemblies and congregations, for He gave us, as cherished treasure, the perfection ot beauty (the Torah). The Dweller of the Clouds may grant me to understand and to be able to write down the words of the Fathers (of my Father). He gave me also a small portion, and He may grant me under- standing with a double measure as a gift from Heaven, in His great Goodness and Mercy may He bring us into the land of Life, and may God's Glory be revealed. 5537 a.M. RABBI IIIRSCHEL LEWIN 67 Folio 2 a (i b is blank). Behold how pleasant are to my palate the words of the wise, which are a cure for the soul. These are novellac to the Talmud, Tosaphot and com- mentators Rishonim and Aharonim (of olden and late times) by the Gaon the great Rabbi, &c., R. Aryeh Loeb, Head of the Congregation of Glogau, who formerly was Rabbi in Lwovv the Imperial Residence (Capital), he is my Master and teacher, my father, who in his great wisdom and learning has produced many new interpretations and explanations of the Talmud. When these novellae became more and more numerous, while the quality of the scholars and pupils of my father became more and more inferior, and every one of them wrote down the products of my father's mind, to use them in later life in talmudical dis- putes as his own achievements, so I, the smallest and humblest of my father's pupils, have made up my mind to write down what I heard from him, so as to preserve my father's words, who is too busy with communal affairs. When my father saw this (book) he spoke to me : You do right, my son, write down everything so that you may learn the way of life, which is the way of the Torah, of which it is said : ' She is a tree of life for those who grasp it ', and what you do not know, ask me, as it is said : ' Ask thy father and he will show thcc, thine elders and they will tell thcc' (I)cut. 32. 7). These words I have taken to heart and have done accordingly, as your eyes will see. I have divided this book into five parts, the one is the part of songs, then the part of the riddles, the part of the Peshat, while the i)art of the Peshat is again divided into the pait of the father and of the son and of the writing. Zevi liirsch b. Ar)'ch Loeb. 68 RAIU'.INATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON Folio 2 b contains first : A nice soncj for Ilanukkah. Then follows : A nice conundriun on the game called Chess {Shachtable). I will sing a song of war, founded on wisdom and understanding. Two armies arc arranged one opposite the other, to kill their enemies. Each army is again divided into two parts, in order that if the one army comes and beats the first part, bringing it right down, the other part can still escape. They are arranged in eight rows each on one side. Between the two Kings with their great armies is a field with thirty-two different ways in which paths run, and there they arrange their battles. The camps are like trenches and forts. Young fierce men, all heroes. Two warriors riding on white asses, and two elders (bishops) dear to their King and wise, and at the sides of the first row two princes are standing, and the King himself with his Queen take part in the battle on the high hilltop. In front of the King and his honoured princes are eight servants (pawns) ; they face the first strong onslaught, and the Queen who stands at the side of the King, moves about for him everywhere. This praise- worthy wife, the ornament of her husband, walks about the whole battlefield to guard her beloved ; the elders pro- ceed first to guard the various paths and the knight goes with them on roundabout ways. He has three paces, two straight in front of him and one sideways like the elders, the wise men. He (the knight) hurriedly goes forth, nobody can stop him as he would push him away in his strength. He moves in front of the people until he reaches the desired position, and the princes, the generals of the army, proceed in an even step in unity and friendship (with RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN 69 one another) ; sometimes they take the King to their side and take his former place to hinder the enemy from reaching him. They open up for him a way of escape, but when the King has once stepped out, he does not change any more from his usual manner to move to either of the four sides, like the ordinary soldiers, as the King, even in war-time, keeps his dignity, and he takes only one step to whatever side he proceeds, slowly and evenly. All these, the King and his officers, can turn to every side of the four, according to the player's wish they move and rest, and like their coming and going so are their attacks, except for the infantry, who stand in front facing the battlefield, for they go only in one straight line and only move one field. They are, however, like the knight in their attack, for they hit out sideways and give no quarter. When they move, however, they do not turn and cannot go backwards, they cannot turn to their enemies but have to meet them face to face to guard their master. This infantry who stand before the entourage of the King have accordingly three ways of moving forward, and also those of them who stand at the side, can, at the bei^inning of the battle, step out like giants (heroes) three rows forward, and all those who have stepped forward these three rows have to stop there. If any one attacks the King his whole army has to die for him, and so also in the opposing party, and all have according to the will of mankind (the player) to stand on their assigned places. Now I will explain to you their order of position, each one according to Iiis status. The King has his i)l.uc in the fcnirth row in the middle of his people. lie must not stand at the side, so that he may not be caught. Next to him his helpmate stands, the honoured one by her 70 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON consort's side, and next either of them stands an Elder to show them the way as is meet, to every one according to the rules whether high or low is his position. At the side of each Elder stands a proved rider to keep order in the camp, and a General stands next to him to instruct him what to do. When he fights the enemy he stands by him, in true affection (for the brother-in-arms). The eight messengers are marched up in front of all these, they are sent first of all to get information about the enemy's position, and each one (of the officers) sends his messenger or keeps him back and they are all instructed what to do, if misfortune befalls them on their way. But if he is able to get from one end of the battlefield to the other without coming to harm, he becomes his own master, and a prince of his people like the one before whom he stood in his old place. If that one (the officer) is slain and is no more, he takes his place or even comes back to the court of his King and becomes a woman (Queen), but not a King as it is impossible for two Kings to have one and the same crown, but one King may have two wives. If his first wife is gone and taken, he takes this one in her place, puts the royal crown on her head as is the right of the wife, the crown of her husband, she is his ornament and honour. A Song for Passovkr. Give praise and thanks to God the Mighty, Pharaoh He threw into the deep sea, but His people he led through as if on dry land. He sent ten plagues against Pharaoh my enemy, by the hand of the man from the tribe of Levi. It is Moses who led us out of Egypt, RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN 7I Folio 3 b. He let us walk on dry land in the midst of the sea, brought us down the Torah from Heaven, which he received from the lips of God, divided it into five parts ; all well arranged and observed is the Torah and her explanation. Pesah is the day of relief, on that day will come help to the chosen people, He will lead us out of our exile, then we shall sing a new song. (Here follows a verse of which each line begins with a letter of the Alphabet.) APPENDIX IV Will of R. Saul b. Zevi Hirsch.^^ Copy of the will of Rabbi Saul son of Rabbi Zevi Hirsch, Chief Rabbi of I^erlin, which I copied word for word from his own handwriting, found on him after his death, which occurred on Sunday, 23rd of Heshwan, 5555. 'The lot of man is unknown to himself, as to where and when (he would die), it is therefore the duty of every- body who goes on a journey to make a will as long as he is alive (and decide) what he wishes should be done to him and to all that is his when God shall have gathered him from under Him. The more so it is the duty of a man travelling from land to land, from town to town, especially if he is a sickly man. I am now on my journey here in Halle, and intend to travel to distant lands, and perchance I shall not be able to speak to any one about myself; then any one who will find me dead, he will find my will in the pocket of my coat, and it shall he to him as if it were the ■'» From the Hebrew in Onntt. I.tthl., i^.\\, pp. -jia 13. 72 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON words of my lips, and if he be a righteous man, who is Avilling to do a true kindness (nos b'y non), may he fulfil my words, as follows : * Everything that is found upon me, be it little or much, may be sent to my father, the Rabbi of Berlin, after he has taken from it the purchase-money for a burial place for me. All the writings, however, which shall be found in my trunk or in any other receptacle, it shall be forbidden to anybody to take even one leaf and to read it. Every- thing shall be left in paper, be sealed up and sent to my above-named father or to my children or to trustworthy men in Berlin, and they shall give them to those who are worthy of them (to whom they concern). 'The following I ask for myself: No garment which I have upon me shall be taken away, just as they find me, they shall bury me in some forest, or in any place they find, only it shall be far away from the graves of other people. And I ask everybody whose heart has been touched by the fear of God, not to talk behind my coffin on account of my having asked for this, for he cannot know the reason for this stipulation ; however, even those who speak blamingly about me, shall be forgiven — only if they do as I ask. ' Any one who will act, in any of the points written here, against my will, it will be counted as a great sin to him (T-'n"' m) and God will not forgive him ; as anybody who has knowledge of the Talmud knows that only one who says, " do not bury me at all " should not be obeyed but a stipulation like this one (which I have made) may be made in one's Will. 'And God, to whom are known all the desires of human beings, He knows my intentions, and will yet help me to RABBI HIRSCHEL LEWIN 73 good days and a life in which I may serve Him in pleasure (when I shall be able to serve him amidst joy), when I shall be able to devote myself to Torah and wisdom, which give joy to the embittered heart and soul, and be able to live in quietness and safety without being tied to a seat of vanity (M. Joseph's note : " referring to the office of Rabbi, which he hated, as is well known to everybody "). These are the words of one with an embittered soul whom God has given to drink of the cup of misery enough and more and still has not given up in his heart to pray to God and to hope. Saul. The following is the inscription of R. Saul's tombstone to which Mr. Israel Solomons called my attention. The stone is standing near the wall facing the entrance at the Alderney Road Cemetery in Mile End, London. . . . (N^-::n) DD-n2?rn b)i:r] ^in .... \s:n Dw'U n^pi (Ponn npiy) .... Dvn iy -ir:N"' ncN 3id o n-i"in?D niD p nro n"3 Nin (?n"D) "iJDinn dv^n x't:'^ . . . i""!: trn^n ^3:» -n"inD N> pi'ia p"pn o"ii n"3N* ('3n) nvx . . . . irnSipT t"::n ■t:^::' 11" no c . . . . n-j'x DwS* . . . nany ".-13 nL^n" pn:; ('jD) cva om-Tn (?TiJ) nnsj P"d^ n':pn ;vj'n 74 II. Rabbi David Tevele Schiff. R. Zevi Hirschel Lewin left London for Halberstadt in the spring of 1764, and the London community was not long in finding a successor, for in 1765 we see R. Tevele Schiff already installed as Rabbi of the Great Synagogue in Duke's Place. Chiefly instrumental in bringing off his election was Aaron Goldsmith (Goldschmidt), the founder of the well-known Anglo-Jewish family, to whom his uncle, a certain R. Johanan, had recommended the Rabbi. He is styled by Rabbi Tevele as cousin in a letter which he wrote to his brother R. Meir on Adar 21, 1776 (App. V, Letter I). A certain Rabbi Meir Hanover was likewise one of those who helped his cause by writing to friends in London."" We only know of one competitor, who tried hard to succeed R. Hirschel, and that was his cousin R. Meshullam Zalman, son of Rabbi Jacob Emden of Altona, who ultimately was chosen as Rabbi of the Hambro Synagogue, and came to London likewise in the year 1765. R. Jacob Emden in his Auto- biography gives us some interesting details with reference to this election,^^ He says : ' In the month of Nisan of the same year (1765) my son Rabbi Meshullam Zalman *" See letter I in Appendix V. «i "lED n^':?2, cd. Kaliana (Warsaw, 1896), p. 209 ff. RABBI DAVID TEVELE SCHIFP^ 75 was elected as Rabbi (jn n'3 3y) of the Ilamburgcr con- gregation in London, likewise a result of my activity and endeavours for some time past, and after I nearly gave up every hope for it. For he had many opponents on the part of the Synagogue in Duke's Place, which separated from the community (!) and elected another Rabbi, R. Tevele Schifif from Frankfort-on-the-Main. It was, how- ever, from God, and so all the plotting and obstacles, the opposition placed in my son's way, could not frustrate his election. Even after he had duly been elected they con- spired against him, and people wrote me letters threatening that, if he came to London, they would attack and abuse him. All this was done at the instigation of that man " Laze " (y'6), a pupil of " th'at man " who made special efforts and wrote me letters, full of perversions and untruths, with the intention of frightening me so that I should prevent my son from accepting the position. The con- gregation of the Hamburg Shool (Synagogue), however, was anxious to have him, and they had warned me beforehand to take no notice of that shameful letter. He visited us here, and remained during the past Shabuot festival, and all the most notable men of the three Kchillahs (Hamburg, Altona, and Wand.sbcck) gave evidence of the respect they felt for him. He left us and entered upon his duties in London at the middle of Tammuz, and was welcomed with great honours and with joy. I have since heard that even his former enemies have now become his friends. May God grant that lie rise higher and higher anl be blessed with children.'"'^ Il appears from this note th.it the l.oiiclon coinMUiiiily liau oritjinally intendcil to appoinl one ivabbi only for both *' Ap|i,ut nlly Mtsliullain Z.ilm.in Ii.kI im cliildrcii. 76 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON Synagogues, in the same way as Rabbi Zevi Hirschel had filled both offices simultaneously. Jacob Emden had en- deavoured to secure this position for his son, but the more important part of the community was opposed to him, and they elected R. Tevele Schiff for Duke's Place. Emden's party afterwards succeeded in appointing him as Rabbi of the Hambro-Shool. The man Laze, or Lazar, mentioned in Emden's note, was an adherent of the Baal-Shem Samuel Falk, a cabbalist and mystic, who lived in London for about forty years until his death in the year 1782, and Emden may refer to Falk when he says that Laze was a pupil of ' that man '.^^ We cannot tell whether Falk had a great following in the community, but at the end of his days we know that he was well disposed towards R. Tevele, as he bequeathed him an annuity of ^10.'^* Also another member of the Beth Din, R. Abraham of Nancy, is benefited by the same Will to the extent of fifty guineas.^^ The man Laze is often mentioned in MS. Adler, No. 2241, which comprises the most interesting diary of Falk's factotum, 'Zevi Hirsch son of R. Isaac (Isik) the Levite Shtadlan of Kalisch ', written in the years 1747-51. This Zevi b. Isaac styles the man ' Laze Levi of Hamburg ' or yiN^ nnn (the windy Lazar), and it appears that this Laze was sent by Falk on secret missions to Germany and Holland, but was nevertheless very often in dire poverty, ** The reference may, however, also mean Eybeschiitz, whom Emden often calls ^'H iniN. " The Will says : 'To the High Priest of the Great Synagogue for the time being, whoever he may be, Ten Pounds Ten Shillings annually . . .' ; see J. Hist. Soc. Engl. Transact., VIII, Misc., p. xlviii. *5 ' To Mr. Abraham the son of Solomon, usually called Abraham Nancy.' He signs, however: 'Abraham Hamburger of Nancy' in the document of testimony dated 5 Elul 1783 and 26 Elul same year. See Appendix V. RABBI DAVID TEVELE SCIIIFF 77 although he had a well-to-do relative in London called Selig of Hamburg. Whole pages of the MS. are devoted to the debts which I.aze made by borrowing from Faik's servant various smaller sums. It is not unlikely that Laze opposed the election of the son of R. Jacob Emden, who was known to be a bitter opponent of every cabbalist and mystic. Lazar Hamburger's daughter, Sarah, married Benjamin Wolf Franklin of Breslau, the ancestor of the Franklin family, in London on August 28, 1765. Mr. Arthur Franklin in his • Records of the Franklin family ' (London, 1915), p. II, reproduces the tombstone inscription of Lazar Hamburger's father. According to Mr. Franklin {ibid., p. 10) this ' Eleazar Leiza ' was known as Lazarus Joseph. Although the Halizah-letter to which he refers docs not call him Leiza, but Ifv "iryvN, i.e. 'Lezer', there seems little doubt that he was identical with the Laze mentioned in Emdcn's autobiograph}', who was the follower of the cabbalist Falk. The letter of Halizah to which Mr. Franklin refers, and which he has shown me, is dated Rreshiu, 28tli of Kislev, 5526 [I'/f^')), and is an undertaking by Asher Antshcl and David Franklin, brothers of I?enjainin \\'i)lf Franklin, to give Halizah U) the latter's wife should he die without leaving issue. Neither of thee l)r()thers, however, signed the document, the signatories of which arc Samuel ben Fliezer, scribe of the lireslau community, and Asher Lcmel ben Isaac, the beadle of tliat congregation. They address the document to ' The great Rabbi, who was formerly in I'odhaice and is now Rabbi in LmikIoh', namely, Rabbi Meshiilhim Zahnan linden. As timi- wcnl on, the opponents of ICmdcn's son seemed to have increased in number, contrary to what l.nulen writes in his diary, and Mesliullam Zalman was ultimately compelled to leave 78 RABRINATF. OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON London. We learn this from a letter of R. Tevele to his brother, dated ist Ijjar, 1780,"'' in which he writes that R. MeshuUam had implored his congregation to let him remain in London, but they insisted upon his leaving the country, and agreed to give him an annuity of £50, and so ' he is leaving during this week *. He appears to have gone to Stary-Constantinow in Russia.^^ Rabbi Tevele, on the other hand, was apparently well- liked in his community. He was descended from a family '* See Appendix V, Letter 4. "^ Opinion of Prof. G. Deutsch. Cf. also my Jacob Kimcht and Shalom Busaglo, p. 20 (London, 1914). There is an 'Order of Service' extant, in the possession of Mr. E. N. Adier, for ' Tiie Fast Day held by Command of the King on the 13th of December 1776 ', in which R. Meshullam Zalman is mentioned as author of the Hebrew Prayer said on that occasion. The title pages read as follows : Page I a *c'c Dva imn on^ i^cn li-ijinK rmz> n-iJiTi nv\> rhz,r\ "no Page 2 a ' A Form of Prayer composed by the Reverend and Most learned Rabby Israel Meshulam Solomon D D. Rabby of the Jews Synagogue in Magpy- Alley Fen-Church Street and of the New Synagogue in Leadenhall Street. To be used on Friday the 13th day of December 1776. For success of His Majesty's Arms according to His Majesty's Proclamation. Faithfully trans- lated by Alex. Alexander, Printer, and sold by the Translator No. 78 White Chapel High Street.' The booklet consists of sixteen pages in 8vo. The sermon preached on that occasion was likewise printed by A. Alexander and consists of twelve paragraphs which fill twenty-seven octavo pages. The title reads : A | Sermon | Preached | On Friday the 13th of December 1776 | by the Reverend Israel Meshulam Solomon | Rabby of the Jews Synagogues in Church Row | Fen-Church Street and Leadenhall Street 1 Being ja Moral Discourse | Suited to the Solemn Occasion of the Day | Appointed by Royal Proclamation | For | a General Fast | To pray for the Success of His Majesty's Arms. | A Free translation from the Hebrew | . Printed by A. Alexander &c. (as on the Order of Service). E. N. Adler possesses a copy of this sermon (ep. Wolf- Jacobs : Bibl. Am/^I. Jud-i p. 190J. RABBI DAVID TEVELE SCHIFF 79 of Rabbinical scholars. The famous Rabbi Mcir Schiff of Fulda, author of f\''U n-|"nrD ^"J'ln^n, who died in 1641 at the age of thirty-six, was also a member of this family/^ According to Dietz there were two branches of this family in Frankfort, the one descended from the head of the Frankfort Yeshibah, Jacob b. Beifus Cohn zum Wedel (died 1655). This branch became extinct in 1714. R. Tcvele was a descendant of Jacob Cohns brother Isaac, who lived in the house called 'zum Schiff' (thence the family name Schiff), and died in the year 1656.^^ His grandson, Moses Meyer Schiff, was a wealthy man, and lived in the house called ' zum grlincn Schild ', which remained the property of the family until the death of his grandson, Solomon Schiff, R. Tcvele Schiff 's father, in 1777 (22 Adar II).''" The well-known philanthropist, Jacob H. Schiff of New York, is a descendant of another son of this Moses Meyer, namely of Joseph Moses, called Josbcl Mayer Schiff, likewise of the house ' zum grlinen Schild '. After the death of Solomon Schiff, his sons R. Tcvele, then already Rabbi in London, and R. Meir Dayyan in Frankfort, sold their interest to Mcir Rothschild, the ancestor of the Rothschild family. The minute-book of the Frankfurt Beth-Din records a dispute between the vendor R. Meir Schiff and the purchaser, the former insisting upon payment of the balance of the purchase money in gold coin, while Meir Rothschild insisted that he need only pay in ' ininz ' ** Sec Locwcnstcin, Grsc/i. d. Jiui. i. d. Kuif'/ah, p. 153; Dic-lz, Slatttmbuch d. Frank/. Juden (1907), p. 358; Horowitz, Ftattkf. liahh. (i. FR.), vol in, pp. 38-40, and Frankfurter GrabinschrifUn {•^■- FG.). ** His !K)n Bcndit dird 4th Tammuz 1660. Hor., FG., No. 864. '" Hor., ibid., No. 3573, where lie is styled ^*^VT\ •« the vrnrrahle, Dietz slates as his birth date 1730, which cannot be correct, as in 1777 his son R. Tcvclc was already more than forly-scvcn years old (sec later). 8o RABBINATE OF TIIF. f.REAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON money, which was less tlian the gold currency. There was also a dispute between the parties with reference to the ground rent (called ' Grundzins '), which R. Meir Schiff contended was not to be allowed to the purchaser until it actually became due, while the purcliaser required allow- ance for it at once. The minutes mention that half of the house had been the property of the London Rabbi Tevele Schiff. The house ' Griines Schild ' was already in existence in the year 1608, as mentioned by Schudt {Ji'id. Merk- wurdigkeiten, III, p. 147), and it is also in his list of houses of the Frankfort Judengasse of the year 161 1 {ibid., pp. 153 and i54)Ji R. Tevele's mother was Roesche, daughter of Abele London. R, Meir Schiff, in the preface to his work "im n^JN, referring to this grandfather, says that his brother had come back to the place of origin of their mother. R. Tevele was a devoted son, and even in his old age he mentions his parents with reverence and gratitude. In a letter to his brother written in the year 1776, when his father was apparently already old and feeble and unable to read, he expresses his doubt whether his brother should communicate the contents of the letter to the father, lest he should be disappointed, in case the election of his brother Meir to the Rabbinate of Copenhagen, referred to in the letter, would not be realized. Writing about the anniversary of his mother's death (called Jahrzeit) in 1787, he says: 'He could not answer his brother's letter of Sivan ist earlier than the 26th (date of the letter) as their mother's Jahrzeit inter- vened, which he spent studying all night and fasting '1 ' Hiertz zum Gruenen Schild als der Zeit Baumeister' (p. 154); see also Appendix VII. RABBI DAVID TEVELE SCHIFF 8l all day for the benefit of her soul, as it was to her that he has to be thankful for the tender care, and " the wine and oil she bathed him in during his childhood " ^^ which enabled him to fast in his old age.' In another letter of the 2ist Adar. 1782, he writes that he post-dates the letter to the 22nd, because that day was the Jahrzeit of his father, and he could not write then on account of the fast he observed on that day. His father was, in keeping with the tradition of the family, a learned man who trained his children in the traditional way, his chief object being to make his sons min 'J3, religious Jews learned in the Law. We know little of R. Tevele's early days, except that, as a young man, he was a pupil of Jacob Poper, Rabbi in Frankfort, the celebrated author of the Responsa 3py* 2^,"^^ and of his successor, R. Jacob Joshua Falk,""* of Lemberg, author of the work y•k^•^^'• '33 — one of the classical works in Talmudic exposition— who was also famous as a great adversary of R. Jonathan EybeschiJtz. R. Tevele married Breinle, daughter of Isaac Sinzheim of Frankfort a. M., and thus became connected with another famous and respected Jewish family. His f.ithcr-in-law was a brother of Abraham Sinzheim, the famous Shtadlan of Vienna, and of Juiiah Fphraim Lcb Sinzheim, founder of the Beth-IIamidrash in Worms; while another brother, Solomon Sinzheim, played likewise an im{)ortant role in the life of the Jewish community of Vienna."'' Solomon " Referring to the saying of R. Ilanina, ' tlif warm water (baths) and the oil with which my mother treated mc in my you'll tiu-y gave mc strcnptli in my ohJ ago', see Ilullin 24 b, where it is statcci tjiat R. Ilanina when eighty years old could stand on one leg while he sli|)|)ed off his shoe and put it on again. A ROschen Schiflfdicd ag Kislev 5503. Cp. FG , 3.(79. '' Frankfurt a. M. 170a. '♦ Died 1756. See about Popcrs and F;ili<, H(jr., /A'., vnls. il .iikI III. '* About Solomon S. see I'.aimigarten-Knufmaiwi, D*~nD n/30, Intro- 1). G 82 RARBINATF OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON Sinzhcim's daughters were (i) Mate, wife of R. Tevele's brother, R. Meir Schifif, and (2) Mindel, wife of his son Moses, who in this way was a brother-in-law of his uncle R. Meir. The letters printed in the appendix furnish convincing proofs as to the correctness of these data, and dispose of the statement made by Dr. H. Adier in his essay, ' The Chief Rabbis of England ' {Jew. Hist. Exhib. Papers, p. 285), and accepted by Mr. Israel Solomon [Transactions J. Hist. Soc. Engl., VII, p. 241), that R. Tevele married Ber Adler's sister (true is only that R. Ber Adler's wife was R. Tevele's sister). The Hazkarah-Book of Worms '^*' contains in praising terms a lengthy record of the death of Breinle, wife of R. Tevele Schiff. Soon after his marriage R. Tevele became head of the Beth-ha-Midrash in Worms, of which his wife's uncle, Leb Sinzheim, was the founder. Horowitz {FR.^ vol. Ill, p. 18) was not aware of the fact that R. Tevele lived for some time also in Vienna. This is evident from MS. Adler, No. 1 160. This MS. contains on 147 quarto leaves notes of Halaka and Haggadic lectures by R. Tevele Schiff, duction, p. 5, The genealogy of the family is given by Loewenstein, Kiitpfalz, p. 215, and ibid., Anhang, 13 a. Loewenstein does not mention Solomon Sinzheim except the grandfather of the same name, while Baum- garten did not know of Sol. S.'s two daughters. Mate Schiff died 21st Kislev 181 7. See FG,, No. 4899. Cp. also L. A. Frankel, Inschriften, Nos. 429 and 689. " See n^ ^jy f'nij?, vol. in, 1887, p. 49: n'-nnn nyi:^n :\iwn hk-nh nn^sni ,n:iyi ny ^^n '■•"jy^ n::nD hdd ni^ya p^ini ,n:ijni [n]yij^' □^"■nn -inv3 nc^sj nvnh mj -iwni '"P^n n^ nnai ^nT^t^ injir-N P"b^ y\yb \>"\>'^ mt3D:J "inr mtry ^muyn rp'rh n^ya jnji mnv onN ^D 'D2 riN-ipji "b 3"^pn t33c^ n"-iy "n "v imnoi' mnpji RABBI DAVID TEVELE SCHIFF 83 delivered in Worms, Vienna, Frankfort-on-the-]\Iain, and London. The earliest date given is :''pn = i743, and the latest 3"cpn = i;!^^. From this MS. we gather that he was in Vienna in the years 1758 and 1759, where he acted as Maggid (preacher) from the month of Adar, 5518, until Hanukkah, 5519. After that he lived in Worms for about eleven years. His son IMoses was Barmizwah there on Sabbath 'n"!, 5512 (November, 1751). Notes from Frankfort are dated 1762-3, while the first note written in London was the concept of a sermon for the penitential Sabbath of the year 1765." In Frankfort he acted as Dayyan under the celebrated Rabbi Abraham Lissa, the successor of his teacher, Joshua Falk, as Chief Rabbi of Frankfort (1759-69), who a few years later (1766) was one of the chief actors in the much discussed ' Get of Clcve ' affair. The senior Dayjan was R. Tevelc's life-long friend, the Rosh-Yeshibah R. Nathan Maas."^ He acted as Dayyan in his native town for approximately three years, and during this time had also a Yeshibah (jf his own, instructing young men in the knowledge of Talmud and Rabbinic law. One of his '" Tlic following is a list of data contained in the manuscript. Wortns : n"pn nb'J' 'e, p. 142b; D'pn u* 'd, p. m" ; ^"•'pn pen, pp. 47a and 48a; T'-pn ins, p. 52 a; n"'pn pen, 59b; n^'pn S^s y'3 and nrrn"! C'-pn, p. 178a; u"^[>n 2X3 ro, p. 1143; t2'''pn nmo n"2, p. 177b; t2"''pn ^ibs 'T, p. 191 a; t^"'pn S^« 2''\ p. 196a; 3'pn jd^j nn, p. 179a. Vienna: n"'pn, p. 59b and the following otlicr flatcs of the same year ; "nN, p. 181 b ; ticn "1, p. 185 a ; W'Zn n"3, p. 1H4 a ; 3X '3, p. 199a; Dn:t3 N"\ p. 183a; Dmo vn, p. 176a. Frankfurt-. \\i\ nS^nD 3"3pn )"P, p. 188 a; J"3pn, p. 200 1). I.mtdon: VI^'PH n3VJ' n3f, p. 166a; S"pri ;vj'n, p. 193).; n"Spn ynr, p. o^a; C'^pn in'j*. p. 173b; Kf;"pn, p. 7fi6; 'yopn cn-j* '"n. p. 180 b. '" See Horowitz, /-A'., 11, j). iH, (i I 84 RABRINATK OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON pupils, the most famous one, was the urgkundstadt in Bavaria, now living in London. His wife refuses to follow him to this country, ami R. Tcvelc asks the Rabbi of I''iirth to persuade her tt) acccjit a Utter of divorce which the man intends sending to her thmugh a messenger (n^bu). Interesting is the stor)' of anutlu i- woman, the wife of Nathan Harris of London, recorded in a document of testimony (nny n^'^:, Apj). V, XXI), taken up by the I'cth l)in of London umler llie |)residcncy of R. Tevele in the year 17^3. The iHishuid hid left I-"-nglancI on board a warship for Jamaica, and dictl some time afterwards on board another ship, anchored at Tort Antonio, on his return joinney U) I'^ngLmd, ;iii(l was I)nrie(l in the latter place. As witness figures a certain Solomon "' C|>. my edition of Buzaglo'i. "H H-'VO, iSic, in Ilftso/c/i, vol l\'. nii.]. 86 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON b. Isaac the Levite, who lived in Detroit opposite the house of Admiral Route (or Rowthe?)/^ whose steward brought him the news of Harris's death. There being also other evidence in the form of a letter written by Abraham Simson of Jamaica to his mother living in London, in which the circumstances of Harris's death were related in agreement with the witness's statement, the Beth Din accepted the evidence, and permitted the woman to re-marry. Another letter relating to a divorce case sent to Rabbi Saul of Amsterdam is likewise printed in the Appendix (No. V, Letter XIV), though not only questions of practical religious nature formed the subjects of our Rabbi's correspondence. Among the nineteen letters preserved in MS. Adler, No. 4095, are several dealing with theoretical expositions of Talmudic dicta. Most noteworthy of these are two letters by Rabbi Isaiah Pick, generally known as R. Isaiah Berlin, one of the first critics of the Talmud in the eighteenth century. He wrote fourteen important works, among which the most noteworthy are : Notes on the Aruch nx7Sn p^nyatr^^; Novellae to the Talmud D"'C'n "-tl'ITn, now to be found in nearly every later edition of the Baby- lonian Talmud, and his commentary on the Sheeltoth entitled CI^K' n^'^Nt^'.^^ Prof. A. Berh'ner, in his biographical sketch {Rakbi Jesajah Berlin, Berlin, 1879), compares him to the Gaon Elijah of Wilna, and says that while the latter excelled by his erudition and genial spirit, R. Isaiah was a storehouse in which all the treasures of Jewish tradition were to be found to an astonishing degree. His knowledge of nearly every word of the Talmud was amazing, and "2 He writes : i'DMl, cp. App. V. No. 21. *'' Vol. I, Breslau, 1830 ; vol. H, Wicn, 1859. ^* Dyhrenfurt, 1786. RABBI DAVID TEVELE SCHIFF 87 Berliner regrets that most of R. Isaiah's responsa are lost. We are now in the happy position to give in the Appendix (V, Nos. 17 and 18) two responsa which R. Isaiah wrote to R. Tevele Schiff in the years 1785 and 1787, con- taining important notes to various passages of the Talmud. He addresses R. Tevele as 2"'^' 'relative', on account of R. Isaiah's father, R. Loeb Mohiah Eisenstadt, having been a descendant of the famous R. Meir Schiff of Fulda, known as the ' Maharam Schiff'.'*^ In one of the letters R. Isaiah refers to his recently edited commentary on the Sheeltoth, and says that lie had sent two copies of this work through the good offices of R, Bendit b. Leb Halfan of Amsterdam, one for R. Tevele and the other for R. Leb Pressburg, Aaron Goldschmidt's son-in-law. Responsa to R. Isaiah are to be found in the work Lcshon Zahab of R. Tevele Schiff, vol. II, pp. 10 a and 30a. Other famous Rabbis with whom our Rabbi had correspondence were R. Ezekiel Landau of Prague and his friend R. Nathan Mass Rosh beth-Din in Frankfort, to whom he sends a detailed description (jf the consecration of the Great Syna- gogue in 1766,'*'^ and with whom he corresponded in the '* Sec Horowitz, IR , vol. II, pp. 35 10 ; Berliner, ibid.^ p. 7; cp. also Weiss, IjnM n'3 ^33X, p. 3a, and Locwenslcin, Kutf/als, p. a-ji. R. Isaiah was born in I'.isenstadl, Hiin(,'ary, in the year 17 19, and died as Rabbi of Breslau on the i3lh of May 1799. Cp. Jew. Euc, III, p. 79, where the year of his birth is given as 1735; sec also Brann in Grafts- JuMscJiri//, p. 263, and I. Ziinz pli'n ')'']}, p. 163. *• The Order of Service to this Consecration is not in the British Museum, but Mr. V.. N Adier is llic fortunate owner of the one ropy of which I know. The title p;mes read: I'a^e I a irn^np ns cnno nja:^' nijin^n nojan n'an n'3n nDi:n tc h^N i"3 'Uw'n D.'2 u*Tn:i n:nn:i diDw*" Dw'n D'n^t'N mp Sip 88 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE. LONDON most friendly manner for many years.^"* Letters from and to R. Saul, Chief Rabbi of Amsterdam, brother of R. Zevi Hirschel Lewin, and others from R. Nunis Vais of Livorno have also been saved, the latter being published in R. Tevele's work Leshon Zahab (p. 29 b). The Rabbi of Livorno had asked for his advice in the case of a marriage and subse- quent divorce of a Cohanite and a black woman from India. Most of R. Tevele's letters which I found in MS. Adier 4095 are, however, of a private character and addressed to his brother R. Meir. They are of special interest owing to the vivid and homely style, the unrestrained manner in which the brother answers the requests or questions of the other, rebukes are intermixed with expressions of sincere attachment, and we see the true brotherly love which united the Rabbi of London with the Dayyan of Frankfort, who was also bound to him by other ties, to which circumstance we have already referred. When reading these letters we can well imagine the complacent life our Rabbi led in London, but we are also enabled to see some phases of Jewish life in general, how the Jew lived, his small and great troubles as member of his Kehillah or as nciona niD^j:n nunh xiun nna!? jnJii' p"^ ns (!)DiDnj ^bayu nn n"iD in^ n"y n"s <": hnjn pwn u^ani miQ i^jhs* \s33 D'Dns D^rvp D^Dii'Nn mip23i H^'-ncni y':n \>"\>'^ *i"ns* •i"n3 .nc-n DinD 102 -""y (!)iDi£nn naro by s'3ini i'^"- irnbnpn r\\>'^n Page I b This Praj'cr used at the Opening of the Great Synagogue in Duke's Place 29th August 1766 composed in Hebrew by Rabbi Nahum Joseph Polak and made EngUsh l)^' J N. Inscribed to the Most worthy Presidents Naphtali Franks Esq., Mr Naphtali Hart Myers Gent, and Mr. Joel Levi Gent. Stewart. Performed by Mr. Isaac Elias Polak Principal Reader and his Assistants. (Eight pages in 8vo.) 8"' See Horowitz, /7?., IV, p. 19, and 3nl \\vh , vol. I, pp. 6 and 26; see also Appendix V. RABBI DAVID TEVELE SCHIFF 89 merchant, and as Shtadlan who has to use his influence for ^NTw'^ bb:^, the general Jewish community. Private letters of this kind are very rarely accessible to the public, although, as a rule, they are just the most important and most true sources of history. R. Tevele shows himself in especially favourable light in a letter referring to the sentence of death of a young Jew who had gone wrong by getting into bad company. The boy's associates were waylayers, who, having been caught redhanded, were condemned to death in accordance with the law of those days. R. Tevele having persuaded himself that the Jewish youth had not committed any capital sin for which he would have deserved the death penalty, moved heaven and earth to obtain pardon for him, and, although the letter in which this affair is described does not report the final result of the Rabbi's endeavours, it permits the conclusion that the Jew was pardoned on condition that he should leave the country and return to relatives in Germany who would take proper care of him — for such was the undertaking the petitioners gave. The letter is addressed to his relative Isaac Michael Speyer, banker in Langenschwalbach near Frankfort (see address to Letter XI). Speycr's permanent residence was in Frankfort, where he occupied a respected position in the Jewish community. When on the occasion of the I'.mpentr Leopold's coronation a deputation of representative Jews waited on him, Spcycr was the leader who spoke the address of homage on Oct. i, 1790," and two years later, •' Sic H'.rowiiz, FN., IV, p. 68. Isaac Sprycr'.n cicalli is recorded in Mcmorbook OfTcnhach, MS. Adicr, No. 950 (formerly in possession of ihc late Mr. S. Scliloss of London, who acquired it from Dr. Carmoly's librory), p. 9a a. bpcycr died in Offenbach, where he spent the lust years of his life, 90 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON when Franz II was crowned as Emperor of Germany, Spcyer was again chosen as speaker of the Jewish deputa- on Friday, 3 Kislcv 5568 (1807) ; his wife Fradle, daughter of Gedalyah Rofe, died on Sabbath 13 Ab. 181 1. The following is the text of the memorials of Isaac Speyer and of his wife (the latter on p. 93 of the manuscript) : P'cn DiiEipjs-ia p"p^ y'vr 'n5<^"'SK^ hyf2 n"3 ••mnn DD-nDr:n in^sn ncyi n:3ir2N3 :"ij ,n-iD"' -I'M! vd^ b ^^^c nuy .iV '•'•'jy Dnso ''n^ .nrno ^an ^^1^ lycB' .njiyn \2)^>n bub n^iiaa "I"S3 P"p3 y"y] 2:V'S mvna nic'y^ ^^n:n -ir-Ni .njiyi ny ba npnvh niVD nm ^d^ hm n\snpn b^b tJ^xS .njnb ^13^ 'd Dnnn n^'pb) pmb ib^ nai: ^I'Din^ nnnN niyi nxr .n"3^i I'Y 1TQ1N p"p HD '\:'nbnp ••ntin^ i'y 3"a ysin nom niD .hjidx mpD inn i"in3 ppnni ■'^Dpin ic'n .v^n "'D'' sj-id in-in DipD nNna' pnnn^ "n ^xi^^ '^-l inn .nT,n ^nDi^^ JD'TllS*! yn"lS ns: ^:a^ 3": HK'y nsD pini Sn: did -im :nsn n^pn D"n"a uk'V 'n^'< HK'i^tr tr'-n^nh .d^jdp^ td^^i ni:!?^ n'Tn ^Di s"sD nx^^fit:^ p^f^X n":j mx b ^sa xipJi .x"y 93 fjT , na nSnXIS nnro nDD"iiD?:n nn^njn naipn nc'xn nct:'^ nx QD-iiaon T3jn pvpn nJD^x ^'^r XSII n''':'i:i n'-i"nD m3r:n I'^'upr: ^^nnn x^n "n nxT n:rx nriNnc* nuy .y'vr nX^^StJ^ pX^X n"in3 no-'ja ^^D n3 niDD .TK'yon npi!»i noma no^cn nn\i .t'd^ b RABBI DAVID TEVELE SCHIFF 9I tion. He had great influence in official circles, and exercised it with great success on various occasions in the interest of his fellow Jews in and outside Germany. The principal Shtadlan in London was R. Leb Pressburg, son-in-law of n^'yrk:' nnu ^di^'i 'pdv ^d bv nin'pa n'3'y n^^n '^^^ n^nn mpy n^?;n pn in""iyn "jijyn ni:;'a '^ry n:nj n^i "n nsn^ni nnu'^n ^^n ncna nsa nn^n ':*^:y /D ^y ny nnn n'':rn^ nn-'a n'o^^n n-'sis 'NTa "n nN mny .n-rn nci^^ 121221 '-^vdn^ nnk" nn^i ':y^ iTn nxr ^32 .rn^'j'yi nhnj n•L^•x nn^nc ^ixi n^sn it z^nc' mnyn niD'Ti: d: .N3T nx pvj'n^ D'::nn3 bi-cnn^ nDn:i -itj*3 n^ nb nnnsjD |n*N nbpi nnDi d'L"P 'mD'3i n'yn ''•N^na D'r^ nt:D n^nN b'c D'2VJ linn nsSi dj .njipi? n-j's^ n-iDr;i hidd naioh pa D^iDD ID n:"it:cD p^n^ nnnvi ^"vr D^m:cn dv'"'^''1 ^^V^ 't^'^ D'P"ii^'ci D^aio Dnan nn^ myi "nD"s P"pT ''':y pai nsn "^^jy p"j^ D-iDD ^D muy .Tc-ir i:n:r 13-^01 nr nau'a .nnric': n^yini? liiiiSi '~2DN^ "n mnDi i^n^ .t:d^ pnyi n^yn n^yo nnr:*j'j n^-yn .iCN y":'■n:^' r""iv ns-^' 3y"i nntr vx :"y nnyc^ nn:o pa pnnsi "S ti'Tlp nar cvn aiu nu-a muDJ •P'si' Xyph in^siN p"p n3 cm:: y* sin "X "vn mnc^ n-apji 3"VT nx^'SC' p^'X n"in"a ni-s nSnxnS b^ '^2 nxnp: They had three sons and f)nc dauglitcr who was the wife of Isaac Spcyer's brother Lazar Michael Speycr. (See letters of R. Tevcle and his son Moses, who send greetings Wnm VflN? 'to your brother ami son in law '.) Dietz relates that Spcyer left a fortune of fl. 480,000 (about jT^o.ooo, while at that time the fortune of Meir Rothschdd was only il. 60,000 {S/a>nni/>uc/i, p. ago). Michael .Speyer olTcred hospitality to Rabbi H.iyini Joseph David Azulai, the famous cabbalist and bii)liogr.Tpher, when he wa^, '" '755' onhis mission in Frankfurt (cp. Azulais inlincrary ',2M2 73yD in one of ihe latest volumes of the Meki/.e Nirdamim .Society, of which, so far, I have only scon the proof-sheets. The reference is under date Ab 37). Kliezer, son of Michael Speycr, and Isaac Michael Spcyer's, his brother's son-in-law, died as a yoiiuj,' man on the 7th of Ijjar 53(9 17*^9) > '''"^ de;ith was attributed by Leb Welzlar in his book D'ymyn HCyO (.Frankfurt a. M., 1789., a work directed against Rabbi Nathan Adlcr, the cabbalisl, and his adherents, to the threats of Moses Horllcschau, one of Adlers followers, who had harassed Speycr with the description of terrible dreams which he purported to have had about him rp. // naiD nTti^n -inpji iudj iniD nv ny loy id^i n"3DD N*Dpn ybo^ y'l "l (cp. also Horowitz, FG., No. 3993). We can thus understand why R. J>Jathan Maas, Rosh. -Beth-Din of Frankfurt, was a bitter opponent of R. Nathan Adler the Cabbalist (A. Geiger in Hebr. Bibl., V, p. 77), Maas was a son-in-law of Michael Speyer, and thus brother-in-law of Eliezer Speyer, whose untimely death was attributed to a follower of Adler as mentioned above. His wife Jutle, daughter of Michael Speyer, died on the 6th of Tebet, 1754 (Horowitz, FG , No. 2813, and FR., vol. IV, p. 21). Sir Edgar Speyer is a descendant of this family. ^* R. Tevele mentions his engagement to Goldschmidt's daughter in a letter to his brother R. Meir in 1781 'Letter V). *** Samuel Pressburg or, as he was called, Samuel Simon was an uncle of Simon de Geldern, great-uncle of Heinrich Heine. Cp. D. Kaufmann : .Ihucnsaal, pp. 36 if. and H. Adler in JIISE. Trans., vol. V. p. 168. RABBI DAVID TEVELE SCHIFF 93 promptly enough, and by hesitation become the cause of a man's death ; sends word to the condemned man urging him to spend his time in fervent prayers to God that He may spare his Hfe. His anxiety is so great that he has no rest in daytime and no sleep at night, and he writes to his brother, R. Meir, in a postscript which is added to the letter, ' would it have been a question of a Shidduch (marriage) where I could have earned a great sum in negotiating it, I would not have done it, even if it would only have meant writing so many and long letters as I had to do in this matter.' ^^ Another letter written in the public interest is the one addressed to R. Herz of Edelsheim, whom R. Tevele gives the honouring title of Tiin f^int^, and refers to the legacy of the Baal-Shem Samuel Falk, which formed the basis of a law-suit, dealt with at length in JHSE. Transactio?is vol. VHI, Misc., by Mr. H. S. O. Henriques. Cosman Lehman, an admirer of Falk, claims that the whole of the estate belongs to him, and as most of the money was invested in French government bonds Lehman sued for an injunction in Paris that the money should not be paid put to the legatees.^" R. Tevele and the trustees of the legacy, one of whom was Aaron Goldsmith, wrote, on the advice of a certain R. Simon Boas of the Hague to Herz of lulclshcim requesting him to use his influence and obtain permission for the money to be paid over according to the *' Negotiations for marri.agcs or, as it is termed, 'Shadkanut' was nut an uncommon secondary occupation of the Rabbis in those days. R. Jacob Emdcn is proud of the fact that while Rabbi of KukIch ho lu.vcr tried to mait>tnheimcr, p. 293, Mitt, z.jud. Volksk. 1903, p. 157. 94 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON will. He was sure Hcrz would not refuse to do all he could, especially as many scholars and poor people were waiting for the money. If more convenient, R. Isaac Speyer could act as intermediary between them. The Jews of London had not altered much since the days of his predecessor R. Hirschel, and the Rabbi's duties likewise had remained the same, consisting chiefly in giving decisions in Rabbinic law. The study of Torah had not been advanced, for R. Tevele complains in nearly the same words as R. Hirschel of having no pupils to teach and no friends with whom he could study Torah : ' I have no pupil and not even any one to whom I could speak on Talmudic subjects;' ^°^ and in another letter he says, ' the Shulhan Aruch Orah Hayyim is forgotten here, and nearly also the Yoreh Deah.' ^^ Communal organization progressed in so far as a proper Beth-Din seems to have been established, one of the Dayyanim being Eleazar Lieberman, who lived in London already in R. Hirschel's time. His full name was Eliezer Lieberman Speyer of Halberstadt, for thus he signs in the document II of Tishri 28, 1772. It is the same R. Eliezer who wrote to R. Hirschel after his departure from London. ^^ Other Dayyanim were Simon b. Meshullam of Prague, Abraham Hamburger of Nancy, called Abraham Nancy, and Jacob b. Rabbi Eliezer. It is, however, quite possible that they were not paid Dayyanim, but private scholars only, whom the Rabbi invited to join him when he wanted to form a Beth-Din for the purpose of arranging a Get or Halizah ceremony. ^"^ Cp. what R. Hirschel sa3's above, part I, p. 22, and Letter IV of App. V. *' Letter V of Ajtp. V. ^'^ Zevi, Lac, p. 71 ; cp. above, p. 31. RABBI DAVID TEVELE SCHIFF 95 The Rabbi's salary was ;i^200 yearly, which very nearly was reduced during the American War. In a letter written to his brother on ist Ijjar, 1780 (Letter III) he complains that since the Rabbi of the Hambro Synagogue, MeshuUam Zalman Emden, had left, he had to do all the work without getting any remuneration for it. Although, in all proba- bility, the Duke's Place people will claim some contribution from the Hambro Synagogue for his services, and as they had no intention of electing another Rabbi, may succeed in getting ;^50 yearly from them, that would not benefit him. Neither had he had any income from weddings at that Syna- gogue, as the Parnassim gave their members the choice to let cither one of their own Hazamin officiate on such occasions, or to ask R. Tevele to perform the ceremony. It was on account of this permission that he had only one wedding at the Hambro Synagogue during a whole year, and that was when the daughter of an intimate friend of his, R. Leb Tosca, married. His brother, R. Meir, had asked him for pecuniary assistance, and R. Tcvelc answers that his income was scarcely sufficient for his own needs, especially in war- time, and had he not in better times invested a little money in Government bonds which brought him a little extra income, he could not make both ends meet. In spite of that, he says, there are at every Synagogue meeting proposals to reduce his salary! And 'then you imagine London is a Kchillah ', he writes, ' far from it ! I cannot explain it all in a letter, it could only be understood if told personally.' Similar remarks are found in Letter IV, written two years later on 22 Adar, 17tr\ npin) their membership in the community to join small kehillas in the neighbourhood, and R. Tevele says: * I am sorry for the place and the graves of my ancestors that such a state of affairs should have arisen.' It is not unlikely that this refers to the persecution of R. Nathan Adler who, a year or two previously (1779), had been excommunicated, and in the year when this letter was written (17H2) left Frankfort to take up the Rabbinate in lioskowitz. R. Tcvcic remarks at the end of these references, ' However, all bad things (DITU) must pass some time or other', and he considers it his duty to see to it "** Moses Schcyer, who died i Ijjar 1775; Hor., FG., 3530. >"« Juda(?i, died 1785. Cp. Diet/, p. 176; Hor., FG., 3887. '"■' Died 1789. Dietz, p. 136. ">» Died 181a (?). Hor., /Y7 , 468a. '"■^ Died 5 Shcbat 1796. FG., 4303. "0 Jacob b. Beer Kann, died 15 Tarn. 1784. FG., 3835; Dielz, p. 164. His cousins were called LOw Beer, and iiad inisincss relations with the brothers Abr. and Simeon Boas in Ilaag ; .■jec above letter of R. Tevele, No. VII. Cp. Dielz, tbid. Io6 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON that his family's connexion with the community should be kept up for future generations, and for this reason he did not allow his membership of the community to lapse (Letter V}. On one occasion R. Meir Schiff asked his brother's help to obtain the post as Rabbi in Copenhagen (1776, Letter I). It is then that we hear who were R. Tevele's patrons at his election in London, as he approaches them to do similar service to his brother in this matter, and Aaron Goldschmidt writes to his nephew Jacob b. Mendele Kik ^^^ in Hamburg, who has reason to be thankful to his uncle, he having assisted hfm greatly in his business connexions, to recom- mend his cousin R. Meir Schiff to his friends and corre- spondents in Copenhagen. R. Tevele himself composes the letter for Goldschmidt, and sends a copy of it to his brother. He remarks among other things that the fact of his not having been Rabbi, but only Dayyan, should not be regarded as a fault. For R. Tevele himself was only Dayyan in Frankfort when elected as Rabbi to London, ' and thank God we are satisfied with our bargain '. R. Tevele also addresses a letter to R. Meir Hanover for the same purpose, in which he mentions that he helped him to obtain his present position, and was by this a means of his brother succeeding him as Dayyan in Frankfort. In London there was only one merchant who had direct correspondence with Copenhagen, writes R. Tevele, and that was a friend of the Rabbi of the Hamburger (Hambro) Synagogue, Meshullam Zalman Emden. To approach this man would be harmful to his cause, as the family of the Haham Zevi would certainly try to obtain the post for one of their own family. He had, however, approached ^^* Probably Kiik ; cp. Gruiiwald, Hant'>ur^''s deutsche Juden, p. 270. RABBI DAVID TEVELE SCHIFF I07 a certain R. Moses VVallich of London to write to his wife's stepmother, the widow of R. David Hanover, who was a native of Copenhagen, to write to her friends there. The letter bore no result, as R. Meir Schiff remained Dayyan in Frankfort till the end of his days. Before he obtained this post he was Dayyan in Vienna, where he signs the Statutes of the Hebrah-Kaddishah in 1763 (cp. Mitt. z. jiid. Volksk2(7ide, 1910, Heft 33, p. 13). R. Tevele himself tried at least twice, as far as we can ascertain, to change his position. In 1781 (Letter HI) he aspired for the Rabbinate of Rotterdam, and reproaches his brother for not doing anything for him in this matter. The Rabbi of Amsterdam had apparently put some ob- stacles in his way, and ' who can stand up against this people?' he says, pointing again to the Emden family, the Rabbi of Amsterdam being then R. Saul, brother of R. Hirschel Lcwin. The Rabbi of Halberstadt was elected but seems to have refused to go, the postal service being very irregular in those days on account of the war between Holland and England, he only received the news of this together with a letter informing him that the Rabbi of Kmden had been elected. This haste must have been intentional, says R. Tevele. Half a year later (Adar, 1782) he was anxious to become Rabbi of VVur/.burg, but the letter he wrote was lost on a boat which was sunk by enemy action, and he did not write again, but would have no objection if R. Meir could arrange it, although ' it rests with God what is good for inc and my son, for our body :ind soul'. R. Levi Fanto (cp. ny hi, p. 62), Dayyan in Prague, had bcc-n elected to Wurzburg, but did not go there. News did not travel fast in those days, and R. Tevele did not know of Io8 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON the refusal until by accident he saw the signature of this R. Levi on a letter addressed to him by the Rabbinate of Prague. He writes thereupon to a friend of his, R. Moses Rofe (in Wiirzburg?), inquiring for the reason of R. Levi's not going, whether it was that the income from that Rabbinate had diminished of late or for some other reason, as he can point out to him some one who would be open to entertain an offer if made to him, clearly referring to himself (Letter IV). R. Levi Fanto died on 23 Teb., 1782, of that, however, R. Tcvele was not aware of at the time {ibid.). Of interest is also a reference in the same letter to a Jew who had lived in England somewhere in the country among non-Jews, and gave up all his property to the man . he lived with, for an annuity. When the Rabbi Gershon Pulitz of Nikolsburg ^^^ was still alive he wrote to him asking for assistance for the man's sister-in-law (his late brother's R. Jekl's wife) and children, and R. Tevele was successful in obtaining aid from* the man whose name was David Fridland. Some time later, when his nephew Isaac, son of the said brother Jekl, came to England, the transfer of his property had already taken place, and he could not assist this nephew. Only after his death this Isaac succeeded in getting some money from the man who had the property by a compromise, but now there was no more hope of getting anything out of him. This R. Tevele writes to R. Meir Schiff in answer to an inquiry and request for help for some one of Fridland's family. We get a glimpse of the Rabbi's homely character in the orders he gives to his brother in Letter II. He did not consider it beneath his dignity to order half a dozen ' white cotton caps not striped but plain white (D2^nDB"a D''J 1" Chief Rabbi of Moravia from 1753-72. RABBI DAVID TEVELE SCHIFF I09 Q<<>)) tslK'D P"i "iny^ip nrr^x d-d) neither should they be sable caps', he adds, which was probably meant as a jest. We even find an order for half a dozen handkerchiefs, but these should not be white ' on account of the snuff-tobacco '. His wife Breinle having been dead for years (she died in 1772, see above), he had to trouble himself with these domestic trifles. The same letter (No. Ill) contains a postscript by his wife's niece Mindel, daughter of Solomon Sinzheim, who writes a very good Hebrew hand. This lady acted to all appearances as a kind of housekeeper, as R. Tevele describes her in Letter VHI, which is dated a year later (17H2), as (pjnna) : servant. In Letter XI R. Tevele mentions her already as his daughter-in-law, which letter bears the date 15 Ab, 1785, so that the marriage of Moses Schiff must have taken place between the years 1782-5. Mindel was quite a good Hebrew scholar, as will be seen from her postscript to Letter IV. The marriage was childless, and I have not been able to ascertain when Moses and Mindel Schiff died. Moses was apparently well to do ; the Great Synagogue pos- sesses a silver basin used by the Cohanim before reciting the priestly blessing, which was presented by Moses b. R. Tevele. Before his death R. Tevele asked his son to have some of his niaiiuscrii^ts published, and Moses .sent the manu.script of the book 3nt ]^Z'b to his uncle, R. Mcir, to prepare it for publication. We print in the appendix the title-page of this work written by R. Tcvclc himself, which proves that he intended this name for his book. Another manuscript containing answers to questions raised by the To.safot against the explanations of Ra.shi in Tractate B. Batra, men- tioned by R. Tevele in Letter IV, seems to have been lost. no RABRINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON R. Meir Schiff, who was Dayyan in Frankfort from 1768,^^^ and author of the work D* 1^3 iTJN Tn (Fiirth, 1798), was aheady an old man when his brother Tevele died, and not able to copy and correct the manuscript, so as to make it ready for the printer,^^* and he died on Aug. 2, 1808^^^ without having edited the work. Moses Schifif then sent the manuscript to his cousin R. Mordecai Adler, Chief Rabbi of Hanover, who was a nephew of R. Tevele (his mother, R. Beer Adler's wife, was R. Tevele's sister), but Moses himself died before the book appeared in print. After his death his widow and executors again approached Mordecai Adler to fulfil the wish of his late uncle R. Tevele, and on his advice the publication was entrusted to his sons Gabriel Adler, Chief Rabbi of Meiringen and the province of Schwarzwald, and Ber Adler of Frankfort, brothers of the late Dr. N. M. Adler, Chief Rabbi of London, and at last, in 1822, the work was printed in Offenbach under the title ' Leshon Zahab ', which means the ' Golden tongue '. It consists of two folio volumes,^^^ and contains expositions on the Pentateuch and Talmud, Responsa, and various haggadic lectures. MS. Adler 2296 has apparently been utilized for this edition, although it contains other matter, not embodied in the book. The greater part of the manu- script is taken up by a commentary on Mishna Tractate Horayot, which is identical with Leshon Zahab, pp. 14 a to 19 b, but there are also several pages relating to Mishnah Zebahim and Menahot, and several Responsa. Beloved by all who knew him, R. Tevele Schiff passed "» See Hor., FR., IV, p. 37. "♦ See preface to 17\\ \Vih . "6 Zunz, Monatsiage, erroneously gives the date July 22, 1798; Hor., FR., IV, p. 37, and Dietz, give the year 1807. See, however, MGIVJ., vol. 50, p. 607. "* Vol. I contains 32 leaves ; vol. II, 44 leaves. RABBI DAVID TEVELE SCHIFF III away on the 23rd day of Kislev, 5552 (Dec. 17, 1791), and was buried in the ground at Mile End, which is also the resting-place of his son Moses. His funeral was a testimony of the general esteem in which he was held by Ashkenazim and Sephardim alike. The Bevis Marks Synagogue was represented by the Haham, three Dayyanim and five wardens, while all the Ashkenazi synagogues sent repre- sentatives."^ His death is recorded in the Hazkarah Book of Worms, where he is praised as having been ' versed in the secrets of the Torah, which he studied all his days '."* '^■^ See Picciotto, Sketches, p. 223. '18 Hazkarah-Book of Worms has the following record of his death : !?": f-2 ei^-j' \'cb^ -n''nD m^cnn ^^nyu "in nnnic \\>^r\ 3n"n js'^ '\ni iniJDix iniin '\m mc^n n^r:no n\-i vd^ ^2^' luya nD"DO d'-ii n'ax ''m ,mait2 ni^yoi nn^o hdd n '^m nnin mnn v^ D^i^p3 n-n:r UDiro Sn i3n!?np3 d:i ny^y d^c'^c'd inv pji!? p"[>2 "inr n-i-Lry i:n: v^rivi n"DD p"p3 pn 'm dji d^j^-' Tk:'yo "ini» [. . . . V3 \\'M'b [>"[>2 D":rn -i3p:i iudj] maya npnv^. The date is missing, and it should be added : I'jpn 1vD3 3*3. See Kobez al-Jad, vol. Ill, p. 53. Tombstone inscription of Rabbi Tevele Schiff. His grave is next to that of his son Moses in the burial-ground at Mile End. .»_ ^y'Mn pN*:n (ir-ii)r3 nnS"'''ivi 1.-13.-1 *^3yo nn -ni.-iD DD-1120.-1 ^vi )*'3 ei't' |D^r n'lo "33"^ ni3rD."i p ncNH Dtn cn'sD [>''\>'^ NJ^m n^^-'o (?V3-i3) ^yi nn"in3 .iL*'yi dscd n-'vih .... y'3.T n-iy;:»n ^x (?ii3-i.-!) 'nvrSn iS-i:n: NL"D nnn ]*3-ii niici 3-1^ i:n^.ip .ns -in33 .i^nn n-i^n' nj"':n3 D'ar y3L*n nn-j'y no3-«n . . . o }nNn 'Dy^ -nc'V33 -yh^rh r\''r\ nciv (?j*yv^) n\-i D^"?1^-^1 □'3np^ . . . yvD3 Tr i^ys -i::'N3 '.i n-nn3 (?-in:n .-i:.-ii) (? 1.TD3) ? vnDC'3 'n'.-i nr:N mini 3nr \ych pn* . . n 112 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON Mr. Sigmund Sceligmann of Amsterdam, the well-known scholar and collector, was good enough to send me a copy of a leaflet in his possession, containing two elegies on the death of R. Tevele, composed by Isaac^^^* and Solomon, sons of Eleazar Keyzer of London, the one thirteen, the other ten years of age. The leaflet, measuring 26 x 24 cm., was printed by their uncle, Abraham Keyzer in Amsterdam, and bears the date, Tuesday, 24th of Kislev, 1791, while Abraham Keyzer's note, giving the ages of the boys, is dated 22 Shebat of the same year. The versatility in Hebrew of these young boys was indeed quite remarkable, and the verses well worth printing. ' David, King of Israel, has fallen ', exclaims Isaac, who appears to have been the elder, * his flock will not be guarded any more by his love and piety, their shepherd is dead who has loved them as a father loves his son. Woe to thee, O London ! where is to be found a man, a scholar like the one thou hast lost ? What was thy sin, that thy punishment is so great ? ' Such words from the pen of a boy of thirteen show at least that the Rabbi was held in high esteem, and was beloved by his community. "iTy"" Dn n^Ki s"!?! nycn2 mo n^'^ \b) p2i:* . . . (? D"'N:n) no-'i'jn vcyo ^y v^D3 :"3 '2 Dvn) nnn ("ij)jnx .... (D^^n 118a The leaflets are reprinted and translated in App. VIII. Isaac Keyzer had a son called Eleazar, who in later years married a daughter of the Parnass Jacob Norden. Rabbi Solomon Hirschel sends him as wedding present a copy of the book PN^S pJQ by his uncle R. Saul of Amsterdam. The inscription on the cover of the book is printed in golden lettering, and reads: nUDH ]2 '"^ "^vb n'3 pvpil Jfinn^ nt^m JIH i'^-^ pniij npy^ nn"nD d"is |nm ^'r -\V'P pVN n'j d"id. The book is in the lieth-Hamidrash library in London. 113 III Rabbi Solomon Hirschel. Born in London on the 19th of Shebat, 5522 (1761) as the youngest son of R. Zevi Hirschel Lewin and his wife Golde, he was not quite three years old when his father left London for Halberstadt, in the spring of 1764. He was only eleven years old when his father entered into office in Berlin in 177a, and there it was that the most important years of his early training were spent. The Berlin community was then on a not much higher standard of culture and modern education than most of the Polish congregations of our days. Mendelssohn and his circle met with opposition even in Berlin, and although R. Zevi Hirsch had recommended Mendelssohn's German Bible translation, he did not give his son Solomon a very extensive schooling in other matters than Rabbinics. It is quite certain that R. Solomon never possessed the title of Doctor from any University, although he was generally styled as such in the later period of his life, and often uses the title himself in his letters (see later). He became a recognized Rabbinical scholar and, like his father and his brother Saul, a master of Hebrew style. He married at the age of seventeen Rebecca Koenigsberg, and later became Rabbi of Preiizlau in Prussia. The Rabbinate of the Great Synagogue was vacant after the death of Rabbi Tevele Schiff for a number of years. There is no reliable record of the exact date of R. Solomon Ilirschel's election. While Mr. Picciotto mentions 1S03,"* "'' Skdchfi, p. 307. D. 1 114 RARRINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON Solomon Bennett^"" gives 1802 as the year of his election. In 1805 was published a sermon held ' on the day appointed for a general Thanksgiving for the success of the Fleet off Trafalgar ', arranged and rendered into English by Joshua Van Oven,^^^ and this was, as is stated there, ' soon after R. Solomon's accession to office '}'^^ All these dates seem, however, incorrect according to the tombstone inscription of R. Saul, brother of R. Solomon. He is described as 'son of Rabbi Zevi Hirsch Tii, Rabbi of Berlin, formerly Rabbi of our congregation, and brother of our Rabbi Solomon'. As R. Zevi Hirsch died in 1800, and was still alive when the tombstone was set, as indicated by the letters 1""I3 (= may his light continue to shine), R. Solomon Hirschel must have come to London prior to 1800 (cp. 7QR., N.S., vol. IX, p. 408). One of his qualifications which made him particularly recommendable for the post was the fact of his having been born in London. The Rabbinical duties at the Great Synagogue were in the interval discharged by the Rabbi of the New Synagogue, Moses Myers (died 1804); nevertheless, there seem to have been continual differences between the three Ashkenazi Synagogues, and not the least reason for these frictions was the practice ^of enticing members of one Synagogue to another. In 1804 an amalgamation of the three Synagogues, as far as finances were concerned, was contemplated by L. de Symons, but without success. The only result, achieved through the influence of the new '*" See The Present reign of the Synagogue of Duke's Place Displayed, d-'C, by Solomon Bennett. London, printed for and published by the author, No. 475 Strand. 1818, p. 66. ^** See Voice of Jacob, II, p. 68. '^* In 1805 R. Solomon gives an approbation to the first edition of Wolf Heidenheim's Mahzor. See vol. IX (Shabuot), Rcdelheim 1805. RABBI SOLOMON HIRSCHEL II5 Rabbi, was an arrangement as to the contributions of the Synagogues towards the relief and burials of the poor. These treaties were renewed every five years, until in 1838 a somewhat closer union of the three Ashkenazi congrega- tions was brought about through the endeavours of Mr. N. M. Rothschild. The convention then signed did not constitute them into a United Synagogue, as each congregation retained its independence. The agreement chiefly referred to a concert of action in charitable matters, and was, in a way, the forerunner of the Board of Guardians. Under Rabbi Solomon's guidance the community grew from day to day, and the Duke's Place Synagogue was rightly called the Great Synagogue, its development being the most marked. He is reported to have been very tolerant towards the failings of others during the early days of his activity in London. He did not repulse those who transgressed the Law, but tried to influence them by kind words and often by a little pleasantry. The story is told of a prizefighter who became a religious man through one kindly act of the Rabbi. On Sabbath R. Solomon wore a long white silk robe, and was once, clad like this, on his way to Synagogue attacked by a few hooligans. The Jewish prizefighter saw this and dispersed the crowd. Thereupon the Rabbi took his rescuer's arm and walked with him to Synagogue. On being approached for having in this way shown appreciation of one who pubh'cly trans- gressed the Law, he answered : ' The path of repentance is open to all '. It is rc[)()it(_d thai from tiiat day the prizefighter became an observant Jew. Yet another taie of a different tendency has rcmaintd in circulation, showing that, where the observance of tlic Law and orthodox customs were conccrnrd. ]\at)})i Solomon knew no com- I 2 Il6 RARBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON promise. Asher Goldschmid, one of the principal members of Duke's Place, once wore his boots instead of slippers, as is customary, when called up to the Law on Atonement Day. The Rabbi ordered him to descend from the reading desk. It was Goldschmid's custom to send the Rabbi a present of fish for every Succot. On the eve of that festival following this Yom-Kippur the Rabbi told his wife to buy fish, as he did not think Goldschmid would send any. The fish, however, arrived, and with it an ornamental box containing a doctor's certificate which stated that it would have been injurious to Goldschmid's health had he worn slippers on Yom-Kippur.^^^ Especially strict was R. Solomon as regards the religious conduct of the Shohetim. MS. Adier 2261 gives the names of those authorized by the Rabbi during the years 1822-42, and contains even some who were authorized by his suc- cessor. Dr. N. M. Adler, the latest date being Ab, 1845. Every Shohet had to give the following undertaking : * I herewith undertake by giving my hand to the Rabbi, that I shall not slaughter (any animal) where there is another Shohet authorized by the Rev. Rabbi of London ; even for my own use I shall not do so. At any time, should the Rabbi forbid me, if only by word of mouth even, to slaughter, I shall obey him at any place I may be. I further promise not to shave my beard and not to drink wine that is not specially prepared for the use of Jews.' Some of the names mentioned in the manuscript are of interest. Jonas Levy from Exeter receives authority to act as Shohet for Philipp Symonds in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America (No. 5). In 1788 Mr. Abrahams of Van Demons (Diemen's) Land shakes hands on his appointment 123 p>«^Y^ ^2'^, p. 177, note 21. RABBI SOLOMON HIRSCHEL II7 (No. 49), while on Jan. 5, 5589 (1829) Arjeh b. Jacob Hazan in Jamaica (he writes 'Jamicar') signs the pledge. The list of places in England where a Shohet was employed is especially interesting, and we give therefore in the Appendix the whole list of the 152 Shohetim mentioned in the MS., together with the date of their authorization and the place of activity. Some of them could not write Hebrew, and the undertaking is written in English ; others could not even sign their name otherwise than in English. The place of origin of these Shohetim was in most cases Poland and Russia, but also Germany is fairly often repre- sented, e.g. Moses b. Leb Deutz of Frankfurt called himself Moses Levy, and was Shohet in Dover (No. 25) ; Michael Zalman b.S.Pollak of Schoenlanke was in Plymouth (No. 10), and Moses b. Hirsch Lissenheim (No. 109) signs ' from Schoenlanke '. Michael Elijah b. R. A. hails from Rawitsch (Nos. 15 and 72), while Simon b. Jacob came from Wrcschcn in Posen (No. y^), as well as Shelomo Zalman b. Rabbi Eleazar Schottlaender, whose father had been Dayyan there (No. 97). Breslau (No. 100), Nlirnbcrg (Nos. 105 and 137), Posen (No. 128) are all represented, but wc find names even from Hungary (No. 50), Galicia and Holland (Ncumcgen, No. 12). In one case R. Solomon adds to the usual undertaking that the Shohet in question (Isaac Jacob b. A. Cohen) promises not to officiate in (Jxford, which pcjints to the probability that there was already some one else authorized for that place, and we must at least infer from it that several Jews were domiciled then in the famous University town, while to-day only two or three Jewish families arc permanent residents there, and they do not require the services of a Shohet.'^^" '■"• MS. Adicr, 2257, p. 25, mentions: Mr. Wulf Haiiis, resident in Oxford in 1839. Il8 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON Bidefield could also boast of such an official, and I was unable to ascertain whether any Jews are to be found there at the present time. Cheltenham, Norwich, Bedford, Chichester, Canterbury, Scarborough, Greenwich, are like- wise worth mentioning. In 1 845 Sir Isaac Lyon Goldschmid engages Edward Himes (Hyams?) as special Shohet for himself (No. 144) ; that, however, occurred after the election of Dr. N. M. Adler. During the vacancy the pledge was given to the Beth Din. The Beth Din in R. Solomon Hirschell's time consisted of two Dayyanim and a Sofer (scribe). MS. Adler 2257 contains the short minutes of the Beth Din from the years 1833 (5 Tishri, 5594) until 1855.'^* The first case recorded is a divorce, given in the county of Guilford [uilSD^^a mDon yDJ'ip] ^^^ by Isaac b. David to his wife Hannah daughter of Alexander, and the officiating Rabbis were R. Solomon Hirschell, R. Zeev Wolf (who soon afterwards died, as he is styled b"l Fi^Nii 2xr n''iD), and one R. Solomon (no^E' '-| "nni). In the second case the Dayyanim were R. Zeev Wolf, who is now called Gallin [^'r I'bba: fi^Nii asr m*o (or f^^^NJ?)] and R. Hanoch Zundel of Jerusalem, while in the cases Nos. 3 and 4 (Tebet, 1838) the Dayyanim were R. Azriel b. David Levi and the said R. Hanoch Zundel ^^® (p. i a). ^^* The manuscript is a quarto volume of sixty-five leaves— fol. 9 is missing — and represents apparently the notes of the Sofer (and afterwards, Dayyan) R. Aaron Lissa. The signatures of neither R. Solomon Hirschell nor Dr. N. M. Adler are to be found there, but generally the Da3'yanim signed the book. 125 Page 5 b is mentioned a divorce, given at ' King's Bench near London' . . . pnjli? NHC^ "JIDOn C'JVD D^p mDi:3, and a note added : mor:a i"i'pn n:\^'2 ^:V2 nvpa a": "^^c nns* djd xnoi^a 3n3 pi pnnn pnjii? nhd^ iicdh tr:y2 djjv- i2« R. Hanoh's signature on p. 3a is: m"D aina ^1311 "jl^n DIN^ RABBI SOLOMON HIRSCHEL II9 In case 5^^'' Judah Leb b. Aaron Moses figures as one of the assessors, but his name does not occur again, and instead of him R. Arjeh Leb b. Rabbi Issachar Ber of Krotoschin officiated as Dayyan.^^^ He occupied the position from 1H33 and his signature as well as that of R. Azriel b. David Levi (who always signs first and appears therefore to have been the senior Dayyan), and of R. Aaron Lisser appear throughout the whole MS. R. Aaron acted generally as secretary except in the years 1841 (p. 31 a) to 1845 (p. 39 a), when R. Eliezer b. Uri Lisser was Sofer. The minutes in MS. Adler 2257 refer mostly to divorce cases, of which about 13 to 15 took place every year. There are many instances of conversions to Judaism, mostly of women who were about to marry Jews, and others who lived with Jews and had children from them, in which cases the children were likewise converted. The English law did not permit conversion to Judaism. The 'Act for the more effectual suppressing of Blasphemy and Profane- ness ' of 1698 provides: that if any person 'having made profession of the Christian religion within this realm shall by writing printing teaching or advised speaking, deny any of the Persons of the Holy Trinity to be God shall from henceforth be disabled to sue in any court of law or equity or to be guardian of any child, or executor or >" Son of Mr. Samuel Alia St. nn 0"n 13*:D^ ^3D3 N' '2'V :n2D D'n lyjD^ bip nxiv ny cn^a niy3i ^ntj"' bnp2 xn^ ^iNn Nin ^"r *iSn nn ni"o n):^n2 ^xnty dix: ^ncnpn i:min mi |n b^ HD'bD n"3 ]'^r\ii P'n 'iNJ ^'VT ^^^•D pnN n"D2 yb nth^ din*:. "" His signature is: 1]}2 -\2^:^>'* iTlD 3nn3 2^b KIVT 'nx '1XJ P'J'XCXIpD. His father, R. Issacliar Beer, it seems, died about 1838 ; his son puts y'VT for the fir.st lime on .) Ilestvan 5599 after his name (p. 34 l>^. I20 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON administrator of any person, or capable of any legacy or deed or gift and shall also suffer imprisonment for the space of three years without bail or mainprize from the time of such conviction ' (H. S. Q. Henriquez : Jews and the English Law, London, 1908, pp. 13-14), This Act enabling criminal prosecution against Jews who obtain proselytes from Christianity, though never acted upon, still remains in the Statute-Book as part of the Law of England {ib. p. 18). During the Rabbi's tenure of office a non-Jew who desired to convert to Judaism had to go to Holland or other places on the Continent to undergo the ceremony.the London Beth Din only confirmed ^^^ the act by the repetition of Tebila (n7''nD) or in cases where the authority of the continental Beth Din was not sufficiently proved (New York, p. 57 b}.'^" The majority of these people went to Rotterdam, some to the Hague and Amsterdam, others to Elburg, but a case from Paris is also recorded. This refers to a lady called Sarah, who was engaged ' to one of the Rothschilds ' in 1840, and the minute book states 'she was obliged to come to London from Dublin to undergo again the ceremony of the ritual bath (p. 29 a).^^^ Conversions which took place in Holland are recorded even on the last page of the MS. of the year 1855; a Dr. Samuel, who is often mentioned, acted as Mohel in cases of conversion of men. The MS. is full of other important information relating "9 Page 3 b (19 Tebet 1833) : nvn^ DTID^ON ^"\>h '^'h D'^DH . . . m5< u\v 1^^:^ riNTH njnoa ni::^"i pxc nono dc' ^id^j. '" m^jrij "y:;^ rr\-^ nni^jn v"nn irj2n ni?3D: n"3 'n or :fVD none"! Rothschilds D'N'ipjn D"'nNn p nnx^ myvD nmi mxD p"3 N\T nnyoi n'^jc' oys h\ixh p^nxi "po t\':t\ nu^ .niDivin didjh nya .... \r\yCi pn ^XTki-'^i? ^■^'xh nnniD (follow the signatures of R, Azricl b. David, R. Aaron Lisstr, R. Arjeh Jchuda Leb Krotoschin). RABBI SOLOMON HIRSCHEL 121 to the contemporary status of the London Jews, and it would be a laudable undertaking to have it printed in extenso. To mention only a few items. The names of the Jews are already then nearly all anglicized, Levy, Benjamin, Nathan, Cohen, Lazarus, Harris, Samuel, are very frequent, but we meet also names like Baker, Moseley (p. 19 b), Butcher (p. 20 b), Lyons {ibid.), Marks, Lewis (p. 21 b), Jones (pp. 33 and 40 b), and even Picard ^^^ (p. 43 b). ]\Ir. Levy of Eagle Court, Strand, calls his daughters Minky, Polly, Betsey, and Fiby (1840, p. 27 b). The places of residence are likewise of interest. A certain Hindele, daughter of Jacob, lives in her father's house No. 87 Piccadilly (1835, p. 10 b), while Mrs. Bcr Reeves, whose husband divorced her on the 3rd of Sivan, 1837, lived at 'J,^ Great Marlborough Street, which house was the property of a Mr. Rolfe. Most of the Jewish addresses were, however, in the East End and City, some of them are given with special accuracy : * 13 Mount Terrace, White- chapel, opposite Pavilion' was the dwelling of Haim b. Isaac in Gnesen, who had become ' Henry Marks of London', and married secretly the girl Leah, daughter of Lsaac Alexander in 1838 (p. 21 b). Of special interest is the record (in^r^) of the erection, in 1838, of twelve new, fine houses called ' New Buildings ' in Devonshire Street, Bethnal Green, built by A. L. Moses, Esq., for twelve honourable men and their families, 'houses the like of which never were built before'. Moses also erected there a Synagogue, which should be open for prayers day and night, and appointed a scholar who should ' learn ' there Torah every evening before the evening prayer (n^3"iy n7Dn mip). >« Notable is llic following entry, p. 1 1 h, N3 U '2 '3'V "I^D2 li'pn •Jew U.y' ^3 'D3 Sip: 'm TJ'« ^'I ejOV n3 ^D'J nC'NH >»'"n3 'J£^. 122 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON R. Solomon was asked to make an Erub (nnvn ""aiTy) for the inhabitants of that courtyard to enable them to carry from one house to the other on Sabbath days, for which purpose the Rabbi appeared and addressed the new residents with words ' entering the hearts ', impressing upon them the importance and the holiness of the Sabbath day, and made them promise not to carry outside that court (p. 23). The ceremony took place on the 6th of Tammuz, 1838. At other times cases of less pleasant character called for the attention of the Beth Din. Mention is made of people who are transported to Sidney for a number of years, and the wife commits adultery in the meantime. Cases of the marriage trick (see above, p. 467) are recorded several times. Civil cases, which as a rule form the greatest part of a continental Beth Din's activity, were hardly brought before the London Rabbinate, unless it be that they were recorded in another book, against which speaks the fact that one or two are recorded. On p. 29 b we find the claim of Zeev Wolf Raphael (i'ssyn) of Cologne (r^yp x^'V^) against Meir, the Reader of the New Synagogue, for the return of a bag of money containing £'K1S- Raphael had given him a sack in which were two bags, but only one was found on reopening the sack. The Beth Din decides that although there is not a shadow of doubt upon the honesty of the Hazan Meir, he was, as guardian of the money handed to him, responsible for the loss, and would have to pay the whole money claimed if Raphael confirms by oath that the sack contained the amount. In order to free Raphael from the oath the parties agree that R. Meir should pay him ^315 by monthly instalments of ;^5 each (27 Tammuz, 1840, p. 29 b). RABBI SOLOMON HIRSCHEL I23 Of the further contents of the MS. are to be mentioned a copy of a Responsum of R. Akiba Eger, Rabbi of Posen, in matters of a Get. The letter was received by R. Solomon on Friday, 3 Kislev, 1835, and he is addressed as ]^'^:^b na"s '": nr^bii' n"io ddiid?:.! "Tin^Nn pKjn '•n^nn nnj^ (p. 7 b). A Responsum by R. Solomon in answer to a question addressed to him by Jacob (of?) Sunderland, referring to a mistake found in a scroll of Law is found on p. 22 b, while on p. 35 a is a document of testimony from Manchester signed on 17 Heshvan, 1843, by Simon b. Reuben, Parnas of the congregation, Abraham b. Jacob Benjamin Zeev Franklin, warden of the Hebra Kadisha ; Eliezer b. Abraham Judah, and Israel Joseph, son of the Rabbi Aaron Mirels, Shohet and Reader of the Manchester community. The testimonial referred to the conversion in Rotterdam of a lady, who, accompanied by Isaac, son of the warden Abraham Franklin, i.e. Dr. I. Franklin, went to Rotterdam and brought the document of the Beth Din from there to Manchester. R. Solomon was, as is apparent from the foregoing, conscientiously and strictly religious, and was recogni/xd as an authority in Rabbinic Law. The community appre- ciated their Rabbi, and held him in high esteem to the end of his days. We hear in 1841 that ' iit a banquet held at Birmingham the health of the Chief Rabbi was drunk, everybody rising in respect *. This was no more than he deserved. His whole life was devoted to the care of his congregants. Even their private interests were furthered by him where and whenever he could he of lu-li) to tlum. We have, fortunately, in MS. Adler 4 1 '')0 a number of letters preserved which give us an account of the last 124 RABRINATF. OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON fourteen years of his life and activity. This MS. contains copies of letters of R. Solomon in Hebrew and English, dealing with family affairs and official correspondence. The MS. consists of 269 folios in large 4to, of which fols, 39-95, 98 a, 100 a, 160 b, 165 b, 187 a, 189 a, are entirely blank, while others are only half filled. The English letters cover most of the written pages. The dates extend from 5586 (1826) till 5600 (1840). He signs mostly ' S. Hiyschcir , not Herschell, and the address of his resi- dence is given as '5 Bury Court'. The MS. represents a wealth of material not only for Anglo-Jewish history, but also for the History of the Jews in America, always closely related to the same, and to the Jews of Poland and Russia. His correspondence with Poland was so large that he had to petition the Government in respect of letters sent to him without the postage having been paid by the sender. This document is written on Nov. 18, 5588 (1727), and is addressed to ' Francis Freely, Esq. ' (MS. Adier 4160, p. 163 b), and a few passages of the same may be quoted : ' ... In the first place I beg leave to acquaint the Honourable Board that having passed the early part of my life in study of several of the Jewish Colleges in Poland, as well as having officiated for a time as Chief Rabbi in that country, I became generally known throughout the several congre- gations therein, and having since been called to that office in (p. 163 a) this great and important metropolis, it is a natural consequence that all those who have no com- mercial or natural connexions in London fly to apply to me as a resort to assist their various wants or inquiries, besides, as the principle organ of Religious or Statistical regulations, a considerable correspondence is necessarily imposed on me with respect to marriages, divorces, &c., &c., RABBI SOLOMON HIRSCHEL I25 those combined causes join to overwhelm me with letters which in no way concern me, and induce an expense far beyond my means to supply, and from my unwillingness to return letters which appear to have the most distant probability of being important to poor persons although unknown, I am in possession of a considerable number for which I have paid the postage, but which I neither know whom to deliver or expect to be repaid. Great as this evil may be, I should (be) content to sacrifice all that I can for the benefit of the many wretchedly poor persons who are concerned, but the additional expense of the register renders this impossible, and on this point I request more minutely to enter into explanation in order to account for the number that arrive under this increased expense. It is greatly to be lamented that the Post Office regulations, and certainly a great number of delivery of letters sent by that conveyance are in great number of foreign states far inferior to that of this country('s) great commercial emporium, but most particularly is it to be deplored throughout Poland and perhaps Russia and no- where so much in respect the communications for the smaller towns and villages therein, seldom does a letter from a private individual, unless a regular commercial established house, arrive at its destination whether the money received for postage is unaccounted for and the letter destroyed I will not venture to assert, but certain it is that if any person wishes to insure its transit it has imiformly been found expedient to register the same as then the office receipt is brought back to the sender, this part will account for the number of letters arriving with such a guarantee in this Country even from poor i)eoplc to whom such letter is of vital importance, so strong indeed 126 RAIBBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON is this truth that I have very frequently lost many impor- tant letters sent from my own family whom I have for- bidden to register (such warnings are found in many of the Hebrew and Yiddish letters of this MS., e.g. pp. lob and 23 b), and very often receive letters from the cir- cumatious (?) sorrow on that account. The forbidding the parties to register is impossible as few come from the same source, the number arriving are in great part from new and strange correspondents. The evil of which I complain and hope for some arrangement to be made by the Honourable Board for my relief comprehending the levity to be wished for in behalf of the poor distressed correspondence is : the charge made by the London Office for Registry, which infinitely sur- passes the postage. I am quite alive to the possible opening this may form for fraud, but the cases that come under my observation are in no way connected with mer- cantile or commercial concerns. The subjects generally consist of enquiries from wives after husbands, children after parents, subjects alas lately becoming too frequent in consequence of some severe Russian Decrees against our devoted nation, or professional letters respecting divorces, &c., &c. I am aware that in many instances where I have sent the parties them.selves to claim their letters that the Registry fee has generally been remitted, but I wish it to be understood that I have never purposely sent them with an expectation that such would be necessary consquence. The Office must be best judge of its own actions. Where a particular request from me should be presented, stating the inability of the party to pay . . .' What better proof is required for the saintly nature, kind heart, and at the same time for the honest, business- like manner of our Rabbi than this his own letter, which, RABBI SOLOMON HIRSCHEL I27 I believe, was written by his own hand, although most of the EngHsh letters were written by others according to his instructions, as he himself says in one of these letters. That the Post Office authorities handed out letters from abroad to poor people without making them pay the postage, was obviously done out ©f regard for R. Solomon Hirschel, and proves that he had influence even in non-Jewish quarters. Of this we have also other indications in this MS. The Duke of Sussex was a great friend of the Jews ; reports were current that he knew Hebrew which he had studied under the Rev, Solomon Lyon of Cambridge, and that ' he read daily portions of the Bible in the grand old language in which it was originally written ', says Mr. Picciotto {Sketches, p. 286). Rabbi Solomon seems to have been well acquainted with him, as we see from a letter which he sent to the Duke in 1840 after a dinner at the house of one of the Goldsmids. The letter reads (MS. Adler 4160, p. ic6 a, middle) : 'May it please Your Royal Highness: I respectfully crave Your Royal Highness permission to offer my humblest apologies for having withdrawn from Mr. Goldsmids without offering my humble duty to Your Royal Highness: but as I felt very unwell and did not wish to derange the party, I left the house without bidding farewell to any one. That it may please the great and merciful Lord of all long to preserve and prosper Your Royal Highness, the friend of Israel, the zealous patron of justice humanity and liberality is the sincere wish of Your Royiil Highness faithfully and obedient . . . ."J Bury Court City 24 June 5600 am. To His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex.' 128 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON We have also other correspondence with non-Jews. At the time of the blood-libel in Damascus (1840), when Sir Moses Montefiore and M. Cremieux played such a splendid role in vindicating their brethren in the East and the Jews in general, R. Solomon Hirschel apparently declared publicly on oath that Jews never use nor have ever used human blood in connexion with any of their ceremonies. The MS. contains a ' copy of a letter ad- dressed to Dr. Hirschel ' by a Mr. John Joseph Stockdale of Gloster Gate, Regents Park, dated July 4, 1840, wherein the writer reminds the Rabbi that his oath, ' pure in its intention and spirit as I am satisfied it is, may not go farther than you contemplate. According to our Chronolo- gists in the year of the world 2106 — or when the L — d G — d Omnipotent constituted Abram and his seed by Isaac, G — d's peculiar people, he appointed circumcision as the seal of such covenant. Should no blood be shed in your rite of circumcision your oath is, I admit literally correct ; but if circumcision induce blood, I submit it to your consideration.' Although the writer adds : ' Permit me to add, I could not for an instant implicate the sacred purity and propriety of what you meant to swear, " no use of human blood in any human rite ", I believe your object to be truth, charity, and humanity, pursued with zeal, which I wish were universal. Pardon me, who I am an unworthy Christian, but not less an admirer of G — d's peculiar people, of whom your ancestors and Self for more than ten generations have been chief spiritual guides . . . pardon me I repeat the bold, but not unholy intrusion ' (pp. 104-5). We find no answer of the Rabbi recorded. The writer's bad faith was apparent, for, if he knew anything about Judaism and Jewish rites, he must have known that even RABBI SOLOMON IIIRSCHEL I29 at the ceremony of circumcision, the blood itself is not used, but is washed off and dried up in the ordinary surgical way. The Rabbi therefore probably thought it best not to answer, for he did not believe in polemics with people of other faiths. Such polemics could only bring about conflicts between the adherents of different religions. The Rabbi says so plainly in a letter to Rev. T. Smith (p. 135 b), which reads: 'Dr. Hirschell's compts to the Rev. Mr. T. Smith, assures him that his occupations have been too multifarious to allow him to peruse the sermon sent, and having long made up his mind not to enter into Polemical Correspondence on religious subjects seeing that each Party remain of the same opinion still, and that they only produce and augment a bitterness of spirit, he must decline replying to the questions proposed on the verses of Daniel, which have so long been subjects of dispute and of acknowledged mystery. Neither can he consider the tone of the second note enticing, nor the threat of publication imperious enough to induce him to alter his resolution of avoiding all conflict between religionists. 5 liury Court Nov. 25,th 5591 {1^31).' The Rev. T. Smith was probably in league with the ' London Society ' for Promoting Christianity among Jews, founded in 1S08, which at the time this letter was written, unfolded a feverish activity among the Jews, and not always without success. The Rabbi, although he did not enter into public discussions, did his best through activity among his own congregants, to frustrate the iiiissidn.uics' efforts. Among the leaves of the MS. (between pp. 105-6) I found a loose letter addres.scd to a Mrs. Magncs, asking her to hclj) her sfjn-in-law in bringing up his children in D. K 130 RABBINATF. OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON the faith of their Fathers. ' I feel extremely sorry to state to you this most unpleasant affair of your Daughter, which I suppose you are already acquainted with, who after receiving so frequently your kind assistance in perhaps more than is in your power, has thrown herself away with her 2 children. But what is past can not be recalled. Yet as the children have been so fortunate that their Father arrived from America and in the midst of great sorrow and calamity has tried to rescue the innocent children and has taken them out of the hands of everlasting ruin, I feel it my duty knowing you for so many years always acting up to our religion in the strictest manner, and nevef withheld your assistance to the poor, where is there greater ^nd important Charity than to save innocent children from the hands of D^IJ much more your own dear grandchildren which are considered as your own children, that you will do what lies in your power to assist their Father to keep them.' Equally important is another letter addressed to a member of his congregation warning him not to attend meetings of supporters of the London Society (p. 146 b). The letter was written on Feb. 22, 1827, but no name is mentioned. ' Sir, Allow me from the nature of my Office as well as from my conscientious feeling to call youf attention to the necessity of not only duly practising the duties of our holy religion but also of avoiding in places where contrary doctrines are held forth as it appears you have done by attending at a Meeting held by the supporters of the London Society, where much was spoken by one who has abrogated the Jewish religion for reason best known to himself. The presence of any Jew at such a meeting is not only improper in itself, but gives an apparent sanction or approbation to it and, however un- RABBI SOLOMON HIRSCHEL I3I founded, encourages a false hope in the practice that their preaching has effect. Let me therefore caution you not to appear at any of such meetings lest it should appear as if you encouraged the system when you merely went from curiosity: (Prov.c.i.v. 15) DDTDiD ib:'^ y:D ons* i"n3 "i^^ri ba ""33 and let me direct your attention to the fifth chapter of Proverbs which alludes particularly to the doctrines of such a society. Nor let any personal figure (feeling ?) against any member of your congregation induce you to act so un- wisely merely in opposition to them np^ e|Dn Dan v^^ {ibid. c. i. V. 5}. I hope you will take this in good part and believe it is transmitted to you in good faith and with the best wishes of your welfare by your sincere friend.' Other letters referring to missionaries are on pp. 201, 203, 235 a, 256, 259 b, 260. On one occasion he requests a provincial congregation to give every facility of returning to the Jewish fold to a man who seems to have repented his conversion to Christianity. If he publicly atones and in the Synagogue declares that he again wishes to adhere to the Jewish faith and to the tenets of Jewish Religion he should be received in a friendly manner and supported in his efforts to again become a true and faithful member of the Jewish community. A 'Society for the prevention of Juvenile corruption' called itself likewise the ' London Society', and R. Hirschel writes with reference to this (p. 201): ' I need not add that your Society has my best wishes and that any assistance in my power will be readily afforded. I would recommend that your circular be sent to each of the Synagogues in the Metropolis, a list (jf whitli I add. I iiiiist however beg K 2 132 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON leave to observe that the designation "London Society" which you have adopted is rather fclicitious (unfortunate ?) as you expose your laudable association to be compounded with, and mistaken for another " London Society " for promoting Christianity among the Jews, for the confusion of ideas resulting from this similarity of designation may tempt many to identify you with the other London Society which certainly does not number many friends among us.' A missionary Mr. Wolff, by all appearances an apostate Jew, receives the following letter in answer to a request for an interview : (p. 144a) 'Copy of an answer to Joseph Wolff, a mis- sionary for Palestine. ' Dr. Hirschel acknowledges the receipt of Mr. Wolff's letter, but feels it is inconsistent with his official situation as it is incongrous (su: !) with his personal feelings that he should admit Mr. Wolff to be capable of reporting any conversation between them on his return to Palestine. ' Dr. H. has however no objection to receive any obser- vation Mr. W. may think for to communicate to him in writing.' The position of the Jews in the East, and especially in Palestine, was a very precarious one at the beginning of last century. Cries for help from their starving brethren in the Holy Land reached the ears and hearts of the Jews all over the world. A society called Pckidim and Amar- kulim of the Jewish Congregations of the Holy Land was formed in Amsterdam under the presidency of R. Zevi Hirsch Lehren (i 784-1 853), and his brother Akiba Lehren ( 1 795-1 876), and a similar society was formed in London in 1827 (cp. y.E., vol. VII, pp. 668-9). The appeal was made by the Rabbi at a meeting of the Shehita Committee quite spontaneously, and the Parnassim of the Synagogue RABBI SOLOMON HIRSCHEL 133 at St. Albans Place were offended that they had not been approached to become members of the committee set up for the purpose. R. Solomon Hirschel sends them a letter of explanation on June 12, 5597, and asks them for help ' in behalf of those unfortunate sufferers '. The Committee consisted of J. Guedalla, Sir Moses Montefiore, and H. Bensusan. Similar societies under the name ' Hebrat Terumat Hakodesh ' were formed also in America. In New York ' Geo. A. Furst, Esq.' was Secretary to that Society, and the London Committee informs him in June, 1^36, that they had resigned their offices, asking him to instruct the ' Rev. Dr. Hirschell as to the way in which it is your pleasure he should dispose of the moneys you have remitted to him' (p. 187b; also p. 204b). In Charleston, S. C, Mr. H. M. Hertz was chairman of the Society (p. 191, dated 5596; p. 204a, Elul, 5597 ; p. 204b, Jan. 4, 5597, when the money collected at Charleston is sent by Mr. S. C. Levy of that city to Messrs. Rothschild). A Mr. D. Davis of New York dedicates his lectures to the London Rabbi, who, on Aug. 27, 5597, sends him 'best thanks for the honour you confer on me. Permit me to assure you that I deeply sympathize with our bicthicii in the Western 1 Icmisphere and am happy to liiul they arc not inattentive to their best interests, moral and mental improvements, and consequently obedient to the Laws and observances enjoined by our G — d and beiiueathed unto us by our fathers. ' That the Giver of all Good may vouchsafe to render your efforts to instruct his people as useful as they are will . . . and reward your /cal with all hap[)ine.ss here and hereafter is the sincere wish of. Dear Sir, Y(jurs very truly.' 134 BABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON The congregation of Kingston in Jamaica addresses several questions to the Rabbi. On one occasion he sends with his reply : Regulations for the Kadeshim (D''K"np) on the eve of the 9th of Ab, 1841 (pp. 97 a-96 a), while in 1830 he had addressed a letter to 'Messrs. P. Lucas, H. Levy, D. Jacobs, of the British and German Congregations of the Jews in Kingston in Jamaica, dated Feb. 2, 5590.' He writes : ' Gentlemen, yours of the 9th Nov. ult. I have received and feel obliged by the polite mode in which my official actions are acknowledged and in return must express myself as ever ready and willing to promote the welfare of the English and German Congregation at Kingston.' The letter deals with a case of Halizah of a Mr. Benjamin Phillips. Another letter (p. 235 a) is addressed to Messrs. Lawrence, Jacobs, and Lyons, Committee of the Vestry, &c., Kingston. R. Solomon was not always reluctant to enter into correspondence with non-Jews. A most cordial letter to Colonel Powell, who was a friend of a Mrs. Emanuel, is found on p. 113b. The colonel had asked him for the meaning of the word C'lT'p (he spells it in English as 'Keedush'), which question is answered fully on three pages (113a, b, and 112b). The letter concludes, 'Dr. Hirschell regrets to learn that colonel Powell is indisposed. He had (as he thought) understood from Mrs. Emanuel that colonel Powell was desirous of personally to communicate with him, which was the reason why Dr. Hirschell appointed a time for the interview, as his advanced age and infirmities do not permit him at all times to receive visitors ' (March 20, 5600). A ' friend of Israel ' receives the following answer (p. 124b): 'Sir, the letter you addressed to me, and the call you and your friend Mr. Simpson have favored me RABBI SOLOMON HIRSCHEL I35 with afford me the agreeable satisfaction of knowing that among your people, the friends of truth and universal happyness are anxious for the restoration of Israel and address their supplications to the most High beseeching him to hasten the day " when the whole earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord ". To us the scat- tered Remnant of Israel the certainty of our hope, the conviction " that God is not a man that he should lie, neither a son of men that he should repent", the perfect reliance which consequently it behoves us to place in his sacred promise — has during centuries of suffering such as no other nation ever experienced — afforded constancy un- yielding and submission unrepining, without a murmur we receive the chastisement his paternal hand inflicts and tho' our fervent prayers implore his pardon and supplicate his mercy, submission to his will is our first duty.' The letter goes on to prove from scripture that Israel must wait patiently for redemption, which can only come from God alone (pp. 121-2 where the first page is re- written). Unfortunately the name of Mr. Simpson's friend, to whom the letter is addressed, is not disclosed. Mr. Peppercorn, another non-Jew, author of the ' Laws of the Hebrews relating to the Poor', receives a letter of thanks from the Kabbi for a copy of this work. •. . . The Rev. Dr. will take the earliest opportunity which his advanced age and pressing avocations permits, Mr. P's work by comparing it with the original of Maimo- nides and will not fail to acquaint Mr. P. with his opinion on that, till then he can say he is much pleased to see the truly philantropic love of his Nation, enlisleii as the Auxiliary of Charity and Benevolence. ' ', ]}ury Court ' 2 May, -,5y«.' 136 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON Among letters to individuals we find such addressed to Sir Moses Montefiore (p. 218), to Amshcl Mayer Roth- schild (pp. 146 a, 183), Solomon Heine in Hamburg, Dr. Raphael, Leopold Dukes (pp. 208-9), ^"^ others of less note. Letters to provincial congregations fill by far the greatest part of the volume, and deal mostly with ritual questions such as the appointment or dismissal of a Shohet, marriages, and divorce cases, but also on occasions when internal strife, quarrels among the individual members disturbed the peace in a congregation, the counsel and advice of the Rabbi was invoked. Portsmouth gave him most trouble in this respect (pp. 99a-i07b, ii6b, 119, 130 a, 135, 143 a, I4«b, 169 a, 221a, 223 a, 229 a, 244 b, 261 a). One passage in a letter to this congregation (p. 106 b) could well be applied in our days. ' Do not let selfish considerations stand in the way of unanimity and Concord. Those who hold offices should recollect that they are not appointed for the qualification (gratification ?) of their vanity and self importance but for the good of the congregation. And those who do not hold office should remember that officers duly elected by the majority are entitled to respect and obedience. Do this and good feeling and propriety of conduct will soon be restored among you for G — ^ will bless his people with Peace.' Among other congregations are to be mentioned : Bath (p. 166 a); Brighton (pp. 109, 145 a); Bristol (pp. 167a, 173 b, 176 a, 222 b, 227 b, 228 a); Birmingham (pp. 196 b, aiaa, 220, 225 b, 238 a, 239 b, 251 b) ; Canterbury (pp.141 b, 181 a) ; Chatham (pp. 208 a, 252 a) ; Edinburgh (pp. 126 a, 179b); Glasgow (p. 179a); Ipswich (pp. 142a, 23za, 248 b, 254 a); Liverpool (pp. 115 a, 156 a: to Mr. Moses Samuel, St. James' Street, 194 a, 245 a) ; Manchester RABBI SOLOMON HIRSCHEL 137 (pp. 108 a, 1 1 1 b, 195 b, 251 b) ; Newcastle (pp. 142 a, 256 b) ; Jersey (p. 198 b); Plymouth (pp. 168 a, 215 a, 359 a); Portsea (pp. 1 18 a, 206 a, 249 b, 350 a) ; Swansea (pp. 225 a, 344 b); Southampton (p. 178 a). Letters in which the personal motive is predominant are perhaps more illus- trating to show a full life-picture of our Rabbi. In this connexion one letter, of which my friend Mr. E. N. Adler said it was ' quite classical ', is w^orth quoting in full. The letter (p. 268 a) is addressed to ' Master Elias ', who, I ven- ture to suggest, was the son of Hazan D. Elias of the Great Synagogue, who had to resign his position on account of ill-health in 1829 (Picciotto, Sketches, -p. '^'^}). The Rabbi writes: ' That you are obstinate and unruly I have long known : but that you would carry these faults to the extent you do, I did not expect. Recollect yourself and reflect on your situation. Your only hope of ever becoming a useful member of society rests on your behaving properly during your apprenticeship and learning your trade as you ought. Do this and I will still be your friend as I have been : but if you will be disobedient and persist in your ill conduct, I must decline assisting you or doing any more for you. You know what trouble and anxiety I have had on your account : and now I devote money and time for your welfare I have a right to expect that you should prove yourself worthy of my kindness, which you can only do by proper behaviour to your Master. If you (juit hini the money paid for you is lost, and I shall certainly not do any thing whatever for you. I therefore again repeat, reflect on your situation ; your welfare or ruin dc[)cnds ui)on }-(jur own conduct. Be wise and show those who have befriended you for your father's sake that their kind- 138 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON ness has not been wasted on you. If you do not bestow on my advice you will repent it when it is too late, I am your well-wisher as you behave.' It is like the words of a father to his son that we hear spoken when we read these lines. Amongst all his activities, his infirmity, and in the midst of his continuous study and arduous communal duties, the Rabbi finds time to write a letter like this to a young boy whom he befriends. And this was not the only boy whom he took under his care. On p. 206 a of the MS. we find the copy of a letter to Messrs. B. and VV. Levy at Portsca, dated Feb. 9, A. M. 5597, written on behalf of a young boy named Elkin Gollin, who was to be placed under the care of Messrs. Levy. The Rabbi would have liked the youngest brother of the boy to go to Portsea instead, but ' Mrs. Gollin not being willing to send her youngest son ... in answer to yours of the 24th ult. concerning Elkfn Gollin Ibeg to say that Mrs. Gollin is agreeable to send him to your care and I trust that under your protection he will do as well. You are no doubt aware of his being much younger than his brother Elias, and I hope therefore that your fostering kindness may be extended watchfully over him, were it possible I should be desirous of having a little conversation with you, whereby you might explain many points to me. . . .' The rest of the letter deals with the question whether a Jew having a non-Jew as partner may allow the business to be open on the Sabbath day, and the Rabbi replies in the affirmative with the reservation that the contract between the partners must clearly state that the profits made on the Sabbath day belong solely and exclusively to the non-Jewish partner. Another document (p. 184 b) dated June 6, 5.;;96 (1836) RABBI SOLOMON HIRSCHEL 1 39 reveals the Rabbi as peacemaker between father and son. ' I should have replied to your letter earlier but waited in hopes being enabled to affect a reconciliation between yourself and your family. ... I have and am yet willing to do all in my power to make Peace, in the mean time you must not forget that it is your duty to open the road and to strive (strain ?) every nerve to bring about the required object you are anxious to obtain.' The letter is addressed to the son, and I do not think it is a coincidence that the names of persons are omitted in the copies of private letters. lie was so anxious to guard the secrets of others that he would not even entrust to his private copy-book the names of the people concerned. The letter of the Rabbi had the result hoped for, if, as we may assume, the letter following on the next page (185 a), dated June 15, 5596, refers to the same people. This letter is addressed to a brother of some one who had had a dispute with his parents. ' I am happy to find that my letter has produced the desired effect, indeed nothing affords me more pleasure than to promote peace and goodwill among my flock and much more between Father and Son and I hope tliat this will, at all events have the happy effect of teaching people to be more cautious before they take an oath, which I am inclined {o think too frequently occurs from their acting from the impulse and passion, and not attaching that importance to the sacred name which as human beings they ought to do and next to this in tiic words of the divine I'salmist: " How beautiful and pleasant for l^rethren to dwell together in harmony". I can assure you (liat my pleasure will not be a litlle increased by }()U ami )'our ]irolher entering the compact and hence forward feeling towards each other as Ihnlhers and men ou;.;lit to do.' 140 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON A similar letter follows, very likely relating to the same people, bearing no date and no names ; of this I shall only note the postscript : ' N.B. This letter will be handed you by Mr. Cohen to whom I have instructed to tell you that Immediately after the Post is in you will call on your Parents and ask their forgiveness and also write to your Brother and thank him for his interference. I have written to them on that head and trust that after all unfriendly feelings betwixt the families will be done away with. Should your parents not be at Portsmouth you will imme- diately on receiving this write to them and also to your Brother thanking him for his interference.' The beginning of the letter reveals the cause of the father's anger. ' I this day received a letter from your Brother of Southampton by which I was more than happy to find that your respected father is likely to be reconciled to the Marriage which you are about to celebrate, I hope to your happiness and prosperity, having done all my efforts to produce this desired end, I feel it now my duty to call on you religiously to perform your part, and as we hope to be forgiven our sins on our nsin day, so we must do our part to merit it. . . .' I have reproduced the last sentence for the purpose of preserving this old and beautiful Jewish tradition which I think is almost forgotten. To enable the young couple to enter the sacred state of matrimonial life in perfect purity of heart and purpose God forgives them all their sins on the wedding day. That is the reason why both bride and bridegroom fast on the wedding day till after the ceremony, an introductory part of which is that both say the afternoon prayer for the eve of Atonement day, with the full confessional prayers. Among the professional Rabbinical letters we find RABBI SOLOMON HIRSCHEL I4I several addressed to R. Akiba Eger of Posen, to whom he sent money for distribution to relatives of London Jews living in Poland, to R. Efraim Zalman Mar^'olies of Brod, to the Rabbi of Lemberg whom he calls 'cousin' and to the Rabbi of Paris (p. 250). Many of these letters refer to the divorce of his daughter Fegele, of which we shall hear later. He had correspondence with the Rabbi of Bordeaux, David Marks about the supply of Kasher wine and brandy (pp. 119-20) asking him to supervise the expe- dition of such wine by a wine merchant called Mr. Isaacson of Bordeaux. Page 269 has a note : bi^yr^ N'byriSD p"p1 ann Events in the commercial world were also taken note of. On p. 228a we read: 'Copy of the Cornwall Royal Gazette : The Queen has been graciously pleased, by warrant from the Lord Chamberlain to appoint Mr. H. Harris, No. 8 Leman St. to be her Majesty's Jeweller in ordinary at Truro.' Copy of a notice by the ' Wherry Mining Company, Mounts Bay, Penzance, Cornwall ', in- forming shareholders that ' the third call of 30^-. per share is now made', dated Nov. 27, 1837, discloses that the Rabbi must have had some interest in these shares. A great deal of trouble must have caused hini the letters received from Poland and the money sent through him for distribution in Poland. Apart from Rabbi Akiba Eger, his son-in-law R. Samuel Zellikcr, husband of his daughter Golde, and his father Nahum Zellikcr received remittances from our Rabbi for distribution in Poliinl. On one occasion the Rabbi nearly lost ^^104 in these transactions for the benefit of others ([>. 1 1 h). While their Rabbi was thus engaged working constantly in order to strengthen and preserve Jewish life and Jewish 142 RARBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON tradition his congregation developed on what we call nowadays 'modern lines'. Already as early as 1821 a petition for the shortening of the Mishebcrach, signed by several members of the Synagogue, was submitted to the managing committee. The petitioners were anxious to improve the decorum of the Synagogue. They call the institution of Misheberach 'a system of finance for which the most solemn prayers are hurried over and which is inconsistent with decorum and public order'. This was a sign of the times, a beginning of the modernization of Anglo-Jewry which ultimately ended in the establishment — in 1841 — of the Reform Synagogue. Although most of the founders of the West London Synagogue were members of the Sephardi congregation (three-fourths), the secession was more keenly felt by the Ashkenazi community. R. Solomon Hirschel issued a 'caution* on Sept. 9, 1841, stating that ' persons calling themselves British Jews pub- licly and in their published book of prayers reject the Oral Law ', and further that ' any person or persons declaring that he, or they, reject and do not believe in the authority of the Oral Law cannot be permitted to have any com- munion with us Israelites in any religious rite or sacred act.' Picciotto tells us on ' unimpeachable authority that the Rev. S. Hirschel, as well as the Rev. D. Meldola, signed the above paper with the greatest reluctance, know- ing that it would cause much exasperation ', &c., and 'even after the Rev. S. Hirschel had been induced to affix his signature to the document, he wished to recall it. The caution was not promulgated for some time'. On Saturday, Jan. 22, 1842, it was read publicly in the principal Synagogues [Sketches, p. 380). Picciotto apparently knew only of the first caution, dated 24 Elul, 5602 (1841), and RABBI SOLOMON HIRSCHEL ^43 issued soon after that date. The caution read on Jan. 22 was a second one, dated 9 Heshvan, 5602 (Oct, 24, ii)rovcd of by "^ Sec W. Aycrst, 'I'hc Jcwa i>/ the Ninelccttth Century, London, 18,18, pp. 311 ff. "* Voice nf Jaroh, II. p. 59. 144 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON Rabbi Solomon Hirschel and Haham Raphael Meldola. 'It is necessary', writes R. Sol. Hirschel in his Hebrew appro- bation (dated i Kislev, ^l^J^ = 1814), 'to make the Jewish youth acquainted with the elements of our faith, especially in this country. I have examined the book carefully and much approve of it '. This book and Rabbi Solomon Hirschel for recommending it were attacked by a man named Yomtof Bennet in a pamphlet entitled Dnip^3 X3D = x\ basket of Criticism (London, 1837).^^^ Yomtof Baneth, or as he called himself in English, Salomon Bennett, was a native of Polotzk in White Russia, and after having been to Riga, Copenhagen, Berlin, and Paris, came to London in 1799. He claimed to possess a patent as Royal Academician of the Berlin Academy in his profession as engraver. He had acquired some Hebrew knowledge in his youth, but was not an observant Jew. ' As orthodoxy was not a favourite theme of mine ', he says of himself, ' particularly as a foreigner and a single man, who cannot abide by all the strictness of ceremonial laws, I was then declared a heretic '.^^^ He found friends among the ' English Gentlemen' who were> divested of religious and national prejudices, but still he took a lively interest in Jewish com- munal affairs, apparently to a greater degree than was agreeable to the community itself. He says that Rabbi Solomon Hirschel carried hatred against him in his bosom 1^ Another controversial pamphlet appeared in 1808 under the title 'The Axe laid to the Root', or ' Ignorance and superstition evident in the character of the Rev. S. Hirschell, High Priest of the Jews in England, in several letters to him on occasion of his having ordered the trees to be felled in the old burial-ground at Mile End Road.' The author was Levi Alexander {Bibl. Atigl. ludaica, p. 112). 13^ See Present Reign, &c., p. 4. I am indebted to Rev. M. Roscnbaum for calling my attention to this rather rare pamphlet. RABBI SOLOMON HIRSCHEL 1 45 since his stay in Berlin on account of some dissension between Bennett and his father, Rabbi of that metropolis. R. Hirschel, he complains, caused him ' losses of money of above one hundred pounds and imprisonments on account of his portrait'. I have not been able to discover what portrait this refers to. In the pamphlet ' Tene Bikkurim ', the English title of which is ' A Collection of Rabbinical Discussions and Criticisms', Bennett accuses the Rabbi of having given his approbation to a book which did not contain the ' elements of faith ', but in many instances ' elements of unbelief (p. 16). In answer to this pamphlet Mayer Cohen Rintel published a booklet called niiSip nn^D (London, 1H17, printed by Jechiel Hanau, Bassist of the Great Synagogue), in which he vindicates ihe writer of the ' Elements of Faith ' and the Rabbi. It is quite possible that the whole defence was prepared by Rabbi Solomon, Rintel being a Shohet and under his jurisdiction. At least Bennett says so in the reply which he published under the title 'The Present Reign of the Synagogue ol Dukes Place displayed '. Rintel, in his Minhat Kenaot, speaks of the Rabbi in very respectful terms : ' I know the mind of our revered Rabbi well *, he says, ' he is a Zaddik who follows in the footsteps of his famous forefathers. Me is a man (bion N'jij) without pride, not being pleased with praises, but he also does not grieve when he is blamed, and docs not mind being criticized. I cannot, however, stand by and sec our revered and esteemed leader's honour attacked.' Bennett's account of R. Solomon is naturally tjuitc different, but his charges arc, after all, not so very serious, the principal one being that he cannot speak ICnglish, and that he had not }'et published any literary work. His 146 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON picture of London Jewry, however, may be of some interest. When he arrived there, he tells us, he found the doors of Jewish houses barred against him in spite of recom- mendations from friends on the Continent. ' It is a theme in their religious sentiments, if a Jew be not orthodox in the extreme they proclaim him to be an infidel, on the other hand, a man may commit all depredations and im- moralities, if he contributed to and attended the Synagogue, he is then, they say, " a good Idde Kiend ". Would I have been qualified to be a good companion, to associate in their convivialities, to give an Italian, a French or German song, would I possess gallant poliicness, undoubtedly I might obtain their friendship, but alas ! I was never educated to such fineries '. The causes of these views he explains by a further statement, that his brethren ' entertained an inherent hatred against him ', and on which score he had never met with any cordiality from them. That ' proud Pontiff, R. Solomon Hirschell, even formed prosecutions and plans with those who cringe under his government to obstruct all intercourse among my nation ', and all this on account of the small work entitled ' Tcne Bikkurim '. He (Solomon Hirschel) became enraged like a tiger, and having been unsuccessful among the Chief Rabbis with respect to an anathema, he had that poultry-slayer Mayer Cohen, a member of the Petticoat Lane gentry, to compose the book niNJp nmo =' Avenge Offer'. The anathema was refused by the Rabbis, the Haham Raphael Meldola, and by R. Zalman Bahur and Wolf Lissa of the German Jewish Synagogue. ' One wretched hireling Mr. Miiday of the Portuguese Synagogue was employed to ruminate the library of the Medrash ', and from this and ' the extensive closets RABBI SOLOMON HIRSCHEL I47 of a Rabbinical library, which is only in the possession of R. Solomon Hirschel (if not in his head) was compiled the vindication entitled "Avenge Offer "P'^ For the last 15 years of Rabbi Solomon's reign he never made any display of learning, but rather an exhibition of rabbinical books, constitutes his Rabbiship.^^** He presented an inventory of his Rabbinical library with no other views than to dazzle the sight of his illiterate adherents, as if possessing an extensive stock of learning exclusively of his council to consult on every trivial law, namely, R. Zalman Bahur, R. Wolf Lissa, Z. Mousse Croutchick, Muday, &c. It is Mr. Witherby (cp. Picciotto, p. 284 ff.; Wolf-Jacobs: Bid/. Aiiglo-Jiid. nos. 407, 411, 415, pp. 71, 72), Doc. Van Oven, Mr. Joseph, the poet of Dukes' Place, Mayer Cohen the poultryman, who arc Solomon Hirschel's Hebrew and English writers and the active part of his goverment.' He asks the Rabbi: Why is he so scrutinous of the supposed conduct of one individual, and yet so indifferent to the bulk of his Synagogue, the followers of his standard ? seeing that the Royal Exchange, the Stock Exchange, and the Coffee- houses adjoining are all filled with Jew-merchants transact- ing business on the Sabbaths and holy days quite public. Tiic Rabbi is also aware that the most part of the Jew-merchants transact business in their countitig and ware-houses on the Sabbath days without exception ; that Jewish shop-keepers many of them, keep iheir shops open on the Sabbath day. ' I have very often seen myself, he says, 'Jewish picture dealers of pretended piety, furniture and cloth-sellers, attcml public sales on the Sabbath day, all without blushing before the Christian community . . . and yet our pious grand Rabbi never rebukes the generality or any individuals '" Sec HcnncVs Pi escH/ /irii;n, pp. 12-14. "" //W , |i. 19. I. Z 148 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON for doing so. And why? VVc have sufficient reason to conjecture, because it would not answer so well his purpose, or because his followers would look upon him with a frown.' ^^* Better still than these outbursts are his state- ments in the Appendix from which I cannot refrain from quoting a few sentences. ' People at large run away with a notion, a man of high station in life, when speaking of a modern Jewish Rabbi, whom they vulgarly call " the High Priest". ... In my country, viz. White Russia, and Poland in general, this title of " grand Rabbi " is quite a legend with the Israelitish public, and I do not hesitate to assert that taking on an average, one out of two are men of letters sufficiently qualified to direct themselves and their brethren so as to live according to the ritual laws of Israel. All the towns of the mentioned countries have chosen their Rabbis and teachers out of their own Israelitish inhabitants. . . . But different is the case in this country, scarce ojie out of a hundred of the native Jews who, though they understand a smattering of the Hebrew language, yet understand not the Hebrew rites, and their liturgy in general is quite out of the question. The Rabbles, &c., functions all must he far fetched, viz. from foreign countries. Nor is it necessary for a Rabbi in this country to be over- stocked with difficult learning, as every dispute, even between brother and brother, comes before the Magistrate and Law courts. With vehemence I exclaim Alas ! That the whole Hebrew literature is at stake with my people « "9 Ibid., p. 56. Sol. Bennet published also the following works : Constancy of Israel, 1812; A Discourse on Sacrifices, 1815 ; "'3"lin K^m, A Theological and Critical Treatise on the Primogeniture and Integrity of the Holy Language. 1835 ; The Temple of Esekiel with engravings by S. B. 1824. About him cp. Mathias Levy in Jewish Chronicle, July 31, 1903. RABBI SOLOMON HIRSCHEL 149 in this kingdom (p. 64). A Rabbi in this country is introduced rather by favour than by merit, and good recommendations of merchants is quite enough for his importation. Adding to this, they who instal the Rabbi, are, unfortunately, not the judges of learning and merit, and those who are the connoisseurs of that article have not any authority or vote to speak for or against that, which was decreed by the rich people.' All this is applied to R. Solomon Hirschel. 'Now for the happy year 180-2! London stood in want of the article Rabbi ; acordingly some of the Jewish merchants, the friends of the Rabbi at Berlin, recommended his son, the Rabbi of Prentzlow, to the Jewish merchants in London. Among the eminent literati were such as Abraham, Benjamin, and Asher Goldschmids ; Amshell and Lizer Kysers ; Samuel Joseph, &c. Having been proclaimed by these authorities Pontiff of Duke's Place, a stop must have been put to any inquiry whatsoever and whosoever.' Solomon Bennet's attacks did the Rabbi very little harm. His charges were all clearly inspired by personal motives, and it mattered little whether Iknnet considered him a great scholar or not. I have quoted the foregoing statements of Bcnnct in order to preserve the names mentioned therein, some of them well-sounding to this day in Anglo-Jewry, and in crdcr to depict the state of affairs in the community as they appeared to him ; part, at least, of what he says, must have been in accordance with the facts. K. Solomon llir.'^chcrs mode of life was v(r\- simple and modest, and he was able to save /; 14,000, which is the amount of his estate left on his death. About two years before he died, he accidentally fell and broke his thigh, 150 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON and never quite recovered from the shock. Two months before his death he fell again while walking in his room and broke his collar-bone. The effect of this fall caused his end on Monday the 27th of Heshvan, 5603 = Oct. 31, 1842, in his eighty-first year. His wife Rebecca Koenigsberg had predeceased him by ten years. She died Wednesday, 6th of Tammuz, 1H32, just while his son Saul, who had settled in Sandomishel province of Posen, was in London on a visit to his parents. Saul fell ill during the week of mourning, and died shortly afterwards in London at the age of thirty-three. He was one of the Rabbi's youngest children. Of his wife the Rabbi always speaks with great respect and affection, and his married life seems to have been a very happy one. On one occasion he writes to his son David Tevele, who xvcis his eldest and most troublesome son, that' he would not have answered his letter had not his mother said a good word in his favour (MS. A. 4160, p. 256). He had four sons and four daughters. The sons were David Tevele, Saul, Ephraim, and Zevi Hirsch. The daughters were Golde, Shendel, Fegele, and another who apparently remained unmarried and died some twenty years ago at Ramsgate. David Tevele married the daughter of Isaac, son of Jonah Reich of Gumbinnen. A daughter of his marries in 1827, and his father sends him 500 florins towards her dowry and loo florins for wedding expenses. David does not seem to have been reliable in business, and his father sends the money to his son-in-law, Samuel Zeliker, in Warsaw with the order not to hand it over until the wedding-day (MS. A. 4160, pp. 25b-26a). The son belittled this contribution from his father, and he writes himself a letter and, in addition induces his sister Shendel, of Rava, to plead on his behalf. RABBI SOLOMON HIRSCHEL I5I The father's answer has some reference to his own position in London : b'c U'bin i'2n nai^ ]m it:n n^*c -nnriD -i33i . . . fjDD '^533 ::i3"i."i t2>cn n^ni /nm'' nil" Dn-'S nti^x ^^3i nhyn 'ns^j t:yc3 tj\s mJ3->n hy 'bo T^'nh fi ic's iri^nno 'pia^o D'^^n c'nya y"? 'jtd n-ii^in nn^o nnntam mnyn nno niy nil''3 i"y3 i3''C'n nnb tj'n nnym nivnsno ,nn mio ijy sidij [i^^n] 'lycv^ ■]3"j' D'JTNi mxn 13"' o^ry^ ms. '. . . I have already written you not to listen to the general talk of the world, they speak falsity. See the little possessions I have in silver and books, I do not deny having them, but I wish I could afford to sit quietly [live a retired life] and should have enough to live on from my income, to throw off the yoke of the Rabbinate from my shoulders, which I can hardly bear any longer on account of the heavy work and amount of trouble, apart from my weak state of health and the aggravation I have on account of the religious laxity and shamelessness which has become frequent in our days on account of our sins.' Is it not as if we heard the Rabbi's father speak seventy years previously? (MS. 4160, p. 26 a; cp. 7QR., N. S., vol. IX, pp. 124 ff.). On another occasion the Rabbi writes with reference to his fame as a rich man (p. 13b). 'I am not a Roth- schild perhaps not a tenth part of the tenth of his money do I possess, not in Pounds but not even in Thaler.' David Tcvcle afterwards settled in Jerusalem. When he left for the Holy Land the father gave him recommendations to Messrs. Ililbc Ileugh & Co. of licirut, and sent him letters throui;h tlic Hritish Consul in Alexandria and Jerusalem. The addresses were noted in M.S. A. 4160, p. 269 a, as follows: 'Mr. D. Iliischcll care W'" Young I'lsii"-" H. M. Vice Consul Jeiubalcm care of II. W. M"" Consul Alexandria 152 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT S\NAGOGUE, LONDON via Marseilles.' The same address is repeated without the words referring to Alexandria. Saul, the second son, had lived in Sandomishel, province of Posen, and died in London in 1827. The third son called himself Ephraim London, and lived in Tysmeni^a in Galicia. The youngest son was Zevi Hirsch. For some time he was a wine-merchant in Cracow, and supplied wine to his father in London (MS. A. 4160, p. 13 a); afterwards he settled, like his eldest brother, in Jerusalem (Zevi Laz., The eldest daughter, Golde, was married to Samuel, son of Nahum Zelliker in Warsaw, and seems to have been in good circumstances. They were, as mentioned, the agents of their father for distributing money from London Jews to relatives in Poland. On one occasion the Rabbi received a complaint from the senders that too much commission was deducted in Warsaw for a transmittance, and instead of 108 thaler 12 gr. only 102 thaler 20 gr. were received. The Rabbi warns his children not to do it in future, and appends some very sound morals as regards behaviour in business. They should not try to make too much out of one transaction, and in the case of trans- mittance of money from him, which mostly is done in the interest of poor people, they should not charge anything except the actual commission charged to them. ' Who knows how many have sinned in such matters, it is better to be economical and to lead a simple life, always to spend less than one's earnings so as to be able to save little by little. If our sages say that even the most liberal man should not give more than a fifth of his possessions for charity, how much less justified is anybody to spend more than RABBI SOLOMON HIRSCHEL 153 that for outward appearances. I was myself also a young man once and had money, but I would never do a thing like this. It is true I lost money, (otherwise) I never had the idea to become a Rav, indeed I intended to become a wine- merchant at a time when I had offers of several Rabbinates, but I wanted to live on my own earnings, although I could at the time already stand up and hold my own among Hebrew scholars, and also among people of Din'»^ (ancient families) wc need not be ashamed, but God said it should be (and so I had to become a Rabbi). My opinion has not changed even now, and I still hope he will enable me to live a retired life, so that I can serve Him for the rest of my days with all my soul and all I have.' This letter was written on the 27th of Tcbet, 5587 (1827). There are several other letters written to this son-in-law and daughter dealing with remittances of moneys to Poland (pp. 5 b, 14 b, 1 8 b, 21 b, 22a, 27b-3ia). The second daughter was Shendel, married to R. Michael Rawer (of Rawa). This son-in-law stood not in great favour with our Rabbi. On one occasion he writes he would send her some money to go to a watering-place for the benefit of her health, fl. 100, and if that is not enough her husband and his father should also give her something towards the expenses. The third daughter Fegele, or Feige, caused him anxiety and trouble for many years. In 1827 she married in Poland, at the same time as her niece, the daughter of her brother David Tcveic (p. 13 b). The name of her husband is not mentioned, but we know that he was a grandson of Kabbi Akiba Kger of I'oscn, Ixing the son of R. .Solomon Kgcr in Warsaw,'"''" with whom R.Solomon Ilirschel stood in frequent correspondence (MS. A. ^i6o, '•"• Cp. L. Lrwiii, fif>f/i. ID'S* nrxn c'lnnh mpn^ "-itNa d33j nw^i ^Ninn mD^n i?y n'pi> fs*3D iDpyn nyn nns* pn "tinvd nsn njm ■•'nya nryi? n^ 'vni? nr Nin '3i . na nmaon an^an ons nn« pvp svni DnnJNsrrnp aniN Nin umyi ^na nnuon 3'nan nnn D"'t:\n fnis-a in3^ N-an::' N^D3 '^ax Ninn ^"'unb n)b:b mox Nin a'xi .^an anni? ns'o pan . pnaoipyn is pnsn on-anpo nns* iNvrD"" \xniia |'"n nns-j'D ^a ko'^j '" a:jn pnN Nin jsai . pn n-riDJo na poy ^sasi CNn ^^N no pa "inivn "'jsD m^j^ Tiansvnty ]rM6 nons n3""p Dvn iv B'''ni N^Ja nnuiD^ DJcx ;^:iip'z n"p p"pn maann en nbv^ moai nnona ^y Tiana nayn ri oral .''n"'L"y ^n^ia^ar no nxr^ x"n oi^a yt Di2^£i j'nai piann fina pnyn 10a nai:n n"'^;p Tx .niD\n ip']} 'anb no'^^'o fOJynos'Dunip ^'y i? Nia^ D'l^'ra Noncoi 143 ^«^ |//[3 nmoD; D"^ i"o ymn\ a'o 'a n^:"sna. HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS I59 ptstj'iir .fyp pn v^x Tin^s )*no isn ins ps v:vy iv!3 ^3xn nax ^'d "pn 3'c* Dy nvy Tipnrrn nxr^ .Dayiua juro^yr 12': yr2 b'"''\^ nrt:^\T u'^ iy Dn^-ir ^jyo!? dj /rry D-'^om pv:c* ni"N3 pns* n'j tsjKf mn pni3r:n3 p^p ••^njyD n'a apy n'3 'pn inins* pi? t2L*'X3 pn i?"!! .jniu IV n3",o p\s* n^ino Dn^s* b':n N'a c'T nvo Dn'N fs )-np IV D"-: nayn '^d^i Dvn ny orx t3jynjiS'3::'-i^p bn] p^n:r -iy t:'xii pvyrs'-is bai "i\s* cixn -i'd b':r] n"-i 'pn .pcip N^ii .punn ^ina pnyn t:"!^ vnana ''n'::'yi .r\br22 n'>D p'ny n^si p3yn:ND:jnip \sniui tin "^no y'jn x'n ors ujxi n""i 'pn -iv:i '-ycw'i '\T N^J yjn n"-i n^Tj' in^ ^y nb' bn"] ,t3Tii pxn n"pb .imoD poyn b'Zi xt nnx d: 'jx d: pj'm "d^xii "* pDon nn^nD 1133 pn px t:vr rr^xai .pxn ru''3 ni33n p-p n^-a t?:) pu^r nicyb [ pv x^vr:o p:yp "nxn ^x :;*xii c^^x p3 orx cxn ,DnpD3 i^^n '-:^jy3i /bx nan^-j' n-'^'y ns' s'^y ,nyvj'M 'ni?i "id'j6 '"L-y "'x^nD ^t23y"iu'j'3 ns ninnn c'oix n*x n 'v^m jnixa *:"'y3 ti^x"! -i3x DDip ."i\Nio p''x IV T"i^< ]^^ t23'n3 p'-OL" "iv^'p *CJ'x noxi brtpb DL"3H'f Tx ix^j'jx nyn ^ncinn n'^nrj' moM ^y jx np^yn t:in p^n-^:' iv n"p Fol. I b. n'3 D*:-" ni /::x3 d:d^ xS d;i .;ryi"i: i^'briD c: v:vy3 '■'w* 'nx nr'x '^m no*j' n^yn n^L'-yo n"pD nns m:2 ;TyiiJ 1x3 i^rx ni3-i vr3yi piT ocxL"n:p3 'cba ^n t^^^ 'nyna ^narm /nn3 'vj^ya • lyp ;nio nmo p^x pi'n u': ino 3mx p^nt:' pbxi .""ic: xin "xim nn^'^ xy-ix mix ix^i:' p:yp \2""\\y Snxii ^*x ^oyn 3n3n imai c'ry p'- ^npn ^3^ 'an3 nixing ^3' xm 3"cys 3npn b^ imn '" ir'n iryo d":*3 r:"33i X3iy':3 rbr>^: x^nrr ::d 'y^i*': X33 "j'rx n»2X"i. l6o RABRINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON D30X ;•"'' bnpr\ b ^ry^ inac' onjnh yb^nh uaxn: D^M^jyi?: 't:yn DyD iniN3 ii)nn f^sn ixii jsd n'nn b^a ncmni n^pHn inx 'L'-cNi? .jy^^NDj jyiiK 3': mhcf^a "lyn dt-n nt .idt dhd -iNtt'j n^i ••yvr^N ^"yi n"ph n'n^ i?D3 mjN nxinn niDvy nxo noyns p3 nro bv ei'Din^ px p3 ."lae'o pinni nocn^ anptr ^33 *n3n3 ->33 nxD ''^m 'i^K^i D^''Dx 31D31 31L3 ^3 i:ny3 -nor ainn 'm ."•n-'^^'yB' .c"n T-n^ ''J»»i "n ei^K' p"3 ''b3yt2 "pn N-^a N*n iniuj t^siiuy t-ix Dxn c'"! )*"3 nco n'3 'n3n ^33 t:3yo 3"3 Donj "ti h^j^d 'd '3n ino": cpmn '''3n3n pTiyn^ n-in3n i'-i3 ir^r^n x"vS*^ .n3iD^ imu x'-u xn t^xiiuy pyj "j^ix .nrSn ''3n3D Drx n^:D on^x '■^'^ ^nx |yii |D3n iv T"'1x iif] nT3 Letter II. Fol. 3 a. .i^pn -nx 31U I'V -i3ijn o"-i "pn^ ysxp n'a w pn-iny ipM 'ino^ nut^'no 3cin "•n^'-n ir njnoi' 'xin dvd ny3 nsb jx''i*xnrDipy-) n:''n u^jd nijnjn n^ by "b ntryjn 3iDn pjyp ^JXu:^•^D•'1x T'dh inxn i-x I3x ^03113 jx n"ij3in mx k't x\-in xn^n nvnnx ••cjyp pn |S)ix nrx3 jjt' -oi .prs is xn t2''\n::yi?: pbnxD-i3x 'pn 'ino^ Din d-d t2'"'n::y^a i3x ••3xn t-x x^i^3 ^did d TiyrDU'U' T^Dyj .njie^xnn n3iDn pyc pirny ix n3it: nj"'''x 3dix fl'C' 1^X0 -mno3 x^Dicn ^:3-in pnn '•nxi Djxp-'a n'^p p"p3 ni:3-in nvni? 0311 T'DXi l^•JX^Dyv-lyt:3''x nr:^>x ^n^ 2'dd 'n3 )*"3 bx B'^X3 ^nxiu''"ix Dr''x ^3i' '•ix-i pj iy t^n ^^"jn p"p3 ^"3X> n3iy ^531 '"ih^ xT3yi xn^o xin d:ox .I''3 nny ^idq vnx D3 ^nyiM ni2nn3v '^po^^^ i" )b t^^i n^i^b r\:iw piTi pn^y^ n~nx bvx ^'yoK'j r-i3Ti y:n pp3 ijnj dci n^ ''•K' 'pn 'ino^ ^^'^ Tiyn* 'nj ■'nx^ njix v:^b nmn -ik'3i vry3 p ^nxso dx 3'y Tyn n33: p hu' nmn -13C^'C' n3^o /d^jxii pn:oipy-i pnxn '"'d'3D3 »" D-in n"i33 n^''no3 n"-i ^n"3r:3 '.nvr^b "]nv "Sx. HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS l6l fTr^2vs* 'j:i"3yn -\'bbii t-n e;*ix i-ix yr^ ^d^it ,mn3n |di n'n oipon nnoni? ^nyn ^y rhuiif fTDipDpy iv "j'o i:j^33 od^j nnsiiv d^^ti tivS* p:y3 n-'D ^D'c-j'n ;o y^TiDsn ^'x-m >ti^c NJto^D dj?:s* .nrn ims ?"p2 "oipci 3'''y ''tr ^nxi .|3s-it23 N^n ^i'^'D 'pn 'mo fSD m:2-in 3'j '•'U' "pn 'iHD 3'n'c'3i ^'nryn -hx pixii rhnpn pn^ "in!i: d"d ^s:;* ;t:'3 I'^d^^j* b')) pi .pnxcip:^N d"'j ^"h p:yt2C'r:ix -nnyD n'3C3 p:yii iv |s (?-in>Tn) .... nprnm n^n:n n^i ^cpn ^JX""* piD 'vn^ 'I'b Ni3"'"J' DX3 nr n^iy^ pnysix ^no 7x hr ^nxL":.-ii nry^o ^'y 'm?:vy nvD p3 3'inD pn p -i3 :;'xn ^ncnpn -122 . inaiui? Letter III. n'3 "pn imnx in!' D'cc'nKs: pnx n'2 i"d "pn ^u* nnanrD yaxp . 11:1^53 I'^pn -nx x"i n'nn pp npy^ *nyr:r "tj'xd ybr^vi pn ~iy nnio p'x dix ^'ly x"3^ ^5*11 c'3r-iTx iDr3 "^i^'x ons"D n^ya ^r nrsn pj ;r:yj |x ai p\s n"p2 jxd i'Mi irnSipi I'ax ^r vnx }*"d ti'w' txd 'inrra :^2ir:n ':3-in pnn 3"-j* i:rn -nn p'3 "^^vd 'mo px:n n"!- I'd. 2 b. r.yny)\ ps ^m p'p^ 'vvxnr:vyi '^'2 i^ix t:in ':ix ni:3-i '^hr mx'pai 'ir-in3 po^ Tj'm: crx ,12^ ^-x-i ly crx ncxni .lo'^b .;ryii3 3-1 'C'p .-i:n ny -;'ix ny fyn .nn'jji n^yon bn nb-io ca /,.„^ 10 '':3-i I'T poy3 nihi: m^-np ncsi one's p"p3 pn ny t:rx 'iro px;n 3"u' 31 "ir:ix pn ;nmj 3'; ;x3 i": x'li /3n"£S p"pn ^n ixn pn to ':ix .pyv,: "es p"p3 pn nij inx orx y:n *byt3 px vo' inx' 'n ;mD3 inoi xro *di: p\x d!'x 'cniEo xni n'3 ni:on inn |o ^'^n = jnyj-j n* bv bzn tsrx cyo inix3 pxi iv nox iryiu n'^yo I'x '3xn ''nry3) D3xn3 'vvxno^.py-i ^v"r |:nr -nnj p: .;oi;3 cix cn'x uro n3^ n'x L"n ;x3 nSnpn i"33 'onico n:rxD nshr p\x TIN p'r -,\so nn"in*:3 pnn 3""' vnx^ py: tx -o^yo 1 ». M 1 62 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON n"pn "3 '12): 'b'i: \stiu '"t:^ N"ai b':n (? tv^) y"y!5 t23yt:ji3t:'-i"ip pyb |s' pn^ cahi ti^< ""^n jniw 1"in xmi jniD iv yair "ly p3 Din DDip 31D -i»:^ 'nry3 jnii y-innna I'^s* m^ub yvs'iDipy-i o''o .pn N'n^ nyii DisaN t^* '-"i^* .^"i'"i'> i^'I P3»:n-in nn^ •'hn 'ins*!? di!?c^ .|"x ''"u'^'soS '^n Dnni 'ti n-^p^^ tid-j .na^jn nnn !5y ']!' "nnc-n punn c^nm /n^jap jd'-: 'n |o i^na b ^jy Tinoyi inann Tiyrni^'n-j-' niNnn!) n^jn ■^n^pb TiNa x^ji n!'3ii> HT nixn!? nayn d'^ j^iyi nnji? ^b 'mi ismoj nyi xt:>no yiii 2)r\3b i^DU n'on n\x3 on^'p Dnmn nroix noxni .i^vy poiyi pun •'!' pxi "^ /33X aa^n pixa '''pioyi 'onx onana ^Jax .ni^j nr Dic'i'i 1J3D ijap!? •'^j x"x pn^j nac^n p x'-vin!' i^j'-dx /n^o^ni '^nnn n!5X nc^yn!? nD^in ttiv!? n'm^b dx '^D^^!' mn^i ."ym^ )^bv '^w "bv r\i:'p .n^^nn nnm nm dic' ix nxj c-'nnn !'''>d!? ix niDiixa pa ''^'•yn nc^n nnx tin^'d x^j uyo^ prniyn!? '••dx "vn ^jyi pTwrb y3D3 x^J men "ivp nm dib' '•T'n ix '•'nrya ']T2 n^jy^ D^r^yc!? nx '^p-iDn p3 p^DSJ x^J ny::^ ■'d^ ^nxr d: n^^i /'^^^ '^f "^'V^b '''nryn nDi3 t2jyn:x2K>y-iip nj^D""!'3 d'^d ::'in "''nya pa 'jix y"' ''313 n pjya noxB' 'vsn-^exn 3": ij^vd nr:^'^ pi .njcx max::'^!' noi!? n!'''bni pn nar nvp p^jn!? tr-i:' ■'s"yx '^"131 *xr:p irnn x^^n i^'-'-jd xniDcn iT'JB'B' *:nr:n .Dnn^JD i^o pn p3 -noa pna b]3 n'-yx nnyroi 1" (143) ".03 b^y!? '^^y. J" n"!) ni3-i3. HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 163 n-DDriw* ""'H -is-inro pa .':]} iniN^ cdd an^n^c' ion ii''3D ^:y iniNij .pjc^sn^ r"2 ''n jn^i? nn^jmiN nrai T^y TiDn ^3n* .id^^d inis* rTw"cn nuy my i^ |nn ^on '0':^ may -iaa nnr^' }•"£) ''m na^ci Ncnoro pj DT11 NriiD 'jjyDxn (fl. 6, 12) ':iac'n!? nicym 'inr .pn p?:"ip -1N3 IV ^npD nvj'-i nyi"^ nyj-D p\*vn ^a ib -innon p"p-i 3-in '"u'on 1^ ipcau* nca ncy as"yNi pj^yn p^'^a |Na cnt p^uyn inr.'Dnn ,13-n^ i?" ^'''yan ynca vcayi .vn ^d* b nyj^b nnu^^ 'n^£i n'l ^y m:no n^ir tid pvj D:n3 t'^x i^s* c'N*n nc^v 'I'^n vray pm'p mnn .pr ims^ ^^ ;n^^ n'x^a ''i?^;-! '\nL*' tmsD 'niK rp^^ mnan '^jninonij-j' on^^' ijnpD miis' 2"y 'n*3^3 ji.th nj'j-n ^3 nu'v^ p'':nD c'aa pna x^c' ''^rnn::^ ^sh .on^c pn ix V'''\^ Nint' . .xpw'iD T^ '-I na nnx^ nKx i^'j'n^ -mnD x!? mayj' n'j'D n'2^ vnnix ^y x: ^xr ^n: -it:'iyi naa^i •'mn l"'x '•b nxa fp:yi nn'^x a"iipD 'jxc loy 'naa: nrrai nr^n a^^ 'i nr^xai . .p:iD pny nyai .lybi'XQ D^nx "i'd pm^p nnnn dimi n^v nyn ovo pr:ip a": nv:nn '':d nr^x piyii CD^n nima irDs .nio pirn ^x'n pv t2;'x n:r^ b':r] br^pr:) aivp nn^a::' nax b':r] '-jor^ m:n?:3 ^3' ,D^iy?3 mx nyn ^y n^y xh n^y x^ 3'n ^np3 3-1 pmjx p^p 'b '':ni:'j' nnotr^ yvD 3'n ^npo pTiiDJX pnyii ^b^' bnp nvn^ ID"-i rnx nno^^ 50 x-r piyii 'nyn^i ,r[yz'b nnt:^^ 'tixch ir\n pnc Vi Tix ovjxT p3 t:Tn pop ■'o^ab nnx nt:n2 o"'J to ixn 'noiy 'm '^"' ^npno ^b *j""J' nnL:^^ D^nxonc' i^ "nana 133 o myoi nx»"in ^nu 'o nro nan ^ipo ns'Dxi nD'::s b^) p'D-13 I'X nivp3 n^npn n3yvj'o ix-'i ain lau' yna^ D^maio '\t nc::in .nxrn Tyn ^r ''eix i.td'J' ixd d^: c^x dl"Tii |r3 no3 p^nc ;yp 3'n3i .p£XT c"ii p'J .n^np p'X Lirx p:6 p-x "in il;l-i^'3 nmv-ip 'n:3n '131 "'■'n:: n'h nvrp .103 n^ ncpr iOw'3^nt:' b':' ''s:^x yivn ^3^ nixo ovj'2 i-n3 ;-in^ ^aix ^an nx .inrnani nix-iS narx na ti nnynr "px .3n33 piot' x"xi /mixi I'yn laiS 'S^Jsa 311231 nnoL-3 inixib iv:3 'npvjTiw' mnoi;' y3it:' MJ 3"y "• c]T nil rnuy. l64 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON cycf ;*"3 n-j'D h'd 'nan ^:2 "ioyc3 '•n^an ^jn 'ml"3 nnyn u'^a '':pT m^noi ,^^3i ^b '■'son^ nvi sbi /Jirii nr^ npitrn D\'iy v^y n:i3n -pi-n •k^nDx n'-'x s'd3i ^'-'^pja nr^n cwd n/nii no^n up'^ '•'".::t"3^ 3"-ii irr2 '"ntr -imon^ in IP 'i? "icxi "•nnm |':iv t^ n'n ncD n's 'nnn "pn oy ny ^^3 pns IV D^: vns '"22) inmn v:s cnt .n^'^ ^''^5 tj^j :3": ^sniu i^ap n-j'S'3 .s'pnyrrxnc' vnx nyvon cb'^ n^iB':r aivpn •jwiDy '-''^''d p"p3 nr:i^n vns 'nnn jsii a'ay .-layn no^n ■j^vNi iTn-j' mu^-iNn cn^ba ny jp osn vnx^ ncpn nx^p^DiNs p^ns'v n'''s* IN3 r2'i]ri n-'o onMi ^jn nc^o n'3 'nan jd-'^c' n"'^ ^^VN* c'"n n'c'pan inii cd^t i\s* jyp tin* M'b nmn nn^Doa .n'^N jTij^nipn ws'D^aip '^B* |*"3 nc'o n"j '':i3 ?oi"fD poyn t^c^a^nri' xn k'nii .□anvw-ni y'r c'"iDn ni:Dn -"j^ '••nsn 'n^Dn'iDon '^j^vpn^ hr pn "I'D ^axn .bp2 nmn jy^::* |n* '^^n pa i\s* iTn";:' iv in^^n ^"'^ii i?"'nn cnn-:!vsn nps^ "n "pn oy nr pjyn naii^ pn py^j jx pn^ "'n rn a^^ "n /'yin\n ''DnvL"r:n ''j^vpni nr^:;-^ 'jnN"'D'Dip3 nvs'D ^nmun nx3 o'^y nmno yc'j'Dw'ix px ni-jyo-Dip inn n^yi nuDity nuy t:v ^c' nnmon a": nnxiiv oino ny nov bt:' nnino i''x nnx nxs LD'j D'-D't:' nnx ,id':i x^yn ^'n '•'snvj'on 'Tvpn ^c' '"n nat^'o |D*i^nbyT xn \y^cf r\'0'y 'nmon d^jipc' nmnon nn ^nnnun un-ii Ljp'u'j r\D2'b ''■cv^b nyjy^D'Dipn cxii n njno3*k:' jt^jxpn^xa^ ^bba nmnon b'^)) pxn nnynp n nrnon fxa nyjy^D'cxpn no D'D nn^n' nnnm ,nnyii Ds^p nxD nni^i o^^^nn nck^ Dnynp 5i""ix Vi n:nj:n^ iL^pyn "ix nou^ iX3r:i t:p'''^ jxa^ nrncno pnyDC' n^ir p:n-n nxa v** x^u xn t;'p>3 'jix /nrD-^:'^ ni^t^^ n'">''^'i"i^^< ^rnDtr orx niJOD po D*^2'>n'^ xn cxii n^^z'o Doipn crsii ix^D^oip ,xn jp-'j* ni^n onn^nmx nmnni i^p'-y nrnoni? po'k^'iD jxo xni orx tr^^xr pD'ip l^n^ny^1^' p JX3 |xo t:;xrj nvj^i:' nD^:' nr^x Dxn i«a j.//y /Q cp Q>-i-i3 /^«y. 160 ny3> ^zb nn m .'ir'n. 15' nnoyns. HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 1 65 'ctN^ eiDn n-nnDn lyn pD'^ip -ir-N 'so no cn^nrivj* p i^^:nn •Tin ]""? DT'N fp^-j* IV nt^-L:* ynp iniD^ d'n'J'd .pas'o n^y: i:; fi^n no piyTi DTvn2N2 njs^jjyn n-'T -ij:v mino p -ly^yo^Dip p3 "icv ^r riTHD IN yc^^ro::'iN jn mino n^i'^::'^ a'^y i:"'nn pn 'n:'"'s* '"n "pn )r22 p''r OD-nsD D:N''D''r:'ip -ins jnd no nj^^^yr -iyn ':in .nrn '^^"nn ''L":n nxL" vx b":r\ ."2 moy ^N noL"o t2r''"^:3N n:>vj' dn^u' 2py^ p nj^poir 'n^ 'nnn jnii 1Y yonvs* no*.;' Nin pny dn D:r:s .not:' mns'j'a ''jn nn^n tiio inn i:dd i^D^i:' nn3 ^y ei''Dr:i .loi^cn ::'-in wrn t^ n"3 "pni" psr p-iNt:u' -iT'ii ''o^ nT'N D'''r l-nt "inyn nD2 ^l" Tk:' D"''y jnd anajn t2'o mm 'cn)n^ nmm n"-i> -i:yr2^^nND ^vn L"xn o-i^n nna INT 3'ix n'3 n-in^n pn .Lirs ;rynj inyn nrL'O im poya oyn n''N fn"3 Vi* jn3^ t:Ti;hTy-i y] ;nti s"ry .in!? in b')^ pt:ip in:!' Dcyj L^'Q n'T' n-iiL"D nofo iy nyn dns p^r pN t:'Nn pyr Ksr. pi CND nritj p\s -11J t2::':ir c^n t^Tii D^yo-j'j p''J^■l nnyn :;'N"nt:y ni:p^ ;n3^ ihni nr:-j'c nv pt:"j' n'iX" -il-qn dn i^'nn ci^Din^ CN v^N in"""iin3 ''''\'2-in v^i)r\b nnxn ^n 2"Dy ,"in',D Nim ,-ninD ".-11 '131 innnr:) ns' inipTit:' i3-n^ i^i "i3d dni nr:c' 'C^'^y .13-n n'^v' fyi 11' ^y ^3p^ n"'N ti'Lj: c:\x p^sj in t:n"j n"\s* ;n::^ inii .nnyn ^^nrn -^r iit.n ""y mn'N 'bn in^ cni .^'d:nd n:nDn -i"3nd ^^pi? |N3 Nirn ind ^'3i"3 ymsii: p3 ^n 1311 .-ip'rii TD -131 IN ''3i.ir niNo 'iiif id n*j-ii' ^'3t:'3 nnvm N-'3 Ni ':iN .":?:!: '"Cipn nnmoi jjid'HP b":n i"3n^ "nn^::' inn DN 'n^3P3 inbp Nr'in nny it^) b':ri id niH-^ Ln^mix T1 CN3 lyni.l^ 'nN3 p3 -i''N -JI'^ IC^DVl^ -jDI H' 11M0 iilD-IlP ir.N^i "b'y^'^ j:iDiip in^h ni3y ^3p^ m^M Diny^iN ,i^3p n^hr nS . .nNi^?:3 ion nr^u' nmi in?:d ":;yDN '"y iP'i" v; n'^ i:^3pnf n3irn I'^p tv inii ''-in y;i iin\s -b2 . .irr3w' lUL-ni .i3:n 1 66 RAHHINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON iw* V2)p2 ^^'-12"^^ 'ba 3n3 m^'b p ^n:^•3 '•DyiDDpy .urn rn^ic' nnon ;*"" "'"aian poy Ti^yn ni^ics-in bv "inn '::n nr nn^oi 'DiSP Dyn i"'ix c-nn n"d '•id ni!5t:nnn >^n pn iv -1013 irrat:^ n"'an im DL"?3ip3 "inmu "i^'c -ixd isn D':'b^^ pn niua nh 'jix /Dipn "pn -jnniu u'pnni :^•"^ i^nx •<:d^:» n"nxo m^t:'i '^''n pn n^D n^ Tinn mvc' nr\SD tin*o n^mi c"! "'•t' p"D nco n"3 'nan '-n .::'"n '■'n ^nrn 'jd nhnnn inD"-: :"n3 )r2^b )b 'nnwn i^hd /c'"n "^ni "''c n"') irnvnNi ''•'K' n^'^ ij-inx^ o"i:'-iy JS11 /jj:r:) ^^"-''")2) s'pijn snit' '-n n^rn inn i^nD ^d^ o^yn XT p^sT |P^"J' w'NTiDy 'li'C'^ innnna b"m ij^pon n"3^ ^"y L*'Nn pn N"vcr3 D'-j nyc ''D^ nax jyp .pxn 'nnn^ oyu nd^k-d nt .D^n pn c'^^jn .•^^''t ^:jni p^'-i^ "nl^ap nnyn 'mao pjv:) ncro n"D po 3n3n Letter V. ,"b x?:pn hi-x n"'' pn:i^ n"2 x^2ir:n pnn ^nx "inx^ c^n!? nn^x^ ninn-'i nins'' D'-'-n "'•'•ncn nnai ■•"n nuxro nnc n-ip\-i '•no^: iniir ny ^"u p"3 txd nninm .j"x K^y'xDh /"n nan nvn^ ^nx noxnc> nnsx nnin nanm Tbnp nayn x"3rD nanD "'n"xoni T"iDn Dy?23 d:i ,^2u r:n"it:n ns ni^ioo ^jna b^n ^rxc' nspcnn ,nt:3 nr i^ •'nana -ic'X3 y"nxD '•rnn (nvcnp) mcrp onni p-'yn nnx!? D:r:x .bn in^i^ nnin^ "'j-yn nx-i3 '\n njici'x-) ^n ,i^xn p:na 'n"]]}! ••n^i'ync' no pmn ^inn t^^< P^nyn^ ^nxvo .inn np n^tr^nc' nn ymnb ''nx3 npn^i n": xin n-nnn nicy nnxi "= = ypnxr:cDX2n. "*-* 2"y i"j naiD "•^y. IT HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 167 .... "inr x"' sn-ivai? D"n irnn^ n"\s nin*s ^^n mny -i::y-i3 jwS up^w* na\s ybv N::yDN ^"n imton^ ^'in n"i^ 25 "inr n"3 "]D "::yDNn 18 ... D^mnr >"n id nny |nn "^w* nc-o irnsi? 2 : 30 -in^ 3nr "s "^yj'h i2"-\ "a. r^:v^ii'^?h ""njsvs* i""! "nnn II "inr N"^ 25 . . "inr n"2 id bi"c 3^^ -[-^"n^ ]'^pn dc6i irs'ii'b i? 5 .... "inr "n nuy ^^:^•n i^'jo d^-'H 'd '0":^ 97 : 30 n'o "~"~ ;"2i ,']i62 nt'C ^5::' n'ou' 'd ir^^at:' jiTJ'nn mnyn n^:;'^ n"'ix r:)"-i p^ I'^D 13n3 'S^ 43 : 36 nCD i:"''D 13n3 ^£^ 2 : 6 3X D'} *"3D^ ti'in n""' 'u'j nnx jnD ^N'-n'D 05:34 ID "'k* T.N^ n>t:*j'y-i 35:35 >-imu^ u'-\ 79: II 77:5 28 : 45 '::yDx nny nT:>k" nro nc n^nrn ":jyDX ^apni 2:6: LJ'j'yi "i^'s -["^■o inriD ^sb T2Nn ^'D N-ii ':ynin"i 1 1 : = . . '"n in-iS* "irmnx^ p'DNJ 1 1 : = ND'':0 Cm-X 26 : 20 J*'' ''2M ''Z)biS 77:5 'pn 3"*^'^ -o"'! n"")"!!? n^En it mi^y ,npnvni n"jn -inxi pH'T oyi c"rt2h ""n *n3 x^l-'hi;' i'v- nx"!:'J' pv\s* -i-i"nD 'D-iis:r:n .;rrii ^'i ;« cn'm /^lixcc iv 2n ^^jol'-d "'l- pvpn i;nm vnx nv x"' iDo i^r '':;ycx .3x "ao '3nD H' TCin^ *^ px onmn -in"i ."bvs unH'^^J c*: rty 33'^ *L" ifts XD';^ - to Gicsscn. 1 68 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON nS-x i2'c>:-\]: pv ,1^ 'nnriD i^d .m-ioxi "ro "nix n-^inr no n^DH ^h^ n'y^ .o'j'in jniD: nihys pv ncfo nm^ "•'x-n ,iny?3 .rT'D'^^c' .di:j mcy^ br ••d Tian^ d"j c"dx pp"t nnn^ y■T'xc^• .Djpnj D^^^in d;\s* puc^'isn it nrici i^xSn pn::' non^Dn "n vnnxb' oc'xan ^isn .xn'' x^ c"nD ^'n mnc' '•^x jjTnjtr oyriDi ^y njiiD (? nr^x) . . . dH*x 'm vxmm . pcyo 3in lijavc' ^nyoc ]')ipr\ iD'j'n nnx ^y jj-'^'-'lT n"'' nnu^^ "n idd "jjyox oa^xs n'^ p"nD ojyixs'C'np t:rx -iin ,iniri^o ;nj n"a 310 qv "i"-inD p2 p-i'n pn inu nrx' c'xi |x:3b v^x an^i .jxan ^'jd 3^^ -nn^x 'b2 n"''x m^ii 'jix p'^r pTZi iv uv^-a dt-ii .pT npin Dcn-n yon'-x ;x ly L*'xn pxT ^'jd ^'n "pn DU'a Dn\x idc^^xt dj .p^v ••"n.T IX nox D"j'X3 ^^'x ^n .oynx p"! -iyn:ix inn::': notr^ ^3yn3X3::''Tip mrn pj ^''''H .it!? ""'nriDn ixa-'i px-12 ix: n:yit: D'Asd nmh ,nnDn "j^jd x"d pn in^n^ d^jdd cn-'x u'^op ^'jd ^'n "pno noB' 2": i2'-\')'\ "-"n 0"'' "hd "pn h'^ v:2'D nnx ^^'20 ^'n "pno did '^•n '•^ m^c'^ hnr:;n p3 ,n""x p'-n jx^b nnM nnxi nn^n pn nny^ip nrj''''x t:"'o t:£''''-iDD': c: .Tt^iip bxncMn •'K^^ni n:''v^")t3 i^-D "q'\:^ nrvDiD 'vn d:i .paxp ^'•nxv p^") dji .c'''''1i tiiira pi .P"*? LS0XT3 '':ix jcyn: ncir pio ,p:^•y11 px jt^i^xn n-ixs '•ljij xn ncHD c'^^n ^''3 n^j ':"ix ."j3 na'' niino p-i ^jn^j iv ^irn nnx c': \>"pi n3x"jn n-acn-j' jDpn -iddh n^ ^y ""^ nb'n dji .pxniunor /T^ Dx^nn^D pn niDt: u''j dtii ,nnnD"'pn nx :x"id -in^x^ ncnnm nyn^n "'r\> nnTiSn pyci qvhd "dx px nr nhr p"3 nc'o irnx^i vn^ n^hnrin "nvnxi?i •'"n cDnm in:iibi "i!? ""•n^ .|»"3 ^byo "pn B'"nn n*nx i"2 "■'t^• T'D'^^i ^^^ '"'"' "iJ'nvnx "am 'nbp I3n3 ,D"ni3i ^^''t p:io nco -nni)" : ("v D-i"-in "anoi "aco) ""nx "axi nnvj'a"x mny ^xr p^xa ^nanynxa ^"a n^nno ynux^ ""XD i?"2nia Dy poyn ^yi /acT^ "i"^ niyD n^^> dx n"a*krr:n n""x DX nai .i"2JD IX mno in-^a'x b'^ lann n^-ya no idd •'Uixmy n""n .nr^n nta^yi^n ^y n"i" m-iji-no dscj'd nc'ya Dn"iD y"^"r2X3 n3"[? x"n obany nca-'ii naix 2"x yD"-ia i"x n'b mar:n na i?na"r: "pn cninxi inD"a "pn "a?:n naiun D'j'sa n",ix3 .y'^i y'aD""'"nva"r p^r HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 169 2 nicy ni:''m nam nprnn nnavw-nn nD^n ba n: .jnd Da?;n ncno p'T ir mnyi n-nnn 5?y inman^ v:3i inc's Dy ^'jd b"-\ "i"in3 "pni) .Do:;'i? n^sn na ny p-iwSii jnn orN xriio a"D c^'na 3*'^ -i""inD ^'^pn "nnn .ns t'": pnx n"-in3 a'tr "oniaron pvpn .nT3 nvjnn m;6^ii p^nL*^ d'tdi c^'n v^s fin inavj'na sn jyii Letter VI. ,"b N'opn ^i^N n"^ pji!? n"3 "inn i"x "insi' /'^^n^ in^N^ onn^i 3in3' ,2^■5 n:;:^ ny^ >nn 'f'N "'n in3i ""n ^-lp^^ p"ry )"•<: y''^ i^no "ino "^Dicn -jaini ^^y o'lzbu 'nar '3i3x d: .unry^ nyiy^ ovai u^jy^ p^ci nyac' .ir^ip D"n vn Dnvo ^y n^inn^ in'2 ny^i nya "n ba i^nyn^ m: d^l'6 nrrnn vDva p ^y ,d'd ^ynro ^y n^nn ^onnvj nv' d^iiji Dostra nns3 lyT n^ui nxr pn" nm oipo irnyio nnp ]V)i nin irry lya nnDin ."lasn" D^cn nam -iy*j*n noio .1n"'^:^'' n^i iyi' n!' 'n jn' ixnn nni ("ira) i'J'd 3^ ,Dn\x nyi' nnx nyn ^nyriM injk" i:prn» pi ^xo-' ix po"" ">d 'n^^a^ ,inanyi "" 'ynsi onnirDn i>33 .ION "pbx noN' p ,i:vroNM lUDiiD pDSD ^)t CDsn^'MO '"-ij ,-io-in in^yr:^ pnoix o^: fxp n^N D2i« "•321 man D-i,TDX-ipJN3 ny ^^mi ^pnin p nstr^ xn^ ^3V X1^^ HD^yii i^K* n^y^D pjo am pn an pxn ny nro .nitron '•did^j p^■? "inyn cy . . . dtii pyin Din p^x lyujis ^^""^s^i^^ i^ ui'N n:is* ,i2iiVi^ rp nrs pxr ns -iin p''^^x .n^npn nna ny ^32 nt^s tr^N invs nih'"^ n^yo no'^yac' iis^^'n pn .I'^^yna ''•'eim^n nx trpn'' "'•pii'si "i:i '*^yT n!? dn j^'' xh n^c'' "-jid Dinn 2)r\y) ^nj p^^: np^ y':n x"njr p"'' iripro n^"iy\-i nvy nn\n 3n3Ji D31OT ^JS^ anan n'^rh "inD^ ^xnN?::y?D x-ipjc* no cn^x nyn djdx .:y:y3 n"i-i nuym imips moc^ j*"^ ^npu* laina "i^ni H"* nx K'''x Dn"> x^ inyi'aDi ,u niny^ b^v xi^c^ XD"ia pin pny innVkiTii "131 iidxk' nsn::^ vjd "in'':r p^ ixn"'i ix^^ vd ^yi no n"*x nx-i:i .jyc': !?npn ina^ai inaic^n ^yi (?)ijj:?o "ix:r3 poi ""•t:"in nn-j"^ nsv* "n /nnnst^ non (d^'-dxi) ninoxi "'n ijxo Di^w"i ""'"n nr "^^1 "'-oxn --Jipa nn'' imp D"'Dn o^'^hn^ pxjn 3-in x"x^3 r\'^^ "pn' ."''o\-i b "ui x"3 Tny> n3 ."'•D^iy t2"ni3i n"c^n ^ba •'"n irnnsc^D 'n b^b ^'""' p"3 ^'<^ "•^yu "ina "^•33 'N^y ntra "nan nm "n Diot:^^ "noa oy vn^ ^^mn^ dimi fl^x nD3 ix::'" "nni ^naian bv nDy^ non dj ^'jd ^"ni !?"-i i^^d^j .pox "•'oyQ Letter VII. "b 2"j2pn mx 2"-] p:)b n"a '"n mp-'n "jry i"-)3 ;'"3 -1^x0 -nin^D 'bainn pnn "nx 'inx!? .ohy ny '^bi^ "\n onni ^iT imo "lb n3i::'x-in b inn ^3:ni >nbp "inx vi p lariD nD:3n po dt^x pj /ovy nx ypsn^ ^^ n niy^ -j^ nvn^ ^3 px Dv bi /niu pi:ip nx nrt:'3 m::' pnn3 ::'xn pmrroj t:""'ii xr Tihs"' x^ nrnon 3in b*x \-\piD '"niiiD no -i3n '•^iS i^ini DyionD ^nonsi 'n33i '^hna '''dd3 nonbn 'd 'n3:n?:t^• nixvmn 'd ^mt:y iMa s^y /,3T ^1X3^ >p^x '"'' : Qm2''3n n)'< b^ n^-^n^b nwbo '"'"•y ."D'D^y3:i' mxB' 33yD HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS I7I y:ni y:i b^) /;t:6 12': 2': nipa r\ycb £200 p^z'o I'^djit.s' P'd '-vsnn '"2-1 'Tn:ci anvio '^ •^" ,n3-nN* pn^:)]] naiiyDi nni: ^nyi 1N2 iv p-'N* -in in"w"n^-2 N'-n ^I'^y "'^ncn nan ^::' nivp "n^ion nnnx njnc2 -i:'\s* mi sr ^tJ^i^^^i '"Ti^ WT xi? tj'n aipo jn^Uw' . . n'n' "i^cn hdi n''^* liyo'^-ivS'sn n3n:ni hd non^D nh ,d'0"j* -ixq . . s'pnyDx oy '^b'^ ncno t:i"'n JiTdu' a^iD-'^va nc::' VL"3y cnii py pcsn^ nvnn ^nxvinni ncirnni n^npn n:njn -irv t^''^'^:' 1x2 p ir:^3 ■n?:iN* "2^ ^13^3 xru ix-j" mpx x^ tj'xd csi ^^nn^ ^nnni prrx"* x^a im nn riD '":vy^ y:"i:n p^y inixai p"ni xit^no ^^ n^-^n no poya i;n n"3i mno :xisd ansD ••ni'ap /-c' umn nr .p'-na' mnoi? i^n xi^ir 'njam io:s ^1^ 'inc '"n >nxvD '"mn i^nai X2n nu'D "-I "pn i"d^ ua'j' 'ni"D p'ry ^nariD j"yi ^nn^-1^11 X3 x^ pnyr 'nyo-j'c' ■•2^5 '\-i •':inD pini pnin^i anpi n^^ro xin-^r^ Dx .Dyt2n '^b ymnb ^c:^'!5 injnD3 ibap"^ '"im nr^-ro "x Die 1^ 'nansi '"Jicnp '"':r3D nn^ my P'DDD irxr ni:3in nr:yro ^^pSti: nyiTj' nnxD cipD 'h nixing r\2)'\ii:i xax nx v-)2i 'ba inT-c' dx3 ^^"x-j' y3VS3 lb "Tixini .njnon mx2nh in2b ''hm mmn bapb ^n'lipi .n\''bD^ \Y^yb "\Z'2 '^n 'nann n-vrrni an^n pini ,TnD t2ypx£n u'xn ]H2b n]!)y2\:'n nx3 l33'J' i"i "x ovai ^rt:iDj nnvj'nb .p-ixn p?ii:j 'jix pnjj ;x '-xjvj'o ^dd-j' 3i"l:?d pna ny fX3D iStj' x:o'D '•^ix nyii'H nx p)mb -b^D 'ai^a 'm?:xi p^b iD^u-in 'oriDm 'bx lariD xn3 nnyi ^n^rj' n^nsb ^mrn xh "iD'xb i^n nnsn-:' xnbo -jTxb Ti-.'rx /^:xp'D pny ni:3"i -i:-iu*-i^n '"j'lTnn iina n^n^i nn^k'yi nnyni n:iD: navj-n t:o 'onxiny pa ^xnbo xjo'd 'Sx xd'j ''t; "33^ 'b aiDU' no nib'by lisn: "nS ^lann r^En^ ^^noi nr by nb |ni3 *::n nrl? nuij ^^y^ dxi ^iicj bv xl"it2 itxi .noi-ih ^^ib /:ymnbi ina '22 mx nSy2 ''n:y3 biy2S nvj'i a^'^to Pi'nxn bnxii "1x3 I'X |p b'r n:xbnT2 nn P by .-n'pnn n:ni;T n"3x b":**? :"-nnio ])n:n era imyn nm '':•:• nr pn b'r in cy -imb '1:1 '"n ibnan i:dd nvbcn nriD 'b ''n '■■" p-inyo i»T ny r'pn nrjtD .-1*3-110 nrncn -i'dx j"Se punj '•) \^n:ir] x^n nmp 'di; 379 T' V'-^'^? ■^"■' 'f^'"" P">3Jb nnb nbnn 'd '^^y .abpn n'a ''D o'nyn. N Z 172 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON mnoij DVD inisn Tmnai '••m b"^ bpv h'd vns* "h mix b":rt TND1 ,\y":b no no n'» by nbz*::> nhys n^^yi in bty ini^nn oipo i»t:n b"? bpy n"3 vhn p ysob s*3 3"nN'i in'-c^ nxi k'^nh nx ^nyn> ^Dy 3^Dn N^i ,y:n nnb n^fbon ana oy nrncnb vnnbir'i pnx* n'a no ID lb n^r inio nnsb::' oys ^22 ib n''D3ni "•isia inai "sb >JD n::'y:i '••jiorb nnp ''•0^3 n3 jpr nn ic'xai 'jto-iint ^nv ina "•bno ^**p::nD"i ^D3J3 '^^ ib -iNdi Da rut^iono '\n '''D3J"i nina nB'i t^nin nr ''nb2pK' xnvbyo ^ro bD2 xbioon nna by i'^"" •'b2 trxn ptj'xin ■•27122 "'n2n2t:' no .vbx D^ib:n ba ny 101b::' ^im 2no pi |ony: i>»* o:r-njx cy: orx pm jnio fnx^D''DX-iD Dyn "lanxo nnx njj iitj'^ xb i:fan bat:' ••nyn'' •■2 .nrb nr wnnun n2i noi '131 ''""'•aQ bx '"'jd '*o21 ir^vny iv o^v^^^yca p''x pnax nn "rn2 loyn miobi xtrob ib '\n> xbi n'2 by bino^t:' ''n2t:'n 12 xim |xo by vp'^ "jjyox "•"-la }*"2 -i\so -nmo2 ""mn unn^ ""nxb DX21 .^lODn in^2 ooip noc'b o-a n3>2byr nyn nrnb bi2> £7 "ido py: IV fl. 75 •'b^2t:'2 '-::• -nxb ""-^ "pn 2"K'b ^'bDyn "-airny xin p ^OTonyip fl. 66 o^o i2m:]h> "'^ "pn 2"f yr^ xn '3ix /jucn by "nxb 2"3 fl. 75 xn DX21 .pn^ij^Dx IV "-by nibn id Djyocrayj yon 168 r,//i, ^>f2 ^n"2 p2-iy" ^^y. iDu 3//y t2"^ rii2>n2 /"n fjn 2"2. 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HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 1 73 IV inmni pn'^rox iv fl. 141 nih'j* -in^a d.tj-j' ^dud p^nsv '^^ ^•njnisj s ;Tnc -la^s iv m^n :;':"'j''\s* ^nntoan -ani .|TnpL"py Brown & CoUinson: DOS'1 B'-iy^p^ND 'C'"'n3 horiN C'NT n^yo nun-ii pu^wsnj xn pa b'^ "ix: psn :"ni '^^idj n^iy nyn ,nD^^Di> .pol?Nnj NDsp D^vx D^iy -lyT JN3 :n3D3 p^^^n pasnj pjsn ps '"Knp:.! rnn^Dsp 'U'n: m:x t'>x n^n: s-no oSy oyn 1:2x0 n:ix IV Sdb' nvp t:'"^^ n'^ n^x xnan xinn cnn^ trM cnypjxn jn^ .Dxn-iDx-i pvyr 3>^ n'D "pno "ijycx x'-^a Tn ujijis iri'-ac 'nmij nnn: nnyni ''D^ cnin nr ut^x mm £7 idd ijuv^d o"' n"a nt:'x 'd ^y ^"jd nn'ij 3D"yxi .di^ii pn nodiDDn nn^^ n^oani .dpij nx |xdo .^"jn \'"ipr\ 3"c6 *n::n3B' no iD^a^ y^v nx-j' .3"y ^cxn 3py^ n'D '^rvpn ^y n"-i 3px^ n"D "pno '::yDX tiJ^D n: P"v IV ;x n'''x nnnvj-na t2D"ip3 D^nsvj iisxt ::\yn .£7 po '"smc'ci jcipi -i^ENT rn:3 ncr ixna u^iT pS* £7 xn y':n -icx n"D lyii dj poo njnnx nonD ny 3"J o-j-i^n n'-N ^n31c•n3 n'-N \'^bv^ iv pno ^"jD a-i? n"D p"n^ ^3 '"JDI nsion^ n"Dno mxvinn p^yro .jP'K' IV ^'^^h .t:d H'ni -ididho jjio^ipi loy 3irn^^ |p pxr •pi'3 -ixr3 nnyn v^dd '30 odd om^ ijj^id orx lyj^a-j' px"nn n. 4 : 40 "inr cc'^c nsiDH^ no^c':r "10x^5 '•jod fl. 75 IX y':n "::yDX 'rj-' ^^a-jo bpnc no iviyn vc^y ooip .-ic'x n"D Sl** "jjyox ^"hl''^ -iLion -\y^h "inr D'ynix iiy pSixv in tx no T"yi fl. 40 . . ny3 '^N yni: x^l- '"ion ^yn -ir-j- in^o "ini n"^ IDO '::yDX ''n tid'j imon^ -i3d noSc 'on 36 :'inT n""! -jd "]^^y o-).T:jyDx i.tx otii -ins o'"i yh n"3 "pr^ DU'S nou'b 1^ n:c' 'vn ^'x*'3 :in:3 'o>n or, "inr n"-] V:d I r nrn cr.iD 'vir x"" onn^jrDX T^v xd^: nmnx h'd^ 'on irnxh iP'-J' iv "mr n"' '^'3i:'3 ^'jd !-pyr "i mn^ 'on 26 . . . nn' 'inr fo pyj iv "h'yz'^ '^v n^^io (i. -.'yS n"D n'ion nac na^o nn 174 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON piDD p2*kyn3 nr.s: naic'm nr^n pst'na au-n p^y^ ir^n ncpani . t2^T3^^^^"i">iN' P3 p3 njHi -i>c"n3 i^s ^^"11 ip-tr "iv p^s nn'3 \snin nrs h'd ^^""11 d:st (?)''VDy'' . . pi''N i-poyn nnu ::nnya'ty nh i^n ^^nn pi^yr oyn ^'•n pT'n p^t ncK' -jioon ]'i:ibiin in^n n"Dn t2L*'jyp xn in* trp'': "iD^^ii C'Jix Dn'':i ^pn^miN* n'^i? ^30 n^^ n'3 'pr^D in n''x t3C'i:ip3 "Dr^o mnis* n^nya t"'3 '".nan^::' n^s:i onnxn sin "^ r\LM)2:i . nobzh Ti^i? omaN c'xn NniB' yn^b s^^nv sn^o Ninni nrD-j^ 'nmon ncyon pinno '»:n* d3?dn ir\-n pj^D DiT^y 'j:yDx n^^sth is*ti '"^njn ^c^xn bv •'t^'3'N"^ . Dn^nnx HK'D n'3 "pn nnin pn ^'r }*iiv n-^ n'a "n^ nna N"'"'3-i''n wi^is .UT'X Dnan imn D"n p^Mi ^p^yoco i\* ci'on r\i' "ir^m Yv^b 'ncnJi -nxvini .'onx i33n 'n3nni ,^)Tn nr-x i^ p^nyn^ 'n'^i) ,]''ivb .vnpnym nnx c'ln^n i3'inD p'3 ^b3yD "pn c'"nn ^nx ^3^:01 n"nxf3 'i^c' m^ox3 xvx nr3i cn23i c'"3n '^n n^nro 'n n-ip\n ^nD'':'l j*'3 n^r^ n'3 'n3n "js ei'-tr miB' nr^x it2-j'3H'r '"t; nhj^n ino-j d-i^ii -il"£x '^n ^no-j "jnjn^ .*j'"n vn' cn^r-x '"nhni 1:^1^1X1 ''••j^ nro irnx^ .p'-n:;' 101 y,^ „^ D'uisvj' '"y. HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 1 75 trn msoi UNO "nnot' 2vb iDDyivj* nyb :(n^nrD 'o na^ns) .TninvS* n^sn ir ninoc' yavja d'\s^ |tni3^u31p iv r^i^sr 'n ^ns^ j'nsi '^n nam n"3 x^vy2L-ys 3": i"ni '^nn ^nn^ ^D'ji? \n >:c» nnyo irv li'i nn^ man na '';r ^idv ''mb pi»3i '^tr pyro::' (? tTiSn) cnsn n't anpa i^s in> 'n pnyas xvy^jx ::iy>D p^D c'i^N N'l C'Nii ''n nuso ^nins^ nnvj'n p\s dtw c't pjyp i'Nf ir^viy .oxn DDN-13: mya sn "id:in* t^^'"iV Letter VIII. .'^ 3'?^pn S'rx '3 p"p p:^^ n'3 .(N"y) I pnn -nx 'ms ^'i'r^b onm ^^ny civj c^rh nnin -i?:inD isnr^n n^!?'nr:n mp'n ^no'j injir ny i"-i: ;'"3 n^s?3 Ti"inoD 'laon ':3-in ''X'n n^-iai ''md nrnna oinn^ d: 'ti nrm cn2i '-n nur^ mo Dr'3 '•'•>^' n-j'o irnsi ""'n jn'sisvi '"n ni!?Snon irnvnN hdio^ pana' ..12 -inn ^y noy 3'v2 -nriD ^y . . . nn^nsn jor -iDin-o .^n3>,:i'n *:y':n nnyn '3 'v DD-^iDcn "pn mn' ^''-jn y"n\n p-i:3 ■in*:yr:!^ n^iNnr no cnjo nN Nro iV nx"£w' pvx n-i"n3 pm nv^-i D'n-ii Sm 3n:n mv^n p-i vSx nnr.-ni nnn ^L" nsnpn nn^'s p'\2'^7^ f\~i2 ,"inm nT3 nbx imn t)i;3 'nyni /i^*3L"3 nio-j' rmon ^3 H' P nrn33 b'C ''21X njnc'VJ' nnnsr no i^St 'nmn n?:x: v^x dji -ixiaros pn pn:h /nox nnnpi Dip^-i ^y '^ iv 'iri nx-iM n-iin3 n^npn Dm'T ''ynn rSmn mnn nyj* -cS ''Dxrrr: 2'2 nc^"' nznau' n?3 176 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON nya '^n na nno nns'a 'n^\n *313k djej' nvn^ ^jid^ 'oicdh noipoa n-X'-ni? 'bv ^t2iD ^3 ^nc'm n^om 't2v nnna n^cN .dc' ^n-j'io .jno 'J33 Tim "32^ "Tisyxi pbnpn nprn mni? pDsn ^T ab^ bv n-ivn T"!^' .Dirinn by ixa nan ^3n in^^k' o"-i 'trnv tr"ci 'a^ip *"-i .ncc' nSipn nprn Dni? c^i 'nns m^npa 'ma' '"cj'-irn -im n)r\^' nana rn ;d^t p xo^i? 'nai Nin n3d onn naatj' nana n'l .HK'yo inx^ t:": dt^n* D"ay ,ia sin *:''ya D31 pinn^K' mtrs lax urx .;3?:nn d^: Binyn ':in b")) nana p"t-i "n |nn b'oa? ynv *D p^N£3 t:'3 i-d b'-ii onn^tr pn iv psido t:-3 '•"ONn niana ntiij' lonn* vnx'j' jx^tr ;x nyn yn^n nraxn '» .dv nbv no ciny pB'nnt:' unsai '"ixp ah nipk' ^nsmc'o xjoi-'Q xn px mpio i>^ii nv30 Dn-'x fx» fyii t^'aoi ^|x D^^sri-D y^b: d::xd ynij lam K^a^xT uax© DVM nxD nnyja ix3 ni3 ny dtii nixon nana pn maro nya m:;' n-e^y x^ 'd^p ^^jyn j?a tasc'Da Di^vr^ |x fian n^npn nprn ^''y -in p"* i^np'^r ny^'a a-ix n"ya a'j '\n *^ nonDa IX .p-ixii Dr^^Da ^'r t"-i ••d^jo p"' ^np ^^'x ainn ybv^ pa>i^-iy Tian::' Dit:x dx n^xn 'nann b "inxi /nyn^ xb na^ i^ nxa nxr '^:y '^^n xi?:^' dji nnv^ nal^'!? na-i ni^'Dn nx"Vi noan '^ab^ ab^ "bv iTj D^r:::'ac' lanx nryx no /'•en niana (?)n-iDK' xiti'b c*3 mr^x nrx xiio p^x ^tj'yx nnx x^n»i noy '""aDnij 'nyna jna ncyca pcip "id^'ii ^'nrya D^D\n li^xa n^o pyr a'cyx .pn is nx xan^ ^'nrya ij^j'^a ptn^ '\"i> nn .d^jb' nca px ^ba na^^nnai 't'l^ban -ID31X IV nr poya njiam nnion "p^na pjynjxsc'mp nro^^a .n'-aix naiD^ irnya 'n nicrii' a^ncn p )b py^'^Do nnt:^ xam -a nn'kJ'Exn b^ mtryi? inyno nr nan nnn W la '•^nDaio s'ay .nait:^ mix "iioai^' nrn nann ^y ion ^yo nixD ij-iiv!5D 12'' n'a -i:;'x n"a ^y p"^n "pna 'jjyox x"a th dj^iq tnna naa on^oxn nrx ':jyDx xn jj^-iyD:;' nno^^ nyc'n idd ny jxa^ nitn^ xbi nxin -\'vb pin jdt inixa ni^n ^an pvpn ;y /bi* pn^DXp IV p''X na^iT p^h: pn iv 'j^yoxn i-d dxh ^n'-'X d"-^ iiod .o-j'in pDipa T'sn noa n'-x p^yo iv td 'jix HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 1 77 fl. 25 'inr n'D 'j:yDN*n ND^3 Qm2N 'n 'n-nx^ t2-in':rDx ybv b^ba mo 'on II 'inr x'* 16 . . . . 'inr r"o niay |nn nca u'-nx^ II . . . 'mr n"'' ^nny m^-i;'^ 'nnvaa D"n i:nni? ir\m 'inr '•'C'!?^' ^jd 3''^ n'3 "pn Dtrh iDvy^ n^ 30 . n'cniD "innnu ^'ac'a 'inr nt;*Dn i-\n:r] bv nsDin b"r onD ncTD nah one hctd "nS yDtSsi ntro "Nij 2 . . uQ "3 NT "x3^ p^na pbn 'inr ^^c' nn* 95 "inr n'^k* nr; nn ''i3'::'n vnnni ^':d ^"2 o't 'pno ana Tiijap nyn:;' nr'^N nr JO irx vnxi c"-) "pni /i^r^'b nicy^::' n2^:N3 nntoann rn t^n^^ '3 ^jn nn d: s'ln Die ^^n ana i'nxD "ii ^iro'b icy^'C' lorni^ -j-n^'n "pn^ 'ovya ainas *js:r '•^x ana a"DyNi ip apy^ n'a "pr\ oy nan» -inxh li? yi^i vba xh c'-i\"i n'a iD^a^ ^nanac^ ^"ni? ynv fs p'n nrn 'rna -n'c'y pi .i^vx nan mx^cb nvn xin p^'-ib ainax:^ ima ni:DD vn^^^-yi p apy^ n'a p'n^ nn^n^ n:;'paai nianxa ^nanai nix^c^ innuan d"P^ d""i^ ^n-n*.yi .nrn ovna D"ii' 'nana*j^ *ana .oanaxj^ urn ^^^^;x nai j2Dn^ n'on noct;' macxno 'n:yt:rixD ana "n^ap naa n''Dn .nib ''':r:T ir dv ^ai xa x^ pnyi niyia:;' n^^:^• nr *ajxi .nc'ki'D ann ny^Dio fxa ^an yni3 naa p^na ^poy 'ra HK'Cj' mix mnci' inro: dio nr:c ain n-'jntr anao pnyn ^n^xi anan niyracci ^x:-ii^ i^n ytac-jn 'sai n^yn jo inxv inx n^ra' XD'^D ann anatr no pnyn ^n^xn d: p'r\]}b n^^!' myio (?)v3Dt;' nr jnja xd^^ "pn ann i^m\i' nnx nc^'-no pnyn dji l*'"cx p"pn ain^ nv ])Z'b xin n-j-nni p^^nni- inn^x nirah ^r^ii n'n nx ^^ph inx^ n'-i" iD-pn maaa I'n yi:;:!? x^l" ncani nxT nana xi^icoi nixo x:^*iiai ,x2TiLa it;'y ;a xd*^ p''i>') anno nrmni anan myra-j-ra 'sh n'n be nn;x n^yn ainna isni" '^^x 'mo 'cniEon n'onn nivv c'y c:ox .;xn-;a )"y unn n^rna ;xnD p''^! annr nr* nox: c:i ^rni nx'^' 'j'^ynnb *xu'na vj'yo nnyi /aoica pini"^ nnaio xin nya 178 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON n-iiTw" V2vy?:) pio sin nbi^n nnmn nnNi .nioDiiaon ni^npn ""j^n DS3 ^ncL"?:) riNvb nn^'.ni iDipoa moy^ ^id* '\n ah p^na p'pn .i^apij ''i' nij '\n' no::' mno pnyn ni^B'b "icdn* ■12D3 D2ns' niDD"' .D^r^tT vx*3 pvw"n:r ^d^'>dn "-nnna-i ncni ij^JsriDn D3^ns "jj^di n'nxro nnini 'i^c'i ''"m .□'•'•n^ nn^x^ D^pnvn , Danyn .s1''e:^ j^':3 ^^nyu "pn "I'S m^ .p'^nt:' prs*^ lan^ nnn Do^''p t:'Kn nans n^^x nyon IV n^vyn d^j d': pjnnn '•'n nhriD 'd nbinan '-ip-n ino-'ji' .naiD HD^nm nn^na dd^is^ ,na^ nn'pD dl"j^ii sn p^n"C 3"y n'2 Dw-a I'j'N* b nx"n nnvj'n ny^ ^nJ2'}2' '^^no ^wS-|•L^•-n pinn Q'^pb pyc'n 'Oil nn i^nij rb]!' 0^:110 '■•^n^r' ,njni n^sn n'^" njn" ^ntj*'' ns-rn n:::' >nn .li'na -ics Dip\n b^i 1^ '"i^^rij n"ipn* pimr:) ^djn d: ^■•nonD ni3DB^mi '■•jjn:;' nnuoa ^n^ini? xh nnr^ naio!? ir^y r]ii2n HDnan fi-iDV 'ni '"^ns nsin •'i^'CD it .nni'' ono"' ^inDi 12l*'"io ''nn n^-'i? innm^ in^n pi?:)n nVi N'n rsj j*£ni ivsns ^hdj '•'oya ei^^' p'3 SI"::' 'j3iii i:in' "-nN^ 'im3 hm |3iD nvii^ NyiN niiwS* m6 in ,js3^i 1x3^ n^y "a |n3i i:d"in ^y B>13' Nini D-'rja 'JDD |Dpn '•nx^ '''13I1I T3n3 nxrh ^iiiv^3 biu^ ^3^ V£;3 Dn3in p^nr^i ''•c qdiidoi "p.i nn^ 2"-^' "vin^ ^nn'B' in3nNi ini:ni:y3"i piDD ^jn pnyi i:^'3C'3 nior' nnun ^3 ^y nx^» ^xin nyj' i^y 'nyi hv t,is' T3yn^ i3ivi 'm^ n^:;* TinD3 .1311 ^'nnom ,.iry.i .131X11 nnrD.n n^in inx ybi^" ab fn nxT b"'3::*3i i:iy3 i"i?:r 'ni ''iw"2X3 i3in 'm^ dx /l"pi3D3 nmx iioj"' nivr33 P'£i3 li-n pny .1X3 b"i ^'^P ^'^ ^t:' '"^^ "-"'"'' '^"i''^ .i3in^ Dipo ^nxvD x^ .i3r-j' c: ^ixi p-'ia ^3x nni^ pi3 i3r' dx 1D3 pin cn'niX3iy3 Tiyi> ii."X3 ,Dr;^3x biy n'y3^ nio ^^vib iiyi ^xrnxp X3X1 mix n30 '''ir:ix'j' n"i^i3n ei^X3 ^"'131^ i:3"'i3 "on 'sh ni'pni ir,x n'\x hid inv 3in3^ 1131' '-di lyio^ prn ^1^13^3 'm' dx in't:3n^ "iiivn p irxi ,Dn':n 3"^ '-yivn ''C'JXID .''n3 ^33 in^.x ii3y^ vyza byy ^.113 Dipo 1^ nixing r\:z'r\ CH^^ nr3i ,n:y' ici^l- nx '-pba .i:yo ^£3 px nr nSn '1.1X n:]!^ c'd:3 iTiyro 13 n:^;m xion 313 1310^ vSy 'n ei^pt'* nn'br p'3 cit' p^r 'mo x"xb 'byo p'n 3^ ^3 inii3i6 ;3ir3n 3V .x"y' nnoii ;i:i^ p"p id 'in D"Dr3 ^3 Dy '":• i'^N" 1113 13-:'^ 'diiedh 113x1 ]''i?r\ i:nni vnxb l8o RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON ni3r!? ipD^ Nin m p^b^ nnni rana niN |ni3 '•Jjn if'W '"DDinDDn .t'six nann'' mm nini vniJtt'i vo^i nain^ sh Dipo3 iiJ^y^ tansni iN3n"'i nnyj ''n''N-i (f)":^ ntj'D 'n nn-riDa) i^nj ns* inay na niN-in!' ^nn ^:ns -i:i*N2 ohs* .a^ npn n^hnj nc'y^i nvno ntry Ti^Dni ^n1i5:^•1D n'-^nni nisn d'-T' prn^ nprnn n^i npmn ansa Di::nh "iqid toy '•ayn pipni? ^jin xb ''JX nrt< /-iq 'pn on mn ••js^ Ticpai ^nj^nn ^sjriNi nnns' "jn p^ /jns^ Tiaio D'2N 1-IN3 ^-i:;'i3n nyt:' ^T1 mnD mpo vjq^ mp^K'a^ ^V ^omson D^jiND fi3 ynani? nr niar "Nn^i ^nxr ntj>y^ '»:y»h n^B'yb '®^^n1s'' 'fy.'on nny n^nyo na '••aiD '••"n^ nn^N^ '^pnv nNK* oy 'n inariD-B' ^"^, ,.«'^ -,-,p,'3 'irip, 'D-ii3j2n "pn i:nm rns D-yn D'-on inni? • b oy naTian i^ 'n n-'Lj^i nanni nhn: nano mD3 nanai ')biy (:N^n pv^nn ninya na^nan) Herrn Mayer Sallomon Schiff Jude gegenw, in Frankfurth am Mayn Letter X. ."^n'r^pn axa y'on piJi^ n'a n-j:.!! anjn Domscn pvpni t^snn fji^xn n'n n^ao 'inN^ di^k' JOT ''^^^ nair:Dn nyntj'a:;' ""ntii^ anp::' n'oi? Tiana nron i"r n:nnb i:^ -ir::3i ds'i^'dh '•jd^ sa ax 'n 'j nrae' ••in pi DQK'on mra ^aijs 'iy\nn ^'\yTvo n^i:^ mni ijop-^:' n^i i^m nI? tndi .n'lya piDii? V)r r"iD'j'y-iD a"^ n'a naajn \''):pr\ -^p'v^ iy\-n Dvoynon^ nn^ia^air no iK'y'tj' nrni^ p:nK^vNmpy-i onb tr^t:' QntJ'n '•nns i?y irxi hcriN pK ^ijyr pnb ijicriN nv nyi ^h't' ^!■o^ non Hn:^•^^ ^r"n "ir:NO Q-ip'-c' ij^dti^' ir\"n /'nrya Niab nanp nyic^n nvptr Dvn ny ni^n poya ninnj-^ no ^a '^^ no^ni .n^t ^t:a Njn na 162 y'j2 n'a ^!)t'D ""y. HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS l8l jcrn yapM "''jn ^t^•o^ my ny b':2 in -)n:3 ^jn nx 'n ^nin 'pn TT t2Nn Nr .niDon 3s n't 'n dvu nrnnn tsac'D ona nirynb ''jDirD '\-ii ,nDn Snc-n^ b':n 'nc'ni? u-in^oy-nx eiD'n ^Jn yb '"i ,n-i-iL*' ^w-'-'Dni (? n'v) r"^* isnsai p^:jsp eiNi: ]Miir[ iy\m dhd ^33 B'P'i yi *OD"iyn iy nnnn noiy py^D:yiiSN fisij inxn px ny jtsca^yr p^jjnp eisij t^rs yn ^"-i 'pr] mvan ^"y .ly-i^i^ya osn nnno mini? mix nins^ p:3Si pyi?D3yii^N eixn:^ ^jn ^Ypn nnyi IjK pj"r y^n nnnsn m-nt^ri pryn: inyno nnn d^j "jnt nns ixn p^n*^ "no p: ,pyj:NP eisn: n-isai chd "vdxd ^d2 D^i'jny n^DH fo D-iny:2 non |Nto fyn |S3 did^jh ^dvh ny pnisii jmoj tnn niix Dn333 ccinn oy pdno i^xncyo p^x fsn no n'-i" iniN iiDc^ ni3^c3 ^:"I5^'N^ c^^irvn nnrno nnx^ pyj ^xnoyo bti nin xin dj nan!? p^irny y^n ntrn!? x^"'axn n:ix ^n'n"* i?i2b inx^^xncipyn ^"y i3"nn ni'ya i>r |xr3 oxn y^.n n-j'.n !?vxi ,n'n> i^jdh t2N.n ^xncyo b^pb "^yn jxc"! ,py3:xp fjxna p onsai y^.n nnTk^D nanno Tf D'^"*"' ricna i'y unsii o^uo^y D^jyjn nnxo pnyj naitjri pxnc nx: |x^-xr:msrx f^n ix: ^n poyn Ljnsai dv ^53 pn v» nnx p2xn iv n'n^ i^Jcno non p^p tipx Dxn Lir^^;': in tDS'j'on \'""\r\ p ]'Lin\y bti^ |XD ,p3y: ny Dxn n^*y p^x -jxn ^pi'i'^^VTyna v^y niDT nc!)?o nvp ny c'n ^t2xn pay:: uaco pn Dn^x nyn t^sicn b'iH Drx fniD iv c'xii |nyr ^xnoyo p\x o^ro |xd ;xp 3'nx ,Drx 'pn ^xu^K' no i'a!' piJ2.n py^jxp eixna jynx:: p''p ]'2iin ^n'T niJOin y^n cDVw'.n pna^J pnrj ^ina p-'x f\yn Dxn ^nr^.n poya 13d?o y'n onnxD y^n t^sirn \''in ir\nn ,|nxt3 iv unit ny 1200 CD^^xr naix '■•ij^n n:ix ,niti'D3 'rn ois-j-h pn!? opcb Dipoo nrnr^a nnx ana mip cdxs p^x 0^0 nayn p"l"3 :"x "'yi prynj jxaD nixons ]'ri)p ;x3b mnn^ii :"xn dpx 3''l: 'x dv3 ^inn'j'j b':n ]>nnb b':ri lOT.ni ^pryiu bxnynxD co xn ^yjn cixmn!? 'i^'iny^ 3nD3 nnvj'n oy poip n'T i^Jcn |x ^xnoyo p'P Dvn ny jyii |yn mxr^!' nvp '^n 3'nxi ,pcip DD":r nc'yc' no ^y naoon n'n^ "ly^.n po nnyn xi /nyii '2 DV C3xni nnvn ^jeoio nayn 2"o nno paxn pa ^2'Z'nb lann px jy33x: y^n ^xn: pix!? nnni y':.n yn 'pn ^non:!? iro:; Dn:D x'** y:n Hv^ii inxi D'rrnni ncn ;n: '.m ^ny:n y^' il"d: bv my L-pai? 1 82 RAHBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON riTn'' r\'C'P22 .^jn D^vj-n pnn^ nrnoi? £)"y ains^ i2:''b''))2 in -)m> DJ1 iJDvya ansn li? nioD'' n"D ^'i "pn-cf an^n imn ioth^i 'pn ^''DywS'i ^n^n: n:N'nn i^m ^33 -ivp '^^ jdtb' -i*i:'N3i ^d"x3 icy mpoi? njnr:)^ ;nnN33 dl"ns -iyn u>d :"n my cy 5|D'n ^'^n ^'i ^3"ns loy i3n Dj-i n^jiB'n anan 1^ -iddi ^nnv CTiJn pn-inx* n2iL"n pT 1^ f\xu' 1^ -ir:xi b":n ddvch pnn >j^y3 nonh ]nb 1n1^5 fnj "ni nxnc' nntsnn i^'^u^n n''t;'> Nine' pi ^^'jn ^ix-ij^ fi^Ti ijDvya 2^L"n^ b"i2 '\n pnn nr nrDS'n nn ,v^y mar no^h n"T i^nn ^x 21D lan^ n^mni? b"2n b"-\ "?nb Dinm 2ina pja-n pnn jn:i ps* n"3 "n di^ /Np ^Npna y'jn fa n::'Dn ^t? pin dv i:^\-n ^dv '<"i ^y pin dv pv •'"1 ijy Tnin lyjn ^c pin nv pn nn 2"V "n DV n"a b":2 pi ^pyj D^j ly ;p ion d:ox ,nit:'y^ pnn Tn na c*^ nn y':n y'l "pn ^jniu n^iys ^sncym no 3"nNi mar nvp 10^^ b^v anan lom pinN23 oian lyMtr D)p^b ]^^''^^] mpco ^laTi dpn* Disnn iy:n oy niSncM •'"yi .d^idnm n''3 iroiB'b ^'jn pnno ''''i^T] '^1:2 131 xan^ ]n'u "1 i?N* ^i?Dn^:r inis* immi pdnid::'j icvy Nini ^T'aiN C'-ni? men imisi? i*dk 13d»o iN''vin^ n"T "i^rDii irn hr:ns '131 wn nn ^'in ii:no Dip'':r li'^sv::' ^niai icn mm 122:) Si3 ;"S^D ^"y 'TiDy i:)S* v^2V^ ^Dii^r^i jn3^ ^'ji ^'i "pr] fNiNai ^pyj:Np ?ini: piN D-Dinn 'm" r^yi ^prN^ iv paxo ^Nnr:yo m pip \V22'\ ^jN3D D^iaDj QnmD nr^x iiyi ,niic' ik'idiii /'-a l^cn^ n"\s tiohr Dili la^ im^rrn i:;mi j-rs^ iv penn ^xiti'i 3"y Q-cnih nniD^ nmon!? "n i-'i d'd!'d 3^1 .p^r idid n"ii Drx imro a": inii pv^ ^'n pryii: !?yi2 s'ay td pnxn pj poxon ^53 nmiu' srs: mp^D ^^3 a": nyj* ^'m nyc* ^^n ^'•atj'n r\2U ^^n^ ,ii''3ix Qiini? niOD i^ivni? nmo^ ijnya iij^rK^ "1^ iJip nipi mvcn l^ontD iDni |n n'C'p22 t33"i3 p>x £2111 irxni^yo trxi nyii? nxn njnr:^ pn fp^c' Dn^x p^i^n 1x3 ''i^xpn ''^t pi ^in^on^ Ti^ao n"T 'mi dxi ^it nj^iD^ nioSy iirm xh (?i^*2mc*) v^antj' D^pob u inn n"\s ly ]p ^nxT nrpa^ i^cn 3^ mun^ jn'^^-m n"3 "x pxi HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 1 83 b'in nnT^n dji inita t3^3 isp n^r^ pjyp inyo pn T^^-^i's' nriD!? ^^^:^ ^n ir^vyn nn^ .pit: u^i nnv d": py::xp ^ini; tsnsni D^bn ^DiD-j ]""'? D?^s m2^»3 n^vj'si D'lnrvn 'n*^ nx'^r ^x in n"-)'- jND K'XT L3rs ip>ym jny-j*: b":^ ^xncyo ^"y no p-i ^na mno u-u-'iij n^'nnn pxn n't pan b":n nnnc^n onnsin D^cinnn TN* ,pryii3 ^^;■^?^ ivnt y] a"3 ^'n "pno pn iv ^"y pn pinn^ ^znsn "i^x b")) P"i ,pnc'3 D": >'3 r\v'^ "d^ n^'yo ^i;jNj "w'nt 'Dvn pn DQcrcn jDT \snn^ anp Tir^on yn•L^•a pxn p'Tco ncn Y'ro K'Ni njsnm ,p^N',i p?N^ HDnrDD n^mnn d^j n"3D nsn xt p-i"'ii noiy nmn no ^y v^x nin^^ Tin-i^in i^^ prx iny ^^n i"n ms^x "nncx dx nny?:i :n"L'ai n"a "n nxo nyit:*^^ irn^D^'i CXI niSi3i ni:xn "d ni^'am n-nn ^lo^ni "'^ 'M^i' niyrni mmon p-'x i"n ^'J'x-i bv nbv^ x-nco naxnj nr poya D"cnn nrx nr i"'x "yc^z'^m nvp icrn '\ic' it yu-c oiaii ^nnx yno t:nyL": nii?K'-inn nsrx na /s'xni ^i^n jiyn n';^^ni /-lyn inyt:-: i"n ni^"i:nnn k'xt ^•"•11 taiM") /c'33 2ynn ^3ix ^di '•rye ny:r mn3 lyc*^^:'^ jvi: niomi? n'^in bc' pcD ^y 3"j Din!? '•nxn nyna yr:c'D Tnn d^dt ^\x '2xn xnio xD'j in^xh b')^ p^rxjyjo nixv'nn n^n '"oys^ njix Dnii: pa n"a ^"n -i2X p: "'■^rnxvin 3jn"'t;'Xjy?o ''"y i"n ni^'cnnno -13X ^nxn ,tny'.": nit'c-inn ]'"p xro^j x!:dd mna ^"nry3 pn 'nyna ^B^ pn::'^ wn Yvd ^an^n ^nxn ^x ,i:'m n^yrri? ny i^y mxvinn pa-j'n^ T,x3'j'Di pnim n xm msvin """xr: n^ynnx ::'"2!? nxn^n ny nc'2X priv nn-in i^yi .p-aoo D3''j mrj nccm cymx xt pr^T t2*D nainrj' nixvin xn pi pyiij n xrj D'-ymx nnyii Ds^i'Dn fcr n'3 -\'^b mxvin pt::^•:1r njix ,n:ncn^ dl-xd nyi u^d pnnxD pL"oip ]^:iii'o IV y':3 nnyo d:i pnn ic: nnx ^'ii dtiTl^'di nnnyS -inion in:;^ ptiD uxn fxo 1x11 /syno:::' d^std pdc^jit -nix ^^22: j'-^do -I21D' o ir:',x' x^ D-iDtr ^'wnS ,pr:yj '"re '••D'-^piai O'v^i^-ci nn-iu'n X'Vinb nMD3 Tn my jni pn -ioj onip [n ^cn^j njxn xn r^ix niyr:n x^ii niyo X'yin^ pryvij n"D3?o xi"xd^ '•axn t^'^* '-^12 '''"^ '^yi ,"inv3 c*3^"ir pn'ojyry-ia n^: n'^yo on-ii "-d^dd .c^j'^ ^^yi pn'j'n ^^ |n*iji '*' mxriH 3:n'"J'X:yD = management of expenses. '" Xj'3 = guinea. 184 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON i^jycr no pn^jrox iv r^y ^s*t pay: .N^'y 2 f\i 'S3 n'in b^ D^C'^ ^3"iN*B' '13 .NJ'; D'yniKn fjy inv n"is\'inn iDino I'n ni'H^ in 'D'3o nosji ni^'o^ rnr I'n '^na i6'\ /nnoan loan nnN n"ix ^530 n^s to 'Tiyn ^n D^t^^ xh n'D3n^ hjon ^"33 Q''3y n''N n"30 t3 m^K'iji prxi? payj k^jjio'iipi pncyn nniu^ ^cj* ^3n ID vb]3 b":2 dpx '^n n'j^'o ttn '^n n''3i n"N^3 "'Jd ab n'l' i^ono y'nB'n n"o naio^ nipj nK^N3 dn pn'ONiD iv niN^mn t3*c'Np ^IP'C' IX nano^ pin vynvo '"y yon'x 'Njnn poipa non ^"33 y-i y:D ^30 i'xnc" ^53 N3ni? i?NT n'aK'n ^non3i vbx Tnn niNvin 3": i?£L2D imo nr3 poya Tf /r3Jy"i3 ix p'dj 't^ o'j 3": 'niNi pn i^vo napo n"3pn psi ^pmyiu I'f or-N n-otrn p "i3ti'n nann nox ^pn DJOK nyc ''no n3cn 1:^ b" n33E^ ^"J3 dimi '^^nxj nn'B> -132^ "-i^n pN ^N">J^< N"iy:f dis^ "rh 'n'lipi ^nano ^is'om nyrni nnnon imx "n inn'B' ^D'3n3 n3n33 d"ds p""]} b":^ inaiK'n 3310-iNiny laian ntr'ycj' n^nj nivon 'bv X33i T"niy3 131^ 1^ |n'i /31001 lam T*iNni?i ^Ti33i nciyn lanon n^o'i uai? nn'njn i^iooni ml'iniyna p"3 f['^ pbi 'mo nn"^3 '^3yo "pn nn n^sn 1^3 niLin vniJB'i I'o' .x"y' n:'-om pn:6 P'Van a'ao nn"^r Letter XL ."b n'opn 3S3 y"on ]^'^:^b n"3 in:iT Dy fna )'"3 D"-nnio p'nn N^aion 'jain 'nx "inxi? 'li'K' ,fii >y'c's'Di •>"n n3r'-i nnni ''n mp'n 'no'j £20 iDo n"-i "pn ^y n''ii r'n "pno 'jjyDxn oy non n''3o ■I3n3 nb'^ yba e^'in '"n p''n^ '3n3 punn ^12 'nni?j^ njii33 ijora 'n^3p ^3 nx nxin "prya nnx d:b' 'n3 pcj'Ni ,3"o3 'y"-\b nin'x 'i>3 mix 165 3'/y p"^ j^^p ^22. HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 185 "prh T-i?h D'^nsn nan nnvp2 N/r:n'j^ '12 rrrj* ^nr^n pDyn nmpn pny p ^31 in^Ji n^cN :^'\^• Nin nsnin "a^ •'3 prs^ Jpya:^' 70 n::T nvx^o^ rnnn dp^: in-j' ^yn IiT-d ch^d^ 3"Dyx ^fn riMi^ ^n^ yv H2r6 ^Nr n'^t-n '■"anon vnis'vin ^y pDin^ni D^3'j"nj2n onmn piin p irx nr3 n^!? az^ ^d noxn ^3 ,n^wS3 niJVDJD p-r ^^\*» p-i p\s* -IS '^poy pp pj^n t^y -ox .^s'Tki'^D K'sa nbvn ars* -iius> 'i>y nn n::'d Nt^'i' ^nn^ Tiidk' ^'i "pn^ p dj ^nnnDc* v^3 i:-iD3i nyn^ nnsi ^nns* N-^'in D"':2n "'jb' nv^^'a^i poD ^y Dini? om^' •'rL^•D n^K ;yn .i^^n psn inN^'p sjaxp -iyn njix D^■ln2 'I'^iVi pa t^' 'y^^ /*iyii pjnmsD iv x""'3sn m id inii \in Tin^c' p^N phr "-Dyn nimo nx'i:' na^o p^'-iK' n:3ni< ni^:D n^^n pno "'t:yn nij n^ij* /oyn D^^naj ivxn yD Dorn nxs pa N"n \'<''p i? yn^ niy^n /"n ni^C'innD B^sjn njsn d^id ^y nSyni '"-a N^rr-s* inha nr poyai s"3y Qvn ny ^s-i;n Niyi* nisi? ^'jn ■'"i p"n^ Tiana tj^N3 >* nann id:vj' :"n:^'ai n"a "n pvn 'm^ dni ,min ny:;' ""^nr^ i^trn *iy3 31D b mere :n"c'ai n"2 "n^ mpj D^njai pxn ix o^crij t'P2D na bunti pjai p-v ncnj^ nDT3 mncai bN-i::'> b lyni Diann foi?T "mo x"Nb ^^3yto "pn inrntoi? pioi tr"in Tnx ,^nic' (nsi) .N"y^ nrnr^ni pi:i^ p"pD njin d"do n'n^r p"3 e]^*i:' 'V c"-i p^j "j^D pi ^'n irmnar-D '•jn ^d^ dhj '""nxyn-ns* .opTj '^n mpM "ino"; ^n^j) The address outside is as follows : A Monsieur Mgnsieur Isaac Michel Spayer trcs Renommc I'anqr ! h L. Schvalbach. ■""' The customary greetings. D. O 1 86 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON Letter XII. .p:iN = :;'^s'Dh vn> on^i mpM ■^nc: inair oy ^'i3 nvn^ 'n^niN^ ^^^n fnr;:> ^'^nc' dni ^n^np ^j'^n n"-i p ^3n^ S1D131 ^nn'i^r ijcn ncc*: nor^ iijd^^ ""jn^DS mnytr ^^i^n ^3 iiy^j 0123 nnt:c^3 mar^ ^n'c'y i"j s-i:n* Niy^ dis^ rr'jynn n•k^61^ nj^ ^i? mr^y "rmij-n ^os '•jn^Nnc' ''•/pi '"iNnn ''•^ndi no-i2 nmk' fli3i y^n lariDnu' n"i bv y^^^b ^cvy nx Tipmi ^'"'V'^^^PJ^ ^'niyn .liN^fon pmn nn ,vbv n^-c-ni? nan mc' innan ^nxvo xi? tc' y^ ns '-es b)fhzib im nonNn xihk' no Tinit^'n nxn ••'\nTy3 ni!ryni? nm: Tiyn px nix-pn irx nx /^jiltn"! "in^ir in d'^di nm!? i^N nr d: wn^ d'j li-is* dx n"En d-^j's Tin Ni.nir no 'lasi oisnn ij^N'^r ''D NiT^j' nnna::' nci ,p3n^ ipbn Ni"N3i' |n3 Dtrn ^a ;b m inub nnxc'i nty mc^ dxi /'•b '^rot:' ""DP lan no ^nn K'a^n'i pan ,MZ)ivb nam nxn onx px dji /"-anx 'nnna p''y'' "•» '"'Jii' nxo "IX ''•ic ninn"" oisni? unrkT nmp VniyoK' nvn'^K' 'd paji Mxn ^nynh u^^y ncna' pn nro lovy p^d'' ir:vy3 xini '••j^sid onoii' nc'i'B' ,Di£n^ Dn''j^yn nxTc^ no Dip^ ^jn n:r^cy ix '^jb' B"y"i '''mi^ni 'xmn o 3^'y Dt:'^ nar^tr pinn nr |3ix s"yi .Diann nar xi? nxB'ni nna^ xh 0^1:^6 iniiia::' "d Djr:x ,nnx nan "x n^y pn nxK'^ ab oyo IX nnnn ncx^ dx '"b naa^x xi' '••hnja nc' li? nvni' nDinrrn 'jx inp nan '^dx nnij •'jx "xmia ,njiiaa Dyo aiD .vsn nyioK' /'niya nmn ^^j* nnr:xi' niv^pa t<:nb yjiJC' no p .nson by ania nsDa r"y n^nto "-a c'nn ^nn '"-sx n"D:a nnx ix '\':ip ijis^JS jn n'a 'n n'j'y nn-B' noi 'n >3Eii? x^n"- '■^x naoa anajtt' nnxi>i 'nnn 'nnxB' ^ja s'ay "-nynb inv D-annb djox ^nro mar ^i? xn^K' jn'tj'ai xb '^cya anc' nano nx^nn inr "xnnai pmp?a nna'' '""ait^'n 'nci!? maab nr y';D irx ^ia dj e]x ^naca x'a ni ici-yc* 'nob ixvr3> 1C6. 3//y ,-i"a pbin '■"•y. HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 187 n^nji nnina 'n '\::n'c* ^ci ^^33 t:yio b^^a nna**^ "•si? nroncn ,Nin D*^ hnji lup'J' ''t2''{b) rvjo v^i'iTHD htd nicy^ inns* ni:»""i nD IN .i^Q3 ncncn nn^n b in "3 mNi '••p^s* "-rya 3id nih '\T t2yn DN1 .r^nn fin 1m:^•yi? ^li"" n»non nna^ :;':;"in •\:'T Nti'nQ niNii? TJ'DJ npB>n'>r n^N-itr nvn^ N»^yn ^^^m D'a nNn 3jni 3'j NJ:nDo /^N D^'noijiyo p\n nYna 'iiacn 'pn b\^ nnao npnyn nnn nay yut' b'on 'pnS TianaB' no npnyn niNn^ i^ xn''^ Nn'» j-ncj m^nnc'n -jn^k't miN i^y .jn3 pty i^ynn ^b' '•'DDnDaNn 3n3 njno nain Ninc^ y^n pnryn -jd b bp^ n'n^ nsiv niD^cn nvna Tyi3 pyo-L^' 'n 'pm n^yin n^^ nra nanc'a '••DD^ip ncni ^y^n 'nnans v«;'yi b'jn 'pn i^nino^ nina^ '"DDnDiDNn 'pn^ yv pNno .pnyn anan nn Nv»n "ik'nd nuo^ nana ^jni c'pnci :r"nn ynN '•^cci n'lxD 'i^iri ''^n pn 'vna ^hn pN r"n n:i^ p"pQ 'in d'dd nn'^r p'a fj-tj' joi'T 'ino N^N^a ^i^ayu 'pn inaiD -iinan n'3 d"imi , . . , '"^ n'''i vn" nnp\n irn^nx^ n'> n:nron"i .:^'"^ n:^'?o li'-nxi -bnaN '3 .pnyn -inn i^nnt'i "T-ajn 'o-iison 'pn 'mo nN-ip^ 'i^i:^^ Nvr ^jn dj ^'n nD tnip ^np ^^an i>y n^n nsv^ ^ovy ^y n^ 1'^'^ }*Tn n'lna nn^ry tj-n '"^^d^.n '"^^yi niin noib noa non ^^ano N^ivn d-iei nai' iniDj ^n3T ^"y nor b^r*^ 3n"c'3i n"3 'n^ ni^n'-oi '•"hn DN1 ^y:3 '"DDnnsNn '-rvpn nc'pa ^m niN naiu^ ni:ry^ ys-it:'"'^ ;dp Nin myn py iryn-j' i:yT' li'-yyn nn: ina isna N^n pDyn-j.' nr^i no n'l^ ni3^c3 n:ic*Nn '•'at^'vn ^vn '•'nryn 1^ ^'i^' dl'"i n^ "'cy '3n nnN nyrn lo^y n:ip c-n nam pn: 3^ 133^5 ■niyi' >nyn "1CJ '\T DN nv-i3n JD1 '''ot^•n |d ^d^:;' 31U n3C' ^'y ^n:^ nvD^y 3in3^ ^:vy-i by nby 1331 "''nTy3 nhn:n n^ by nxin nivo iV nN'''£U' p:;'N -n'n3 n'lD 'oiiDon "pn 3"t;'i "in?3 . . . . b "pn '.nbyo nu3 p3 raico ^y^'CN invj-ybi niNi^b loy nanp ^nyit:' ''j::'3 n^N "'-i3n n^c-i v^n hnt ^n^'^bo v:l"3 s^n"- Nine '':''3i '"'c n3-) n"i^73i nbN3 'n3n3 *3 *3 xmn d:?:n '3*n3 'do ninbn u6n o 2 1 88 RABRINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON n^■?^D unD3 nna n^n v"n '•'L'' "pn in^yo ni^Dti' 'dtidoi yn^ 1T3 ^3i3N Dai .WDub I'linb ppin::*Dn iinDn mi? d^n l?t:' inn23 nnisn 'iHD p33^3K' nnx pjc'1 |*nn '^sinn •'jmn ^nni n"K c'"'! n"j vn^ yno n:;*D nns' d'-ti iri'ip pycD i^yn -ik'ni i""i3 ^'3 n-so nnnwS' ma^ niDib nbiy niD'-^n ^h^1 331D1 ,"it:y na yavoi on-'pD ''ba 2Mif .i? D^b^b hxt;-6 vapya i^ni nra nnN ^^un c: .Dii^K^n ti^nnn Via in^D D^^t:''- n^ ps-'^Do '•ry ntj'Na n'2D3 djcs* li? n'-c^'Ni n^DJ3 i^Ni /nc'pn^ "leo >a3 s-ki-^ ab^ .-idid t:nc^ iniND '•mtD^' '•3 nvn^ '•iNnnD i""i3 |is::• >i3-iax '3 ;nnn 3"ir Disni 'i^t:' on^ tj'x ^531 ''•c' hcj'jd t;'r:c r\Tb mpiD3 '3iny ^'i pjiv z'b i"nn3 "x^ ana pjy^ px ;nnn^ n^'^^n id'vJ' C31 3"n i3inn mioc' "rcxa ,pfx^ iv p^yuca s'ca ♦d's p^nxv Dnyii Dcxp or ^1x1 o''2 ''vn ^nj3 "-^ayD "nn'3 "nan . JX3 ••n^ap 133 1X3 Henn Meyer Sallomon Schiff Jud. gag. in Frankfurth am Mayn. HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS I 89 Letter XIII. Dixny-'DU' «iDV 'i ':rh ei'^'J' '•byu 'n ':n mas* HD^-w'TD DVD n^^^D mio iniD3 ^Di n^ Q2n ^minn ^^nn 1133 m-pra mis!? nirri^yn s^vin^ .nnini njin ncN minn nniND b^i nsiny nnna n^^n vt-d^d!? nnonb nTJ- n-i3Di n''n^r:N* nb'n bv mn n^cyn^ n-i::'r:m ru'n )b a'mNcn n-in n'n .n-nr:r"i HDD 1^ nDDC ny nr's minu ^n nsTn ir^y "imnbi nia 'n mvci ni3D nncw an bnpn ini^nn '-nD);n psan n'v ''^ mxEn i'PD ^:y -)\s> ivb v'j fjDV n'lD n-T-Dyr^n 'nnvD p"pn d'ii n'^s ^na- ann .i"n' min Nvn fvva •'3 ny in^yr:rD :;'pn^ ]bn ny ^nsn ,inninh id^ di^c' nc-m -inx taioni ncn nv dv ^nin^n ^y mpiL*'n nns* ncs mix ^y '-'a ]\ii:r\ D^JL" nc'cn Tiyb nr ncnanx* '^^no^iyn 'bi'b r.C'N 'n\nu* 2'b nn '3X IK .nr^n r^yii^i ina u'iS NCjn^ nnvi nnyi nroin i:n n^aa n^y^c nny ni' pNi ^b'^n nc's npina na nnrn^ m^ ^y Tiaay n'ycc' pNjn in^yo n> na^m m^3 :^'* d:cn*i .n'j'ijnj 'n-JDat:' in^yo nvni' nr ^y K^':rh n^nn^ ^Dy b ^n^ >* .ncijn: VJ23tr un nnoiD rn> ^d ny .pti-nan b i^y^ti' inx ny >• i"-i: y.^in nny3 p n^ pn-no Nini:' nn::::' Dvp . . . dn '•3 nr pt< r\'cb^2 nyn ^'m 'hpn cni .d^:::'D nins nnyac' nm psi Nn^msn DVwD CN ''h^' nc'Nn '23 iNi3?3 DyuH iPN "ly n-c'DHi na . . . . ^x3D;"'r:"i Npn 'eij N^^^ Dic'ro dn ••ib^ Ni*3yT Nn^o Nim any ^it:* n^ nrn "'n^3 Dn3n psi "inx ps* pi-n": ]':iib oar^s Da eiN p nvn3i .3';p ''D y"N3 -in"i3?23 nL—ian: 'n^jD3i:' '''i'']}J2n (Tnn^) ^3"iN n33\s ;'c"n*:n bv 3n33 nnny "i:n^-j' nny •'Jt'-' nS ■\t"J' ab ex .□3n3 'do x^i Ditdo ir^vs np^ym D3n3 ■''sy pxir'an n-ir:N:n n3DD nr nai .?'" ''d y"N3 in-n irsi i:nvo nn-ro n'y3 nH -ny "ix-j'D Dan ^xtiui pw*n'a "'T'y3 3'xc'ro ^nnv^ n'y3 il^pnc x"n ri:^:r,3 'hntj' ni-x 'xvj^a Tnn^ ia^ px i:xi ^D3n3 'so 'ano Dny ni? w"-^' ix pan ^iia mT'3 t;":^• x^ dx ncnan.T* mr:'xi ninm IQO RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON Tan n" ncnm n'a nr'yo nT-n tr^B' is* n-jnan: on-'janr' 'n"'yi:B' ,NDi3 03^ n'3 nc'yD pn ni:;'D N"im y'^v vim >3i?i "n ''d a''n ib n-j-y'^ni ^cvp yi)! pNi tsn I'l^ t^d niD^CM >'3n '3 a'jp '"d y"B'2"i nny n!? ps::* n-iosjn nL"N3 n:ni ,y'vi crp . . . . a'*- pj-'yo 'd n'a 'n3 n^ pN"ic"'in n-Tin^ ^31n n^ .nt'-iin: nn^jDac' nn^yon nr^^nn Dnocn (d^c-'jn) |N3a •'NniiaB' nvnh ,n''2 nK^yo (iN'vo^c) ny can D"'D' n-i"iD''X3 nicxjn ncsn nioyni o-^i n"2 n^ iniDb nnv"i n-it:N:n nc'Nm n"2n "'T' nro^nn n''3''K' D^:^•:N . . . v< nr^n mnon ''^N^c•^■l .... T\\y:b . . ni^'nsn bi):b) '-nic"-: biHD"'::' njnjn ^nvy D'y ."iid"'N3 N'con pxit^'^jn n^nj n^ cn nni' .'•i' icNM ""nv y^n PN1C''': ninn^ nnp "inr -ipn nvn!? .nivo -ima f-\: pNjn 'a nnon^ n^ino •'Dvy ^ns^'D my ■]ir:D py^^^cr: n>^ "in '-^jna n:5rn cii "':y "n tr^x Ni*n3 na n-i3in ''':c ht-'n nny nrn n»i nc'x dlj> nc'j ib'k oDCJip-iyn^ ih -iB'N 153 ni5 n^:ni .m^nniD 'nhr ix nam nno^ irT-n ns* 2iTy^ 'nn^D ''3n3 nii^c^^ ('•'^Dn) -133 nt:Njn :^•^x^1 nr^n mnc^ mm nr^n n^noi? innx ivnn |yj:^ mam nv^'p incx 2^ ^y "imi D':)^ n^aa N\n nya nbyi nr:B'n nii'Nn .yioc'o '•'jtn hddini niNi:)o nmi nnN nirnriK' nmx ^113^ bi: nI? "ic'N31 .i^^-in n^xo n'lr:^ n"iQ "pn "•D^ t2-i23i ^n^ya T'O na ijapi? nnina^ bi: '•^in D\n nmob nbv2 p3 .jNai? inns* nirn^D D:n ^3p^ nnv n^f•'D^ hk'dj nbv2 nm no ''•rki'n -ly: c*^n ni.ii nipr N'-ntj' nni'fii "3 t2:n nbp3 nnins^ ^int "^^^•N nr^n n3nK:)3 n^^'s* n^3 ''\y^ n^yai ^nmo^ji njuy dk' n3C'^ n^ "'n::'p3 3"y i3n> nnn nsTn n^c-»3t:ni i3n "ic3 13-1 n3 ni^C3Dn -1331 .L3jn bipb rab ^y n3nS n^ N-ipi? i"n: pxjn in^yi:^ nni^'^ n'b^^f nv^'vb jn id''3o i^y^K' nisvin ^3 nbr^b ^jn ni?y3 icvy nvinn DH^yj' i?yi nbipci ir:ipc3 )b]}'^ nix^iinnD ti^t D^t'^ jni n3^in^ miJsyN* TnccTD ijy ""^ni p'^-y "•': pxjn 'd in3it^Ti nc^kNC' loix ■i^y m^"' -irx i>33 niE'y^ ^^ nnoy on^ys v-i3n >^n* ni33 rsvTiNi n3n^ '•'mn bi n3nx '•by i^jn in3n3 d^jc'i-ii inn33 |r:s*:n *i"n non . . , . pn HT'p n:Ni ninnc'N pns '••dn muyi minn bv nnun HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS I9I pn:b ncnn n'cp '^d x'n Vyr^b nniw-n ^nsvo mjsn nib -ins* n-i'nn^ 'jdd pirn ni? nr b ny .anrn ^so jnny n^nn^ nvni pn ^s^jD \b ij« ^3 /li'yoi' ipDD ab n'vj^ ^ya ^3 ''3nDn 'd?d nny Q"y anan 'so 'n ny dx '3 ii^ ps* n't pi^3 t:-i22i .Tnn^ dc' 'nnx «1DV 'i.-iD NmvD p'pi naN nnn^ .vby n^nn^ D^iya nyn ps:r no Letter XIV. . .p"zh D"bpn Dac^- j'3 p:\b n'a nnTi ,n^yD n^yrD "n mpin^ ^nhnji mina . . . 'nu2 ^ixc's DDniDon Si:n psM 3-in 3'' 'ins n'n nbnbi Dtr^ Dn'?:^n3 i^nj n^hncn p"pn d"-ii n'as '': biNC 'inn nu3 n'na >'ny ''2 n%2 nya ,n3n b'^ "lun ir:'2 pdd3 p20 myno nnnN d^d' nin rw^'ViD •'"v ""ivy-i ^y n^yc' no I'l: ps':n n'na ''Js^ nivnb ^mniynj inmoD nvp ni:^^ (?Tt2') X3i n^^c' ^'y dj nn^on n^b sae' ^Kini nu'yc^i n^brh nDi3 nym min nyn inyn 'i^yo ':3'C'nh nan y"^vi 'd nix ::'''y ^yan n^^c^^ ns'j'nnn noin nyac' n^mn nt t:j yyt:' eia^ni :n'"'DD n"D^ ^i^yo n'dp '•'D y''i;'n noi^an c':n nnniDi ':dd n^nijo Nnn 'idi in^o nm^*j' n^n in marjn 'nt'N i*3 icn-i'D N^N a'^KT nij^p n^^y^ xin nm^c' "'•a 3"y x^"D3 .onx bi? c]3'n*j' nna t« 2'x ^ync 12: n^ n^hn^ ^:^'x^ n-^iy::^ r^ain n^^ir tr'Di .pV ini'Q D'yx 'idi '3t:o nc'iuD xnn nnbv n^^ D:n y^yt:' y"eQ 'nsvro x^ nbp n^^ca '*Knao lax px-^' nniD ^'nn nat' c^'jn xho {y'jn nnain dxi = u'dd na '^jn x'oin pi x'cp ''•d >'a ^c p3 .n^p pnpT xin dc* mt:n x^anij' nbp n^^::' nDi3 ^'an x'3n pbi nbp n^b' xin y"cn noiaa '^sm c*"33 xH nna nann ^nyn^ n'^U' "'v ^n:b D^jnij i3x pxn po pD':n mD^ D^annxn inio^cc'n 'X'jn xiDun ncx'h c'"jn noiiD 3inD^ nvn Dxn y: jd'di nbzp nc'nn D'o^pon mna nny \:" dx p"i:' *'y cnj^ "iid*x pxn \V2 ^Dx^ant:' D':nnxni v"v 3'3 p"d x'r:p '^02 T"Dni n"3n r'cai '':'nn ^m^t^' n'3 c": b:r nxcnn nou 3inD^ nvn dx ^nyn ^y rhv d:?-x 1^ nD-.o-w-Di 'ny ':d3 in^x naootra n'^u-^ nrox^ 3*3 ^ynn inv 'i3i 192 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON •nD3 VJD^ 3"in3U' 1C3 -nDDH :)r[:b "ir'^n nnx nm^ ^^s .djh m:d nj?L"3 'm nm^c* nn nnmn |niN icin ^yan pNL*' mvp3 ptD''3 lycc N*^::' no romni pnniD nN:;'-inn nyn n-ivvD^ jiai irx ^"^n '■•innNi '^jvj'xn ^•'pmam fva nn xT-sp pNT "loi!? nt^'SN "in byao 1X^31 Tsn p-i nnn^nn n"'3Tn n^ /'•i nv nvsi '•'du ir'^n d: D3 ^^yan ii^n'* nv^:]'i tnh onnmn it^th n^ ^nnriDJ nsB'inn B'jy naiDHK' ii-'arn sh uitr^ ninv "isd nnn n'jc' d^pdidh n^arn psT N^N ^n-i^or^i MJJD nyc'n jn-'^iina i^ynn -ir:iNC' ^nm aim!? t">^' ^DNVo HTo n^nji ^^yan nan ^y f)''DVi mc' i6 "iDiontt* nn xn^sp D^^Di TiiNa B'''y pj''D D'nno i?y p)brh V^ p"d n"cp ''•d anr niaa nin ntitJ'a irv?^::' 103 ••23 inaT p-ion >i nN*t:nn2 d"o '•ni") ini JN3 j"ni /nan •'nr C':'x nc abi cyuo d"u nmnx pncxn Tii'n pc*^ b i3n3"'t:» ir^D x^x 12: ^''n> x^c p:y2 )rbu i6 ^xnin b E'n"'Da -i"'3TD ni^?:n pxK' n"::':^ ^c' ns^ ^533 ina nx'J^nn^ r"D b"2V '131 p^1D^■l ^3 31713'' nsiDnc' ir:D x^x '''3''''^'n niJit'^n n^''nn3i' \xnii3i ^nnn-j' "1x^^-3 nxc^in pn T"Dn n3n^ nn ^{^"y DX ^3X ^nx'L:nn3 3in3!? Jin^n jicb nn'^Doi ii:d nyc^s ^y3n ncx' n?:i^ nii'DX nxtrnn nom Vt^ay ''jni:iK' pr^3 k>»jo ^y3n nr^x x^ n^^B' in::'ytr3 ^y3m jinjn "-23 nx::'-inn nou 3in3^ p^i3^ 3s"yxn 3in3> -iDion::^ -jdid nuic'^n b T3rD irxc ''s"yx M'b ujn noioi -1313 i:-iD3i ''spj n^ pnyi ^T'on c"03i n"ca 103 ''•jinjn p"'iQ\n i^a IX ^d:x'' xh n^n"- xi? ""sx n'^b^ nic^y^ ir:3 13 ^i^n nin>^::'n "iip'-yc' '•'S3 noiN^ in-i bv^ri ntrsx im^c' n-o bipb n^'b^ n^i'xn nitry^ ni)i3n -1X33 C'"yi i^b ^"vo x"r:p '•'D y"5^3 nr:x3i nn-DDi mjo nyt:'3 '■'11B' nTDOi ""urD ny:^'3 ^yan nan nDi:i nxiinnn nou Y:p ''dd P'c: ''Iidj:) b^^ 'nh c:^:x nn-jpa pu^:n nnD3 pi pynji nsDin '•^3 nxc'nn hdui nnvpa pc: nnoa Dn'':^^ xin-^r id3 'nnoo nr:n .n3n3 113: nrn^ ir nno^ nx3 nxt^ c'":n nDiJ3 ncipo nvp3 '''3ni3 n-ivp3 n:n -ino n^xn-^ oiiinn nso ^3'^^ 'lon^i miy!? ''nx3 33x1 ei3m omp 3"d nix '•jb' can inDa -i3':n pnoni d"d3 Vkj'''nn x^ '"SX '^n'h'y n'^t' ix nni^c' ix nnx n^Nvrrnc nipo ^331 ion 'i3i nrci .i:pn3 pi^!:n n"D mx3 d^j-i .djix x^3 '"dxi ''mb^^f nxo ny HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS I93 13-iv b ipinoi '•ivo irN-j' im^ ^ovy d^jdh^ n^c nN'j'.n hv Tiirpn cnj^ nv-n D^-^ n3noi5 i^n nnx rma anpoi \N:n by ua |n^b '3 mvpa pD-j -noai pj'-y B'B'n nvp '^^::' "•2''yN* 'N:n •'"y incx N'b "sjn ''"y -jnib tr^ pry irw'n t:"'i nno ^nb n'^^'^\ irs dn::^ '^Njnn pjy3 niynn '•nil N'''J*jn noin nnno nrb ppnrni? TT'^n ''D n"d-i n"jm '^D'J'DD x"3 nvj'y ••n-'^'-i ab) ^n-iil-dd nitc' pn P"p2 pjnw ^n^Nnt:' ir:2i m:3-iyi ni^sc'D ''"y rD"cj' on d"d n"Dp nv'3 nynb nnis "Z'^:) /oy d-'^dh nniDD p"pn nann dji m'sa ^rya nion 121 ninab Ti^sn nan ■'Idi N"y"' "d rhnp nou' pjniJ n'D ''D ^iK' j"d2"i n"b-ii a"'^-i'''D i":Dn ^xjn by d: •'jna ti'-n-ic' 'm lu^: nr nn nosi;' -inx nriD ibinn n'n '"-d ••c^'-bc' :"d31 ^'o b:: "in^jni D'aonn by nn i^ddc' '^aiu y'bn :^•"y •'Njnn idn'-i d^^d^ N'at^'-ini n"3N-in ncn ahn 2"pD n'b '^d3 •^'''an N'-an-c^ D^:nnN*n nr cyDoi ^syvD saan r"2 ^iid D'^nni :;'"y n'c-ini muni pni riwX ^nyjo dvdi bit:^2b n:n3 nirrm -non pp)^^ i^nd' n n^'Vijt no-in nn'DODi '••znaD rby '"'cn '\T' bi nnu' "jnoaini b'j3 ^r^^jy mo-j'o by nicys /i^nsi njnj ^xxi ^i:sin by "im "-b 2''^'< nNu'jm baa njcxj umx n'an .hjd'" ^bs tj'n ban nn "l^"^r nvnb .n^ina "pn njiyi ny Letter XV. .a"y .c'cs n"aN:nb 'b D'bpn -ns I'v n'a can 5)1^1 DVJ'bc n^b ly^jn-j' b":n n"-)o nnn nan ••by '"any amN'.:' ibm ina n'j'"" Nn^nixbi ib in jm ibibv:i ijvj'b nnn nxvra .pyob n:i::' "jxi .pl:3 nno "ania '"^vj'Nn.n nan (?nL"E:b) pnsb inyn by nbytr no "a .-nyn n:in xb pnyj' a^nx n?:Nn a"2yN Nb D'V n'C'voi boa "xjnn pvV nst;' po noib n:irsn napcna nbin:n nvj'L"n niy uc" n-j'w'h n^'o imaaai rawa Nin-j' nabo 'lai a'a n^Dpn nj.nai nnxo p'^n^p nbap ns pi int:'nj n^rno pa xin cn nun d";:' Dio bxva'j' ppnn xnb '"b vana a'^^na p^yn nnxu' nr:i .man 194 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON jni ix^ noiN DN n'tro .c^p ncyni ^D3 "nmn nvd:"i Dsnj ans* mn^N^ '"EN onip ^N3n ^nv^ N*n a'Nt'D ."jnn in^3 d^^doi ixh 3'nN:;' \sjnn m-cs* -ins n^ onip nt^'yon ncs dxt oyun ntj'yon nt^D IDS' N^'' I'a^ :"2 '•N^na iJ^vtsB' id3 ncynn nTr:N^ ^oaci 'Vi 3'3i runcn boin nay dn rn^t:^ 'nt n^ 3"Nn nay dx i:n -I33B' p-s 3"n* n6 '"D "'nn nx^^ri n''aN-im pni -idinh "sa 'Dini "i'3i :'33 \sjnn D'nx -ion" dn "-jno no ^N3nn mip n-k:'y»n ncN n-^'y?::n m'^cs* ^nn^ ha^ i:''x fiid ^id n^^yo^ Dnip WJna ij^no "•jno N^ nTi? t2:n nj'-n:^ mip nnosn nnmn btr ^''yN n^'^nnat:' n'3 nnB' nni .in^^ii^ys Nin n^^yon ht'cni naoi ij'jn '"poish n:o ^yi pro >'nnD foi^ nr "N^n ^y nn^n 'n jpn^ nvn pxan ■>0N -133 n'db' p''3 n3n-in inyn eiiD^ Tni" n^j lyjo^c j'd3K' nz'yr^b onip ''N3n3 -i"3i 3"3 \x3n m''rDN3 D'nx pp-ri i^ ps ni-'yon D"3'3nn inr:N3 yc'ynt'n^ x^s* .13^13 insp^ ''nx3 n^ ^:ni ^"^021 w-n!? i^n -133 ^y3n ^xjn ^y dj n'yi niDXt:' '•o^ 'mn-ii tixd^ ''i'y nMpr\ nn33C' '"oyDno nD3 noix ":n ^ns 'i3i?3 ncN "i3m ddx '1VD 1r^?t^' n3n^ ppnrni? "-ovy^ n-iDy ^lox xi' n^^ nT3 my Nnn::'3b Nin-ism n"iD':i'D3 3n3 t'U^3 d31 .n''3ni "rin-iD r\:i*]}r:) ti^xi x^i N^ ini irj'y^ n3n3 d^k' u^k* ""jsi "x^n by d: dik' pjnu px I3vy n3T by jn^:;' lom |n ib nnb no^nnn ''-•t nnTian pyci nn by '■'3D"' 'ni .ncin immb "3b n-cn "3103 inirD3i nonn inyni nn n3nx mm3y3 -iic'pn 'n3 nD"'nnn imin3 irpbn nnb un- '?^ nb::*bt' poir^^n nn3iDnb .pin '\t obiyb .p^jb nioon -nx3 ''D DD-iiDDn bn;n pxjn 3nn ''3nni n>T '•3inx ni33 n'n fonvn .i"-|j bixtr -n"-iinr3 '3 d"-ii n"3x n"nD n'y mro 1DD3 "nxvr^c' mix ''n''3 xbon: nro'-nnni n3"n3n nnx "iJCD nnx -i3n iy:''3K' ni3"iini bisbcn b3 ni:r^x nisbno i"d3 ibob D'bn:n nynb pii3b i:''3r:r 3n"ti'3i n"3mb nxnin "'nn:i ,-nyj xb nK'3 i"Dp '"D y"nx pbn 3py'' ni3i^ n"vj'3 "-b px "-nxvoi 'ibtn nrycb y"'-i3nb nvn xb d"23 n"3x 'mc b"vi ;*"3 "bna: "mo |ix:n HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 1 95 D3K' "Njn ^jy Dja XVI. .-lybns 'ddh npya nn:s ht^n pn nvo: ncx "am fic6 "icdh nye* x"d'^c* 1'"^ ei'ir 'h2vt2 'iHD i^HH n"n!'3 n*;:»D HN'i^Di }'nsn 'n^ io''-ii n'^N "lEnn a-in n''^^ T'K' is^n nr :(nTD nor:b) p^Di q'd nvi2 'pn 133 aniDH dnj ."i"-i3 r"3 ei'C' ^byD "mo n^ns ^"ny "'3 nrn nson pnyn^ ^•naTtt' D^»n-i i6^ i?D n^s "n Tiix wx'" no ^^c'o "ciJ *iiy ^'orh nyn ^^ nn^i t:3t:' n"3 210 '33 no^h naiNB' mn nnnon man minn ni3T 'b mar w Tminn ^n:;nn:r .pja-n ^3r,ni p:3-i nn im^ na-ja ns cmc^i n-'-p^ I'i? p"^ DV3 n"y3 DIET n^^ is-anh ip^nyn^ n''^ n3 iddh nr ni3n nninn niDT ^^ n: -inr ^pi^N "n x:i p''s,b B"pn n^r ^n"ob DncD iNci nrn ison id^^ nDTNC nn -ibd "lanj^n i^yn man ^nnx .irxn -ics' p ICK '131 ^nna hni ^jni ^a D>'ip>i min^ ^j3 h:h (tnn x^'DJ D^cn d^dt nr^s* nnxi) .'3nT pc^' :3'nL"3i n'a ^'nrya mct:'c^ .nnn ni^n i?y ainrx Tni^-on n'^N ni^yst' n>:;'nn ,n''D3 ^nmu n''\2']r] ba '^n^ N^t^' .n-iixr:n nvv^ ^j^hni .nnn^ .nibDn lb .n-ny: nr:Nn .tl^ij' p"3 "-byL: "pn in Letter XVII. /byo '-1 ':n^ p^nn ''y;:"''-i 'jno nnas ^nt:' I. N'y /li^Dyin 'b n'cpn ]i?:n Ti "2 'r n'yn b'''y ei^'L" pnr:i p>do p:nD "in na-iDi r'na hl'T^^ ^'"inn ^s nm "imo .2': p"33l in: "-i3 Npr:iy^ n^n: pn n^3 3s .ini:yi ,„ jj;;j,-i>>j2 p"p-^ 2nn b"} lyb'iN Vn^d: 'i "'y 3nr: m ^N^J3 196 RABBINATj: OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON naiD ^Dy naioa nvmn 'd?oi in n^a 2x ]r\: "i nun ^^nnn:r '''::n IDS nvp pipn^ c"* 1:22^5:' '^jH '''en 'nj3 'inriDD 'iiNah Nm .I'p nioa^ ij^vo N^ni 'pciy^ n^njn m^na '••^n Nin 'j^m dicd pn"- ""C'l 'di:^ bs "■'^.D"n3^ p>c"'''m '.n"bp n'33 .k"i nmn^ '••cp p3-i ^n''3C'i 'nTn» 'cn •'an n""- m: pnr:Ni D"y nix»b '\i6^^ ''zn nai ^1nr3 pnn :r"^p iD"3a na^s /TinyDC' mnt:i pnosna vxin ^rm nm n^nnnn ^"^n ana dc' nne' .riianj "^nb i3yn> N^ nhx ij:d^ '•'xna inona '■'h::' nn ^ay Nina p-isn 'vnina N^n "in\* Nin nny!5 '131 'mina 'nr^sna anar' nra '•'jr-i '•yn no pair ''c^y •'ha in^i n"aN noi^b NrD^::'a /n^'a;:' i^Nntya •'^n nain 'ni'o ^iha ND^'a w^'i 'vt-c^ ^ax pns* Dipr:^ '•'nt nvp ■j'''nD:>*''N Nin Nm n'-ia •''■n '•'^y norr'si .0"^ p"aa nnc* yi3 '•':d NapiD j'-aiD [('•'N-i^ nns* 'ipoD n^im niN dik' N'^an x^ ■•'d d:i) 'iai 2"'^* D'n ;nvtJ'y lyo^ nnci' mina pDiy ,|na^na □•'T'cn Dn^ro^n^ '^jnj licio '^K'lni nvy ""pai ?]''-inn ;n:vi nna •'anxra hi^n ;iwn a-in ^|n^N lano \~im y^oa i^p n!?iy ny T'n"' Yi: "i"asi ro"! .|nix^i .fnixn^ na?3 DJiatD by jrvi nbmi'' u^jo'-ai vra>a njTii'yn nmn m^" ''byao •'T' ':':^'^ "il"n 'va orn naaa no my Tinoc'i '■'D^y ••-in •'baxi V^* rinbt:' ^nisia abn nnoc'a ^nvba ''pino ''Da pxDY ninb np*^Di rh)i ''b'l 'n''"'iiNa vs '•-iDNca i^'i^y n'^-nosi '•'jioa njv^rNi n^"* nn (n) 3n: ina 'an '^Nvvn ^b *:ipn nia-'na ^ns nDi::;i -laai n"a hnj nynb Tijua ''a -ivyn i^y Tnn:i pcxi nosa noiy ncD •'-inB' 'vr\b "inv lan nwsnn m't^' ("n piDsa) nosn ni::^yb ^nik'^' ••n ^n ncD iami -idnjc' •'JtJ' hdd nc'Ni '"'piDaa p^yonb a^on ban nbiyi 'iai vn nc's d^'C'jn '\T'1 aTiai ■•D .iDNV^i inanna nai^m 'r:ya ■''-ij fjnnn iisjn a''^' nbya a^K'n nnvD D"it:3ipa manxa ^nana-c' no ba riN pTiynb (ha*) baix w^^ jn* by nry^ noa N"trinD c'oa dj 'a 'npn dj n-iso'i ns-i in .nrb D'anN □•'-lanni .D^maio aya'C T" •'na\*n 'iai '"-aTa '^Tc♦ n'lay 'iai non minn ]^:]}2 id l*'"di (a) .nnb poy nya d:^ni ''•ac^DJi Dyon px ncrsN 'n^nixn n'a nyv n'obn '•'''i:c 'ipibnca ''bni 167a py^t2 p-, y^,2b n"-i. HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS I97 SIX xin "'^^3::' nm 'ni n"n nyv dil'td n^s* 'Vo by non minny' JJ3-1 ^y p'hn' :i"y nin:ca /snirsx xinr' nry^x '-n n^;p 'pirn -d JD 'niD^> N^vr:nb in^yo 'lyn ntrs nnnai ^nsn^n^ •'^"bn '•dv "m '"313: 'lien 2713:^' j'cn nv'^2 ir:yu '^m 'iidnc' n'3V irvron 'iinn nvpi) "1:1 "i^irivS nx n^^n no by oybib ixbon ncxr nco tdi a'na nivD y3:^• bb::2 nr nnn 'r^oi "JD^m nr by y'n n^^nn" n'nn '-i"pn -ya n'2vn x"n nr xb ,xin j''d yi" xb "3 inx-'pn inbyo nxin n^n onbtr 'naiy^i .ns'T o'33 >3na -ix3n33i v::*yD ba by vcmi xnpD '••nx ba by v?:n-n "an i2yr:b xyix nnix ixb /r 'laiaa "ib p "'m :r T'ym nbnj "ijir by oyo in"b nivm] 'i3i oa ainai a^na VL"yo 'nxT 'njDi '"iDi ['131 D3 n^nan pT xbx "an 'n"b rn"? 'naoa pi a"nai aau' yia xan a"na uinx by xa n'oi .n"p n-^ noxn p"b 12"d Tt pba 'Da picaa 'xnn nn::' "ba "Jip"na "nanai 'iai onn yiapb i::*pa D'nni n-ir:xn xin bxir"b naiaa 'ia aac ynan nxi" d: .bba cybab p^y aac' yna inb pxi ."a" niaia 'n"xna f "p 'sa .[l"nxnb Dipn ixa pxi .piD ^"-lV nr by 'caa ^'i^'ia n" by nra '"aoni vjnp nam "aa by "naiy tj'x D"-ia-in in" byi x"ni 'yovj' |jixi nxn ]']} va"ya |n "lan ixvo'c* by pn ba bya 'n'c^y ."nb"nn icyiD::' yn ba '"by nmn niaao b"vxn nu'x '"b"n mm it nnyi xbx nnt: xb a'na mu-^* no ba -i^:xn xau '"aoax pnna "b "b "icix ncn fjioabi 'n"aa-iD nbyn /n '"nan '"aioa itnp "nana (a) ."b"a-j'a "•j'sa x"anb "na nci .n" ixvro n^aa in 'oin 1X"an•L^• ia""n 'in by "lan nx D'"pb vaob aiy" "bix "nicx xu'ian noin Di^b nia moa ana'j' "'rncx a"rnb pi xbx 'oian '""pb n'-nn xa xbi" n""n 'in by a'y n3"DD pyo "c: orxn 'a"CD '"ona xbi '"aca '"aiyo pc* n'n TE-j* "-in*^* pincb nnann "'::-n xoyo "xnra xbi a"w'?:a n'-nn xa nr nL"p" TJ'X nanni (n) .yni^'D Dt:»x Dic'ra na"f:D pipn "ir^ib baia ca "nan latsx" /iai '"aca "yab xbn n'n 'oina ."o nby Dw' laco a'c inbyo x"an tj-ni nbyn tj'x ibbn 'cm "-iia"n "ar* n'j-p "in "n"nb .a'^n "T p"a nnby xbi noana labsbci /'na pxan 193 RAnniNATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON .n'y I fjn '^nnn nyj'on '':zb tj\s p^oi d"3i d'cth jvh ^y ^nana -i33i : r'' eiT miona ps ^n*^ u^'ini 3"-in '"sni riT-r^'on hjk'd^ xn^s pi fjy ''•JVD v:^y "n-i nnx ^nino:r yavi^a "c'dj nya::' s'ay ^nxc3 x^j '"'K'lp by 2in3b iB'np ynr ^icn my (n) .ninips ^3 isy wd ^p^as pi '131 .Ty pu^j 'in B^'csy Vip in3 pxi :n'v 'thid fo-^ b)p ni?nn 'd3 n'-sh •hbn 'in |oi 'i3i pnv n'^ n'n .Y'-p ni?:3n 'in3 not? N^N nine nnv inx pn^n pinb b)y 'voyci) ^."113 nmn *V!2n j'ys* D''n3r3 N3n 13^ n''-^j T'y^ '3'x p-inb inv nny pn^ncr inr p3: 3"3 ^n^k'j n-y^ n3''x ^nj ^3i!'o '••bm n'n n'-yty ^3''n pnni? pb''^'» K'''t:' 'ipD3 b^^nb ''n-iDN ^jsi /'-i3 "ann 3":^ inbyo nan ej-iin m6 ^ni .dk' 3n3'^ 'inn s'y ron bip pxjn bi:> w-i^n3 noib n-i3nDT nT-no px .n'''p nir33^3 'in cr'r:DyT 13!' n^j njm ^tsb^ nc'po -sn '131 {^'inb tj'^t^' ii''3 ^cj '•N ''•JK'n Dvn-ns B'"?3r3 k^^ ''n-i '"dn n3-nK 3'ni '131 ''n3n nD33 ^:c'd x"'iyc' ^xm 'i^j-d -ir:ib inb xno ^6'^ nn .T'y pn-j 'mo n: .'in i3n3t' '--^Jt^ N^fn^n inb t"d-i bipn ni^str D'B'n pTnB* "ircyn djc> N3\n ir3 '•'jid ^3n3 ^nyai nnxm '••n-i px nnx mpD3 :'n3 pnnb T">^"i ^'^^I'T ''iio nn 'nox rx 3idi miiD xin nnpni ron hpn n^by pK' |nj 3'x5ra .''3n X3n '•oj '••b i^b'o ^sb^n xun3 ""ibn xin:r i<'^: n^yc' i3n3n x^cp xn b'nn i>")3n nb^nns nxvb ^r^'on '-to:x dj rcn bipn nr:n nin iid\t byi '131 Dhyi? xi3* ab xok'i nji3J mo i?3 .oi'iyb X3^ xbt:' ntrssi npinn -j-n ij"'sni x"'B'j n^yt' .n-bjnn n^yci iK'nn3 tj'nin n^o b^m xinn -13*13 pinb ^n nsnyi fn n"n oti' tinaona n"n bc' "x 'vb sjDir^ nc'np3 -iirncn ivbn) (1) n"i xiHK' ^'•3C'3i x''' nn D''ttQ3 "n '131 niB'y "•nij'y K^nn "'Qdio mc'n tyxn ""DDin i:^\n nnc^y ''sdio ^:^• idxi b-iyh noii33 ^'^3 nc'y nnx D-i2Dro nbiyi nnx n^yi^'i n''K03 "r nnx b^x nnx ns 'sib' B'^^^t^' n"n :n n"-i "y Db"l:^^ 1^31 n:j n"*i d'j's 'in in^3in nroi DnnpD Dn'-ytt' ''•b'^c 'lyntr t^m 'nsoinn Dti'3 'inn ^'''n '131 D3 ^D'-ncn w^b^ b")i'^ r\-\^ ••^3 '•jip^ns ^n3r3 '131 n^B' ^33 f'x-iB" '131 cn^yt:' i"> "nsoinn cb'3 '131 inr\x n"n .t"d nv''3 'in ^'"d HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 199 n'-ia nnN 'niDsn ovn "a jna n:icc'i noca "r nrj-n 'B'ln n'^i* y^n nsaDin N^n ni3\i3 ^nsns) d^jdh oni? ^^32 nns mvya cx"! ^:l"di "i"pn ni'-pD n^sc i^b'Ti^ [nvn i^bn inNi (on^n '•n::' bbn nnx n-i3im N3Mn noio nio^b nr n^jj ds dji .p23 3"nn D"y 3dm "in^' ''Ntnin p3 p^n^ C' "d^n /an Nsn oa '•jk'o 'ipoa a'na pni? ^2N s"::'j n'yc' '3'Nn '^aion n^nna n^n ^ju'd n^ 'iicna '•'qn B^ n!?s nmipn b ^jnp N^no Nin n-iaioi 'cs n"'y2 ^s b^ wpooi' /n^^D "13T 'y3 'Ni >n^*o nap: ••yn \x D''C^tJ's Npm in:in '':np ni^aipn DmcNn ^3 nisnuvnai n'^: "i^yc 3"nn ^b' Nvn-ri^ ^^a v"ns* aic N^ D-13 /»"in ^ip bv2 |iNjn pio'^nn xv^ nci 'Tiamtri n^yc^ irr'^n py in^b Ti-icK njK'D^ -no b>^ niTn n^^nna "jsi' "ipnc' no nnas* "n njB>t2 TiN^roi (t) .tdt hpn no^i c^-'d ^y "lum nun ^33 -avy nb^h D'o^ 'JB'^ D'bwn ty'a^ '0 nnx nvb n'n nVn 3n3 ni3-i3n D'^N^n n:ii33 psjn ::^^ 'i^^^n 3"y in^^or tin't v-13 nrn nnx f"3n pi3D ^■^1 D^D"' 'y^ ihn '•in n^"-^ nniSK' nnx n^^h d^d^ '•jy^i' T3rn^ ab "2 on ,nivn ny n^n ^i3n^ x^t^ nm in^^:DT yiHi snn 3''yx NM '''D\n 'y^ p3 n^^bn '3 '-ynv n"3B' 'ipia^n^ i^'-sx nnK' npmn nayi n"pn n3ii3T .x"y "3 SIT .n"D3 n^'no3 d"d pi3n3 nr^ dx dj in^o ,Dvn -vn ny x^x i^3x^ x^tr n"! :t"3 V.3T3 'Din nn3 133 nntj' noxn n:: 3n3 vnnavy "11330 nivn ny 'pmn ''C3n i:i'y x^ "x n^>h '"C ^rj6 pbx:^ p^mn^ 'nsii'3 '"loj lynr my (n) .'i3i n?:nn ny^p::' 'm' ^nra xin -i3'n -jno^'x 'xj:Sn n3::' '^no x'-d b'^n 'rcrip ^y 3't:'n^ pv"i pyn^ pnv ^nov'x^ 3tt'''*^ y:nn 3"::' no 3n3 T"y"i ''i3"i n3C3 '^ox 3npn f'os my Dy 3-ipi mn^Ji utr^an ^^33 irxc' nnan ^-^ il"x-i ^'3^*3 -in3 'X"ii n'D3 nT3 {:'"d v:q^ pn^ x: '\t' :n"3 '"'n3T3 '""l'-i inn nrn^ y^jn 3"d n's n»?:n3 nxuT:3 0CDn3 irx n^on be iL-xnt:' 'CI .n"3 -i'r:2 -iix'3 -in'3i 'nan nx'jo pi .x"?^ -1^33 -ixi3r:n "sh nnx ex n"bi r,\:']} a-iv: nnxr Dipt: ^3 b"-) nraxni "an xnp 3'n3 200 RAHBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON nvkj'y^ nmnn iti^ abi 2'cr\ >t^•"^^D3 ^"v'] ddid on'':::' ''• na "'3 p:yn nii^'ss* 'tin pS ."n^niNnD 3"3 isiy j2"':^'2''K'3 3"n ni^ nnn irx ^dsj^^ DitJ'o na c^'j' a"yN niiy oy ^DajB* pip nn^^iD n-nni? nnpm "np Da s'n nntj' 'nn I'^tr DB'Dnn np-yc' n'-cn ^:r ie'N-i3 3'n::'d ,ni3"'y 3n3B' "'JB'n Tinn ^3 inyT Dan ^pDxnsi Dcsnn n:r ^xii iK'x-ia ny^3D "3 yT ^3n 13 nnio la-ix '131 '"'^ann nT^3 •''nnD Dti'3 ^nn nn-^D ntyo^ Nnp t"i^^*'^na^ nnB'c^ ^bn b':T] 'nno 3^rnc-' pc'Nin '•'n 3n3C' "r pn pn^on "no n"d3 lovyn HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 20I .i-nniDi rn:Nn ':nx ns "nans "d ^nnna rha b^ jn .nn poynDi p Npin nvrh inv n^cn pnpn mco niya inbiD^ nnpn in^^*'i< nK'aD my i-in ^ay i5B> c^^-n .3"jp p!?inn idnt sijiy^i inat:' nw 11 npD ic'sn n:i::'x-i n::r bi -loii^a /njtr p ir\n b^d np'D l*in ^jyn cni ^t:' niym >jnpT n:tJ'D nnis ^s^i n:;'33 ik'n-id L""-i Dic'D :"nip DL'n '^jion ''xn^ Srs p:yh nN^Diui? cod h^^dx iD-ni Ti KinK' "JDD '131 f^i3 n"n .i"d o-nosa "'t:'-! a'^i k'''^ by ^B' C'x-in niyn-:' '01 xn n"! .n'a D^nosa 'in 3"3i .ibx^ "iB'3 nyD li? B"* inn .a'y "a cin .n"D3 mat' p by ^B' rxnn iiy xm pbixa nn^y pxn x^b^ pmni pi) Srai nxoin pjy^ ntj'aa my ^jnh "o^^p nbix^ xcno '"•anon 'd'd xjn muy ^-3 n i^\nir ix ono nayroi niyn t2''B'QnL"3 iiyn 'iB'Di nimp nxc'3 jnni? msin na^ (nB'33 my np''o x^t .ni3nxn ^nxm xhb nnt'a ibex n>-ipn T^-itsv^x pipn eiu b ^yn pY^x 'mo bn:n anno ^n^x-^o tj'x ^y b'"o nn ^nymn (d) n'-ii :"-] no^t:6 i^'vT ^idv iiidt pxjn >ninx ^3 jnn 'na ^^ed nn^^rD n^ '^n \21pT] nn^^o ni^^on mnp^ i?3x n"-! .x"l nimr:>3 yVmn s'di .x'" nv^n nDici3 nn-y nvj^) X3'^ niya dj nn /b'^ '^no n'E3 '"Jixina poa n'ao-in dj x"jo3i 'j '••yo o'vn ''D n"x innv'wST "a^b '-^'p ^'x ^^v nn^^D ^n^ in^on x'" pn naro mo^x '■•pciEn o-ni 'viiD noD -11x^22 v^x ^natrni .n3t:*3 '"dx anpn . '''-\2'ir[ 'n^n n^x ^y onujip n"D3 'mn^i pbix3 nu^y px \':]}2 nibxo 'Sid t'd^ mjon ann t:'"D ^y 'nana nn^y ]':]}r\ imai (') L""L- nsi:i bo iibn na in^ca in^aci u-ai c'"j:i ^nTa pi nniDx '•~\2 mia'y na noai iiyn ma-y "aa i:'"dd irai b" niy'L"^ y^o niy'B' xinc nxn: 'iai ma^y ij'\t nn^^cn onno p-D^^ 'iai bno "ii^\t ''am p":)?] "nan nna!' ^nx^ r^'nSn d: ^''y bo iibn na iia^y n-xa^nD )bbr\ nvs-a:.-! b n:,m .c'"y> c'nn nan x'an d"d '"d n'-'a mxD^ mem ,bc iibn na noai myn ma^y *a: L-'"r:r: nnx pjjoa D. r 202 RA15RINATE OF THK GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON HD mny '•no ^^12:2) :3'dp phn3i .I'o '■'nos^ 'nnb nian: nnc* ^N^ /o pn nsv^iun mnx 'rno n"33 D'20-in d'^i p^^o 'n -j^m i53:^ D"'i3n "t Ti-np D''::'n '^'\7]V nins 'onj cn^ 'mc idi^ -ic'sk jnc' '■'PDisn ^D2 -iN3n: n^L'-npn 'n *;n bm muyh ^'j^i n^nnh '"no n"M biib p:yro i^^i n^rn ^33 D"3oin s'^i p^''o nynns* 'n^ rh'12: pT p"i) '2 pn n^an '^no n"D3 n^nn^ pjy n''- pn'm^n t:D'w"o py ^y3 nnso n^-noai Q"a?2-ina narj rnx!>'D ab na ny HNT N^c no ^y Vyn ni3-i3 'irno i"d '"i^d "jax fv:;:r : a'^p p^Jina nS'nn3 -i3ra:n nnai nms* a"Dp '••d n"N yVn nbMn 1^33 pi . yT-i ^ni3-i3 '^no I'd d'^d-i nSan "isn p^v 'i3i ''•^iva d^d ps* dn* jo^d ■•'33 p-yon '3-nNi 'n^Ni 'n^^n no ^y Tiin-^f nn^^D ^nB'p3 v^x dj n3T N^:^' y''v nnyoi ,p:y ^d3 i^nro D'3D-im nvci nxi'' j'op '^d m*p n:ni 'i3"i n3y:r n'n . n': m: •'L"''-i3 iiy TipnpTi (o'noin mix 1^ i':n tj-s* jsiso n'aNj'pin 3nn n''3 iyc"«;'j i^^n nin''Dn» pN D^iN ,p3yn noin -si' aic"' 'mnn ynij inaitrnn 3roi 'jd^d ma "bv^ no3 lunnna pn3 nyi .i'd ''•nosn iDvy3 ''"c^i ij'"d2^ p^'sdd >m3nK' piiync na^r] --11303 -jxi /mDTl^' ^jn .13-1 n-cni ponn Tny3 1*03 "TiD-ixn 13 -n:nn^ nipo -^ in-n t^'n inyn ^y *i"d3 inN ^3p^ cipD |S3 PN1 ^^"13 |^*N*o D^Dynonn Q>S3y nD33 ^33 ab ri bi vs3 1^ n-ino idjcdk' nhnan n- 'zain (x-) .(T■^^<) 'riDDinn 3"y n'q i"?3 -ndt p''^:3 3n3"^ no 'Dani> N-3ni '-i? d-:n py X3 in- imn:rx -axi p-m n-nn vtj\s'i ini3 ns- ^^"m ip-nyne' Dm3''3 'did b'^ n6n p3y3 ntrpiD n^iDC' x-nn 'riDDinn bv uvy n''D3 -mn-B' nxDDin xan3 nam .n'ani pp-n 'j-nvi d--i13''3 niu-yi mrsyx ny3i "i- nwb^ a'y pi3^ nvpD3 tinvdi -nnjn ninsDinn ^y -b r^a-^n my (3-) .ntoi: no-in inyn ]yn b)ii bip ihp nyoK'xi '13 vnna n^i 3'''d h'd -jc ■i'j'yjD3 D'-inn 3n3ir xnx 3-in ims''p3 "I'j- tj'cin3 |'3D"in '•'D3 nix-ii' in^yo 3n3i p-ao \sr:o -nyn- x^ -mo- ■TL^•x TXD 'rrj-on p-^j3 -jd^ n3in3 i3i (P'-nix^) '-ix li^'n '3-in3 nry^ 'b '^■^1 -""ini Di^paix 'inn -poy p-oyn^ xo-nn -j-d bv 'niDi 'ipioy criD^ i-cn ^nb 11333 tj'x |'3Dnn -113-n 'ip» '»:n nn- n3n::r3 'j-i^ xvi-n ni't:' nn-n n-oyn^ ''■iry3 '-n 'ni x'nn -i3iy pxn xvn '33 |'3mn s'y no 'nyni" nx-^an n3n3 (3-) .x'ni HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 203 '"PD-.a-o nnx in-iDT ab nt2b^ ,-iunn ^'nn spin xi'x isa' N*^n }'3j:-im nnN p^SDO nr ps-^ i'va ''':^'^3 iq p-m pna^ nms:^ laa pT ;d -i3^i ^n-j-yobi na^Jni? i:^\ii 'm "-^ nxT '^:^'h2 Dp3 n'ns e-'-ino fnn nv pi :s^do n'as n'nno j'nn oy nmna ^n^si'D IN ^s^^iJ pn D'^'-a irvo n'^t noo ^3i p^n n^'i 'C'"r2i< p"?! .x'y 3 rin .n"D3 u'd '-d '3v D3nn l'-'d "nan^i ,nn:Nn p sin '^ri no^^ pT-ni ^t' n"33 p:>"':yD n^ prj* 'i nyn nioxno :s-i2o y-ino '"irip ^y fo pTK'D PN1 nn m:s* nnn ^m ^;''^ ps:n v^y ansi trV n^yr:) 1:^•n^D2 n'ao-in ana n^:^' mjx naio nr ps'j^' nn^ nh ^r\']:iin n'3pn-^ n*:^ nyio-j'n '20 ^nrD nx*t:n eiiD3 pmnjon r'aa nrj'oij nr "lan D^i'nnt;' ii?^n D'aoin nan ^'"nn nsn dn •'^isi '121 c':y' n!> N^N on 3n3 N^ /no^ nyracn >dd in^^y 3n3:^ ni3^n 'poz ^3 id3 i:x r^^noi nin:Nn p d3 nns nix '-ds nim^ 13^ n^*^n ^"{62 d: 'DD^n m:ND p-s^^ moipo nc33i nL"piD '^n^ n^:;' nr:>Nn ^y nnnoyn^ '"Ki iNom '131 ND3 n'n ::"b r"y 'in ^"0 diss njno nnxi '"D 3"n 3py DM-y '31^^13 :;'"d3 c: '310 nj-ism .jcn ni^'j^co □Ni n'n n*D m3n3n n'a b"^ o'-inn ^jpr mn 'nso ^'"^3 C3i d'cp 'n-ix3-j' no ^3D n:»'pco nvp'-ss duiis!? '!? n-j'sx \si '131 innD3n 3n3 ubi \n-ir:N* j'jnn 3"-^' y'n hnj ^:;' v-i3n nS^ji ^nr pjy3 n"D3 niD3n"j'3 pn 1-13^ ^3^ N^3 -i3iy )yii'c* "iN^n nn'3y ]^:]}b sha i'3n-in 3.T13X '"-) nyn i3i |'3r:nn pc'!' niycro pi X3'x ^xni n'j'y px D^^■? n3'iy 13 P31 13 p3n ovj'o ':n^ ''poian norn x^ on^i cnacn pxn nr ix^ ^y npi^ 'f^H'i) nr -ii3y3 iuv::L"n □'3?2-in D3 'Ssi nc'y3 ycpi? -1*3 3n3•k^' ni:nnxn nn3n3 {i") .('onn di3^ :'3 ni-yo 13 nD3 n:*j'723 -i"L"i ':nn ^'xv 'xni nnc' n-iry3 n3'::" p3y3 ^on ^y D'3D?D |r:r 'nx pxi ,310 o 13 nox: vsni .in^yo D-i3ir-' ir:3 ''-i3n no iDx!? '^y pxi i3mi> pn: '-j' ':-in3 p33i D^rn 'in3n nvn ^ny3 3'r nVyo '3D n^nx p3i /:'y 13x3 no for nx^; -ry nix D3 .t^-''^^ p 2 204 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON nn nr ns^ni j'nSn ^3 m*p DVjjDUDn ^jiK'bi ^ana vjd^ anr *Jj"nn 2-iyni DDtrn inmo!? n'c' p-iy> v^ai' ""n^jr ni^ns pn vsna "-jni id-i3 nna n^n^ jiNjna pi'nya '••yB'"' "pn pnyi nna' a-ipi csji 3^ ^33 .'330 j'n3 'tit ^"b> n">i vins nnc^oi i1?jt ^J31k> ^3^ n)bm J3-inn DN 33yD n^trn .x'^ p3-iyn '•'3103 ^niK^nnno nvp '^I'wh PNT phn pN3 y^T no^ n:n .dv3 m''^' sin dv3 mD3 no 'i3i D3 '''\r]^ »'-n n^y |:3"i 13"'^q^n hd^ "tisnt i'in''3 inv nicnoi? ti>P^n n'l .n'^p o'33 'in icpn 113 nvv31 N:r'pn» si^^d^ i:nvd 33yD3 '3iD^ n3iK'N-i nDpK'n3i ^N3n ni3^^K' i^ pN onm oviTni '131 in^Ni y^P*T no^ 3'n"i iid^: ij^mt '131 -i"'L"n n'n 'in tj^'csy n»i^ >n*vn 31C' '1-3 m-'K'n '"D^n 'nc'ni rh^bz '••sn '''3Dn Nnpo .n"'' nniDn3 p3ny3 jDp^ y^pi no "s^ p^sdd i^n m na d:on 33yDT -loi^ px 3'xi DV3 '''3Djd:j'3 ''•SSI nn^-^:' ''•jiyo d^n y"D3 '•'N3n '^3dj*i .3'' 3'xi ,n3in oy '''N3n ''•3033 ir\n d""i nr:Npn iid^jh 33ycn -i^K'n ny ly mu^ "nNT'i .n»wn |din n"D3 ''n3n3i '''n3n^ '"•ij'ip mn .n3T N3 :rp '■'n3r '"jid r:D^ yvn^ ^csj ^3n nyvo N\ni t^nnx nxr my no pNOD n"'inK'^D xcon pc nb3J^ no '131 N*3-n ''op^ xnx '131 n''r33 3^n bin nrny33 inxoio in-ki'm psoddk' pnod D^^iitr^ !?3^ nK'y {? '-iin3) -ini303 bb^ nodd u'-x 3^n nnt' n3l^'^3 p ir:3i PN1 /ir^ib Nin iinDi N3m p''jiD3i .:"i '"nos '''xn3i n3x^D cnti-yi nxD n3Din3 vj-y in'i vo^ tix' ''""i '^ '^ D3n!? p^^nso -1D1N N^o ni3n3 311 nin^vn yac'i :;nipn nnnu bv pb)22 . . . m:3 Letter XVIII. ."'"-ij pn:ib i''3N' p"3 D'-inc 'Dni2r:n pxjn 3"in 2"'^ nu3^ • /i^Dyn3 'b t'fopn mx "j 'n 'v n"D3 PK'!?] Niinji Nr:;i3 ''-nDiNT w-i3nc id"-ii n''3N 3nn 1133 ba in3x 'm 'nQitr '■in3 '33 'n?;N-i3 '131 Nrvi3 n"n Y' 'i3in33 ^"cn .n: "333 nn-j' ^nxo '^D^yj i^^n 'n3n '131 pnv 'm 'nsi:r pyo n"n .n"'"nn:D3 ^'w-i pr^ njm ij^3n 3pyn 'navj' py» n^n* an^b HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 205 'Din^x ;jnv '-n na^ni ppyn 'nsiK' pyo ^n ^njpn "121 'rvn '••ro nn.TT 'pan '^^m '131:132 Nam ^''cm djcn ^didih niyo3 nsanj .n"£) D'am x^n an'b z'li 12b ah njni pnn cnsr^nD '■•^'D nnn-r 'ps^^ ^"va pnv 'm 'nsi::' nvnp abi "'dv^ 'nrh D':s>b a'ns* pny:i nv ^y ni ana "n nv^^m N"n NrcnoDn N^Jih ariD'j' ^'i"-i3 pDoniD n"! nicy inix3 nra -loii? n-iano m'pa a"nDi I'na 1DNT Ninn "3 pDonin n"n *"cnn my dshj a'nsi ^B^nsn^x iS^ cnsriN N^i 3n3 n^^nnon n^s nn ^'k'-i nm h^jn b dni 'o^ ■"12 iinai /:j'-i2n''s* x^n xna '"di .n"^ '-nnjoa 3": r'^ai) iTT nc^i nox^ nnx nnnn 'nnn ^:l^ ini .c^nis x^ '3 T3Tn nun L"M ni3'n "t"i3 nom pnn3 icxj n3 dxi ^mti'DU'D nipoann 3"xT n3i-ix phvr2 irx nn dj ix '131 -i"33 ':noxn xmh ^3 '^l'-isd en •]n3 '"i' xn": x^ noh c-isn\x x^ n^^nno "'i^n 3n3 nr^b x-ipr:'3 'pn x-inn niins pDiy 'onison bM:r\ ])iiir] 3-in 2"^ ["-kheid 0*3^-^ 3n3K' no '3^ .n"p ''nDD3] '"-^ip i'C' f33 xir:j3i n:eo3i ''XT no inDiJ3 '\n xh 'n^3 bv 'i3i \xc'd "-13 dhjo "i n"! ^3nDa x^T n'n 'did n3nD px '131 ''b np 'xr:x /"':id3 D•l^• 13^32^ ^3x '131 •':pxni n"i .n"r:p n3C' 'Din3i i3^32^c' xdi:3 n3n3 'i3i JD1 a": ein T"y '"c^ncn p^v 'i3i '-c'lnp ^c* p3r: yDC'^2n3 inio y3D0 n3n iniD n-iix3^ n^y jnxni .n"p '^nos 'vinb '^n xsny onpicn c'cD^ D-13 (x:n^ :^'x-l^ 3'3i) -iniD (y3Dr2) 'd i?cn in"'3im n3::'i 'oin x^ nnn .13 nixi^ ^^n xinu' -i3i3n ivTm j'n n"n ": T''y3 'Din nr3 p'y^ C"i pnic "o ^cn n^o n3iD x^ 3i"' ^Z'"v' nxisn •]>'::' .": r''y3 'oin r'cs^ dj ,y"yi 3"cp ''d ^iid n"' 3"-j'3i ''33 x:n^ x^x "i'"j' x^ p3 n^D3 pip'^h t^ nvp th^ ^t^'^ nn^by i^no 'oin \t 'bixi /'rnp ij-J* p3 3n3 nmo '-n n'n : n"T p"pn '"L'n3i /'3-ix '1D331 TH' pc6 P3J ^y ''H'l n'L"np ^c V33 r"y3i "''nDD3 ''-jn 'dij 't yvn 'Hipni 'dv '13 onio '-n '"x (P'ot'dd didt ^je^l**) p"dt 'iB"ty'3 jpT D3 ■iin3 '''•^:xi "x no'w'o vd nrDX3 [•'xr^'D "-13 dhjo N3*^' niy .in:iDX3 '^n^ pn:»' .inSyob -i3t;' i;"i inSin 'n'on ^npn }oix n-^yo VT '^yao .imry^ pnv nmr: X3' ny n^D nv3 .miiijc C'-jnn3 x^ioo D.T-)3y ':c'o (. . ? .oina ^^'lu) npnrxn X3n nr-iEo ny XIVO Dipc emn-x x^ vi;'3y ny 'vn3i D^yvj-yw'^ 'b 'm .ted 1313 2o6 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON nz^'," n^yao miob nn n^'p n-j's* nny nan mvo nm^ ppPTJ'vn n-i:N3 i"-!: j"ix;n 3-in ^''-c' nuo n^yo nNn'* ~i-'N'3 cn^ ""^nro n:D^N iy onann in\s* c]-i:3^ nr:)C* -ni:non nso nry^^N n^a^ Dxn p)2irt r\bv^2 'vns^'DDN nnnns 'i rh)v^n "pr\ li^n^an t- '^T^ ^vom ncD" ^ya nc pnx 'jikti inD^i ^nr^n c-sn ins* vn^i:j'D ^'y iinb it n1s^■53^ 'isnnn n!?njn n^ 'snn itj'K bv 'nsa nnyi /"iivoi? nirin *n^NL^ ^y in^yo j'-^ni:' nci ^n'^cn 'on n^sca 'rriNn n''D ^33 "*'n^n 'titid ''?:n 'n*^m nn ''"b:iv nan ,n?2ND ne'yi ybn pjyn vn ">?JND ^:^•y^ ]*^n p^-^nso ''X a'sy nnB> 'di^d '••^ jt'NT a'yx 1D3 •'"in ntryi ^t^ ic'itqi onn '■'bn:n ^d^j ^jd s'xi ^dd 'n^: f\)D^v^ HB'yi I'^n lyo'j'M idicd ^na^ ^ao •'bye Dit^^sn no ^3 xi^n .in -lyji nrn nrs nana] 1D"lC^•DD 'nnyD:^' \2bb "-aiuyn '^ni siiu^yn v'n ab irs ynx njo na Tnn^ ^nanu pao nh^nn pjy ^y w^p ]'iv^r2 1^:0 'iD'n hv2 nan p^nyni? p^on n:i'x hnd 'naia 'rpinoi .y^ px:n 2"-c^ nynh ^naon ^ya^ *n:iiD'«:' -p^n bv 'xmn ^nnji ,n^l^'^ -imo Noi'n "t iin X3\*n ^::':n n*^ Mi2^ '"•-iiDNn ij^K* 63wS*B' ly nrn -innn n:ni ^nra v-)3t r-nn f'aD-in t^'o^i nn ^phn 'dco s-'a 'ion nsn: pi ,vj'33w* yrc3 pi nH d.ttix 'nc' i::'33'k:' 'n liji'C':^ nn^-c bb'ci 'ncx ""in 'ojno mann nb'h na n!:'3Ni n^n^nD ^":r-i 'naos /an 'can^ '"'^jo yn^i? nai .D^iy^ 'Dn i;nip ^sipo □: n:ni ^^brn nyja n^n nK* x^n T'3''1n* ^^t:' (pcDy y3C'2 -iD'^a) n^x civryn nyo pn qtid t"u piDD3 't d'ddic' Tcnn N^n ivdu'd ^nct:': b^ n^nn Ni? n^n: n^ |ni3 tp^n "n irs* N^n Nnn pn n^yo^ cninan nipinin nioN ~is-' ^3rD pr:cy "n dj TT1N i'^K' nx nbxi ,133 ""r^ry nxc ba bx p^^'i b 'mn mcix "13 c: -inin nir:ix -ix'J'3 D''ni3 b'^ i'i't^' X3vn '•K'^xi' Tnnc> nir:ixn b^ bv 'xp n'"* "d d-^:' 3'n3n T'3''ix ^^i;* nx nbxi 3'xi cnnn o :'"' piDi)3 3"n3n xnx njt'X '1 rr:-i fjiD Dip^n dj ,D^iy3 3"y 3in b D'x^D D'n3i ^n i? micx inr3 xnn ^3' Donnn nicix -IXC 1D3 xin^ nir:ix "r i^b: nnyro ^^trn pjyb nnyo nicx "ipD bx ."pn ^^c nyL*'3 ij-^m t^i^* ^^^r nx nbxi in3 3''n3n nyn3 ir33*k:' nnx^ fix -innn3 nxc-n x"n 310 b nw^ro D'n3i nx^cni n3n-in inyn^ nT3 poo >n^\-i dxi .f'^cnn 3n3C' n:ic'xnn n3i *n3'j"i b'nn n'3 3n3 p:yn ciid3 ''::r\n •'3^3n id Ton:r nj:3 pxi uip^*3 X3in n^cEic "d nscD D^nip^ D.v-i3nt;' ^'l—ii □'301.1 ncn iL"Ni /'^ro 13 xn3 "n^nz' nn'j Tin '\t pi"3y y-\iir\b 'jivi ynT3 nv i^y 'n^pn -i33D njn .i tin 'om nL*'"iD3 ^on i^y n'3 'n'-x pi nmo nc-is }'3r:-i3 'n^x p:;' ^^3 3id i^3 '-x^o '^,21 D-C'^ TJ"v *,n-iin L}Ci"D ""nrib ~i3rir:n 1133!^ o niM3 .r'- p^in3 -]-n cnsxi D':ip^n ni'x c: nioipo nxirrn b m^v ^y p^va d*x"ii3 no 's^L" ym n'l .'^ ^1 :'' rm '''3-in 1113 nonro nnx niij pn 'r;:3 v:: 'r,\x om nv ^3 '"jn^: -ii3'vi if^on 'ok'-nn ;3nr:xn xh 'n:D3 x^ iDipo ^nyi' x^ nyc 'S^ "'n3n3 'i3i p-nnjDi 3'd i6 : "3 t''y3i .x'" .'n r]'-]! '^:id3 cj ^^n D't:'3 'i?:ipo -ixt:'3 x^ nr nx my ,iem^ nvp 'n"yo'J'r:n r!3-nxi nr^ niy?:L"o 'n'xi 2o8 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON ns"i3i n"n .n': ^i n'l trm '"pnv nmn n^non pxjn tr"o nnDX Fl^y n'DT yr^B'o pcnpn '':iDn ''prison icpm 'di ^an Nnn j'ln 3n3:^• no b ns ini ab^' m^n ,j*:yn eiiD ny t^•> '131 ^K^'y' 'Din iv-i^nc noi ivn^ni n "'np (3"r Diai n'ti 5)"^) ptJ'n^^ :a'^ pinT-p 'dd^ niTna ^'r ytrin^ ■•^s "iDon pwn dj nra ^{^2:1 '"^•-inr^i '131 '"^D xj^in id ]'::'prD ^ny»c'i 'i3i ''p^n '-i nox nc' n'n iniJDp3 ytD:^•c nro n:n /i3i on yc::'D n^ Nnio^m x3K'"'i' in-'o '131 no3i 13 noy n::\s 'ipD3 -iN3n3 nr bn ^nj ntry:t:'3 T'ynb ^n v^y ^nycc' '3si 'nN3 '■'otn:i pn3 iN3n2 nr b^^i^ nn^n nin i3in3E' nuDcn p3 iviQD oy ds^n 3"in ns 2"y3 cjit^'B' vninsK' "idn^ vtrn^ns o'nnic3 nai j'-in3 ^3nDn n^k> ''•r^no nnv vby ir ::'"d3 n^?2m xn^^a my -low ^'r ^"s pwn 11333 n3i noi pK'n^p^ ny ynT3 3n3 'n3nn ^1n31 '■'y::''i '■'prn p3y3 /•• f\i ni3-i3 m3''n3 bv b)i: c'n^n ^n3n3 /^i^yisn pis 'n*Nn3 nsriKi n^in >in xS ^prn 'S3 nvn ^fnoy 2^ 16) n^^yiD norn nix*p33 'iqd.-i Sij inix xS '131 v^'ba xnxn ly x^x >3n xn^^ :r"P "njD3 dj) .tq '^^yisn lyn n3io '-jid "nc' }nix3 D't^•^ xnnc' '••x-ii .'^prno -i3i Di:r 13:2 '3"'^ 3'nx ''nc '''prn 3"xi nin 3'nx ^3x nsnxi nbm ^in x^ yE"'^x V"i3-i X3in -isi'x 'ipD ^33 ''nD:;'-ii x"-n ^p-is nDij3 n:ni on id^o^ Tiapn nc'x '^jip^n nD3 dji 'loipo nxncn b dj '•'Jib>x"i31 'Din3 'VD ^3::^ nsio d':^ '"'t^•c^ piD3 ''jd db' xinn cnnpn 1203 n''D3 jpiriD 311^'' •'n3n3 n-ni rhni 'nin^ ^^d '^prn x3k' ny '131 xi33K' n3ni ^m3TB' 'v:id ^nK^3 f^n 'idj ^311 '^'-n '••p^x n3n i^jxi i^xt '13131 ''':iD3 n"D3 pjn 31^^^ dj .nt^ nr nnniD dj'-x x"-n piD byo j^ni -lub ibn DyD3i inxn^ 'ipo fX3 pxi ."^Tni ''•ye'^ p:y3 .pjy^ |':yo ''3''"'K' it^^^on '3"'{ro3 ''•jp: n'm p:yno pin ^nx2f^ -non J3 3'n' ID -niynn ik'x moo 'd3 |'3C!-in n3n nuiK^xin bv '31^x1 ^3'D ''Ta''n3 'n^byn nt^x nx "n^c VJ2^ iisc'x (P^'^jn 3-in 3'") 'jjn ^n3n3i ^iB'n^D3 i'30-in n3n idid hd^^ •'nDt^ 3nn ^yi 'o'nn nny oiMinB' pn3 pi j'3cnn 3n3:r nr y^^n ]'<:]: ')in3 niuo 1103 vn 3iyi pn''D ncn^o '2 ixunnm q^d^ ny3tj' n:nD^ pino i:n cnxi ^Dx ini'D^ triTD T"i^ '"11X3^ '131 113^3 mnin nxDiui ^xic^' b •j'lip h3xi; y'x inD^ svc* 131l:v^ ab ii3i'3 mnin nxoio^j' dib'd HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 209 n^^yh aba ('-imn n*^ ^v) n-imn |xd nyi j'hdi B'lpo^ DU^h xi^tj' nnnrn nv i^y ^ine^n^ 'onvc' nnn bx nxcion nmp Tivin HD^n .hn^d: nnr nba^ Dipra ■l^-i3i iNB'ai N^N '•^H pn3y N^ a'nai ono- iiDr ''•nj n-Tisn p^roy mon djcn ,njtj' b^ i^pM nnvD i:ot yapj pni:N : 'n^ niD-i33i . n::^^! ab 'ui n^jnn 'mi 'iji ^^ ncry ntrx nx 3^0 nc3 ^nnD:rj ir^Nr^:* c'ln nc'y Wii^ ny n^n jo n^nc'D n?on px N^ mcN n-iinm nnatr ^b^ n3^ n:L"n ni^3n nvoj '''t^'-l ''•a Vi ,n:t:'i nrc b^i pT^ic i^S nn^K' ^b^ pjyn N^n^ n^u' noi^D n^L'-n n!?yD?3 •'^ Nain-iT njop xpns iinn (nr oyo nniCD (?) T'^Np '""^ 'nini y"ii ^""1 (xn)ji^2 oVn ^n''"'Dn 'd f\i n'l 'dc2 "i^yn '•"-i: nV '131 n-ynw'n p"d3 n^ny njtro N^nn n^i 'n^nao K^nnn (x)"ip3 '131 '121 ^s^^^ n'ni njt^'o n\-ii N'-jm i:xvd D"ca 'Tys 'ann ncNni nnx Dys o Tax ncx □'•nnr /tr pipD ni\sa •'j'jnn aV n'3 TiNni niND ntr^ti'D inv vsvoi ^bi:^ D'cn pjcn ^y '-t^' '•'^3t>'?rn •'n in2 .•l^^^iJ pi '""^m b')ii pm 'ipD3 'n-jni? n^ ''nnk"c^ niciipro '-c'vini nn3i iTjn^ 'oin 'n"'^y ncy ic's* 'loipD b ^n^bn m:^• ^b '•ripTiai /d-: "in\s^ unatr 'ip?:n pi .njD'c3 n^Jt:*: xh ^^sin ''•:m ^m ^nanai pin panv 'i3i 'i'p'E^JD px n'no /d pdT'pa "Din ^"^ d^ini -i^nn^ ^^yv x^i yju u-x it pay ij^ di3 .nnnann piD |n^^ n'oa xnvy '1 "i3nn x^ n:K'D3 nntr xn^na 'xni x\-tK' .d n'-in nx''bn nrD^ ^t^•p 3"ni c'ln 3'j ::''r23i y"i o'l^o rr'rj'n x"'n 'n-nn xi^x ^b n't .n'p nnc' 'Din ^'izii p^j im nr pxi r]:ii;yj:n ^^inx^ D'::'n patr pD"-:! pi : n"i n'nn p^n novy 'c:n c: 'nan •^x•t^'n a'ai '•'jnni "•nnns -i2nn mr'-ai 'n^iao 3^nit:i. '""jno pitr d'd : n''' n"3i : i"t nijsn 5^102 nn3J nra i^-Dn : ^"on nnyn) nicpnb nvi ab r\y^>K:m "•xnp xni xna^n cm D't^^n ncpc "y <^i p"m 'oan " o- (: li^xn onmn '01 niit'P'i^ nvi x^ njt^con y"-io niu'pn^ invin od K'"y in:'j p'cn '"'31D3T p'D it;i^ pn'' nnyr:i '131 n3y3 njni ny i'"'y^ 'j3i 'n''i2 'n rii3rD3i 'u n'-i3 □: "jD'-sb 'n'-nnn ^"iinx^ apM n-i3in -iTDK' p''3 xn"-i33 n'n 3'o m: 'Din tr'03i '"'jno p^3l*'1 'n^nan nic'pn^ n^-i x^ n:c'tDr:T ■'.('n3n nxc3 3'n3 my 3'3i "3.-1 X3n D':;'n HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 211 n3*j's nij^jsi' n^vpai cnnan nip "anv n'sxi nm NnD^\"n ^^ Tsirn biZ'pv '-n xni?o ^53 ^-\n\:'' nvp pim Q>i:n'ni) ^''-ini 'Din c*'d3 s'hm d'-i : ": p'o 'in c'cd n-r^'j'^ pjy in:n n'c*N-n nn::^ pjy pN ns* Nin ^rn ."1^:33 pi vj*n'D3 Da'r:-ini '■••j-idd nsc' s'^i 'i3i -idn^ nan nnc' n"i n-j'pcn >'3*L^'n '^n^ ('i3i y^v in^n isi:^ p:y i:^n dn i:^vd 'loipro no3i y'-i nc"c''''A 'i3i ins pN -ir:is Na^py 'i n'n '"-inrDT 'n*nan -^inN^ K-'-ini 'Din '"u'lpn nci^ px i^''^ n^^no I'p pjm ^dt n'j Tna d''1 3'nvi n3•>^• ^i^^d^ bu a'n^i 'idi sn^Sn >:ni -i^s"j' ins 3"n I'wsni /^>:•^ pNT sono n*2in^ y'li? ^n s'syi) niy^toj "iB'yn 'nDi^no 'naisn nrw"c!? mD c^ nirnn n:n) (pm nci^ -in:a inyn bv rh]} \ : "n' n'-in x^^an^ t:'^ id c:'"i1 "ins* b^pb Dip» pN jn31 n'D2 'mo i;vy py 2"3nn 3"c' n'^ nj jn"- ^n'jyna n^ny n:cn n-'hi id ncxn pjy3 "01 nc'p '':ipn '"sh 'm irDi: "^n n'nD :"^ nmna 'Dina 'nn;n id -d miayn 3ni 'm V^k-n ii"bp '"-d n"N y"vL"n "nnjn '^yo D'i?p 'd3 c: o mm jns* 3:ni ."m '\*k' nr n^; b m^rai nv ^y "n^ns "jincn 'n n^s id"13 nyn i:)yc' nnx inncn c'"^ "i L"N"nna pi .mi D^iy^ Tii^cn "n inn cyn uyt' ipn ^^'T d: nyn\n nby nm nu rvN cni .pa^ ^y hd 'n^s* t"2 niDi^ "iin^vn hyi D'cc' nas^D pno ^/"ann Dij:yn '-i3j^ D'cynb t,n"i* inn^^*n2 cj' ici^tr nya Tnyrs inniD^ nt;'ipr:n n"C'' nan d-^dn p3i ./"vr ijr:n n^n^ pN^nn p^-ya '"'yc-^ 'pn -13D ''cnzujD ]Zibn I'b 'ia G-n^yn '"ino "pn 'jann N'nD anao '•23 3'l" nonn nu3^ pr: nns T'cn nn^NC' nsD '3 ni^c nivo d^'P n'3 nniL"r:m n^iycn 'i2r:n "pn 2't;'!? T^'C^n ^rj-n nNi ''nj '1Q0 pwn NV1D '"•^p"! innoan nirrt" irii^r tj'-in ''::n nn d: n:;'s* I'n: 3"q S'i' 31D ^Di Di^:^' 31 '-m '"•::' '"ibn b oy ^^nnn "ir^irrn 3'tr 133!? irctj' 'i^:r nco 'n3 \^b] n^o '^Dir:n n^no D-r:tr Nn^ 'inn mn-'i' pi.-iD in^Ni:* n"yi n'r:n3 'zn'o ip^n imy cl" tj'n inninn 'nnoc 'nmo an ^h^ n'^si v:l"^ ^nc' nr nr:h nr 3n 1^ c" N^n ':DrD 'nairnn 't ^y 3in 'td^ -hsa i^anS dipt^ nnj '-3nr:n ncj'N Di":> *£3 inS.-n nv:n '3 nicxj 133^ td;" d^.ni .ni23n • .:"rn 'zl- iSix ':rvj' i-D^ '^bc b^n nra Sni vnnan nan nvj,-: -i'3y njvjNiD DnriNjn pMnr;^ n:nnN nu'L*": pv:i) 212 RABBINATE OF TIIF. GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON y,r\r2 nioD^ nai /aio^ hdc* 'mi 'airyn "ion ba i^c»o pn nn^:D3 'Tip ir\T lino ^u' ic'iT'Dir nvnv I'M ••ndiq^ N^no ,nD^n nan /?::'nD^) pns^ nivo nma nt'noti' iniDiT id Tinnc' pn^n ^n^n 'iDi ''DiJ 'Dn n"! :n*d pan^y 'did tr'Dsi' Vnua nd3 ^jd^ nrvws* 'Din "jn e'"y p)brh 'nin'' 'm ^no^s i3"'vd 'rr-nnm irnju'roa 'in niyn-iT 'Dim 'lai -i»n n'n :"t pc^i 'Dim x'-n n^i n"n :'t3 n^^n '••{rp i^^n Dnnm a"y pan n"n . n"s p^in 'Dim ya'^r: n"! : n'D 'n^D in N^n 'i3i jNDn 'a^^N 'nin^ 'n nij^jo K'n D'c'n ins '•no 'n^na n^^n ma^n i2>n 'm ppna '••jrnK' |»t3 ^hd^n* 'nin^ '-i ijont .prj' nncy nr laao i'd3 TiDiNn ir pjyai Nin phn i^dk' d'ni .iB'ip pyoa n3y> no nyrot^'x -iciND 'n^3 nr^n nnnnn n^ ana '••cya^ dn y\iiin n^D> nsr^ lorm '■'j^t^'^ a'n^ ny:ra nij""^ pi^-'xa ana: i^iaa lan nvn (itj-VD) ,nniayn ^yi nninn ^y ^nnin^ ''n?Dp ,nn-iD DSNa ^us XIX. Documents from the Beth-Din of London. I. nny n-'^: pnnx p"^ >^a ny nmi djst ^J^^5 )T:zb xa »idv na Nnr 'i na nanyo ni^inan nx 3jn '•jh^nj p-'x d-'o pyna ::npj2 i2]in noz b\^ nn t33xrj N^asn unh uix jhidj jn ::n jyn T'x dxh *i:ix ^t^•Ja N'^axT p^r nny x^^iii* njix ^n-i::'^i hc'd ma ir nyat^a ''b ncnipo ns* .nnnas na □1^:^•1 a^i? na in 'a pyiu fjDV na xnv lyn t^asr njix c^^x D^p^'b ^•k^'D na nanyo nhnan na HIV 'a tn Dnynj crrj nx3 i^ix uxn njix pyj cp-j nn\s* uxn . Diu nn''x iv trxiiuy fjor nbapai b)i: Dvxai "■•'■' yv''^xa y"na )y:zb rv:^ i^b na nn 'a urx ^jn nanyD nanyo e'xn xni |nyn ^axn -j^x jic'bn nra nnn iX tojxnaj xnT- Dart mn pn px ^idv na xnv oyn iv |cip ^nnx nanyD oxn .pn K'npo ^ni xn ny :^'x^ dpx pns iv a^-ix nanyD "'•' uiy x'j':i Ti'' xb Dxa nny nn-.na n"n. HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 213 fN ns-iyjJD ::'Nn csn n:\s p;N: iy urN ,^nNo N^m "dv" Dasr: m3 n nyaon "h ntnipo nx nn djx?: t2sn ijin |nit23 njsn i^s* -i"'D pNH ei^m tiiynj n:is |nyn :;'^^n i^n nsn csn i^N-lL^"1 hl-'d .n^^ -in nn lyn nm 3"y ta:Nj pyiiN xn tar^s* .wntj ait: ^m nbpm ^n: cvsai yv'^sa y'nn ir^D^ Tyn nmaN nn di^c '2 -nn pn pN eioi^ i^ Nnv xiv pop pi^nx pa i\y po'^n nra onn pa poip I'N N^ii ,-nna p^r d'd n^axa |is oni'i ]'Q)'-\ -1^0 dnh 3'nN pyiu NT 2'b -13 "in d:i n:>pDn vns ny ejov na Nnv dps* -|*x wsn xn uNn Dsn inyra i^d xn nmi proip simin na-iyo tDPs* P'i?aia u^y tu psr ^ir b'P^: n^t< k'nt py: cjd nypn p''o -in^s* Ijnt xnv IV py: n:s*n i.tn nm Dxn pyj a'n p^o -i'x T>< ^sn ^oTn ^xi Nnv c'^N tD03yn:ip ::"n xn a^x t:3N-ie: -i-'X axn tn n^ix y^n . TD ^S3 D-I'11 'Cay P^D DISS nXD NV 133X13 X'"! OXH pn C'lpO xn" n3ix |niD3 n3xn -in'^x jx njix ioi33 ^b-133^2 jyn xnr oxn xr \'^)p I'D pxn ^xiw'^1 nc'o ma ir nyaoa 'b nempo nx nn 1:3x13 Dxn Di^f nyn nan a'y |33X3 pyiix xn dpx aio ^ro fr'3ixii3 1x3 ^^^x .nn-iax na nnyn i3bpi liyo'^ b':n b .p'ni 'na jnit:3 n:xn -i"'x fx niix 'ino x'xb ^^ayo "pn '^ n^o'apn ]C': fi 'n 'v li^min pn 'sa n3nani p^i^ P'P ^^ "in d'dd x'^^tr .p'^ ^'^ P^f .pn31^ p"pT |DX31 C'D'C' ^V SjDV HL^'O |Opn DX31 .ei'^P nC'O 'pn DX31 .a"y nn-iyo 'o n^inan ncyrra nL"o -la iSr^^x 'a 13^32!? xa ait;* pL'6n nia mn nbpai hn3 Dvxai yv'^xa y"na na y3n nn-iyo orx iryn3 nx crs SniL" xn mip o'" 3xd pvy^ )yn -1^0 -ID n3-)yD Ljxn (Pi'h'-n) 3:i^a"ii p )-im pD nn px pryii3 ]^''P -iy en eiDV p xnv cyn iv pxr ^n nr^yo nn'-x en 03xr3 xr ',^'11 XM ;y"ii 03x13 n-x iv t-x axn cxn in^x "iv inyo TiJpa 12VH xnv -ID u-ixii: -i:"ix j;3N3 I'x pa /n-: ;3y303X on^x i^x b^ii px pcip "I'D IV -iy D)\v 3"nx t:3sr3 12'' l2^: cxn "i3ix 'i'D)? iy ojxt: "px asn ^t:ry"i"i3 cnpc -in-'X axn I'x D3xr3 Dxn n3ix "i*u lyn L3sr3 osn n;^x p-:n: mx n^iyc iy ljsh t:*: -j-in a^iS -px 214 KAHBINATF. OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON ONiT'^'b.o'": D-Dub oryiij ^'npo d^j tt tj< ^xn ^'^^''^lyn p^o nbvo va tr^j'^x Nv -nis oy -imyii n'-^iiv nh pa xv lyniN oy djsu x-t 3'y .ijn IV ]'-:)^: tuid xn nt Dsn 3"nx pjxr: n^t Dsn k^^'oj .nr n'^jjD -i3T:n dv ir^s^ T'ynK' nt:'^ nn i^d-^n '3 nyn nan p:i^ P"pD 'in d"3d n"d^^c' «i'''l:' jo^i "mo a'abi "bivD "pn .N^y nrnroni ,\)l:^b P'pi pa:) tJ'DU' ^rr ^ov ntro jupn ds:i .si''

13 eiDV '31 pnx 13 ff^n '3 pyiia n^^3 nt urn Dsn pnx -13 D^''n en ^an x^a^o '01 b':in pycK' '3 ncx 3'>t:' b":n N^nro n^in3n^ pxr ^xr iy tj'xn uaxra -1x2 ^m \)vr2^ |x .n^"in3n^ B'3hr oaxra ixa Dxn pyDc> njix aaxb D^'v lyyy 02"ip ny Dxn "buy^ ^1 b':n pynti* '3 ni^x ca .ia^''x pn nnxTi n^ix Din {j':iy3i y"v^x K'aiys y"n3 M'zzh T-yn ^'r pnx 12 □"^n '3 3'nxi niyicK' n:xn n^^^x ^an dv3 nna 3xn ])v^\iy c6x ^nyi3tn nn abi:'^ n^in3n^ Dxn Daxra pync^ x''ii Dnyna ny joxn ^an |or3 (?pnx) 'nsx 13 D*"'n 3np ]'"t oxn nxr ny3La3 'b nc^nipo nx "ly c'xii oaxra ti'inax "ly axn 03y"i to'^a j^-j-axr xn j^axia Dn\s '«'» My dear. '«'■''' Last night. HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 215 13 "ly :ri c"^ii ly u'^H'ii '^"ijrs p\x jnyra ^r pns nn n^'n uxn js s^nro usn -"^-urD ir^hT .D3S?:3 nss nt psD nD''!:'ny pyr:^ ps ^Hars n N-n jnyn d^3 "ins* usn "ly .i^ian: n:rs nn\s* pyri'L^• c't ;nyra d'-j dnh -iy jxn dt\s p»ip njxn nn^x |x fiyi2-c y"n3 i:^:d^ zpv i3 f^DV '3 T'yn nvi^' jhilsj i:Nn nn^x jx c'ahr pyD*L^' x'11 /jxn |nyn ny 'cba nyin-j'i nnn c'Jiym yi'^^x :r:iy3 wxn Dxn i;ix n:xn nn^x b':r\ x^nrD |x jnioj "-^-urs p^x Dxn nn niiiin nvp 0'J':it i:ix ny3D3 "b n-jnipo nx nn djxtj x"3 ny uxn |JwST t2-j'-n:x St djxt: 'nsx n"2 D^^n i^^p p'-T d.tx dxh ^x-iu*'i iTj'D mD IT nyaua ^^ nL""npD nx nn pxT onyn: -n^i D^anp HT ny ht n^n ^'t apy in fjDV nyni S't pnx ni D^'^n ivn .nx 1VD ^Jtj'a "re C':iy3 y'nn ir:D^ n"'ym p'j Din: n'a pidv '3 ir:s^ X3 Da pyc:r ix-,1 ^pyn: mn Dyn px ny ti'i /lyinti'i onn L-iiyni yi"^^x x^nm fx oxn y^v^y^' x^n pyn ny nxn San laa innsn x^i^di nz^)n o^o nt^'mpD nx nn djxt: ijix "^jnars p\s* jnit:a nars nn^x mn Dyn T'ix b':n Din: 3'a sidv ny orx ,x^nm iv x''"'^ xn nn D:xTa ^x':x ixa pycu^ x^',1 onyn: ny t:xn 'synu xn fi^ix ;a:xa f]cv upx D'nx .ksT^n ^•L^•D mD it nynun '^ ni:nipr:) nx ''in x''ii pyna x^u xt cina na .3"y uxn xn t'WD'C bi:' iD*a pnx na ^^nca '3 iv oxn uaxTa xbnro nn siDV 'd t2xn axD pnox jyn "'••'c^pxr'o p-x nx: ui^x L-y UDxna nnrj'a n'byo . . . punxii nTn xi^nm pa onyna on-iMi D>,na D'ncx n3 c^n t"' nni"6 ]"o pni .c'uriuo onsx na"'n n^yc-n nn^n n"b nnvj-ni /'nn |ny:a n'^ ,"invj'^ n"^ nniL" pni .n"3 XD"p pni ipn?:a n''y"w"n"i n'roL- nn'n n'^ nnvj-m ,pnca n^cnin P"d^ n'bpn n-j-n n"i "x dv "1^:23 n-j-ya ht tinni ht n"^yr3 nn^an x'^'^j* )''3 fi'u" fcS 'mo x"x^3 '^nyo "pn Dinnn bv iax3 "^xnh .x'y* nanr:ni pai^ p''pQ 'in d'dd .oxDw'nn^no nx'-ct:' jcna^^ niy^x .pna6 p''pn p:xai tr'Oi" Sv ^dv nL"D **"' A joke. 2l6 RABHINATF OF THE GRF.AT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON XXI. Document 3. "13 HD^c 'o NJDip^ NnNi Nrin snna N3n "2 sn^n nnioa mc ntj'NH noyon mn B>3iy3 yv'^N3 y"na i^jd^ i^yni '•i^n pny njnon D^nDnyi pN -ly ci ^pnv^ 's p yuj '3 dk'k nmas* na tD^HNnj yD""!-! ^s'Tonx Dxn lans DiTx py: 'jix d^hnii np^dn'' p^x *iy t^'N^ pyj i^jyp lyn iv n^r ny nxn siid^ p»p nn p^D "ly lyii n^Doin c^int x-n 'jix .n^xna -n:y^in p>x Drx *nin' -n^^p x^-'iiv D-o x^ns p^x ]i:'\b px Dxn ':ix .jryiij DK'jn p^x pn ':ix .p:x3 «i'tr p'-x ^i^x ny dt'^x pyiu ^^'•11 -iyii ny 'jix R^ix pnxii ^!?in ny orx ^3 nnx^ myn ftp?, pyiij nrx j?:x3 pnxt3-": ny Dr'»x ei'-^:^ nyn ?inx ':ix jn^j □"•"'nx p^yn t3xn c)^-^ p^x yonn i?xn^mx ps '^^.i j^-)^^^^' nyn trxn tr^ijir k'^ii ny ir\m D.n^x ':ix . '"^^ B'nDDx x"'niv 1x3 d^o poipa on'-x iv dpx (? ybnn) pxnjn 'jix Dno orx myn p: nni3 ^c'n^n p^x idk'^>ii djxw pn nT^^p pn jnyn ti^ ^'"^ "i^i l^'^ f^^'-"' ">y 'Ji^< ^ni333 pnxn lajxra cn^x ^jn c^ny xn x^ii ny LDJxr i^ix . pnxii tsanp nxQ 'jix pnxii pxnj2 ny nyii yjxn^x onn px loin ^d^ ij^ni pxn y^n ^3 pr^x py^3 n^-^jx px fLjnxn c'xn i^:^' p^x finx pnxDtra 'n '3 Dv p:i^ ns .^jn n^n pnii^ n3 no^e' '3 n'3 ij'':d3 n-yn e'DD n'n^r p'3 fi^b> p^t 'mo x"xb ^byu "pn "b a"cpn ^i^x x> .njnoni pji^ p'psi 'in JXnSD D^1B>D 'inD3 \1]}^i:f "pn /'o::r2 nannron nnnnx "pn .nn'^r nrri?x nn'inon 3py'' "p:] )D'}b b':n no^B' '3 nnx nyc^ nr 3n3C' 3n3 u^js^ miD d: noK' innx:D* onsn 3ini cn^ ^an nn^» 3": ymn dk'i ininxi B'» nn n^DDi3 b'TH i'K' i:nn '^^K' 3n3 D^r pn .^an ny cjino noxB' -si' nyoK' nny man nyc^a u'-jsi' njox ntrx3 niyun ni^n^ my ,n'- nijxir y'nxDn 3py"' nu' n'iK'a p-yi Kn*n bvx nni*'o '\nc' '"'■ Steward. i«»^ Officers. HEBREW LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS 21 7 b':n nn-'D o"; ^cx^ anrij' nayn r\:^ np^^a^o ^^lND ariD i^ja^ mic niK'^ HOC' |NDn n'j'N i^ c-k' ei'^oini ^jn piso onm ana a'a nsp nc-ipD no'nnni jsdd^d onnnx an^n b]} Dinm ^onc^r f'ys3""iii ^C3'3i n'a p"d r''' '"D y"nND ^"23 p"'yi ^i-nao nvp a'a i6 in pn |n:i .ovp v"n* p:y mprom n'd p"d dc> o"nn n*^3dk' n"Vw"3i by niY^'n ''nc nynv anirn ^:j' idx "irjsbc nvp nvpn is^n i:'J2id anna 'naricn inns'j'o^ ion pab ij'ac onann nr nhn nana 'Jibs p 'iibs "1313 nb canaai nnya-j-* djhi anian Nin:y □'•n-'aiD bsi-DiN bvN I'inxa 'vnt'i iDin' nci *.d-^' larjcr p^a /Jiba Dipoo Dnann ba .jxao xinci nonbo b'^:* nrsD by jxao ibnc'i yu^n y"n{2 p^yi bpnb t*' n'r:na on n?:xn *ix ,n'ana o-^ -l3w:^♦ npya *ba "I'ab Na lun nx bpnb B^n nit-x nv dji *iv '-d apy^ ac' '-anan pn pn:a jxai p"cp p"d Dl^' c"an nj ^^''^a nii'ar] inx^antr injtt' np^yni ^noir bba nir:x xb o^anan xa nyi nc'xnb 'n"^u'o '\t no nryi nrson by nbnc D"yxn njijyb nn'':m nnan npD xb pi 'mi |X3o in3^bn nyu'a niox ncxn dji mn'' bbaa '^n ]">-[]} ni^T^ noxa ii:'X3i "in"i*3C' b3pb in:;'xb nxcini n3 |m: '\-i nj-'son by naa nrson by ibn pax^nbi ,moixn pa ypnti'nb 'm xb inyni nbap 'cyt3 pbn bao ^bb3 nuup ;x3 px xvo: vjai irrj'xb -lunb '"n inyni irjsb pvx ;a yu: 'a nti'x nriMt' b'jn omax na nnu* n-j'xn nxi*^ imino i:xTi niy:c'D lib'v^ 'm p^av^m na: bab xao^nnb -in\-ia x'xba -bayo "pn "b :"opn bibx V'l p-i:ib ns oninn n'a nixbD3 .xV n:noni p:ib p"pD "in d"do nn'br }''3 ci^c* p:br 'ino .JXiDO obit:'© 'inoa pyr:^ "pn /"•DJJO maon omax "pn .nn'br nry^bx -n'lnoa apy* "pn D. y \1 " APPENDIX VI Translation of Letters I-IX. Letter I. Fol. i a. London, 21 Adar, ^^^^6 (1776). Peace to my brother the Dayyan, &c., R. Meir, and to his wife and daughter. Amen ! In order to keep the promise I made you in my letter of eight days ago, namely, that I should answer you at length with reference to that^**^^ (certain) Rabbinate, al- though your words are very veiled I gather that you have recommendations to that place from important people. You have not told me who they are, but I suppose you would not make so much of it without reason. For, indeed, in Hamburg there are many scholars to be found who are fit for that high position, and the Copenhagen congregation always gravitates towards Hamburg. Nevertheless, you are right. ' Do not despise anything ' as our sages say,^''^ and especially if you have anything to rely upon to build (your hopes) on that ground. I have therefore considered how I, likewise, could be of help to you in the matter, but see, I have only found one man here who has a direct corre- spondent to Ch. {= Copenhagen), and that is a certain rich 169 f Tj,e words added in brackets, are supplemented by me, where literal translation of the Hebrew text would be difficult to understand otherwise. "« Mishna Abot IV, 3. TRANSLATION OF LETTERS I-IX 219 man, the Parnas of the Hamburg Synagogue here. This is the very man who in those days brought the Rabbi of the Hamburg Synagogue here,^"^ and he is still attached to him like a brother. I dare not disclose to this man even as much as a hair's breadth, for the family of H. Z. (Haham Zevi) will soon find one of their relations whom they will want to recommend there, and I must keep the whole matter secret. Here it is like in the land of the South,^"^ and nobody knows unto this day, except for those to whom I had communicated it as a great secret, that the Rabbinate of Ch. is vacant. However, I could not leave it at that and do nothing for you ; and I have on Friday last written by post to R. Meir Hanover a letter, a copy of which you will find on the attached page. There lives here also a certain R. Moses Walich, who has written to his vvife's stepmother, the widow of the late R. David Hanover, who is a native of Copenhagen. Also R. Zalman I lanovcr, the son-in-law of my cousin R. G. (Gershon ?) Kief (Cleve), whose first wife was her sister, (and consc- qucntl}') likewise a native of Ch. — he, R. Zalman, will surely stand by you (help you) if your brother-in-law R. M.(cir) Klcf will ask him. Influential Hamburg people could, I think, do much, as Hamburg is like a suburb of Copenhagen. Probably you will get best help through people who have correspondents from there to here. As far as I personally am concerned I have nobody to whom I could write direct, unless I do it through those rich mm whom I have already mentioned, and to inform these, I "' Was responsible for liis cltvfion. Hitinbuig Sjnagoguc - ilambro Syn. '■" In Palestine tlicy called larolf countries the ' land of the South ' ; cf. Isa. 30. 6 and 7; Dan. cliap. 11, where Kgypl is termed ' the south'; it also means ' a dry land'; cp. raliii. H. i<'iiiur.ili 16a. <> 2 220 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON fear, would even be harmful, instead of helping the matter. Others would not move (do anything) because it does not concern me personally. After consultation with my cousin the Parnas Aaron Goldschmid, he agreed [to my suggestion] and is writing by to-day's post to his sister's son Jacob, son of Mendele Kik in Hamburg. He (Goldschmid) tells me that this nephew of his is under obligations to him, being his correspondent unto this day, and in former times had great benefits from him. R. Aaron told me I should make a concept of what he should write, and he will copy it word for word. And so I did, and a copy of it is annexed to this letter. R. Aaron tells me furthermore that his nephew is a great merchant, and quite certain to have correspondents in Copenhagen. You need not think that the words of R. A. will only be listened to like * wise words of a poor man '.^"^^ I wish that we both, you and I, had as much as he has, we would not be obliged to be Rabbis at all. As a matter of fact he is in the same honourable position as before. This is all I could think of doing on your behalf, and God must help. Still you have acted properly in writing to me. In these matters it is, as I had occasion to experience in the days when I endeavoured to obtain the Rabbinate here, as the saying goes, * A small stone is also necessary to build a wall ' ; the chief thing, however, is the foundation on which the wall is built. Your suggestion that I should write to the [fol. I b] congregation direct, you cannot have meant seriously, and does not appeal to me. A few years ago there was a single young man from Ch. here, belonging to one of the rich families, and he came several times to my house. I thought (now) to renew an old acquaintance, "' Cp, Eccles 9. 9. TRANSLATION OF LETTERS I-IX 221 as probably by now he would be married, and intended writing him whether he could do me a favour in this matter. In the course of the letter I might have mentioned that it is not usual to write to the whole congregation, but he was at liberty to show my letter to the congregation. I would have had an opportunity in any case to praise you at length before the community. However, after making inquiries among the members of my congregation from the people where he used to live while staying here, I heard that all his people had died after having lost their fortune, and they are now forgotten. So this plan has also fallen to the ground. In Amsterdam I am a stranger as far as letters go, just as regards Hamburg and Ch., and as for writing through an intermediary I have already said above that it would be more harmful than useful, so there is nothing more to add about what I have done. God, the Merciful, may grant us well being, and with all good wishes I conclude. Peace and life may you have from God ac- cording to the wish of your brother, Tebele C'z ^''* Schiff. My son the Bahur (single man) Mose the Priest sends you his regards, he also has done something in the matter by copying the enclosed letters. Your sister-in-law, the virgin Mindic, also sends greetings, and wouUl also like to help for good (= to achieve a good result in the matter). To our venerable father you may tell of the prospect if you think it advisable to tell him of this letter. "« C'z - j'"3, a Cuhaiiitc. 222 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON Letter II. Fol. a a. Copy (of the letter sent) to Rabbi M. Hanover. 17 Adar, 5536. Ever since I came to this country I have been contem- plating how I could return to you, my dear relative, the good services you have done me by your recommendation at the time I endeavoured to obtain the Rabbinate here (in London), but I never found occasion for a revanche. I wish I would find some means (to show you my thanks) in whatever way it may be. I have now, however, occasion to ask you for another favour, similar to the one mentioned. I have heard the Rabbinate of Copenhagen is vacant, and my brother, the efficient Dayyan R. Meir Schiff of Frankfort, aspires to that position. As to his being worthy of the position, although I, as his brother, am disqualified to bear witness, it is beyond question, any one can tell you that he has acquired fame as a sound scholar in the religious codes and casuistics. I know that you, my friend, have great influence in the said community, your words are of weight with the honoured men of that town, and I ask you therefore, if I have found favour in your eyes and the idea itself also appeals to you, that you may kindly recommend my brother. Apart from the certainty that you will earn reward for it from Heaven and thanks from the people, you will also oblige me personally. Although I cannot excuse myself sufficiently for troubling you with this, it seems to me a sign, as you my friend with God's help have been of great assistance to me in the appointment as Rabbi here, and through that my brother was elected in my place as Dayyan in Frankfort — perchance TRANSLATION OF LETTERS I-IX 223 it is the will of the Almighty that you should be His messenger in this affair likewise, to help him (my brother) obtain the safe harbour of that Rabbinate. I will not trouble you any further, but in conclusion ask you not to refuse to comply with my request, but to use your great influence (as far as you can). I shall in return be always ready to do you any service if occasion arises, and, as I have already said, I am already in your debt for the great service you have done to me personally, and with all my power I shall try to serve you to your best interest. Letter III. Copy of the letter of the Parnas Aaron Goldschmidt to his sister's son, the honoured R. Jacob Kik in Hamburg. 21 Adar, 55^6. London. ... I have also a favour to ask of you, my dear nephew. I have heard, namely, that the community of Copenhagen intends to elect a Rabbi. There is in Frankfort a Rabbi, the Dayyan R. Meir Schiff, brother of the Rabbi of our congregation, my cousin Rabbi Tcvele Schiff. That Rabbi is looking out for such a post, and has already many recommendations from influential people. He is indeed worthy of the position as he is a great Talmudic scholar, at home in th.it \ast literature and of great intellect, and has also other great qualities. Although he has not been a (Chief) Rabbi hitherto, he is Dayyan in Frankfurt, and many congregations have elected Dayyanim of Frankfort as their Rabbis, as we did here, for our Rabbi, my cousin R. Tcvclc, was likewise only Dayyan in I'Vankfort, and still we have, thank God — as is known far and wide — done well in sclcctint; him, may fiod prolong his days! To tell 224 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON you the truth, in those days everything was done through (by) me, because I had received a recommendation from our late uncle R. Johanan and, thank God, I succeeded, as it is known here in the whole community that practically J alone was instrumental in carrying through his election. I should now like to do a similar service to his brother, my cousin the Dayyan R. Meir C'z, in helping him to obtain the Rabbinate in the said community. I have, however, no correspondent at present in that city, but you, my dear nephew, have very likely many good friends in Ch., and I would like you to do the same that I have done and take an interest in the matter by sending recommenda- tions there. I can assure you that, if good results are achieved, you will only derive great honour from it, and I shall be very much obliged to you. Naturally my cousin, our revered Rabbi, will also be glad and ready to serve you in return for this favour ; please do therefore your utmost, dear nephew, by direct recommendations to Ch. as well as through those of your friends. You will give me great pleasure and I shall be pleased to do the same for you. Letter IV. Fol. i a. London. Friday, New Moon of Ijjar, 5540. Peace to my brother the eminent Dayyan Rabbi Meir C'z and to his wife, my dear sister-in-law, and to all who belong to them ! Your letter of Nisan the 8th duly received, and on the next page I have answered you in the halakic matter. It was not my intention to criticize you, but only to show you that I have perused your words from beginning to TRANSLATION OF LETTERS I-IX 225 end, and derived great pleasure from it on the last festival in seeing proofs of your clear mind and deep thoughts. To tell you the truth, in short notes like these we can continue to write to one another, but in more extensive and deeper subjects I am like ' in the land of the south '."^ I have no colleagues nor pupils to study with, and even no one to whom I can talk on these matters when you write me anything, and cannot go into it as thoroughly as I ought to. Sometimes it occurs the other way, that I enlarge at length upon a nice ' Derush ' (homiletic explana- tion) or a halakic point, and then I find it difficult to copy it all. I have found nobody to help me even in this respect. If therefore you or I will find some time or other a new point of interest (in our studies) we shall not deny ourselves the pleasure of communicating it to one another in brevity, and for the present we shall not discontinue to deal from time to time with the matter of the Gabbaim,^'^^ and settle this by frequent correspondence. VVc must not put it off and say, ' I shall learn when I have the time ', although wc find that even our Amoraim said ' We beg of you not to come to us at a certain time ',^" and although there is a difference between their case and ours, still there is a slight resemblance. Now to answer your letter point by point. Our account is settled. I was surprised that you made an alteration '''* Cp. Temurah 16 a and note 172. '" Referring to R. Mcir Schiff's dispute with Moir Rotliscliild. See above, aiul Ai)pcndix VII. '^' Cp. licrakot 35b. Raba said to the oilier scholars, 'Do not apjxar before me in the days of Nisan and Tishrl, so that you may not be occupied with your search for a living during the whole year'. K. Icvclc asks his brother to settle his dispute as soon as possible, in order not to have to trouble about it later, and compares it to Ibis Talmudic saying. 226 RAHBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON in my order and gave 18 )*"3 ( = Groschen) to my brother- in-law Hayyim and deducted them from the amount I sent for the widow. If even what a poor man left over belongs to the same poor man and must be given to him, the more so he ought not to be deprived of that which has specially been sent to him, and by right you ought to refund the money from your own. I have, however, pity on you, and herewith order you to give 18 Groschen to the widow. Apart from the 18 Gr. you have already given to my brother-in-law on my account, please give him fl. 5 from me, and thus you will have laid out fl. 6. 13. The cheque from Vienna will probably have reached you by now. As regards the Rabbi of the Hamburger (congregation), all is at an end. From hour to hour he begged the community to allow him to remain ; nevertheless they insist upon what they decided, to give him ^5° yearly for life. He is leaving next week, and your astonishment still holds good, why I should have to do everything without being paid for it, apart from presents (niJriD) on Purim and Rosh-Hashana from those who were in the habit of remembering me on those occa- sions (I have no income from the Hambro Synagogue). As to weddings, it is now usual with them, in accordance with an order from their Board of Management, that the parents of the bridal couple have the choice, and can take either me or their Hazan. As the Hazanim — wrongly — flatter their congregants, I did not, during the whole of last year, perform more than one wedding ceremony, and that was on the occasion of the marriage of the daughter of R. Leb Tosca (xprvj), who is a friend and like a brother to me. a learned, respected, and very rich man, inquire about him of R. Moses Munk. This R. I.cb and manv TRANSLATION OF LETTERS I-IX 227 Others of the respected men (of the Hambro Synagogue) think that in time the right to perform wedding ceremonies will fall exclusively to me, but at present it is still far from that. It may be that in time some newcomers will also send me presents at the periods mentioned (namely D"'"ilD and n""i), but a separate salary from that congregation is not to be expected. It might be that my community will ask the Hamburger congregation for a contribution towards the salary they give me, namely, the ;^20o a year, and according to my opinion they will be able to tear out of them £^0, of which not one penny will go into my pocket, but even with that I am satisfied because, as I have already written you, the salary of ;^20o I have from the congregation is insecure, and at every meeting of the Kalial they spoke about reducing the salary of the Rav and of other officials of the congregation, on account of the increase in the expenses and reduction of the income. In short, were I to write you many sheets full, you would still not understand the way of this town. You imagine London is a Kehilla (community). No! Far from it! Justly you write, there arc many things that are difficult for you to understand (find answers for), &c. I have understood your hint, and could explain all in a very simple manner to any one who knows the way of this town and about mc (the nature of m.y position), but it is impossible to do it in writing. I swear (assure you on oath), So may I see plenty of joy, that I long to sec you in joy and iiappiness here at niy house, to speak to )(ni personally and tell }'ou all that is in my heart. I (lid not unintentionally write you to ask Moses Munk about K. I.cb (Toskaj. I have spoken ;il kn-th with him on the last 'S'finitf^r of this mailer, when the said 228 RAHBINATK OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON (R. Lcb) was at my house, and I did so in the presence of my son, the Bahur R. Moses |*"3, who is, like me, anxious to achieve this,^"* but he refused point blank (utterly refused), and the refusal of an old and wise man like him means building up, not destruction (= is meant well). I will, D.V., explain to you another time the parts of builder and housebreaker that were played between us, and enough of this for the present. I have spoken with the young man Moses b. Leb Zunz, and he told me he could not imagine that his stepmother and her children, his brothers, were not satisfied with the contribution he is sending them with the help of his brother in America. They probably have received what he sent them for the last Passover. Nevertheless, if his brother who is studying in Pressburg has any particular ^'^^ request to make of his brothers he should write at length and enclose it with your letter. The young man Moses will then pay me the amount (he intends sending to his brother) when the letter is delivered to his hand. I could, if I knew what the request is, recommend the (fulfilment of) same, please God. With reference to what you wrote about business for my son Moses j^''^, that he should become commissioimaire (agent) for the great merchants (famous rich men) the brothers, sons of R. M. S. (Michael Speyer?) and their partner, I have made it my business to make inquiries in the matter, especially as you often wrote that I easily refuse all such proposals. I spoke of it to R. Jacob Rotterdam, who does a lot of commission business to your place, and especially for the well-known partners R. Leb Haas and '■'^ Obviously the election of R. Meir as Rabbi to tlic Hainbio Synagogue was in contemplation. '" Written "INS^'tD'l'^E- TRANSLATION OF LETTERS I-IX 229 R. J. Schuster, and \vc came to the conclusion that it would be worth while to be an agent for East Indian goods, but not for woollen merchandise. He does, it is true, do business even in these for the firm of the sons of R. Leb Hanau and his brother-in-law, but it does not pay, because most of the goods which the merchants from there (Frankfort) buy, they order direct by letter from the manufacturers in this country. What a contmissioniiaire sometimes sends there, he must have credit for (here) because all the goods are sold on terms of credit for six months or more ; besides, there is the trouble of transit m from the country to here and from here (London) to there (Frankfort), and nothing to be profited by it except the commission he gets from there. What you write about understanding (the business) is folly. The samples are sent from the country, the goods are ordered and they are sent according to the samples — some one has told you there a foolish thing that sometimes one might buy from a swindler! That might happen once in seventy years. If that occurs it can only be sold to some one who does business with Amsterdam, where he can find buyers for good and bad goods, but one could not send faulty goods to an established business man there (Frankfort). For this reason only some one who is used to exporting goods, woollen or East Indian, could become a commission-agent for woollen merchandise manufactured in England, he must be well known here as commissionnairc, like the saitl R. J(acob) or other people who arc used to it. Page I b. If the young man Siisskind, son of Jacob Schloss, has already left, do not frighten his family. If, however, he 230 RABBINATE OF Till': GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON is still llicrc, tell him that Leb Binga (Bingen) wishes to be remembered to him, and would like to add to the letter which he has by now received from him— dated here on the eve of the last days of Passover (20 Nisan) — that since a few days it is spoken of again that Parliament will put pressure (on Jewish travellers?) like last year, and he has the choice whether he will come here or not. In any case if he does make up his mind to come, he should see to it that in the passport he obtains from the government authorities there, should be said more than is usually said in a health-pass (certificate), and, if possible, should be added that he is a Schutz-Jude from there who travels thither as a merchant to buy goods. Please do not fail to let him have this message in full if he is still there, but if he has already left, your silence will be better than words, and God may bless his journey. If he does intend to come here or has already left, I expect to receive the mantle through him, and if not (send it) without delay according to the order in my last letter. I am waiting to receive on behalf of some one here from the Rabbi of the Province of Wiirzburg the sum of two hundred gulden or somewhat less, a legacy left to him. I have already sent to the Rabbi the receipt and letter of indemnity attested by me, and have at the same time ordered that the money should be sent to you for me, and that your acceptance of the same shall be regarded as if it were already received by me, if you give a receipt for the amount handed over'to you, D.V. I herewith ask you that if such amount be offered to you, to accept it on my behalf and to give a receipt, and afterwards send it to mc by assignment without a moment's delay, the full TRANSLATION OF LETTERS I -IX 23 1 amount — do not deduct the account which wc have with one another. Send me a separate letter expressly in this matter. I shall get the postage refunded here. Apart from this I will only repeat what I have already said, that you should try to settle the matter with the Gabbaim without hesitation, as well as the letting of the house, so that I should get it off my mind, and that you should be sure of what you get as reward for your trouble. Otherwise there is no more (news), only life and peace (may be granted to you) from the Lord and (wishes for the same) from me your brother who greets you and desires your welfare. Tebele }*"3 Schiff. My son the Bahur Moses )*"3 sends his regards, he was very pleased with the few lines in your letter which you addressed to him particularly. Your sister-in-law, the maiden Mindel, likewise sends her regards. Greetings to our brother Moses, to our sisters and their children. Ac- cording to your letter I note the childish remark (an'ny NpirT = children's talk, cf. Sukkah, 56 b) of your daughter Resche. When I send her something with M. Siisskind on his return, she will then have reason to say what she said. I'^or the present I cannot think of what it should be (that I send her). The letter from R. Moses Munk, of last I'urim, I received with thanks and send him regards. Letter V. London, 14 I'^lul, ,'''),",4i. He who gives life to the living may write and .seal (in the book of life) for life my beloved brother the Dayyaii (&c.) Rabbi Meir the Priest and his wife the lady Mathe and their daughter Rcschc. 'i'o all who belong to them Peace I 232 RARRINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON Your letter of the 21st of last month has reached mc and I will begin with words of the Torah (and tell you) that you are right. I am not well versed in the laws of finance. Here the Tur Hoshen Mishpat and nearly also the Yoreh Deah and Orah Hayyim ^^" are negligible. Most of the questions refer to the Eben Haezer,^*^ as I wrote you long ago. At the first glance it would have seemed to me that you are right in every way. On going further into the matter I found other points, and have written you on the other page what occurred to my mind, please read it. After Torah follows charity. I ask you to send on my account without delay : To our uncle Rabbi Z. S. in Fucrth . . 11 : 00 Ten to your mother-in-law, a cheque for your- self sent by Bearer . . . . . 25 : 00 To our brother Moses give in my name eighteen florins . . . . . . 1 8 : 00 To the wife of the late Moses Trumm and the wife of Moses Platen, who wrote to me through the young man Z. Oppenheim — to the former one R. Thaler and the latter one florin, together . . . . . . 2 : 30 To Giessen for the order of R. Abraham ben J. I sent to you eleven florins . . . . 1 1 : 00 For yourself and for R. Leb the Levite . • 25 : 00 To my brother-in-law Hayyim the Levite send on my account five florins .... Total 180 Parts of the four Tuiim, a ritual Code by Jacob ben Assher dealing with civil, dietary laws, and rules of prayer and festivals respectively. "' The part of the Tur dealing witli laws of marriage, divorce, &c. TRANSLATION OF LETTERS I-IX 233 From last year the account between us stands (as follows) : From the bill of Moses Bloch and from M. Oppenhcimer according to your letter of the 19th of Tammuz . . . . .43:36 From Jehiel Cohen after deducting nctto eleven New Thaler for your trouble . . 35-35 79:11 Out of this you have paid for me Assignment (cheque) to I. Altert (?) 28 : 45 In accordance with your letter of lyyar the 27th to our sister Esther 11 : 00 On Sivan the 19th to the order of Abraham of Giessen . . . 1 1 : 00 To the Gabbayim (Managers of Poor- box) 26:20 77:5 2:6 Out of the 97 :30 is to be deducted according to your letter of the 36th day of Omer 2:6; remains owing to my brother fl. 95 : 24, and you will find enclosed an assignment, please let me know how much you obtain for it so that we can note one against the other. After charity comes Divine Service, which means prayers and good wishes of David to our relative Isaac Spcicr, who celebrated the marriage of his daughter, (congratulations) to him and to his brother and son-in- law in my name. I have nothing further to add to my letter of the 22nd of Ab. Mis assignment of eleven shillings has not been presented to me yet. Referring to your reproaches about Rotterdam, I have already written you that I have not seen any earnest (endeavour) on your part. Proof of it is that )'ou have I). K 234 RARP.INATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON not achieved any results there. Secondly, were it not for the unfortunate occurrence with the Rabbi of \:>"r2ti (Amsterdam), I wTOte you already who can stand up against them. Thirdly, on account of the war between Holland and this country, the post does not come in regularly. I had just heard that the Rabbi L. of C'"n (Halberstadt ?) was not coming, when soon afterwards, by the next post, I heard that they had elected the Rabbi of Emden. They surely had an intention with this hurry, but enough of these excuses. I enclose assignment of eight pounds twelve shillings on a certain Yomtof, son of Nathan of Livorno. This (man) is a correspondent of Rabbi Leb the Levite (?"iO) from here. He sent him a letter, saying he would be there at the fair, so please inquire, he will easily be found and pay without delay. You may also tell him in the name of the said R. Leb that he wrote him there (to Frankfort) under his address. Being a correspondent of R. Leb the Levite you could invite him to your house out of respect, and speak (to him) well of R. Leb. One of the sons of R. Yomtof will also be there at the fair, and after the fair proceed to here, please send me (with him) half a dozen white cotton caps. Not striped with several colours but simply white ones. Also half a dozen handkerchiefs which keep good colour in washing. They must be washed and hemmed there. Do not look for cheap ones but for good quality, but not much white (in them) on account of the snuff-tobacco. Send me also the small book with the memorial sermon of the Rabbi of Prague about the Empress, he will not refuse to bring them here to me. Apart from this I have no news to-day, and as I began (so I will close), may you be written and sealed (in the : TRANSLATION OF LETTERS I-IX 235 book of life) for ever for life, you, your wife and daughter, our sister, our brother Moses ;'"d (the priest), and the sons of our sisters, also your brothers-in-law. These are the words of your brother who sends greetings, (the small) Tevele the priest. From me and my son Moses to R. Moses Munk greetings and New Year wishes. I received his letter ; the lottery begins on Nov. 15, Falk can insure for him and I will be the supervisor for it (= take care of his interest) if he will send me the money in time. With regard to Gumpil May's affair I expect from you (to hear) what has been done in the Din (religious case) of his wife by the Rabbi or by the Beth-Din, also whether there was a decision on the part of the Government (Law-court) in the matter. (Handwriting of Mindel Sinzheim) : I send many greetings and wish the dear family likewise a happy New Year according to their own wishes. From mc, your sister-in-law and sister Mindel, daughter of the late Zalman Sinzheim the Levite. Page 2 of the letter. (Postscript by R. Tevele.) With regard to the white caps, these and the hand- kerciiicfs must be washed there on account of the duty payable here. Also do not forget in your answer words of thanks for Rabbi L. (Leb) the Levite and his wife and sons, a.ssuring thcin of your best wishes. Lcb, son of R. S. (Samuel), Prc-sburger of Vienna, has become engaged to the daughter (A my relative R. Aaron L"*; (Goldschmid) from here. (Here one written line has been made unread- able by pcnslrokes.) If you, in your answer to mc will l< 2 236 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON send him greetings and Masoltovv (congratulations) you may do so. Letter VI. London, 14 Elul, 5541. He, who lives for ever and remains for eternity, He may write and seal for ever for life my dear uncle the efficient Rabbi Meir *,'"2 and his wife and daughter, Amen. May to all who belong to him be Peace ! The days of reckoning and payment have come, when we pay with our lips instead of with offerings, raise our voice to God that He may answer us on the day of grace and help us on the day of salvation, and I offer my prayers to God for him (you) and his house that He may impress on their heads the sign of life and bring to light their righteousness, lead them on paths of (life's) waters, and we may see in her beauty Zion the town of our testimony, the splendid place where wolf and lamb will graze together and not do evil any more, where they will welcome the reprimander in the gate and the speaker of truth and abhor the rebuke of the foolish man, and the one and only Shepherd will guard them, a righteous heart and new spirit will the Almighty give to all who revolted against Him, sinned and forsook Him, so that they will not err any more either to right or left, but He will make us firm and strengthen us, so may it be God's will, Amen. I cannot refrain from informing you of the great honour we had in these days . . . (follows a private family incident). What happened with R. Lsaac the Hazan I have already written you at length, that they have taken his crown from him and he may not stand any more in his holy place. Now, however, that the Atonement day is TRANSLATION OF LETTERS I-IX 237 coming, many stand up to say a good word for him to bring him back to his old position, saying the wrong he did was done on account of a man ("n) Hayyim, who led him astray, and thus many plead in his favour. And as is usually the way in the Kchillot (= congregations) they took to the old doings (= ways) of their fathers, and what the one likes the other dislikes, this one says this, the other something else, and some say neither this nor that. As it is R. Isaac is still in prison and cannot move about like a free man, because he was made bankrupt, and according to the law of the land must have the majority of his creditors (namely, to consent to his liberation) whom he will scarcely bring under one hat (to agree to that). It is not an honour fur the congregation, but outcasts like these are not to be found in any other town — and it is all in vain. It is only that leaven in the dough which hinders everything, it is that man who always creates strife and cannot sleep if he has not done some harm. liut God helps the persecuted, and the advice was given by tlic congregation, that R. Isaac should take a large sheet and write what is called a Memorial, and bring this document as soon as possible to the judges. In this memorial they wrote that the congregation has reserved his position for him, and that he was really being i)unished on account of K. II. Now the time was pressing, he cannot help himself, and without him (the judge) nobody can raise hand or foot, and by his word only they can come and go, therefore he implores him that llic mouth thai lias imprisoned may liberate again, &c. So fai-, his answer is still expected, and on liis answer and ui ilom ihe loiu- innnity relies. Wc shall .'^ee what he will answer, please Goil. 238 RABRINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON I will now close with what I began. God may send help to the righteous and be a shield for those who walk in purity. May He raise our lot and may life and peace come to you from God the living Master of the worlds. So will pray for ever your nephew Moses, son of the great Gaon R. Tevele Schifif. To all our family greetings and New Year wishes, especially to my aunts and their children, may God guard them, also my uncle Moses. I also send regards to your brothers-in-law L. and I. the Levites, may they likewise be blessed by God thousand times, Amen. Letter VII (p. 1 a). London, 22 Adar, 5542. To my brother the Dayyan R. Meir, &c. I have duly received your letter of Adar 6, and I have to repeat what I have already said : Leave off with this 1 It is impossible for me to help you, I have enough to do to keep myself. My income at present has diminished so far, that with difficulty only can I make both ends meet, and it is getting less every day. Were it not for the little (income) I receive in interest from Government Loan I could not exist, as the expenses increase on account of the war, the taxes are great and heavy, and for other causes. My salary of ;^200 is not being paid me punctually, and every moment I have to expect that it will be reduced. It is not, as you seem to think, that I am not on good terms with them, on the contrary, I have many of the leaders as my friends, who appreciate me and are anxious for my welfare. The gist of the matter is, and I am surprised at you, how do you imagine to be able to understand a place which neither you nor your forefathers TRANSLATION OF LETTERS I-IX 239 knew. As little as anybody in another land understands this war, the ways of the Parliament and the powers of the king here — even what the papers will write there now about peace with America — as little will any one under- stand the ways of the Kehilla and anything about my income and expenditure. Who likes may believe it, and he who does not may forbear, and if there still remains some apprehension in your heart, which I hope will not be the case, I tell you : Far be it from you to sin in this way, and enough of this. In the matter which concerns myself I must write you something remarkable. About a month ago I received a letter from the Rabbi of Prague and his Beth-Din concerning some business (religious matter), and among the (signatures of) the Dayyanim I found the signature of R. Levi Fanto, and gathered therefrom that he had not gone to Wiirzburg, and I wrote on the 17th of Shebat to the Parnas Moses Rofe, an acquaintance and relative of mine, who, however, had become (a little) estranged from nic. The chief point of my letter was a request to let mc know, as none of the three Rabbis elected by his congregation had gone there, whether the reason for this was that the income from the Rabbinate had become worse of late than it used to be in former years. I also wrote him that if he would IcU me all the circumstances I would write him at length and draw his attention to some one who was willing to accept the Rabbinate, and whose .-ipi)ointinent would bring honour to his congregation. I made an allusion to m)'self, and the contents as well as the form of the letter were written in very pleasing style and language, and I hopi:d to receive a favourable rcpl>'. ( U^ the Sunda)', the 2^)tli of Sheb.it, 240 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON however, came the news that the packet-boat which left here with the mail of the 17th of Shebat had been attacked and captured by the enemy, and the letters were thrown into the sea. I then said to myself — without intention of losing an opportunity — that it may be a sign (from God) that the letter was lost, and did not write again, but now when your letter came, in which, among other news, you wrote that the Rabbinate of VVurzburg was still vacant, I said again that it might be a sign in the opposite direction, and I expect from you a full answer (to let me know) what you think and your advice without keeping back anything. With Almighty rests the knowledge of what is good for me and my son, for body and soul, everything else is only the commentary, go and study (think it over). If you approve of the idea I herewith give you permission to do with God's help the work of man, according to your power, and let me know. I can easily answer your inquiry about the late David Fridland. Many years ago, when the Gaon Rabbi G(ershon) Chief Rabbi of Moravia,^^^ may his memory be a blessing, was still alive, I received a letter of recommendation from him, asking me to speak to the said David about the wife and children of his late brother Jeckl. I then wrote to the country place where this David lived, and he did according to my wish and sent, through me, an amount of money to Nikolsburg, and from that time dates my knowledge of the man and his lot. Some time afterwards arrived here the son of his brother Jcckl, whose name was Isaac. I sent him with a letter of recommendation to his uncle, but he did not help him much, according to what '"^ R. Gerson Pulitz, Chief Rabbi of Moravia, 1753-72. Sec Kaufmann, Gedenkbuc/i, p. 379, and the Htcraturc given there in note 1. TRANSLATION OF LETTERS I-IX 241 he told me, but every time he assured him that after his death he would leave him an amount according to the law of heritage of the Torah. As David grew old and was nearly eighty, he became blind, his property was neglected and partly lost, and what remained was in very bad state (PKnt2-i ^D323), like abandoned property,^^^ which nobody looks after, as he was here in a strange land without friends, and had never been married (added in the margin 'and was afraid he might be thrown on public charity'). He decided to give all he had to a rich ^** (n^DX) man in the country, and made an agreement in the Law Court with this man that he should undertake to give him all he wants (= keep him) as long as he lives, and after his death he should give a certain sum to his nephew, the said Isaac. In exchange for this undertaking he ceded all he had to that man, and lived afterwards for a few years. On his death the said Isaac had disputes with the man who declined to give him what he had undertaken to pay him in the said agreement, but as Isaac wanted to get married — as indeed he did marry soon after he received the money — he came to an understanding with him (and ac- cepted a lesser amount). This is how it all happened, and since then it is like a stone thrown into a well to expect for any one of the relations any help from that legacy. (Added later, and addressed to Isaac S[icyer) : I still owe an answer to my cousin the famous Y)ip, our friend R. Isaac Spcyer, to his letter full of valuable information, which I received about a month ago, and I send greetings to him and all his people. What I nuntioncd in my first letter that he will do it with()U will not, even ftjr a single hour, take it amiss, and put aside the true love which we have for one another. On the contrary, I rcl}' upon it that you will be able to settle 252 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON the matter with God's help for our benefit. With reference to the legacy of the children of the late R. Leb Kief here, it is still in abeyance whether they will win the case relating to the estate of their grandfather, and even if they do win it, I cannot see a way of obtaining anything for the debtor of their father, as I think that the law of the civil court is the same as our law, and a thousand difficulties are placed in the way of one who makes a claim in his grandfather's right. But time will bring the result, and I will write you further after I have made inquiries from people who are familiar with the civil law. I need not assure you that I will do all in my power to advise you in this, and shall not hesitate to serve you with all my might. Apart from this I have no news. May God bless you with peace and look down at you on the coming New Year day in mercy and kindness. This is the prayer of your cousin who is always ready to serve you, Tevele, son of the late R. Zalman Schiff of Frankfort, Rabbi in London and the Province. To your brother and son-in-law E. Z. and all who dwell with him I send greetings, may he too be remem- bered (by God) for good and his years continue, his honour and greatness increase. (In Moses Schiff 's hand) : Youths ought to be hidden and not stand before the great and wise men, but you. Sir, have shown to your servant your greatness in assisting the weak. May my prayer be my thanks and bear result, for my pen is not able to write down the immense gratitude I feel for you. I beg of you that if occasion presents itself to remember me again (to put business in my way), and may God Almighty inscribe you into the book of the righteous for a long and happy life. This is the wish of TRANSLATION OF LETTERS I-IX 253 your servant always at your command, Moses, son of the sreat Rabbi Tevele C'z Schiff of Frankfort-on-Main. To your brother and son-in-Iavv, the learned R. E. Z , greetings and best wishes for the New Year. (Address on the outside of the sheet) : Herrn Mayer Sallomon Schiff Jude gegenw. in Frankfurt am Mayn. APPENDIX VII Extract from Minutes of the Beth Din of Frankfort relating to the sale of Rabbi Tevele's house 'Zum Griincn Schild '. MS. Adler, No. 935, page 187 a. n"3 \''in -i3DK^ ib"^ ^jna dw nn >vn m-io p nmoiD n"y -i^NO n^j p i:^:d^ yan bo 'ba)) -ir^ n"3 pnn n"ni r^i rro -i>no *inxi ins ^3 ni3nN3 i:^ja^ pyoi -iidj^ ijiD"" '\-ii ptJ'N-i -iidid N^'-'K' ic'an c'-p^ D"'DnDi:ipa novy lonn ^'j-n cnnvnc^ ic'Nai n^ino i^jn k'"") n^xo n"3K^ -i:j'd mina lix^'ci on^ lippnw i:nxD mii:!^ d"i li'in nytiTin |0"i d"i tj'nn ntron b".n nrb n"3i' |n^^ x:;^ d"-i trnn nynnx "i^ jr.v i"ij pj-k^ i^xd ^n pnn i'>2 \'">i]} ^:xi TO jnj'i =) :j'd"-ii ^jxi »":-! "b i"opn v^jd^ pr n'r ijdxd Page 198 b. yam •'"n: ^"3 fi"'C txd n"j ]''''ir[ •'mnn n"n ij-'jd^ xa:y n"y D'n ^rDio X lb nbi:"iy W n^^ct^-n n^xo n"3 ni"n n"n p ex 1^ chc^h n'i'\'\'y a^cn n^TD-n i^xd n"3i 1^:^ rr-a ''vn n''"'3p» SALE OF *ZUM GRUNEN SCHILD ' 255 ,-i3n Di::' niy ucn ynn^ N^n 1^:^• poi^::Ti2 nvno ^i^l" -fso n'b nvn WN'J' p-i v!?y niy^^n my ii> tr^c' T"y n-c'ri ci^c' n\so i^''^"! r'y Tcni nin :;'"i tnd n"Di /i'-j* 3"n pyn^an inab ny nny yvn^ WN 2if 1^?:^ poi^L"na pny nvno irs* b":n T\^iy -j*nd ^"D:^• nnxo a^cn my ^o"-i :;'nn pN pi )'ro pN ^'^n 3"n ^mn i^ n^:r^ nvn "vn pi^n ^y nhy:;' )*yv njnp ^on inis'C' iii'Na d^c n^an p pyv ima L"n'D3 -lara i"i: )*"d fi^B' ij^yu n"it:3 aini? T'^ '''itr n^a '^":opn ^w'n ny Dk"b b":r] ^'>^ tno n"3 a-'inct' i^r n"n nc'yD lyita y:n ei':;' yari n"2b y'^^y "^^L" mnsn n'2 ^irn p^n bi ,^y"3n ny Di?L*6 y'jn «)>:;' n^so n"D n^ino nj Dity ^'in e'"n i-no n"3 nvn p2 ,^":n jcr ny nn'sn )b *j"'C' TJ-s'a ^'yan T"r:pn nc'n 3"n pyn^sn jd nSa yy^ nrnp "dt niDjij ^'jn :r"i n-iNo n"3 pyTsn nn^nnnti' viaia "•'n^ i^ a"::',! ^:"n ^"i^' tsd n"3i ^^'jn n"-i' n-iTJ'n^ pi ^'jn w'""i tnd n"3^ D^trb "inx irx d"d v^y "\t 'cno ni3j^ ^D' i:'N pi -inoyusyr rmn ny ch'cb jcr i^ b*^ pnyi I'rv n:np 'm i3ci nayt;* iT^a 3in Nine' ip'didx "idk-i 3"n pyns c' E^"-! -1^x0 n"Dt;' D-1211 -i3r:y::syr L*nn iy n^3 my pvnn^ ^3vcy n:np 'cn ^y u pvnn^ ^avu' 3"n nroiyu nNcr my D::r^ vby non nr ^id nr Dimn"i:y^2 mixo icvynn ^j"n "vn n:ni ^^'jn p3''\* i*xr^ n"3 ^mnn .m"m Page 1 99 a. n3i»:n n"p3 D'C'n -iNno3 b":r\ e'"-i n\xn n"3 rnxunnn k n''n3 D'oncoip ^ipina b":r] onnvn Dr:vy vrnn-j* nnxi .ly^s^ i:nvt2i ,Dn^ i:ppnn rnxro xv iw'x ^d d"'^"'^ DMDro p D3p3i ei3'n y:n ^-r n-xo n"3^ D^t:'^ y':n L""n mxo n'b n"i"n n^nrrc' -23 poi!?t;'nn ''.-i-j' i^jd!? Dn-or ivnnn::' -d3 ^'^n 3"n n:5T nv:! rz'\"L i~i"in n"n nr:yD3 ni ^:z2 x^c* nr ■iny"'p^>!3 'nnio ':c no-c 3"n p'j'^ ^jy pDi^L"n jcixn y':n t'"-i mxo n"3i -ix"dl" p>»-x n"3 ^"m r\>^ Txo n"3^ :;"i" no n':n':i ,u"n nn imx j*:v3 px V'^n "inx^ ny ir:D^ y'i'n^ n^-n -.rxi ,y':n 'j*"-! tx?: n"3 \^2 yun^ my 256 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON aip'1 "With ^na ynni? b'^y^ loy pin::' ijnvo j?"::) 3''n iiyT-sn ni3jij nvnc' no nonr:i .i^jd^c D'-onsoip eipinn on^ya nnn pnn inixt:' 13NVO ^y'on 3"n py-i>2n p j'yv i:)i\> v^i k^"-i i^no n"3 "ijayu ni"o3 3in!? T''"K' ''hb' n*3 ^ifn p^n ^y nbiye' j'j>>f n^np ^dt "vn inix px ,nyD ^'n 3"n pyn^s ^di» iniDJ^ ^d" i^n /"i: ^'^i^ n B'^ ^"jn ei^K' n^NO n'b^ T'^B' 'nB* n"'^ ^vn p^n p py^*njnp "-rDn ny nn 'nti y':n 3"n py'T'sn p iniD3^ b"jn k^"-i -i^no n"3 n>3 ^y Nin 3vnn dn ^'^n D^Disoip «ipinn on^rn nnn nx pin aip-ty "i^ND n'b pnn n"n Page 199 b. n"y "V liDNO Ni"- I'V ti'"-i n^NO n"3 n''^ bv ix ^'j^ n"j )'"d ej'^t:^ .(?;^•"D-l1) ^d"ii ^jxi D"n "b V'ropn p*D nin "3 Page 202 b. n"a nrn -layn ]vd 2")d i"a n"DD »"n n"a i:nxo x^."' nna::' nnx nxt^-ln3 xjyn d^^q n"^ r\bnpn pxj ^jninn n"n 'mvn ):':^b ixai n's ni"n n"n jd yini i"-i3 fT'C' n^xo n"^ pnn •'j-iinn noyoni fl"'^' "1^X0 n"3 pnn p nn '•vn m-DCK' nnx |yiDi n^''K'D''n -i"'x» 'on B'-'^K' poi^c'nnc' nr fsix ^y "\n ^'^n n^'-CD^n txo n"D^ 3np jro-iyu n^-iDcy ""on pci^cnn p id31 na^nn m^oD n:: ni'Do "inr n^'y nnx x -irhp i^x ^an "\t 'nni^n ''>c'!-t:^ "|Jt^•n p b"2n c.'"-i -1^x0 n"3 npi^ni "^sn ip^Di^x noK'ai p:p -itsc'a -ixno3i ^c n'^c' y':D xjyn Dnjya n"^ >mnnb iddi irjp nx D^^p x!? C'nn px Dn?o ni:^nn m^DO *i:j 3X3 fx K^^K'n ^m ^'jn i^icn "inr n"i px poi^::'nn ana 3"n n:^Diyo n^io::^ pj^o px Dnoi d"-i "^31133 pyiv 'm y'jn b'"d n"3^ ^'jn unjyn n"^ mx^an icxdi dis pyn^2n^ yT "\n xb:y 3"t 3^::'ni b":r\ pDi!:::'nn nx npi^n nrc' ^x^^ n^B' -1^x0 n"D pnn T::>n nr ^yi "inr x"'- x rb-^p px nvn^ n-iDin jyi ni^n: n^iy xinK' r"y pyvx nno nr^i ^ap^ nvn nytr ^d^ ^"jn 'b |n3 -^^ti pr:i^B>nn pai php ;^3 tyiEnn '\n x^ nysn inixa o SALE OF 'ZUM GRUNEN SCHILD ' 257 nny is Nrm wn ^js^ loy it^ nv> ab hnd^ >ifn Tiy^ pn 3x: IX pDi^::'nni p^-ipn pn t'-^c' cnsnn b"jn {j'-i"» n^j npiSn pN m^Dyn-c' i^ ;n:c' ^"n 'J^o-iyo nonr^i "inr nTt^y iiyi? nhyj:' tr"! D"-inD }D fi^a* TNO n"D yan y^D Page 203 a. ^iriOT^ ic'3Ni iTn i3^xy' no n: iT'n p^ny ^yc""^ D"n inis'ir ^"^n (!) DJ-c'^a 'n^r:.-! jdt iniNo nnns D"n i^ airiD-' niy n^ nnn is-'an!? n^ nnn DrN'.:' n'n inis* ^^3:;oi "inr icy ins n p^ip ps* d^j'^J'^ 1^ ab"^ -133::' pL"iXn D"n mis ^''3t:'3 oni ^Dni3^^^ ^t^•D^< Ti^n "nti Tw'N3 nxob n:;*^-:^ b":ri s;^^ n"-in3 yan pro pN b'':^ &'-[ rD"-in3 ei'-t:' Dn'n^ pnn jyiDi 3"3 nK'iy jtd pm -i3>i'-jp pa c-nsnn nys::' "inr ncy nnx n nrij-ip px nnn^^'a K'lT'sa nina la mtrroK' b"3n lb nibynb -jnv vs* yb^? nhr nnns ynooa npibn ib q^^b' dn na nsob ": "j'>{xni nxrob "j "-ibya TXD n"a n'n '•xn: n"in n!^yf:3i nxnnn to txo n"3 ^mnn n"m "mr Tj'y nnx x pi^ip px 'uina dx xin 'nmon ttiit n^cn c'"-! cnn IX -ly^-ip D^cb pbiD^ vx xudxj px lynx a^nr px 3in3 xbi D^u'b in^' irx p3 o"-i L'nnn -inv did nys xin yyo n:ix D"n ':2c nr^ip px xpn '^n> no'^n jijiid::' Dxni D''n niJt;'h yi"xb )b nu'cn DHD p3p noi^ ^1n3 mnab ib '\n "inr x"'' x nocn airiD nr:) 1:: nxr:^ ": i:''i'ipn nya nbytr no jyiu niyi nr^ip D^w'r:m nix?:) p-uc' n"-i^ mncn nixnv '•23 3"n pr^ibc-nn nvnb n^vt;' ^32d )*:m3 pDii^L-nb 13 r\vnb i-iivn po "\n xb y:? nyL-3 oyc inix3i ^ddmi ir^np px xpin "'n' -men pL"bc' n^^^ poy nron pnona pi 3"n 3X3 |x nbp3 b":n rj'c' D"nnD y"x nv-inn -1331" nnx ro"D bi3* px p3 pro ncHD ib;r xn^Dp "m pn u"-i c-in pr:MbL"n3 Txo n":;i d""i irnno "inv 3iu xin pjioc ic'X3 ni^^np 3ic' yunb pyiEnu- no-e ip^niDX p'^6 by v:vy ioid-j* 3^-j*ni nrn b":n ei^i;' "" Agio - V'-J'X. 258 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON Page 203 b. 133 "ini n""- n iDs*3t^ nm nnx "ima s-h p^np px nvni^ t"»^ nciy vpnpn locn p-j'^ niyn-cnDi ib^ "'•n^ y:;*i<^ n^ynt;' hdb' |yio *it:L"n nia^nnn "dd y-iDrij N^tr pr ^3 Nop s'-io nprna p^ny n"p3 niDnsn nsncs DnTinvjTim 'nTii:yo2 b":n nmvn iDnsni y"N y'jn Dmvn ir^nnu' -un-a-ir D'tDnsnp ^sd n^m u^jd^ n:icn cpb ii^'tpnb ^vni n"T mTk:-^ >vn d"-i nixo ^jk' id DJp2i n"n3 lirjyi 3"'D^^ pnn 'iipipii:^ nnsi on^ lippnn "i^nso nv-c' n"Dsn nT-Dy^ ijy nr'y3:^' fv* ni?npn '':rDN: n-'n*:-' pjpn -iDL*'n pc6a ("ijyyi) n'i?rn nx irj'-nu' nnsi ip-rnss nurni p:p iDL-n pK'^n qji ^jn ^■'6n ]'':]:2 c""it: "['yao n-i^n "inxi? dji ^'jh ^'jd N:yn unaya n"3 mnanc' ^jn^;d y':n ^53 nnx 3"n pr^3 3''n -di^^jti imi my3t:rD 3"n "yo-iyu |niN n'irh n'ii~\ ds* l?":!n t:^"-i nwn n"3 n"in n^3 "'•n^ m'?Dyn^*i nniy^'b nii-i sh did ""inr i"i oyn si^in D3it:'^3i D3n33 my D^t'!? y'jn B'"-! rD"-in3 3''inD ns "inr x"'' n 'I'b'^p px pyTan m^3D "DT ^D ^3 i5y ytrs^ niy''3n n?:nr3 ^'^n pi'"^' rD"nn3 ]''''\nb n"l N p^D K'jnN"'Vu:"i23ip px n''i?xDD3^n nry n^'on id b":^ b":n jn D^'c' -i33tJ' noD ;n ^'jn fj^e' D"nn3 myon ynsn: nr3i dis i"nT b":r[ t:'"-) rD-i"n3 nvT dn3i pny n^c^ v^ytr fin3 '•yrs-iyu riDno jcTo D^cnn 6 inM f\''\^ tt-i"n3 pnn 'i"'3c 3^3 TDiyu |niN nirc*^ nir^ 3^inD irs mn i"nr n- « ]'b-\p px D^JicNnn p:rb d^b'^ ]':pry ^•'3B'3 d:i HD^nn nnDo 1:: 3X3 fx poi^^Tin ^y p-i yc'^x^n "ic'sx "XB' 3"n mix i?y dji pro px yns n33B' nnx 3"n p?:ik'n b":n B'"n rD"-in3 D^c'"' jnix mjc*^ n3 n^ nnn ix^3nb ^"^^ D"-in3^ nT3D "Di b bv d"i iK'y n^'cn idd "j-iy 'sh i^x b p w^br\ .b":n Page 204 a. (x'y n"-i ein) -IX130 "i33c^ I'rv imp 'r2T nrDHO ^"jn omvn isnsn niy py-1^20 ni3:^ nvn b":n c"-i tD"-in3C ^'^31 i:nxD -133 xv'B' n"DD3 n^np "Di D^i"^ y':n si^tj' -i\xo n"3 bv ^uict:* no 3"n ■•rD-iyo '\:)'^p '•r^n "snixB' "irx3 y'y3n "b r"cpn n"-i ny nb* n^in p prv *"-i: p"3 fi^B> -byD n"ij:3 3-in^ -j^^b' '^nt' n^3 'i-n n"y nhyt' prv SALE OF 'ZUM GRUNEN SCHILD ' 259 nrn ty nh^'b y':n c"-) tso n"D moDU' n"2 n::'yoa c'n^aa idtj ^y ^"-1: nnn mpca ^'jn ei^c' n^NO n"D ^y Nin avnni "^ f^pn tr"-i n^xD n"3 lyiD b":r[ ^"^ »->"n3^ T'*^ ''^ti' nnnsn n^2 ^i*n pi^n Tj'xa y'yan "^t"):pn n:^'n ny D^K'b ^'^ D-i"nD a^ino nr d:c' b":n b'ii^ T^* "i'><^ J^'^i b":r^ fDT ny i^:^ n^a ^'^m nn^an pny i^ i:'^t:' I'-ij mn vns^ t^-j' ''hb' n^3 "vno j'^^v n:np '•on pbn nnn» rcn 3-in rns Tinoc^ nro Npn 1:^^^ i^^r^rn ch\:^b n^-no Ninu' sin ^":n '31 P|'B' t"-i n''3 \"3"'TnD ci^33'k^'n '>3^inDB' no pN idoo nb^'b I'l: v'ps -isriB' no d"d "inr le'y d^jk' "iiyo *vnn d^c^ b^r xnv n"3 T3 B'-'tr -it3c*n ^d31 nn^tj' ^3^3 v"p3 3n3X" n"DD nnv ^53^ irNC' i)":.! ti-'on ;yici '-im ch^b 7]}2n '^tipd ^'':n {r"-i n^NO yi3n^ nu loc-n 'h B'^tr tr"n »"nn"3B' p"i nno ynn^ niy 3>in?3 'DT p^n ^yi 3-in i'E' p^!»*i:np ^»n "^b^-n^ on^b ^tiiDB* no nno ?j''-in3 3'B''n ^"-ij ei-B' ivxD n"3^ T>^f '\iB' nn ^^-nn p p*^*n:np >» ^y N^Ji 1^ ^*t^^ ^o yp-ipn cjia i^y Nin p^^-nanp ^ot 3vnntr ei^B' c^B^^ D'b3n D^^ino nhy ^ni nn "'2S "'nt xni niTsn 1^ tr^K' v'p D^B'? n3^inD px "n -iro n-nn3 n-nc' ni:D^Nn dji v'p mion n"p3 ini3i:3 nr3 d: D.Tnijyo3 isn^ni Page 204 b. 3''y -i"-! ni bv Dn^ry ^":n 'mvn 1:]!^ ^'^n i;"p ^dt |"'jy3C -il*'n31 ij''J2^ iJNvroi Dni? ):ppi]: i:r,ND xv^b' "iti'Dn *D3 n^^pb) Dr\'y2 -wi'-h n"3n 3'ino i"-!: 3-inb t"^ "''''^' ri'^ '^'n'^ |*rvnjnp p^nB' "i3T nL"Q3 3vnn 'Q3 ^y"3n "i?j"r:pn n"-i ny n^B^ ^"3 ei^B* txd n"3 pnn ^mr:^' no b":!"! si'b' ic^r "i "'pnnDD ynn^ vXim on^c b'33 isr^n ynn^ b^vs n3 y':n noL-n 1^ |n^ b":r[ c"n txd n"3i Dr\^bv nronci ^'^n iDU'n eiD^n 1^ Trnn!? 3MnD pyTDn inx^B' i2ix3i dhd n"y i:svo y':n e]^L" txo n"3 pnn^ -p"::' "mb' nu "'^•n ^'"p ^dt prvn:np vzn "]d?o nr-^B' '3f ob^ b":r\ ct'B' D"-in3B' n^n nc'D i?":n c'"-! I'X'D n"3 bv^ b"v^r^ "b j"r:pn n"i ny nT3D "vo n^iyn ^JNi D"n "i? i"Dpn Dmo d"i "t "v^ i^x i:nx?D x^- nnx \:'->bv .(?B'"D-n) ^'D-ii 26o RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON APPENDIX VIII Elegy on the death of R. David Tcvele Schiff, by Isaac and Zahnan Keyzer of London. (Leaflet printed on one side only. Size 26 x 23 cm. In the possession of Mr. Sigm. Seeligmann in Amsterdam, who kindly copied it for me.) "iK'y p .D'3"i:;*nn nnina ^mnn .D'-^naro .O'lnnan nx '•Nn nnx /B'23 Ti'' -nx ■'J3 .D^a^ann wm^n .mvD!? mcy c*^k^ pi .njL"D^ D^^nn .D"'N-i'i n'^'b^ "•'i^js' nx nn:b .nn>nnivrD3 nn^yt:' .id Sn^n pDn in po .□.t:''ji:i nm nT3N* .nnTin^ax ^y □"•n^sDci 'nDDi p!? ."iji ppr '3 DJ1 13-n '•d i^y ly:^ ni:n .u^ '•i' idk nr^n mnn iu3^ .Qnvo*j' pior^ mi' i'y nvni? .anmn n^x .'^n^S:^ nr^p ni^S 'n jn p:**^^ n"an ansD pnyn n''-iinD nSnnh Dcj'i' ^1)^2 DD-ii2?rn hi:n px:n pnNn mo ^y TI33 inm:D ;nDn nn *Tiy piay^ x^ 3x"ik'"'3 n^o nn no .Dnnon m: -i3iy "-jn hp in^c'oo nnn my ij^c'' n^ .1^3•>^• nnn nxTm nanxn nyncn ijs*v iiy Drn:^ n^ .Dyn n?o N^n ."n n^-in D\xvro nim:D >d ""^y 'i:p Ty -Iw':d .nanx inn'' .1:2 3mx 3X3 .npnvi dsc'd nniixa n:i::' .d^w"^ 3io nonai oscon did^i nn^mmy nxn .n'\JD^ .;ox;_yn .D^xon n3 XVD^ TJ'X T'y K'^n :^^31x^7;:3 3ix3D t^M !|X1]X^ nnx .133^ .TV^^'S ^^ .T'"i3"j' noix no ^x ?m3x tj'x □3n3 c^x en D'vj' Dbi3 viryoi ino3n nt'x u'n m3X'^' .i^nxL^n noi .n^ ?ioyi imy nniD^ HEBREW ELEGY 26 1 Nin .D'TDni? nnij:n o "ib bv ^ni^yna /nt:n3 "avj* nns D:r:N' nsT ab n}2'c^ .n-n* ns:^ n ncs obiyn "n nn my .■'nn:Nn m^pT proi .irniwSDCD i:*j:nr nr .^^:"i nnr:c'a n^n^ nv:^ ,nvc'i 3Viy Dcn pnv' p"n :D*'nni men nu ics* "n^ ti3:i .lyK's: i"^'^ nrp nrb n"D p -iT'P nr^^ '-I p p7T n"an anao pnyn .nu3 "inmjo nn3:ni Twr^ '\'-i)'\2 pn^'i hn:n oa-i no "d .^xni^n:! nu3 n?^ ny-i3 i^D^i nmcn n-a^in on D^yin nyn on^ px irs inv3 .loya non D-yin dqic^'i t^ Dr6 pN ncN oy p .nrn^ non pj-id .xo^*m niD i>y N^ bx .nvyno ^:n nsr by .xnbi nxvb D'^ynv "nbn ima .310 iboc' 'f-iN ba wan xn inoc^j bin .no idi: pt ^3 .pn^n nb)]}2 'n irm my o .}*CNn:i prnn: p by .inpnY ns bs^ dc'I .nrp fobr p"pT .imy nyai i^nya mu pbo' d::' ncx .snn N-ipD 2t:*n n?::b .D^^ax nry^bx ^nx ':2 .DD^ab ivoni iprn D3'nibN'j'0D DD b:i2 D^riN' i^a^ "n nr ni^rm .ddmo^ ^3 nio:i nijro DDt: n"3 DTnot'DiS na ir"'p Dm3N p'n D3in mbNCc^i .P'sb pNl pin pn Translation. On seeing these writings of the two worthy youths, the one ten, the other thirteen years of age, sons of my beloved brother — what they wrote as consolation for their brethren who mourn their loss, the loss of the multitude (caused) by the death of their leader, the High I'riest David their Kabbi, my heart spoke to me; Train up the youth in the way he should go and even when he is old he will not depart from it (I'rov. 22. 6), I have had, therefore, these word.'; printed, so th.it the)' may be inscribed on the tables 262 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON of their hearts and in honour of the above-named pleasing youths. Copy of the writing of the youth Isaac, son of Lazar Keyzer : London, Tuesday, 24th Kislev, 5552. On the death of the great Rabbi, famous in his genera- tion, R. David the Priest, may he rest in peace. A sound of crying is heard, bitter waih'ng. David, King of Israel, is dead, his flock will no more be led by him, who tended them with love and piety, no more will they be under his rule on the quiet waters where they found the blessings of God. Their Shepherd is dead. He will not lead them any more on the paths of right and charity. As a father loves his son, his beloved, so he loved them ; as the eagle watches his nest, so he guarded them. He saw their failings and reproached them in justice and kindness. He was averse to sinners, (and still) he was their true friend. Woe to thee, London ! Is there a pain like thine ? Is there a town in which is to be found a wise like the one thou didst lose ? To what shall I compare thy hurt, what was thy sin that such has befallen thee? What was thy transgression that thou didst lose a man whose wisdom and deeds were all devoted solely to the welfare of his congregation of his people ? However, on consideration I find consolation (in the thought) that to the righteous death is the real Good. For David yet lives in the world where he will live for ever, where he will not see cither violence or sin and sorrow, for ever will he live in joy! This may console us in our pain, in the sorrow of our soul, and let us bless the Almighty in whose hand is death and life. Isaac, son of Lazar Keyzer. HEBREW ELEGY 263 Copy of the writing of Zalman, son of R. Lazar Keyzer. Tuesday, 24th Kislev, 5552. On the death of the great Rabbi, famous in his genera- tion, R. David the Priest, &c. Glory has left Israel, as their great Rabbi, the righteous of his generation, the elect one of his people — is dead. Like sheep without a shepherd, which wander in the desert and perish of hunger and thirst, a prey to the beasts — so is a people without a leader and judge erring on the way (of life) not knowing where to come and where to go. For this I mourn, but not for the death of the righteous man, as only his body is dead, but his soul has arrived in a land where everything is good, there he will reap the fruit of his piety. Let us be strong and brave therefore— our Rabbi yet lives in the Eternal world (coming world), there he will be a good intercessor for us and for his community. Zalman Keyzer. Be strong and of good courage you sons of my brother Lleazar, your father, learn well Torah, Mishna, and Talmud all your lives. Then God will bless you in everything according to your own wishes and the wish of your uncle, Abraham Keyzer. Amsterdam, 22 Tcbcth, 5552. 264 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON APPENDIX IX MS. Adlcr 235i. Recto, pp. 1-60. Account of a firm of polishers, Abraham Michel and L. I. Abrahams. The items are written in a clear, careful hand, and show the cost of materials, labour, and ' profifet '. The yearly account for 1 803 closes on p. 60 with a profit of £509 12s. io\d., of which L. A.'s share is £169 17^. J^d. The pages verso were used by R. Solomon Hirschel as book of records for authorizations he gave to Shohetim. Page 1, verso, contains the undertaking which every appli- cant had to sign before being authorized by the Rabbi. It reads : I. rhip )b ^^ yi3p umc' t-'^K' Dipm v^nz'n i6^ n^ nvpn Tin^ -iiDN^K' pr ^31 "'ovy^ i^-'DN nV inji^ p"pi n"aK "jhd I'b f\2 nypn "Tinj b"^n ^3 bv s'pin nNisi^ x"3 dj^» pnx -i"-iinr:3 N"xb ^i^•D 'ixj n> |n:i^ p"p na p"Di' Moses Aaron ^rxn Aw/ (?/ Shochctim auiJiorized. Page I b. 2. Zevi Hirsch b. Solomon of Simiatel (signed 'Mr. Hart Bideficld '). i Heshv. 5583. Bidefield. 3. Moses b. Benjamin. 17 Heshv. 5583. 4. Nahman b. Z. the Levite (S. Newman, Leeds). 34 Sivan, 5583. Leeds. MS. ABLER 2261 265 5. Jonah b. Menahem,^'^^ called Jonas Levy. 15 Shebat, 5583. Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A. 6. Solomon Israel Hornstein (' Mr. H. Solomon Horinstein in Plymouth ' signed in English). 25 Sivan, ^S^3- Plymouth. 7. Simon b. Jehiel Sofer (Engl, signature:) ^^^"^ Simion Jonas. 21 Tammuz, 5583. Page 2 a. 8. Hayyim b. Rabbi Isachar. i Ab, 5583. 9. A Shohet in Chatham (letter to the same for not obeying the rules) dated : 17 Ab, 5583. Page 3 a. 10. Michael Zalman Pollack. 26 Ab, 5583. Plymouth. 11. Judah Leb. b. Mordecai. 5 Elul, 55^'^- Norwich 12. Falk Neumegen. 28 Kislev, 5584. Highgate. Page 3 b. 13. Abraham b. Shcrage Feivish of Semija (N"''»DyD). 22 Kislev, 5584. Leeds. 14. Abraham b. Moses Ncugass. 9 Tcbet, 5584. j^. Michael Elijah b. A. of Rawitsch. 11 Sivan, 5584. 16. Samuel b. Michael. 4 Tammuz, 5584. Page 4 a. J 7. Zccv Wolf b. M. 8 Tammuz, 5584. 18. Joseph Benjamin P^ishmongcr, High .St., Worcester. •"' July. .10^4 A. M. Worcester (luigl.). '"• Tilt entry reads : I Jonas Levy from Exeter, Devonshire, livinp; at Cincinnati, State of Ohio United Stales of Aint-rica, acknowlciif;e liial I iiave given my hand to the rules mentioned on the otiier side. 3Bpn DPUD ]2 HJI* D2'J ID. 'Jonas Levy, Dirrect for Phillip Symonds Cincinnati, State of Ohio, United States of America.' '"•* The English signatures will in the following be marked by (Engl.). D T 266 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON 19. Zevi Hirsch b. Rabbi David of Bialistock. 17 Tanimuz, 5584- Page 4 b. ,20. Eliezer ("ipo .... 3 2\"^ ?). i Ab, 5584. 21. Nathan b. Mcir.^^o First day of Sclihot, 5584. Bedford. Page 5 a. 22. Judah Leb. b. K. (^'^1 ?"JD2'b n-n.T). 15 Kislev, 5585. 23. Moses b. Zevi Hirsch. 23 Tebet, 5585. Yarmouth. 24. Jacob Koppel b. D. K. (Engl. ' Jacob Koppel Hyman '). 35th day of Omer. Cheltenham. Page 5 b. 25. Moses b. Leb Deutz (Moses Levy) of Frankfort on Main. 37th day of Omer, 5585. Dover. 26. Jehiel Michael b. Abraham. 7 Heshvan, 5586. 27. Jacob Kish"^ (v^p 3nn ipv). 7 Heshvan, 5586. Not- tingham. 28. Benjamin b. Menahem. 13 Kislev, 5586. Brighton. 29. M. Michael (Engl.). Glasgow. Page 6 a. 30. Simon b. Ber ^"3 (Engl. 'Simon Campl.'). 12 Teb. 55^6. 31. Jonathan b. Rabbi Isachar. 11 Shebat, 5586.^^'- 32. Joseph Abraham b. A. 21 Adar I, 5586. Bristol. 33. Joseph Goldman. Dartmouth. 190 »i gave my hand in SJD nVpH to the Revd. Dr. Herschell, that I will abide with above mentioned Obligation to keep to his orders. Should I hereafter infringe on them I shall consider myself PIDD to our Religious orders.' Sighned by me this day, "' Added : ' b":D Vi^ "13 TIT DnS)^ Nottingham.' MS. ADLER 2261 267 34. Alexander b. Nathan (English : Alexander Jacobs). 29 March, 5586 (1826). ^j. Michael Mordecai b. Nissan. 14 Tammuz, 5586. ^6. Eliezer Lezer b. Mordecai of Lissa. 14 Tammuz, 5586. ^j. Abraham b. Joseph. 10 Ab, 5586. 38. Salomon Zalman b. A(kiba?) from Saniekova (Carni- kow?) yiisp'JXtt'D v"l3 p^T n?:^Ey (Engl. Solomon Sternburgh Glasgow). 16 Ab, 5586. Glasgow. Page 7 a. 39. Eisik (of) Tlirkheim. 15 Ab, 5586. 40. L. A. Samson (Engl.). 15 Ab, 5586. 41. Zevi Hirsch b. Solomon Heilprin. 27 Ab, 5586. 42. Israel Elijah b. Dov Ber of ''ViiX2"'3y-i3 . 5 Heshv. 5587. 43. Meir Jacob b. Benjamin Benas (:^••':•'''3). 10 Kisl. 5587. 44. Meir b. Rabbi Isaac Statthagen. 28 Elul, 5587. Page 7 b. 45. Simon b. Rabbi Jacob Lcb. 2 Heshv. 5588.^^^ Page 8 a. 46. Michael Levi b. R. S. Sofcr of Carnikau. 24 Heshv. 47. Judah Leb. b. Isahar Levi. 13 Kisl. 5.^88. 48. ' nephew of Simon, he forgot to sign' (R. Solomon's hand). 49. Mr. W.Abrahams, 'von Deemens(!) Land '.'^* (No date.) '" Authorized as "lp30 porclicr ; in the Rabbi's handwriting is added ^o'j'o xini nam nrnn 1^ f^i i:pt rh': vh b":n pvoir '-i ;nDr^. '•• Mis declaration reads: ' I have given mj' h.ind to the Rcvd. Snionion Ilirsehcie to abide by certain rules vvliich he laid down to me as I am tu kill '1 2 268 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON 50. Alexander b. EHezcr. Hanuccah, 5588. Exeter. 51. Benjamin b. Rabbi Leb of Hungary. 14 Elul, 5588. 52. Jehiel b. R. Nathan. 24 Elul, 5588. ^^. Meir b. Samuel, ist day of Holhamoed Succoth, 5589. 54. Arjch b. Jacob (signs as follows : ' pn in Jamicar ' [Jamaica]). 5 Jan. 5589. Page 9 a. ^^, Abraham b. David Berliner. ^6. Gabriel b. — 47th day of Omer, 5589. Portsmouth. 57. Jacob b. Meir. 14 Sivan, 5589. 58. Meir b. Rabbi Judah l^bu^w* (?). npy p"D'y, 5589. Swansea. Page 9 b. 59. Zeev Wolf b. Rabbi B. of Biale. 20 Heshvan, 5590. 60. Meir Solomon Zalman b. Aryeh Leb of Wladova. 20 Kislev. 5590. 61. Meyer Lyon of nDDy{i'D"'D (Engl.). Chichester. 62. Moses b. Jonah, son-in-law to Mr. Simon. 19 Omer, 5590 (Engl.). Page 10 a. 6^. Abraham b. Isaac Levi (' the particulars concerning Gloster I and my father abide by. A. Levy.') 19 Omer 5590 (Engl.). Gloucester. 64. Isaac b. Jacob Wolf. 13 Sivan, 5590. 65. Michael Levi b. M. 13 Ab, 5590. 66. Jacob of Copenhagen (n'pD n'oa apy). 5 Tishri, 5591. poultry.' Van Diemen's Land was the name of the Australian Island Tasmania before the year 1856. MS. ADLER 2261 269 Page 10 b. d']. Moses b. Hayyim Sachs (Engl. ' Moritz Sachs Dnitr nymujypn 'j. 6 Shevat, 5591. Canterbury. 68. Abraham b. Rabbi Moses Isaac, Rabbi of Samlin (p^csr p"n n3"N pn:;' nc'o nfo mnn omax p^n, A. Rozenbaum). 14 Omer, 5591. 69. Jacob b. Meir (Engl.: I. Isaac x\::l'''^-:h t:mc'). 20 Omer, 5591. Brighton. 70. Isaac b. Samuel. 34 Omer. . . . (Engl.) Page I r a. 71. Moses b. Joel (n?Diy!' (!)d\s3-in). 40 Omer, 5591. Edinburgh. 72. Michael Elijah b. J. of Ravvitsch. 42 Omer, 5591. 73. Nathan b. Gcdaljah. 74. Koppcl b. Rabbi Perez Levi. 2 Tarn. 75. Simon b. Jacob ben S. ben A. of Wreschcn. 5 Tarn. 5591- 76. Israel Elijah b. Rabbi Uov Ber. Dms 'T, 5591. 77. l':phraim Arjch b. Meir Moses (Engl. : ' l<:i)hraiin Moses in Scarb--" for my uncle Jacobs'). 23 ]':iul, 5,'-,9i. Scarborough. Page I I b. 78. Nahmaii b. Kabbi Sinilia ^TpDO. 79. Zalman Rosenthal. 10 I leshvan, .'5.'592. 80. Aaron b. A. (I'.ngl. : ' Aron Abrahams '). i3licshvan, 5;";92. Yarmouth. 81. J(jscph b. Asher (Engl.). 22 April, 5593. 270 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON Page 12 a. 82. Solomon Platura (1"^'^ n-j'30 nYino p xniUN^D n^b^). 20 Ab, 5593. Leeds (' with Mr. Davis'). 83. Judah b. Joseph Levy (Engl. : Israel Joseph). 20 Aug. 5593- 84. Lewis Levy. 13 Elul, 5593. Bedford. Page 12 b. 85. Judah Leb. b. M. Leb. NT1 's 'l, 5594. 86. Hirsch b. Abraham Zevi of Gallin. 8 Adar II, 5594. 87. Moses Landau of Krakau (added pnno nxn x''i*in^ D31. Engl. : Moses Lando-Kentcrbury). 3 Sivan. 5594. Canterbury. 88. Alex"" Cohen. 5 Aug. 5594 (Engl.). Page 13 a. 89. Eliezer b. Sam. Cohen. 90. Israel Joseph (Minz?), 91. A. ben Zeev (in R. Solomon Hirschell's hand : (Hebr.) of Bialistock, called also Elijah Schneider). 21 Elul, 5594- 92. Judah Leb of Witas in Moldavia (note: 'He has been in America'). 4 Heshvan, 5595. 93. Baruch b. Rabbi Abraham. 7 Heshvan, 5595. Page 1 3 b. 94. Leb b. Simon the Levite (Engl. : Lewis Simon), i Dec, 5595- 95. Menahem b. Hanok. 26 Shebat, 5595. 96. Jesaiah Zeev of Pitschow. 9 Nisan, 5595. iMS. ADLER 2261 271 Page 14 a. 97. Solomon Zalmaii b. Eliezcr Scliotlcnder, Dayyan in Wreschen. 98. Nathan b. Rabbi Gerson. 23 Shebat, 5596. 99. Zalman Rosental. 3 Adar, 5596. ICO. Judah b. Jacob, i Ijjar, 5596. loi. Nisan b. Michael Abraham of Breslau. 4 Ijjar, 5596. Page 14 b. 102. Benjamin Berlin. 14 Tammuz, 5596. 103. Lcb Wolf b. Rabbi Juda Sternberg. ist day of Holhamoed Succot, 5597. 104. Petahjah b. Isachar Bcr, istday of Holhamoed Succot, 5597- 105. Shmerl b. Rabbi Abraham Katzenellenbogen. aj Heshvan, 5597. 106. Michael Simon Nuernberg. 10 Adar I, 5597. Page 15 a. 107. Mordecai b. Rabbi Moses Zevi. 10 Ijjar, 5597. ioH. Jesajah Zeev of Pintschow. 1 Tammuz, 5597. 109. Joseph b. R. . . . 20 Elul, 5597. no. Moses b. Zevi Hirsch Lissenhcim of Schocnlankc. 9 Tammuz, 5598. 111. Joseph Caro. lo^lul, 5598. Page I 5 b. 112. Abraham Sisman (Lipnum ?j b. Joseph Eppelman. 4 Kislev, 5599. 113. Jacob Lcb b. Rabbi Mose (in Rabbi Sol. II. 's hand: 'he went to Greenwich'). 1 Nisan, 5599. 114. Moses b. Joel. 9 Tammuz, 5599. 272 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON 115. Juda Leb b. Nissan (nephew of R. Jacob of Sunder- land) (R. Sol. H.'s hand : * The address of R. Jacob is : Mr. Jacob Joseph, High St., Sunderland '). 23 Heshvan, 5600. 116. Nathan b. Joseph the Cohanite, Blitz (he is Shohet to Mr. Mayer). 4 Ijjar, 5600. Page 16 a. 117. Aryeh Zeev b. Rabbi Juda Sternberg. 10 Sivan, 5600. 118. Moses Judah b. Rabbi Noah, nbi:' 'a ":, 5600. 119. Joshua Ezekiel Levi. 4 Tammuz, 5600. 120. Nathan Cohn. 21 Tammuz, 5600. Page 16 b. 121. Joseph Caro. 3 Ab. Newcastle. 122. Shmerl b. Rabbi Abraham Katzenellenbogen. 123. Jehiel b. Rabbi Nathan. 124. Judah Leb b. . . . Fraenkel. 11 Elul, 5600. 125. Samuel b. Hayyim, Hazan in Manchester. 11 Elul, 5600. 126. Michael Zevi b. Simon (Engl.: M- H. Simonson). 25 Shevat, 5601. 127. Moses b. Meir C'z. 5 Tammuz, 5601. Page 1 7 a. 128. Simha b. D. Caro of Posen. 29 Tammuz, 5601. 129. Dov Ber b. Isaac. 25 Ab, 5601. 130. David b. S. M. the Levite of Kalish. 19 Shebat, 5602 131. Isaac Jacob b. Rabbi A. the Cohanite (added : nh^ D3 D-ii£Dpx3 Dinc^). 13 Adar, 5602. MS. ADLER 2261 273 Page 1 7 b. 132. Mose Kosk (possibly Falk), 24th of Omer, 5602. 133. Raphael b. Rabbi Issachar Ber. 18 Ab, 5602. 134. Mose Rabbinowitch the Cohen. 26 Ab, 5602. 135. Michael Simon b. M. Niirnberg. 17 Elul. Page 18 a. 136. Shemarjah David Randel (?). 4th day of Selihot, 5603. 137. Joseph b. B. of F. . .8 (Freistadt?). 17 Elul, 5603. 138. Eliezcr b. R. Simon. 24 Elul, 5603. 139. Abraham b. Rabbi Zeril. Day after Succot, 5605. 140. Issachar b. Eliczer. 23 Heshvan, 5605. 141. Jacob Isaac the Cohanite. 20 Shevat, 5605. J 42. Edward Himes. 17 March, 5605.^^^ 143. Michael Zevi b. Rabbi S. 48 Omer, 5605. Hazan in Manchester. 144. Zevi Hirsch b. Rabbi Isaac of Sklow. 11 Ab, 5605. 14 J. liaruch b. Rabbi Abraham. 11 Ab, 5605. Sliohet of the New Synagogue in Manchester. Page 24 a. 146. Wolf b . , . 31st day of Omer, 5587. J47. Jo.scph Kalish, beadle of the Synagogue in Alio Street (un'jD N'^ixn). 12 Sivan, 5587. "* * I hereby certify that I liave this day received the sanction of the Iht/i Din for to slay cattle for Sir Isaac Lyon Goldsmid individually only, and should my engagement with the same cease this permission will be discontinued by them, for whirli I declare hereby my solemn religious obligation. Also to adhere to tlir rules of a LDHIB', viz. not to shave nor to drink Wine from the D*13 unless for illness, and as soon as the Beth Din orders me not to kill I must lay down my knife, for vvliirli I hereby give my liand !|2 nV*pn. sign< d by myself. Edward Himes.' ADDITIONAL NOTES AND CORRECTIONS Additional Notes to Part I. Page I (/(2^., N. S., IX, p. 103). The first Rabbi of the Ashkenazim in London, R. Judah Leb b. Efraim Anshel, was known by the name of Hamburger. His signature to the approbation he gave for the edition of Pirke de Rabbi Eliezer, Amsterdam, 1708, i2mo, is as follows: NTin^ inSia ann n:^ n"-iy Ns"n3 nh-'k^o Nni'D ij^ n^c^ "ni Nai^n^ P"d^ "ij1 iDHl- This edition was arranged by R. Moseh Gomes Mesquita, who later became Haham in London, where he died on May 8, 1751 (cp. Gaster, History of Bevis Marks, p. 130). Rabbi Judah Leb was already in 1700 in Rotterdam, and not as stated by me (p. i) in 1705. He signs an approbation to the Menorath Hamaor, ed. Amsterdam, 1700, 8vo, on the 30th of Shebat of that year. I am indebted to my friend Mr. Sigm. Seeligmann for calling my attention to this, as well as for the following: In the 'Kabronim Regel', a manuscript in the possession of the Amsterdam community, containing records of burials, the following two entries are to be found : "n"n"iO 3"in p"i?a ^"3^< 'mk' "imnon ^'vr V^'za. nr'x onss n"iD2 yh ntiiT *i"jDS |ND pn ''HI nyn-is^in bv S"n "ins* n"'' "lap: n"-i. Rabbi Judah Leb died, according to this, on 14 Adar, 1720. Isaac, son of R. Judah Leb, died in Amsterdam, 3rd Nisan, 17 14. The entry referring to him reads : -|"-iinD a"in p \>V^^ pnV n"o3 "11:2: Dn-ivDwS-i n"3x Nn nmp?D "'n*ir -innr:n ^'vr yh Nnin* nyaiN^iD ^y n'yn p^j "n inin?o Dvn inpji p-] "j ^'^2. Cp. also E. Italic, Geschiedenis d. Isr. Gem. te jRolterdam (1907), pp. 36-7. ADDITIONAL NOTES AND CORRECTIONS 275 Rabbi Aryeh Leb b. Saul of Atnsterda?n. Page 3 {JQR., IX, p. 105). The Beth-Hamidrash (London), MS. No. 24, contains Responsa and Talmudic novellae by R. Aryeh Leb, father of Rabbi Zevi Hirschel Lewin. Among his correspondents we find the names : Rabbi Herz Pintschow (pp. 2 a, 37 a, 38 a), R. Isaac Levi of Apta (p. 37 a), the Beth-Din of Venice (pp. 41 a-48 a), the communities of Briesen (xD-iab ^r\l^T\ Ttr'S nr, p. 49 a), of Strassburg in East Prussia, and Koziv in Poland (p. 23 a). R. Zevi Hirsch asks his father why at Habdalah Service at the conclusion of Sabbath the blessing of D'D'J'a ^ro N"in is said when smelling the scent-box filled with spice and cinnamon, while n"'r:cn ivy N113 would be the proper form (p. 33 b, middle). The Responsum dealing with the question from the Beth-Din of Koziv (p. 23 a) mentioned above, quotes verbatim a document nny n'"'^: by that Beth-Din relating to the death of a certain Jacob Cohen, whose body was found torn to pieces and brought to Abraham Hajjim, the over- seer of the Hevrah-Kadisha (Holy-Society, i. e. Burial-Society) of Strassburg. The signatories to the document are : Jckutiel Zalman Epstein was for some time Dayan in Lcmberg, and as this document is dated n^"T\ Dmo "i"T (24 Ab 488=1728), he probably went to Koziv for the purpose of presiding at the lieth-Din, as at that time he was acting as Dayan in Lcmberg ; cp. Buber, 05^ T':n, p. 124. Important is also the Responsum to Venice. The community of Rovigo had lost their Rabbi, and a certain young scholar, engaged to the daughter of Rabbi Pacifico, a member of the Rabbinate of Venice, tried to usurp the position as Ral)bi of Rovigo with the connivance of his prospective father-in-law, I ml to the dis[)Icasiirc of the greater part of the community of Rovigo itself, 'llic rarnassim : Joseph ben Mose, Ezekiel Aaron Lu/atto, Jeremiah Michael b, Samuel Solomon Concili address a letter to the Rabbinate of Venice, 276 RARRINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON which, in turn, forwards a copy of the same as supplement to their letter to Rabbi Aryeh Leb of Amsterdam. Both letters are copied in toto. The Venice Rabbis sign as follows : (1744) p"d^ n^D "j Dn^ix ipy^ nn ^rT\\ n"n^T njx"'^JNn3in inn no33 nob::' ^3S (i) an^D n"n^r n\s)D nn"niD3 in^r hd^c' Ty^'n (2) n"n^r jn^n n'L;'o n"-ini»Dn nn d^d: (3) n"n^r Dx^^^b i?NiJDy N"xb 3py> n^yvn (4) T'y^ I'ln NV '•iSi '•n 2py ni"rD3 mn .Dinnn ^y n3 n^ 3"y The same names, with addition of Isaac b. Asher Pacifico, Solomon b. Moses Halevi Minzi, and Solomon b. David Altaras, are to be found in another document of the Venice Beth- Din in MS. Beth-Hamidrash, No. 26, fol. 141 b. Omitted is there only Jacob Belilias {j^. (Compare also approbations from Venice Rabbinate to rr\\Tb :''D n"l1DD, Firenze, 1750, and mvo miyo 'd, Venice, 1791.) To conclude w'e reproduce the text and transla- tion of a fragment of a most pathetic letter of Rabbi Aryeh Leb to some eminent Rabbi, possibly his father or his father-in-law, the Haham Zevi. Where the letter was written is difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain : it seems likely that he wrote it even before he was Rabbi of Reisha (Rzezow). The fragment was found by me between the pages of Beth-Ham. MS. No. 26. x"y Ds xin ^^ ^3 nny yh nx \r\i^ ""3 ny^ '':nx tiDV iiryi X3 r\'^''z''\'r\ !"'2x ■'nx pT-^M TO!:iT\ a^ nn^^ '2 loyi vn^x D^nn D'o^ na ■'nnc'^ X3 njn ^Ji'sj ^^cina nvni' ^>i^r\ ^x icmn N^3 no^n x^3 nnin xb na^ 2-c>v ^3i:x ^3 )*2n onn '•i' px nt^-N mm ho3 Dn3 :^"' ■'3 r\ir\)ii. h^ nmo^n miyo n^na x^3 nniu na "'^lu'-m mn ^xn did "'n''*;:'y nii'x ■'tryo c'lanx ••3 'nnyn n^sm jn D^22^ nn\T it^'xro ni^yo n".ry ""K^dj mn^ ^3 ^"na Tivp ADDITIONAL NOTES AND CORRECTIONS 277 n"y ccnai nrzm ■nayij/jy^D"'! ^Jvyi nnt:'' nrvn 'nt* not ns piK'i 21 HNT" ny fi'^DV V3C' ^y n^o^i Hr '':nN ')b'^"\ yzn '•aa^ tj'n'3 i^iny ^Niu^ trnp riNi 'n ns lyr" n^ia lynr y"in lynn b'^ii nincK' .2^^ 'nx nny^in m^nyn Translation. Recto. . . . may you my master continue (to be kind to me) when you have proved the heart of your servant and found it sound and in harmony with God and His people. My words flow from the depths of my heart. Oh ! Father, Father, do help and assist me in your kindness this time to uplift my soul. See, I have now lived here for a long time days in which I have no pleasure, for I live here alone, without Torah and wisdom, without happiness and blessing, full of (mental) sufferings caused by being obliged to neglect the study of the Torah, prayer and worship. When I look back upon the work I did before I came here and compare it with my idleness here, I am sick of life, for my soul has been dragged down ten degrees in comparison to what I was before — be it as far as Torah and wisdom .... Verso. May He, who dwells in Eternity, be my Help, purify my thoughts and assist me to serve Him in truth and piety according to the wishes of my heart. May Peace be with You, my Master, may your days be prolonged and may you yet see many joyful days, have pleasure from your children and grandchildren, they all shall ' know the I>ord and praise the Holy One of Israel '. This is the prayer of your worm (= humble servant). Arych Leb. 278 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON Rabbi Zevi Hirsch in London. To page 5 UQ.R-. IX, p. 109). The negotiations with R. Zevi Hirsch must have lasted some time before his arrival in London. Leb Norden, a learned man of great influence in the community, writes to the Rabbi's brother, R. Saul of Amsterdam, complaining why his brother refused to come in the previous year. ' Had he not pushed us away with both hands last year he would, by now, be peacefully settled here and would have saved me also a lot of trouble during this year. AVe are now awaiting your answer so as to send the Rabbinical letter (contract of appointment) and hasten his coming here.' This letter — which is copied in the MS. Beth-Hamidrash, London, No. 26, fol. 162 B, and the Hebrew text of which we print here- after — reveals also the reasons for R. Zevi Hirsch's refusal to accept the London post. ' If the Ashkenazi Shohetim slaughter also for the use of the Sephardim they must observe the laws and customs of Shehita of both sides, whichever are the strictest,' said the Rabbi. R. Leb Norden argues against this point from the Talmudical standpoint. He was a sound Hebrew scholar, who, born in Amsterdam, came with his father Zalman to London, but still kept in touch with continental scholars. Jacob Emden on his visit to London became very friendly with him, and several letters of Norden and Responsa by Jacob Emden to him are printed in the latter's work ^'ay n?''KL**. In his autobiography Emden relates that Leb and his brother Reuben, the sons of Zalman Norden, dealt in gold and precious stones ("ISD n^'JO, p. 94), that Leb sent him goods for sale to Altona, and by the profits derived therefrom Emden was able to keep his family for some years until they became estranged (see ibid., pp. 146, 164, 181). It is not unlikely that Leb Norden's friendship with Emden at the time induced him to further the appointment of a member of Haham Zevi's family as Rabbi of the Ashkenazim in London. It appears that, owing to the Shehita dispute in the Sephardi com- munity, which had lasted for some four or five years previous to R.Zevi Hirsch's arrival in London, many of the Sephardim preferred ADDITIONAL NOTES AND CORRECTIONS^ 279 to eat meat killed by Ashkenazi Shohetim. The Shehita dispute in question has been dealt with in my booklet 'Jacob Kimchi and Shalom Buzaglo ', but for the easier understanding of Norden's letter I will only mention that R. Hajjim Albahali, a Sephardi Shohet, accused the other Shohetim of transgressing the rules of Bedikah (examination of inner parts of the animal, especially the lungs). He was supported by a scholar named Jacob Kimchi, who wrote a book nnitrni n^NL", in which he pleads Albahali's cause. Azulai in his lately published itinerary (see later) indicates that they had quite a large following in the Sephardi community. R. Zevi Hirsch was probably aware of the state of affairs among the Sephardim and stipulated that the Ashkenazi Shohetim, if they kill also for the Sephardi community, must observe their rules where these are stricter, and he did this in order to prevent further strife. Norden's letter to R. Saul of Amsterdam seems to have had effect, and R. Zevi Hirsch Lewin came to London. The Shehita dispute lasted for a little while longer, but died down eventually, R. Hirschel being prevented by his Parnassim to take any part in the matter. Azulai mentions it in his itinerary 2)12 hyJD, which was partly published in Livorno in 1789, and has lately been reprinted in more extensive form by the Mekize Nirdamim Society. He was in London in the year 1755, a year before R. Zevi Hirsch Lcwin's arrival in London, and his notes throw light on the communal conditions of the Sephardim. Although he does not mention anything about the Ashkenazi community, I think the passage of sufficient interest for London Jewry, and give the translation of his notes after R. Leb Norden's letter. Letter of K. Leb A'orden, of London, to Chief Rabbi Saul b. Aryeh Leb of Amsterdam. MS. IJcth-lIamidr. No. 26, fol. 162 h (middle). ':n ^vxh in:i^D i'-ij inni: yh "10 x^'^ts ^:3-in nnso pnvn on' 'nr3 ijnix nmir hh mnn "tj'n* )•"' T\r\ -imi^ y:i:n nmu r n:-j' ':oo y:iD ''m nni:D3 ''n nnj n-iayn nrj* nu^ ;nvoi 28o RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON Nio o'nx I'JN pN:n nnnS ,nmo^ jn^^ inx'-a -ino^ ni^nin 3inD^ "b 'm 133 n»x3i inntini? vh^ 3"in3^ nvp Tnvp D3nnNT Dn-i2D ^jsi? 3"j D"'n3'^N* ^Qmi:' ''•Dmtr nsc' i3n33 nji:' ""jsi? fy c"iNn ns* p^'3XD pN ^3 .D^n-iDDn nnoin on^ijy bp^ 3'j p3nv rnxDiom nnnuni 'nvn pnji ^"r hdn^j' nc)!? pnn ,i^ "iioxn i3i ^i? c:'^ . i^N^ i^N lymnc' ^jqd i^no i!?n lyjtDJ n^k' n''3i ^^"3 p3ty 'n•'x■l'u^' na ••33 '3 .ny^n '•jymn^ n"3yDD L"p3b rhr^ 'n^on T"y my '•'rJ3'L;'x i^ND i^N iyjo3 N^c' iDDD px D^JK' Dno'iTrDNS pjm: isn ^3'y nn3i pxic^j ^k' Dmiyo bv^ Dn^33 Ijisn^ htd ht 'nnsoi phpcn?3 n: (dv ^533 'nncDn n"'3 bv 'nnnoti' '•'n35j'N ^'•jy ^^'31) i:^::' npn^,* ^t?* nsip noan "jsd 'm x^ ds* .oniDDi '•'n3ti's ^cj* nniD DIN 'NT N^T pan n^cr DipD3 njipi -]^in nnx ^3 '\n nn^tri nr p33yDi pni» npnv noan '"Jso vcay pn nio^s* ^jni oyDD m^3 n3n3 r\T^ b^ D^Jipn nn on D''::3::'Nnu' ir» nprn nnv .tnii . nr f>y Dn3ni D''n3Dn(?o) D^yo '':3 bi D''^:nni '••ij'x-in nn-iDDnD 3ivp -lt^'DX1 "'JDT3 :n3Dn ''n pi) nn!^:?' pi'iprD3 -1303 irxK' no bi (OiK'ni '""cyD ^»vy3 --^Ni i^N 'nsno '''!?3isn '\'^'''}i on '''rJ3trNn ^3 (niy pny SN'' nt^D ^i*N p"::'^ b"ip^ iroic' 'ijp^ nn"!?? ijdx 'h nni?'^ -iqdo ps '^unVki'ij' "b n3D '''D^y^si 'nisDo ^":n b inp^JC 2s*p nx^ bxi 'msDH nnnns '^ij3D's n^ D"'n3't:'Nn nnDin3 d^jhij dj'-x 'mao Die's sivDvoi na nvi3 m-iDK^oss 12^5 'nik' ^'"id in 3"i dicj' 'nt n^i iyni3x D'':r^y "n^oni '•Jiw '••ni nr ijy iid^n mnj fol. 163 a n'ni *'^j"'''y3 \yt2'\'\ rTnay ji? 3\n> jno nn'^r p"iN3 -i:;»n '"^^'np -im Nin-^ '':dd nn'-ryo nr n3T zb)3'i^ :h hv m^yn^ in -ijdi!? Dn3T n3-in nr:x3 b*^-^ ^D"yNi i33 n:^:' "pro nnv :n3 n^snij didid ••63 bm nnniD'D ^in^ n"iD\n^ pi ^on!? 'inwi ii^ oniDx nxD PwS-^ n"yb:B> csi n^o^ nr •'r::;y!? Tiv-in 133^' noN3i n'3yo '':d^ 3^n IN Dn3nn ix-j-i nnvn pnj3 Ij't noN^i' no^ pen i^^n crnsi prnriN xb |n3 !>3n niid-'N prnnx db' o o'-jn ''J3 ^b^ Dn3n ' x'y N"yp N-in3 n33. ADDITIONAL NOTES AND CORRECTIONS 281 pn-ino ^:k 3''y 'di n'2-\ *3 "n Donni 'm nxiina 13^ D:n ^a ^r yjo^ N^tt' CP3N1 p3J ijy inyT nx 3-ir*^ Si^ n"3yr;i .nro ind Follows i?.":.! pwn *nN naitiTi. ^. y. Z). Azu/ai's description of his journey to London in 1755 in 31D i^jyo ed. Mekize Nirdaniim {proof). (5515 = i755)» Ijj'^^ 12, Wednesday niON 's in the evening at sunset we arrived in the great town of London and I had trouble until the evening of Thursday to find lodgings in the house of a Sephardi, whose name is Si(gnor) Aaron Cohen. Although the place was very small (crammed), but, being a clean dwelling, honourable people, and as it had also been the abode of former messengers (from Palestine), I agreed to stay there. Concerning my mission great \vonders happened to me. While I was still [on my way here] three of the leading men sent word to me that I should not come into this town as I would not achieve anything, especially as the messengers from Safed had forestalled me, and even they came twice and had to leave empty-handed. I, however, answered that it was my duty to go (to London), and I cannot absolve myself from the same. I rely upon the Lord that He will do what He finds best. And when I came to the leaders (of the congregation) they had left the town to enjoy the gardens (= for holidays) and there was hardly any one (of note) left. I took upon myself to wait patiently, for there is no better physician than 'Time', and far be it from me (=1 took care not) to mention anything of my mission until I had acquired some friends and got information as to how I should approach these leaders. For, these mighty men, their hearts are double-faced, their thoughts are not in accordance with their aj)pearance. And also among the Hahamini (learned men) of the town I .saw disunion, they speak with abuse of one another, scorch one another with the heat of their words, ^ U 282 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON and the one would like to swallow the other alive. It is a great shame (that this should be so) in the eyes of the congregants, and woe to eyes that have to look at such disgrace of the Torah and learned men. I looked at my letters of authority as messenger and found only one and no more, addressed to ' the Haham '. I asked where the Rosh-Beth-Din or Dayan lived, and they answered and said : There is no such great man here, we have no Haham. I said to myself, if that be so and I have no other letters to great and learned men with me, I might be injuring my cause more or less by delivering the one letter to either one or the other of the learned men. I shall keep it, and indeed it was a good thought given me by God, as this certain Haham (namely Isaac Nieto) had made enemies of the Dayanim and the leaders of his congregation, and Praise be unto the Lord who has not forsaken me in his mercy and helped me to find favour in the eyes of a few friends. First of all will I mention (among them) the learned Rabbi Isaac del Vali and Si{gnor) Pinehas Gomes Serra. There was also the great scholar Rabbi Jacob Kimhi, son of R. Samuel Kimhi of Constantinople, and the learned R. Hajjim Albahali, and I made friends with them. They all said that, with regard to my mission^ it would be necessary to call the ' great Mahamad ', and it was usual to convene this meeting at the beginning of the winter. Already (the previous messenger) R. Massuad Bonan was obliged to wait here many months until the time of such meeting, ' and we do not know what to do, but if you will listen to our advice, go and see Si(gnor) Joseph Salvador, one of the Parnassim, who has gone to one of the watering-places, who is of a clear mind (a clever man), and what he says that is generally done, for he is a powerful man. When this Joseph returns home, if you will, with God's Help, find favour in his eyes, he will not rest until he carries your matter through successfully. When Si(gnor) Joseph Salvador came home I went to see him and noticed that he was of a clear mind and pure without any bad (qualities), and I pleaded my cause and the object of my mission in nice language and with sound arguments. ADDITIONAL NOTES AND CORRECTIONS 283 He answered me, ' You know that in this land nothing is done except with the consent of the majority, it might, however, be to your advantage if you were to see Signer Franco and Signor Mendez, they may be of assistance to you,' and then I left him. This man is very rich and influential ; he arranged a meeting of the Elders, which I attended. The other Parnassim wanted to get rid of me without giving anything, but he waived to me with his hand, as if to say that I should not worry, he being on my side. I left the meeting, but he persisted and did not budge until he succeeded to arrange that an extraordinary general meeting should be called, and the end of it was, that everything went well and was decided favourably at the general meeting. Afterwards, through the intervention of Signor Francos, it was, with the Help of God, decided that Signor Pinehas Gomes-Serra and Signor Joseph b. Abraham Francos should make a collection among the Yehidim. After this was done came a letter from the English Ambassador at Constantinople recommending me to Signor Francos. Had this letter arrived earlier it would have made a great difference to my cause, but, even so, it was a great honour to me in the eyes of the Yehidim (members). Among the friends I made in London I will mention the Hazan David Castro, who has a great influence in the community, may God pay him for his kindness to me. He took me in London to a great building called the Tower (^iiu). There I saw lions and an eagle 100 years old, an Indian cat as big as a dog, another cat which was some cross-breed of a strange animal, also various other beasts which had to be chained down by iron chains. I also saw there a hall which must have been, perhaps, 50 yards long or more, divided into different compartments hung all round with fire-tubes (rifles) and all sorts of weapons beautifully arranged as if it were one wall and doors opening out of it. Similarly there were on all the sides (of the hall) and even from the roof, hanging down thousands and tens of thousands of different weapons beautifully arranged according to class, art, and height. I saw, further, statues of all the I'^nglish kings made of iron, on iron horses, and looking at ihcin ihey seem to you U I 284 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON really alive. There are also armours in the greatest variety, all in proper order, various kinds of guns and cannons captured from their enemies during the whole time that England exists. Vessels of all kinds and shapes, some transparent, some especially high (are also there), and in one room there is a small partition of iron bars inside of which we were shown the Royal crown and jewels sparkling in different magnificent colours, the golden cup out of which the King is anointed, and other royal treasures of precious stones. All these has seen my eye, wondering and joyful in the thought that if He gives such rewards to non-Jews, how much greater will be the glory of His People in times to come, when the remnants of Israel will see the Messiah of God shining forth and giving light like the light of the Sun, crowned with the most holy seven crowns. In London I preached on Sabbath . . . ' Tammuz 28. Monday of the week * Debarim ' (first portion of Deuteronomy) we left London and arrived at Dover, a non- Jewish town (= where no Jews live), on Tuesday after midnight. ' Tammuz 29. Tuesday of ' Debarim ' we left Dover by boat and arrived at Calais, a non-Jewish town in the kingdom of France, on the same day towards evening and I remained there, at Calais, for several days until the post-chaise left for Paris.' . . . To/QJ?., IX, I and 2, p. 117, note 11. Azulai in 31D biV^t ed. Livorno, p. i6b, relates that he told the people of Amsterdam : iVDpn ab D^jijyni DN^n>oipi> no^ aybv "ijn jothk' nDNn ":>) ' If you will say that the times are hard, why do you not say so where comedies and pleasures are in question.' Responsa of Rabbi Zevi Hirsch Lewin. The Beth-Hamidrash in London has three manuscripts con- taining Responsa and Talmudic Notes by R. Zevi Hirsch. Owing to circumstances over which I had no control I was not able to go through these volumes before the first part of this work vyas printed. The manuscripts are Nos. 24, 25, and 26 according ADDITIONAL NOTES AND CORRECTIONS 285 to the numbers in Neubauer's Catalogue of the Hebrew Afa?iu- scripts in the Jews' College, London, Oxford, 1886. MS. No. 24 contains for the most part Responsa and Notes by R. Zevi Hirsch's father, R. Aryeh Leb of Amsterdam. On the fly-leaf is the title : niD^n 'B'n^ni ninVki'ni r\'b^^ "idd The first note by R. Zevi Hirsch is on p. 22 b, middle, .y'jn h"\ ps: \vn 'nx p \>V'\^ t^'■l^^ "nv p*n lox Page 33 b. The question mentioned above in additional notes to R. Aryeh Leb relating to the blessing of D>^DC^•3 : .... vb phn t'N-in ^'\n D^oc'a (Follows R. Aryeh Leb's answer.) Page 49 a and b have two responsa by R. Z. H. addressed to .... l"nx^ "'h^ and signed C>Tn '3:; p^n, &c. Page 64 a. Responsum to Rabbi Reuben of Warburg. n"3N y'vT pisn n"iD :"nixr:n a-in nmcn ^y ^nacn nt^'N nr ycN-i nu'D nn"niD DD^iDon mnb ^'i ann ivj-^ nn nuiyii p"p"i The Responsum is signed on page 66 a : ^naniK' hd i"yi . n"v p"n p"d^ nD"pn fo^: t"3 t:N0i"-i3Sn .um D'.pcn nin-i 3n3C> n"Dn ^'r t;'"nnD ni"3 n"N y'c' fV^n Page 77 a. Responsa by R. Solomon Ilirschcl (son cjf R. Z. H.) .p's^ n"Dpn h^N V'l jinsNn p"n mn nnirn "nipnyn Page 78 a: *i''Dpn ^^^N i"i ,n:io^k 'pi :"n nnn nuvj-n signed on p. 78 b. jKn^i^ pp"Lin W'\ cn\n *3V ;n"3 nr^^-j- p",-i nsrj ikd ^nDn 286 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON Page 91a. Signature of R. Z. Hirsch : .p"£h r3"pn S^x n"-i ouc^nn^n cn^^ ^nv p"n MS. No. 25 contains mostly short notes by R. Zevi Hirsch, mostly marked p12P, in some places p^y? p"lDI^. There are also several loose slips in the book marked similarly. One of these reads: maiy JOTHI ninu nnDK^n^^ >sh, ' Forgetfulness increases as the time passes '. There are only three Responsa in this manuscript, one to R. Mordecai Banet of Nikolsburg, the other to his uncle R. Jacob Emden, and one to R. Juda Leb of Posen, Rabbi in Wusterhausen. Page 85 a. nip'^SD nrs* ^y nuc'^p^JD Dyjxn n"in ^:2-in^ ^nac'nc' nr ,r\2 nnxi na nnx 1^ ipsnojc' Page 125 a. D2nr3 n": yiv n"nD psjn mn n"D 10 N^'-yi' n^sxo it n^Nty .nV P'JxmiD i"-iJ N2TV 'i"no ^mnn n"n p^is n:"'i»o "n Page 127a. . . . :"n3"in Ya nniL"n i^ xn .1:3 nnm ^^ b-"- ly ip^nynb '•nM:;i Page 134 a. .priDD B'n\n n"io3 n'-i' xnin^ i"d n^no jr^in-mcixii p"pD n^xK' The most important is MS. No. 26, consisting of 164 pages. There are likewise notes marked |113P, but the chief contents are Responsa by R. Zevi Hirsch. Page 5 a. linmo ni-^n -n''X-i nit:' t^'iao mc'a p>y ••^a ^nnnn ^:"n b . . . x^ 'd3 b"? i^D^ n3t:7: ^yn mn nana D>Sb Page 9 a (middle) apparently vi'ritten in Berlin. i^yc -1^x0 n"io3 ^:;"'Q iok' '^n nyj jx3^ X3 d^:::' "r -i3y^ nr . . . 1X3^ nx-^:") T.CDn (?)pim. In the same Responsum he ADDITIONAL NOTES AND CORRECTIONS 287 mentions that at one time in the year 1741 he lost all his possessions by fire while living in Zlatova. n:t^ IND "lC^•N nvn21 N^ "iiDN'^r p"p nani'n 'jd^ 'm il"n ^^d 'p: ^nsv' nayn N"pn nn ^nir^n n"ya 'npm "a rhv "i^-en py nono ^dd -^ inko D':nnx d'pdisi nnioi Q"ar:"ii D":^• nsDa nny nyi rxo '•JDhN 1N-IN1 S13 ni'^'n xv: nn ns^i n''^^ nao *nx px li^x nhn ^y n:pn mc'y^ L•'t^•^D '3^ '\ni ^onsD pnn Tino mina D^poiyn . . . N:n Page 1 8 a. Responsum to Rabbi Abraham Levi of (Briesen ?), with reference to a dispute this Rabbi had with his congregation on account of a divorce case which the Rabbi had declared illegal, but the woman's friends had obtained a decision from the Rabbi of Hanover allowing her to re-marry. R Zevi refers to letters written in this matter by his brother R. Saul of Amsterdam and by the Rabbi of Cassel. The Responsum was obviously written in Berlin when R. Zevi was already old and feeble. The letter begins: Dyn Nt'O Nlt^O "TIX^J D3CNn Dl^t^Tl N130 TIT nnx NC'N 'D niiD^J 'bv vn njnci nrno -i^yi n^y ^"K^n 'b"ii? X'n nrn nKTi TxcD d:^x Dn D3 *ry nisi n33 n^ ^3 n: pnno ;'-in^ ^i3dni ^n^is" sb innin nanxi inans i?ni3^ c"d •'Indi-i nm nb'C'" nbvn' liiNa Dvn ^nnnD n:ni o^iyn mcy m^c*m hdnh jyr^^ n: yijr:)^ 01^C'3 niriD^ inv n"2yo n^r^Nn ^DC^. \\'ith real tact R. Zevi admonishes R. Abraham to take the first step in restoring order and peace in his congregation, while in a letter which he sends to the congregation (pages iSb-iga) he warns the leaders to take care not to hurt the honour of their Rabbi and thus bring disgrace to the Representative of the Torah in their midst. He says: nit'yS niKi^ minn iud^ o^rh n^nn ^1:10 oybv ^^^ nnyi . . . m^CM p)]nb 1L"ENT no ^d Page 20 b. Responsum concerning a young widow {npjno 1T3n) in which is menti<;ned a decision by R. Joseph Steinhart of I'Jirth. He signs: 'CniS nDVTD *1V bo TlDV^I inUH D1X3 .p'tb Q'-\pr\ nny: V'c "2 pbia p"p n^ Dninn D":r 288 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON Page 35 a. Questions, unfortunately with neither signature nor date, by a Sephardi Rabbi, probably the Haham in London, who excuses himself not having answered R. Zevi Hirsch's letter at once, but he had sent an acknowledgment personally through his brother Jacob. Follows a Responsum, closing with the words : '•tt'^i'B'n pDisni |N3n n^:3in o^hijn nmso ^jk' b]} "imn n:D ••nni Page 40 a (middle) we find notes to Azulai's Dvnjn D*C* : "jw'n Disnn dn "2 nw '<:^b pN ip^nyon myn) :n"y n'j sit "JD-'D .3"y x"j ^12 f?rh ni<2r{ mynn Nvnn d::'i n'jpn iJiiifj na-n ^i^n i*s'd iran . (mhiy 'Nvn ^3k^2 mji'-iN* n^jcj'n ^^•^{^^^ >'nT nix ^""1 T'o^n Snc' nn^ isid31 n"Dpnn d^d^x "t nJK' vms nil hnj mx '•'n n'cpnn n^ca -123 ^'jn o-^'sn '•s^ nnjj' n"n nn ynr -iin '•'-ii /'n '^oa 3n3t:> nr pjy ^[?"r I'^sn iji^' ijdt Tinn xin vnm nca ijco pTiyni j"3Nnn ij-^** na: b"! '•'nNin n^ci^n ''•hk' yiT" IN ba^^iy nn nnDtJ' iran I'r^bn dji pN:n nio v^y ansi 11203 vntr yiT" nncc' i^-ani '^nNT^ vnmc'na 3n3 ^'j^^ni p3n T>D^n •'K'Ej'n fj^N n!?nn3 '"n ynr nisc' 3n3 invy Nini ^:^•D^^ pi^n nnN .(N"y Yb ^1 tJ''.!) 1'^ in ts"'' '^d py Sn ni:c'n ^y3 n"3N-in 'n '•'D n\s3 (3"y "a f\i \y"n) "1 fin (x"y T"y :^'"n) "y pjn jr:p^n ^jx ncni /i3i j^i'nnn ntro ir3n T'Dijn n'Djn n-'D^n '\n-«i' np> n3 3py'' ij''3n nv^i?n '\n "-'cm 3n3 "n nix nnync' 3n3 (3"y n"d ^1 ^"n) i"d e^n ': '--d pj niN3i 40 b ""131 nt:3 N'3r3 n"3Nini ]^^nn n-cfr^ ij''3n in'^ro^n vn n'r:: ij"'3ni n"£i «in3 3n3 ii2vy Nini mNr:n i:y3 ntryc ni:c'n3 nsnroi ^"tj'n n33B' ^"K'n N''3D iij'nnn n::'D ij^3n ^c' in^o^n "^nti' n"3N 3nnir 'd3 ^*r '■'nnr iy3n'kr yin^ dj n^.No pinn nn vro'3 vnu'^n 1Dt^'Dn3 vni3^n it2*j'£nj n"3Nnn ••0^3 3"y n33 3"ni ,n"n n3n n''3o nison ni"'Nn3 n'3in cnnp "nu' 3nD (3''y i"y 5]n) 3"y "d tin3 D•t^' dji n"3Nnni;' n^'SN T^ ^"ni D3"onn nnip d-jk' nxs^ 3inp '^n ^'cj^n'^r n":y^ nr ,D"3Dnn ^y ni:D'n nt'y ^'^nn /''3nn un biy in3n '^n ADDITIONAL NOTES AND CORRECTIONS 289 D'lnc Nin Ds c'N-in ^*^ im pjya do nisa ana niy . onm anny D^a-i D^D^ ni v^y ^nji^'n -i3d Dmas ynr 'is^ti ^y rci-m ina i3 mo pi-n ana a'" '-d a"^ ^i?a t^•^-l^ 'icna nvNin ^y 5]di3 niyi mn cn^Eja p ^'t tno N2a-ii xno ^n^N-ii iy 'iai b"] D"-in en Dtr N^an-j' no byc^ pHnt ni>'N nia^ni? nv:io^^o nmc^na nxnni .n''a ''D ^"''v ^"f ina na 0"-^ nano Nine' D^\nijy "kTijoo nrx Ynno^ irai nio naic'n "^ '^d ocn niajono o'-ino Nina^ yiT-i i^'r Dijiy niD^ pNjn na ac^B' no-'Dnn niJ'Dst' D'ysi a'a n'-ino Dt^ mnm npotiu niapi n:^' Dsnrk:' iD::n Dnn o^on "n hnj my '\n naatj' ^"i b^'nih n^rx i^n nr pNty 'm 'r ''D fop ^'aip ^na na n'-ino "aa-'ina i^'oa hk-'o na ib'n "n nin:m ir D::^' noxa nx"i3 pi fp '^oa qk' a": Nin KinK' nNi:i /U^D n^o^n i^NC nN-i:B' i^ p^ne' niaan |o ann nr ^y sin ^jo^^o *iiy iNiao pi ^n^ na n'nno Nin jniajuno D"nnDn nnaio n'o .majono D"nno biy n^o^n na^nt' pp i^ar-na Page 42 a. Responsum to a question of TJOyc, dated London, Sunday, 26th of Heshvan, 5524 = 1763. Idid. Introduction to his notes, in which he explains that it is necessary for a Rabbi to make notes on every question that occurs to him in daily life, so that the Ame-Ha'arez should not consider him ignorant on account of his hesitating with a reply. Page 57 b. Letter to R. Judah Leb, Rabbi of Halbcrstadt, concerning a case of in^an npro. Page 61 b. Question by the Ral)bi of Schwerin, signed on p. 64 a, as follows : n:u nau ^'n pnyv.:r p"p nc cninni anian . . jn3i^D D^TD ^;•n^■^ ^av p"d^ fripn onro V'ny a^no ^hca (Rabbi Zevi Hirsch Mirels of London, who was Rabbi of Schwerin from 1770 till 1790, was the son of R. Aaron Mirels of London, of whom, however, we have no trace in London records so far. R. Aaron was son of R. Mcshulam Zalman Mirels of ILimburg, father-in-law of Haham Zevi (cp. Year- Book, ,iati'sn, vdl. 2, ji. 2 1 1 ). Rabbi Zevi Hirsch Lcwin calls him ' my cousin ' (a"t:') on p. 64 b of our manuscript {f\). JE , vol. VIII, p. 608; Brann in Guttmann- 290 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON Festschrift, p. 246, and the literature given there). Mirels was before his election in Schvverin Rabbi in Wreschen (Posen. Cp. Roest Catalogue, pp. 25, 139, 203, 335). Page 65 b. Letter on the same question from Elia of Posen, Rabbi in Lanzburg (Landsberg), who addresses R, Zevi Hirsch as his teacher. Page 67 b. Responsum of R. Z. H. to the above letters dated Berlin, 14th of Shevat of the same year. Page 67 has also a short index for pp. 1-42. Page 68 a. To a certain R. Israel, in which he complains that owing to overwork and failing health he had no time to go into the question put before him as deeply as he should have liked to : >ivS"iD '^'^^ ^Ji^JT' N^ y"^ f]"ijn niD^i jDm nnToi . Page 70 b. Answer to a question by one of his sons (probably R. Saul) : "'j :^D1J3n '■^■iiC^n ^11 >J2^ p niC'. Page 7 1 b deals with a case of marriage in London. Page 73 a likewise discusses a similar question which came before him while ofificiating in London. Page 75 a. Question by R. Juda Leb Eger (of Halberstadt) to R. Z. H. in Berlin to which the latter's response on p. 76 a. Page 77 b. Answer to his son. Pages 78-82. Notes on various subjects. Page 83 a. Question addressed to him in London concerning the custom of baking tarts and omelettes on Passover in pewter dishes, which were in use all the year round. Date 1758. p-L35j'Di pD"isDn pcisc* '':m3 p"sf' ^"npn nos it mnoa n^XB' I-L^-iNon pKnytt' ir-'m r^i'z^n mo^ ^3 'nn ''bixc' ^^na b^ nnypn imn nDN3 nc'i nsixn h^ -njn^ jnix p-'j^roi nnypn ^"lna p^db'di PLixir '•^Dn imn ioib' ik \yy:? ayro p^*t^'r^t^• "lann yiT-i mypn pv3n pov^.T2r^ m-ip >^3n ^3 "in pnoi ••i'^n ^in^ dixd "ix T'D^'dh c;"- DN ;:a^b tj'sx \xi i^nn ^c' i^>"t nnypc' Tcxai "cin^ ADDITIONAL NOTES AND CORRECTIONS 29I .... n"d-i3 n'> fi^yo Page 84 a cited a Responsum by his brother-in-law Rabbi Saul Halevy of the Hague — and page 84 b, a Responsum by his brother R. Saul of Amsterdam [Yzn ]Mi:r\ 'D^J l"y a-'i^'nc* no "<": DTiD-iTCN p"pf I'nx ns:n ^nx T"y "b a^rnt:' no ;,3xn p'pn). Page 85 a. Another letter by R. Saul Halevy followed by Talmudic notes until page 92, middle, where we find a decision about raisin-wine, whether it can be used like ordinary wine and the same blessing said before partaking of it. D^:'y^ n{<-i:n ana ^nyn n^ua -\22^ nvn cy d^pio^v p^n p^3 nx-ij'j'D') vijy pspD^ pNC'i linjo ijy nann n'jnb mD-u'ca 'a inna ^3 nV p"?"^ n"3Nn ij'D^j DJi ':nnxb min n^ ^"r px:n ij:pr nr^ n33U' ^"r pN:n irax nx n Tyo:;' x^x my xh nnx p^joa xnrn: . an'aa v^y pn^ mioi nxiina ncy ^''syxi xj^^y ^xna d"3 1^ 'm .inL"y 133 -lt^•x nx i?r^n nnx X3' n^i Page 93 a. Rabbi Hirschel declares that if a Sefer Torah falls down only the one who dropped it has to fast, but not all onlookers, as is the custom in many congregations : he had found no foundation for this custom in the codes. ^b nx"i: n^cyj* mm -idd '-xnt's ni:ynnb n^iyn linr' no mix^ nx 'D nvp iDD "i:xvo i6 jxa lyi nr jnjob ^^3 pD px-j* . . . . 'n p'd n"D ''D x'ca l'-'cdi n-r:) rhzr^ Pages Ii7b-i25a. I^etters from and to his brother R. Saul and his brother-in-law, the Rabbi of the Hague. Page 128. Letter from Rabbi Mcir Posner of S. (a congrega- tion in Poland). niSip 'li'JX nsim nynyn pnx nxnp: ^haj^ i^^on n:nr:3 njn , . . (Dw' .Tj*y:n nr3j p:y3) . . D'cnni |xn-iD ^iicx^t vr3 ni3ir:Dn . . . L" p"p3 njinn -i:r"iD -i"XO p"n i;n"n "inr:i j"x n3n Page 140 a. Letter from a Rabbi Sanisf)n h. Zelkc in I5r . . . concerning a certain ilenlc I'cicrsdurf of London, who liouylit 292 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON in 1738 a gold watch from Gerson Goldsticker of Br . . (the writer's congregation) and gave him a bill for the same. Rabbi Samson now asks the Rabbi of London to help the said Gerson, who is now an old man, to obtain payment of the said bill. Answer of R. Z. H. on same page, which is followed by another letter of Rabbi Samson on p. 141 b. Pages i42a-i44b. Letters from and to Rabbi Juda Leb Eger of Halberstadt. Page 148 b. Letter from Munster b. Nahum, the Levite, to his teacher, R. Zevi Hirsch, his son Rabbi Saul, and son-in-law R. Meir. Page 150 a (middle). Question from Rabbi Isachar Ber b. Herz of Dessau to R. Z. H. Page i5r'a. Letter from R. Z, H. to his relative R. Meir (Posner), and the important Responsa of Rabbi Saul of Amsterdam and Rabbi Zevi Hirsch, while Rabbi of London, with reference to the fish called * turbot ', whether it may be eaten by Jews. R. Zevi decides in the affirmative, and bases his decision upon documents by the Beth-Din of Venice. The Responsa are too lengthy for publication in this place ; the Venice documents read as follows. (It appears that in Amsterdam the fish was regarded as niDx; p. 151a we read: ijn:B> "du nn"Nipjn nn nan bv r\i2^D^ cc^D niDipDH i^Nn mD'"S' u). Page 155 a. ninyn n-- nnajD "icvy Nini onnu ojv^'^a Nnp:n nn i:''xn ixn nn"'^'^^ n^"nn rutrn ^b^ coys "1300 i3^3Ki "iD^vn iniona ^aon mp: unrnDa ncrx ni^fnw '"D liynt' pix v^^b dji b^ yin'-D li^vx nnio xin -^^ai n'"" '3 DV Dvn imN d^^sin sy"'' NJ''D30trjip3 unsai p 0: nnrnn 3py^ .t:"D n^yo ovb'^bi ipv '131 '•op ib'U* i6 i^a piJ'nnD trnn^ ADDITIONAL NOTES AND CORRECTIONS 293 nN^^k*'rTi3c» n^^^an n^'-^'n ^jai Dinnn bv D^xan i:n3K Dn''yo r'y^a ^aon Nipjn nn '-bis ^sic'^ *:3 oy njn nsn Tya ^:) N"y* miDon ^JDtD onnsD nicipoa D>yit:3 micDo ^trxn los pn D-s-ian i^B* D''E^•pB'pn iB'jo D^^ p ini^ya nrn nn-k^' DnTiUNO onn K'^k' HN^^'^ni HD ):r)U iJDnn nosn n^^xibi nra nynyo ^'"'S pxi d^c3 .P'd!? bsj T^N nnn hx i^n^r nJB'ai -non jvd i"o vi dv ovn "i^n ^n3 y^in'' -i3"3 "-n npy^ p^o ^6ri nc^c n3"a nD^tr ^i>3 mno :ib n'li^'i'ipn irnui nn-nnx nusa onn prmo invni .^^3 piDpD Die* 3"T jnan ne'e mni'DDn nn d^d3 Interesting is that, following upon this decision of their Rabbi that ' turbot ' is a kasher fish, some members of the congregation applied his permission not only to turbot but also to eels. Page 156 a. We find a letter from R. Juda of Halberstadt asking R. Zevi Hirsch whether it was really true that he allowed the eating of eels, and if so would he kindly let him know upon what paragraph of the codes he had based this decision. The Rabbi naturally explained that turbots are not eels. R. Juda writes : \D'h'Z'2 c'mb ni:-:^ n^n >nx3 '1n-i3 'nn px •>:']} iixc n:n -irx nn "i ]'"ipr] nmn pim no m^y^ n3 -il"x -imn my nion D^iniJ VpT tj'x 'x n '': ^xcn To '•ninn \"^p7\ i^nnb rh\y D'co D'Enif bti^-) "-\ i:nn^ nn^c n^r: ny ^xni;'^ nivisn ^33 -iid\x n (p^xx x-ipjn nn) iniD xintr D^i'b in^m :n inix -ln^■l noin ^ixiD nrn lann p^yi '^x noin inmcri 3in3't:^ n!-nxi Y2 'L"X"^^ n-iuyi 113 nt'yx Txi vbv IOD t^'x XTnm n3 ymn^ .t3xt:r-i3^xnD min^ "pn n^cn inniD^ im-.:'^ pion fti The response to this letter extends from 156 b to 158!), on which page we TukI a question by one of the Rabbi's sons and 294 RABBINATE OF THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE, LONDON answer to the same (referring to pickled nuts). This is followed on p. 162 b by the letter of R. Leb Norden to Rabbi Saul, printed above, pp. 279-81, which is the end of the manuscript. To the list of works by R. Z. H. are to be added : Notes to Mishna, edited by Rabbi Michelsohn, under the title 31 N3V (Piotrkow, 1907), and in the book NTiiT 7)p by Juda of Glogau (Furth, 1775), a pupil of R. Zevi Hirschel, several expositions on Talmudic passages are printed (pp. 19 a, 40 a, 42 a). Prof. M. Brann has called my attention to an approbation by R. Z. H. to the book D?iy 11D"» by Isaac Israeli, Berlin, 1777 (cp. p. 57). According to Prof. Simonsen R. Zevi Hirsch had a fourth daughter Zipporah Frade, married to Meyer Israel Meyer of the family ' Hausen ' in Altona. Three daughters of this couple were married in Copenhagen, one of these, Dina Henriquesj was Prof. Simonsen's great-aunt (cp. Tidsskrift f. Jedisk Lit. og Hist., I, p. 181). The conundrum as to how R. Zevi Hirsch went to Piemonte (cp. p. 45 [380]) is solved by the same scholar, who referred me to the book 3T Nav already mentioned, where it is made clear that we have to read Pyrmont 1J10T2, a small watering-place in Germany. Page 76 {/QR., X, 447), note 65. Mr. S, Seeligmann of Amsterdam called my attention to Abraham Nancy's book npy n21"in, London, 1785, 8vo., mentioned by Schechter, Studies in Judaism, I, p. 377, and by me in /USE., trans., VII, p. 288. Abr. Nancy also wrote a dedication-poem 'Lofzang ' (Cat. Almanzi, No. 4552) while he was (for sixteen years) tutor in the house of Tobias Boas at the Hague, who was a great admirer of the Bal- Shem Samuel Falk. He is called there Abraham Solomon Nazig (cp. S. Seeligmann, Hei geestelijk leven . . . te 's Gravenhage, 1914, p 12; also Steinschneider, 'JiiJische Arzte' in Z/HB., vol. XVII, pp. 68-98; Zeitlin, Bibl. Hebr. Fost-Mendelssohniafta^ s.v. Nantisch, p. 249). Page 80 (451). The house 'Zum Griinen Schild' occurs already in a list of houses of the years 1535-40 in J. Kracauer's Geschichte der Judengasse Frankfurt a/M., p. 453 (S. Seeligm.). ADDITIONAL NOTES AND CORRECTIONS 295 Page 82 (453). About Isaac Sinzheim, his son Zalman and the family generally cp. now Wachstein, Inschriften des alien Judenfriedhofes in Wien (1917), vol. II, pp. 397-400. (S. Seeligm.). Page 135 (506). The full title of Peppercorn's book is : The Laws of the Hebreivs relating to the Poor atid Sira7igers, written in Hehreiv in the 12th Century by the celebrated Rabbi M. Mai- monides, London, Pelham Richardsons, 23 Cornhill, 1838. My copy formerly belonged to a Mr. William Simpson and has his book-plate. He may be identical with the Mr. Simpson men- tioned on this page. Page 148 (519). About Solomon Bennett cp. now S. Kirch- stein's y«v//i-r/!^ Graphiker, Berlin, 191 8, pp. 15-27; also Zeitlin, Bibl. Hebr. Post-Menaels., pp. 26-7 ; Graber, nnSDn nviS n^a, I, p. 28. Corrections. Page 5, line 2 from bottom : for 551 read 511. Page 8, 1. I : for ' about y/<';/^ ' read 'about May\ Page 48, line 6 : fur ' whose ivife was R. l-rankel's first wife ' read ' whose daughter was Rabbi Frankel's first wife '. Page 152 (X, p. 523), line 4: for 1827 read 1832. INDEX A. Aaron Lissa, R. (Lisser^, Dayyan in London, 8, ii8, 220. Abele, R., of London, 80. Aberle. R., of Hamburg, Parnass of the Ashkenazim in London, 2. Abraham, Rabbi of Emden, 20. — Rabbi of Halberstadt, 34. — R., of Nansy, v. Nancy ,Nazig\ Abrahams, Israel, Dr., 46, 47, 55. Adier, Rabbi Ber, 82. Adler, E. N., 2, 78, 137. — H., Chief Rabbi, 42, 82. — R. Gabriel, Rabbi of Meiringen, no. — Manuscri pts (of E. N. Adler) used : 935 • 104, 254-9. 950 . 89 91. 1160 . a, 82. 1248 . 2, ID. 2241 76. 2257 • 117, 118. 2261 . 116, 264-73. aa86 . 2. 5, 7, 61-71, no. 2241 98. 4095 • 88. 95. 4160 . 123 7. — Mordecai b.' R. Her, Chief Rabbi of Hanover, 1 10. — R. Nathan, the Cabbalist, 84, 91, 105. — Dr. Nathan Marcus, Chief Rabbi of London, 8, :io, 116, 118, Akiba, Rabbi 1 I'anaite^, 29. Albahali, Hajjim, 28a. Altona, 75. Alexander, Levi, 144. Alexandria, 151. America, 7, 95, 116, 124. AriKJici/cd London Jews, la. Apia, R. Isaac Levi of, 275. Aristotle, 9. Arnold, Solomon, founder of Beth Ilamidrash Library, 156. Articles, the 13 articles of Creed, 24. Arych Lebb. David Tcvcle Berliner, S8. Aryeh Leb b. David Levi, Day3'an in London. 118, 120. b. Saul, Chief Rabbi of Amsterdam, 2, 3, 4, 6, 59. 60, 70. 275-7. 285. b. Saul b. Zevi Hirsch, Chief Rabbi of Silesia, 48-50. Asher b. Jehiel i::'"Nin\ 44. Asher, Rev., Hazan of Great Syna- gogue, 155. Auerbach : Gcsch. d. Juden in Halber- stadt. 20, 34. Axe laid to the Root, pamphlet by L. Alexander. 144. Ayerst. W., Jews of the Nineteenth Century^ 143. Azriel b. David Levi, Dayyan in London, r 18, 120. Azulai, H. J. D., Bibliographer, 45, 91, 279, 281-4; notes to A.'s '"'h^3^ DL", 288-9. B. Bahja ibn Pekuda. 24. Bancth, R. Mordecai, Chief Rabbi of Moravia, 44, 286. Barbeck, Gcsch. d. Jiidcn in Niiin- licn; mid Fiiith, 8. 21. Barbi, R. Mcir, Rabbi of Halber- stadt and Pressburg, 30, 32. Harukh b. Elkana. 20. Hass, Sabbatai, .'Si/tf Jcsliciiint, 55. B.-dford, 118. Beharier, Isaac, 55. Bella, d. of R. Zevi Hirsch Lewin, wife of Mordecai Tiktin, 58. Beirut, 151. Bovsa, 57. — of Posen, Rabbi in Landsberg, 290 Elias, Hazan of Great Synagogue, 137- Elijah, R., Gaon of Wilna, 51. 249. Emden, R. Abraham of, 20. — R. Jacob, 4, 5, 6, 34, 55, 74 8, 286. — R. Jacob's mpnxnn, 4- nr:N rwc', 4, s- 3py'3 nny. 6. 12D rh'^O, 4, 6o, 74-6. fiT n^'NC, 278. — R. Meshullam Zalman b. Jacob, Rabbi of the Hambro-Si'na- gogue, 75-8, 84, 93, 95, 106. Emmerich, Abraham of Frankfurt, 104. Eulenburg, R. Jacob, 60. Eybcnschiitz, R. Jonathan, 4, 6, 33, 34, 76, 81. Falk, R. Jacob of Frankfurt-a -M., 81. Falk, Samuel (Bal-Shem of London), 76, 93. 97. 104. 294. Fanto, R. Levi, Dayyan in Prague, 107-8, 239. t"cstivals, lack of observance of, 13. Four-Lands Synods, 58. Fracnkcl, David, Rabbi in Berlin, 20. — Elijah b. Nafiali Hirsch, Parnass in Halberstadt, 28. — R Joseph Jonas, Chief Rabbi in lircslau, 48. Francos, Joseph b. Abraham, 283. Frankcl, Ludwig August, hisclniftett drs alt. jiid. I'ricdiwfcs in ll'ii-ii, 82. Frankfurt am-Main, 3, 50, 79, 80, 103, 117, 223, 254. Franklin, Abraham, 123. — Arthur, 77. — Benjamin Wolf, 77, 123. — Dr. Isaac, of Manrhcstcr, 123. Franklin /■'aitii/y, Rcrords o/, 77, Fricdlandcr, David, 41, Friesenhausen, R. David b. Meir, 57- Fiinn, S. J., Kirjah Ne'tnannh, 46. G. Gaster, M., History of the Ancient Synagogue, Bcvis Marks, 8, 274. Geiger, Abraham, Zeitschrift, 38, Gentiles, 15, 18, 19. Germany, 25. Giessen, Abraham of, 143, 233, 243, 248. Ginzburg, R. Her, son-in-law of R. Zevi Hirsch, 56. Glasgow, 136. Gleim (poet\ 38. Glogan, 3, 5, 6, 59. Gnesen i, Posen), 121. Golde, wife of R. Zevi Hirsch Lewin, 5, 57- Goldenberg, Ber, 18. Goldschmid, Aaron, 74, 93, 106, 116, 220, 223, 235. — Abraham, 149. — Asher, 149. — Benjamin, 149. — Sir Isaac Lyon, 1 18. Gomes-Serra Pinehas, 282, 283. firaetz, Heinrich, 45, Great Synagogue, v. Sj'nagogues. Greenwich, 118. Grunwald, M., 93, 106. Guildford, 118. Gumbinnen, Jonah Reich of, 150. H. Haas, Hirsch, of Frankfurta.-M., 105. — Leb, of Frankfurt-a -M., 105. — Lima b. Zalman, 105, 246. n.'ibclalah service, 16, 275, 285. Hague, The, 120. Haliam Zevi Ashkenazi, 5, 40, 60, 106. 276, 278. H.'ill)erstadt, 28, 32, 113, 289. — Samuel, 29. Halevy, R. .Saul, Chief R.abbi of The Hague, 60. 291. Halfan, R. liendit b. Leb, of Anibter- dam, 87. Ilnmaggid, 23, 55. Ilauiln-u .Synagogue, 7/. Synagogues. ll.iiiihurg, 75, 154, 218. 1 ianicasscph, 44, 4^ X I 300 INDEX Hanau, R. Isaac of. 20. Hanoch, R. Zundel. of Jerusalem, Dayyan in London, 118. Hanover. R. David, 107. — R. Mcir, 106, 219, 222. Hanuccah, Song for, 61. Hart, R. Uri Phoebusch, 2. — Moses, founder of the Great Synagogue, 98. Haskarah (^memorial-prayer), 11. Havvkes, Rev. Henry, 155. Hayyim b. Jona Sabi, 45. Hayyim (in London), 102, 237. llebra Kadisha, 275. iiebr. Bibliographic by M. Stein- schneider, 62, 91, 92. Hebrew Letters and Documents to and by R. Tevele SchiiT, Ap- pendix V, 157-217 ; translation I-IX, Appendix VI, 217-53. Heidenheim, Wolf, Ma/jzor, 114. Heine, Solomon, 136. Heitzfeld (Heidingsfeld), R. Leb of, 20. Helman, R. Samuel, of Mannheim, 34- Henriquez, H. S. Q., 93, 119. Herem (excommunication), 42, 142, 143- Heschele, R. of Cracow, 3, 4, 59. Hildesheim, 20. Hillel (Tanaite), 18. Hirschell, R. Solomon, 56, 57, 112. Election in London, 114. Letters of, 123 ff. Polemics with non-Jews, 129. Controversies, 149 AT. Family, 150. Funeral, 155. Estate, 156. Responsa, 285. Children : Ephraim, 150, 152. Fegele, 153-4- David Tevele, 150. 153. Saul, 150, 152. Shendei, 153. Zevi Hirsch, 150, 152. Holland, 103, 117, 120, 234. Holleschau, Moses, 91. Hommel, Jacob & Co., of Frank- furt, 104, 243. Horowitz, Dr. 'itl. , Frankfurter Grab- schriften, 21, 79, 92, 104, 105 ; Frankfurter Rabbinen, I-IV, 29, 79, 88, 92, 104, no. — R. Phinchas, of Frankfurt-a.-M., 48. Hungary, 117. I. Ipswich, 136. Isaac, Nathan b. David Tevele b. R. Zevi Hirsch, 58. — R. di Molina, 44. — Rabbi of Hanau, 20. Isachar Berisch, Rabbi of Hanover, 32. Isaiah, Rabbi Pick, v. Pick. Italic, E., Gcschiedenis d. Isr. Gem. te Rotterdam, 274. Italy, 103. Itzig, Daniel, of Berlin, 41. J- Jacob b. Eliezer, Dayyan in London, 94. — Emden, v. Emden. — Rabbi, b. R. Hirsch Pintschow of Greditz (Graetz), 20. — Kimchi, 7, 279. — of Lublin, father of R. Heschele Cracow, 60. — Norden, v. Norden. — Moses b. Saul, 30, 57. — Rabbi-Weil of Regensburg, 3. Jaffe, Isaac, son of Daniel, friend of Mendelssohn, 41. Jamaica, 117, 134. Jehuda Hanassi, Rabbi, 19. Jekutiel-Zalman Epstein, Dayyan in Lemberg, 275. Jersey, 137. Jeschurun (Kobak's), 55. Jewish Quarterly Revieiv, 114, 151. — Chronicle, 148. — Historical Exhibition Papers, 42. Jezer Hara, 52, 53. Johanan, uncle of Aaron Gold- schmid, 74. Joseph II, Emperor of Austria, 39, 40. — Hazaddik, b. Phinehas, Rabbi of Posen, 249. — Lazarus =' Laze of Hamburg', 75-7- — Samuel, 149. Josephs, Michael = Meyer Joseph - Meyer KOnigsberg, 46, 73. — Semel, 50. Juda Leb b. Aaron Moses, Dayyan in London; 119. Rabbi., b. R. Efraim Anshel, Rabbi in London, i, 274. K. Kacmpf, Dr., Rabbi of Prague, 20. Kahira (Kara), Simon, 57. Kann, Jacob, 105, 248. INDEX 301 Kann. Modi, 105, 248. Kauimann, Prof. David, 48. 92, 100, 104. — R, Moses Jekutiel, 60. Keyzer, Abraliam, 112, 261, 263. — Amshel, 149. — Isaac, 112, 260-3. — Lazar, 112, 149, 260-3. — Solomon, 112, 260-3. Kiddush CCn^p), 134. Kik, Jacob b. Mendele of Hamburg, 106, 220, 223. Kimhi, Jacob. 7, 279. Kingston, Jamaica. 134. Kirchstein, S., Jild. Gmpliikcr, 295. Koenigsberg, Rebecca, wife of R. Solomon Hirschell, 113, 150. Kohut, A. (Ariik\ 57. Krauss, S.. Talmudische Archaeo- logie. 28. Kroclimal, R. Mendel, Chief Rabbi of Moravia. 59. Kulpa. J., of Frankfurt-a -M., 105, 246. — Henle, of Frankfurt-a. -M., 247. L. Landau, R. Ezekiel of Prague, 40, 43, sr, 87. 249. — his rabbinical letter, 36. Landsberg, R. Wolf, 44. Landshut, Tolcdoth Aiishc Shcni, 5, 6, 23. 30, 35, 43. Lawrence, Mr., of Kingston, Jamaica, 134- La7e Levi of Hamburg = Lazarus Joseph, 75-7. Lembcrg, 3. 141, 154, 275. Lchmann. litiircnd of Hanover. 93. — Cosman h. ILrz, 93. Lehren, Akiba, 132. — Hirsch, 132. LeslioH Zaliab by R. Tcvclc Schiff, 109-10. Loiters, opening of, on Sabbath, 14. Levi, R. Lcmmil of (ilogau, 6. — Judah, 34. — David, linguist, 98. Levy. Benjamin, 98, 99. — Elias,98. — Judith, 98, 99. — Mathias, 148. Lewin, L., Grsi/i. d. fiid< n in /.issa, I. S3- 349- Libi-rmann, li. F.lit/.cr, Dayyan in London, 31, 94. Lissa, R. David Horochow, Ral-bi i", 5'. 249- Lissa, R Aaron, Davvan in London, 8, 118. Lisser, R. Eliezer b. Uri, 119. Liverpool, 136. Livorno, 234, 242. Loewenstein, Dr. Leop., 35, 79, 87. London Jews, 94, 97 — communal organization, 95. — business connexions, 103. — anglicized names, 121. Luria, R. Solomon. 3. Lwow, R. Moses ( = Lemberger), Rabbi in Nikolsburg, 19. Lyon Hart. 7>. Zevi Hirsch Lewin. Lyons, Warden in Kingston, 134. M. Maas, R. Nathan, Rosh-Beth-Din of Frankfurt-a. -M., 83, 87, 92. Maimonidcs, 24. — 's Guide of the Pirplexed, 23, 56. 100. Manchester, 136. Mannheim, 33. Manuscripts, v. Adier. E N. — Beth-Hamidrasli, Nos. 24, 25, 26, pp. 275-95. Marks, David, Rabbi of Bordeaux, 141. Marriage, Jewish Law of, 96. trick, 97. 122. Mate Sinzheim, wife of R. Meir Schiff. 82. May, Gumpil. 225. Mcasphim. 25. Mebo HatalntiiJ (Samuel Hanagid's introduction to the Talmud), 25. Meir, R. Cohen of Hanover, 20. — R. of Padua. 3. Meiscls, Rev. I. S., Paper on Jews in Porlsiiioutli. II. Meldola, R. David b. Raphael, 56, 142. — Rai)bi Raphael b. David, Ilaliam, 146. Memor-books, 10 1. — • Hook of IVoi Ills, III. Memorials (Ilaskaraii of — Isaac Michael Speyer, 90. Frad(]<' Speyer, go i. R. Kalonymiis Kahnan Poscn, 9a. Brcink- Schid; 82. R. Jcvclc Scliiir, III. Mendclssdhn, Moses, 20, 37, 113. Bible translation, 37, 39, 56, Mcshullam Zaiman J'lmdeu, R., v: Enid'jii. 302 INDEX Mesquita, Haham Mose Gomez, 274. Michelsohn. 5, 21, 31, 35, 53, 116, 152, 394. Minutes of the Frankfurt Beth Din, extracts from, 254-9. Mirels, R. Zevi Hiisch, of London, Rabbi in Schwerin, 289. Mirjam, wife of R. Aryeh Leb of Amsterdam, 4. Missionaries, 129-32. Mixed marriages, 13. Mizpeh Jckuliel, 41, 42, 43, 45. Mizvot (commandments), 24, 25. Moller, R. Abraham, of Bamberg, 20. Montefiore, Sir Moses, 133, 136. Moses, A. L., 121. — R. of Zolkiew, son-in-law of R. Aryeh Leb of Amsterdam, 60. — Hart, founder of Great Syna- gogue, 98. Muday, Mr., of the Portuguese Medrash, 146. Munk, Moses, of Frankfurt-a.-M., 104, 226, 235. Munster, b. Nahum, pupil of R. Zevi Hirsch Lewin, 292. Myers, Naphtali Hart. 88. — Moses, Rabbi of Hambro Syna- gogue, 114. N. Naitscha, d. of R. Aryeh Leb of Amsterdam, wife of Moses of Zolkiew. 60. Nancy (Nazig), R. Abraham, Dayyan in London, 76, 94, 294.. Neubauer, Ad., 38. — Catalogue of MSS. of Beth Ilami- drash, 55, 156, 285. Neumegen (Holland), 117. Newcastle, 137. New York, 120, ^33. Nieto, Haham Isaax:, 8. Nikolsburg, 240. Norden, Leb, 55, 278 8r. — Jacob, Parnass in London, 112. — Reuben, 278. — Zalman, 278. Norwich, 118. Nunis-Vais, R. of Livorno, 88. Niirnberg, 117. O. Obadiah b. R. Baruh (pseud.), 41. Official functions, 97. Oppcnhcimcr, R. David, 48. Or Enayim, by S. Pericl, 48. Or Hayashar, 31. Orders of Service : For Consecration of New Syna- gogue, 1838, 35; 1847, 55; 1855, 55- Great Synagogue, 1767, 87-8, 98; 1790, 98. Portland St., 1855, 55. For Fast Day 13th December, 1776, 78. Funeral of R. Solomon Hirschel, 155- Orient Litcraturblattj 44, 47, 71, Ostend, 249. Oxford, 117. P. Palestine, position of Jews in, 132. — Collection for poor in, 133. Paris, 141. — Synhedrion of, 1807, 49. Passover, Song for, 65, 66, 70, 71. — Laws of, 29a. Passports, Law regulating, 103. Pavly, Carl Anton von, 49. Pelham, Henry, Prime Minister, 7. Peppercorn, W., Laws of the Hebrews relating to the Poor and Stranger, 135. 295- Perles, J. , Gesch. d. Juden in Posen, Philosophy, religious, 23. Picciotto, J., Sketches of Anglo- Jewish History, g8, iii, 113, 127, 137, 142. Pick, R. Isaiah ( = R. Jeshaja Berlin), 8, 86, 87. Piemonte (Pyrmont), 45, 294. Pintschow, R. Herz, 55, 62, 275. Platz, widow of Moses, 104, 232, 248. Plymouth, 117, 137. Polak, R. Isaac Elias, Hazan of Great Synagogue, 88, 102, 236, 237. — R. Nahum Joseph, 88. Poland, 6, 124, 141, 152. Popers, R Jacob Cohen, of Frank- furt-a.-M., 29, 81. Portsea, 137, 138. Portsmouth, 10, 11, 21, 136. Posen, R. Kalonymus Kalman b. Kalman, 92. • — R. Elia of, pupil of R. Zevi Hirsch Lewin, 290. Posen, 51, 117. Post Office, Letter to, by R. Sol. Hirschcll, 124-6. INDEX 303 Powell, Colonel. 134. Prague. 20, 51, 107, 108. 239. Prayers, Reading of ' Tal ', * Geshem ' and ' Neilah', 36. Prenzlau, 113. Present Reit^n of Duke's Place Syna- gogue displayed, pamphlet by Solomon Bennet, 144 ff. Pressburg, R. Akiba Eger of, 20. — Rabbi Meir Barbi of, 30. 32. — R. Leb, V. de Symons, L. — Samuel, 92, 235. Pulitz, R. Gorshon. Chief Rabbi of Moravia, 108, 240. R. Rabbinate of Venice, 275, 276. Rabbinic Law, 94. Ramsgate, 150. Rapaport, S. L., Chief Rabbi of Prague, 46. Raphael, Rev. Dr., 136. Rapp, R. Moses, Dayyan in Frank- furt-a.-M., 21. Ravensberg, near Halberstadt, 30. Rawa, R. Michael of, son-in law of R. Sol. Hirschcll, 153. Rawitsch, 1 13. Rcadinj^ of the Law, 36. Rcadmission of Jews in England, i. Reform S^'nagogue, 142. Reiscl, d. of R. Zevi Hirsch Lewin, 57- Reisha fRzczsow, Galicia"), 3, 276. Rintel, Mayer Coiicn (Shohct\ 145. Ritunlgfsctze der Jnden, by R. Zevi Hirsch, 38. Romburg, 249. Rosenbaum, Rev. M., 144. Rothschild, Meir, 91, 225. 254-9. — Messrs., 133. — Nathan Mayer, 116. Rotterdam, Rabbinate of, i, 107, 23.3. 234- — Jaiob, o( London, 103, 228, 243. Kovig<., 275. Russia, 124. Salibatai Zevi, 4. S.ibbalh Ohscrvancr, 14. Salary of R. Zevi Hirsch, 29. 36. R. Tcvcic SchifT, 95, 237, 238. Salvador. Joseph, 282. Samiirl Hanagid, Mcho Iliitalittud, 25- Samuel, Dr., Mohcl in London, 120. Sarah, wife of R. Isaac Halevy of Lemberg, 60. — d. of R. Zevi Hirsch, 30, 57. Satanow, Isaac, Hebrew writer, 56, 57- Saul, R., ben R. Aryeh Leb, Chief Rabbi of Amsterdam, 5, 30, 44-8, 86, 88, 107, 112, 154, 278-81, 287. — of Cracow, 2, 4. — b. R. Zevi Hirsch, Rabbi in Frankfurt-a.-O., 4; hiswill,7i-2; tombstone inscription. 73, 114. Saul, R., Halevy of the Hague, 60, 291. Scarborough, 118. Scheyer, M., of Frankfurt-a.-M., 105. Schiflf, Breinle, wife of R. Tevele S., 82, 109. — R. David Tevele, 2, 29, 50, 51, 74, 92, 113, 222, 223. Sermons, 83; correspondence, 85 ff. ; personal characteristics, 89, 100 ; literary activity, 109- 10 ; tombstone inscription and memorials, iii, 260-3. — Jacob H., 79. — Mate Sinzheim, wife of R. Meir Schiflf of Frankfurt, 82. R. Meir of Fulda (Maharam SchiH), 79, 87. — R. Meir, Dayyan in Frankfurt- a.-M., 50, 74, 80, 92, 93, 95, 158, 162-78, 184, 188, 218-53. — Mindel, d. of Solomon Sinzheim, wife of Moses b. R. Tevele S., 82, 103, 109, 235, 245. — Moses b. R. Tcvcic, 83, loa, 103, 109. — Moses Meyer, 79. — Resche, daughter of R. Meir SchifT, 231. — R. Solomon, 79. •Schloss, Siisskind b. Jacob, 229. .SchOnlanke, 1 17. Schudt, Jiidische Ahrktturdigkriteii, 80. Schuster, J., of Frankfurt-a.-M., 104. Seder I hidorolli, 26. . Sceligmann. Sigm., 112, 260, 274, 294, 295. Scfcr Torah, fast when fallen down, 291. Sender, R., of Braunschweig, 32. S<-pharili community, 1, 23, 142. — Description by Azulai, 281 3. 304 INDEX Scpltat Enieih, v. Emden. Sermons, b^' R. Zevi Hirsch, ii fT. Shadkanut, 93. Shehita, 17. Shohet, Shohctiin. 17, 116, 278. — List of, in MS. Adler 2261, 264-73. Shtadlan, 91, 93. Shulhan Aruch, 94. 96. Simon b, Meshullam, Dayyan in London, 94. Simonsen, Prof., 294. Simpson, Mr., 134. Simson o{ CWinon'sSefer Kerituth, 25. Sinzheim, Abraham, 81. — Isaac, 82, 295. — Juda Efraim Leb, 8. — Mate, V. Schiff. — Mindel, v. Schiff. — Solomon. 8t, 82, 295. Society, London, for Promoting Christianity among Jews, 129- 33- — London, for Prevention of Juvenile Corruption, 131. Sofer, R. Moses, 48. Solomons, Israel, 55, 73, 103. Southampton, 137. Speyer, Sir Edgar, 92. — Fradele, 90. — Isaac Michael, 89-92, 94, 103, 233. 241, 246. — Lazar Michael, 91-2. — Michael, 91, 228. Sprinza, d. of Abr. Hildesheim, second wife of R. Zevi Hirsch Lewin, 58. Stary Constantinow, Russia, 78. Steinhart, R. Joseph, of.FUrth, 157, 189-91. Steinschneider, M., Hebi: Biblio- graf)liie, 62, 91, 92. Stockdale, John Joseph, 128. Strashun. M., 45. Strassburg 'East Prussia^. 275. Strauss, David, Rabbi of Fiirtli, 21. Strife, to avoid, 27. Succoth festival, 13. Sunderland, Jacob of, 123. Swansea, 137. Symons, Lyon de = R. Leb Press- burg, 9, 114, 235. Synagogue, service. 17. Synagogues in London : Church Row, 78. Great, Duke's Place, 76, 95, 115, 149. liambro, 15, 76, 78, 95, 106, 219, 227, Synagogues in London : Magpy Alley, Fcnchurch St., 78. New, 78, 122. Portland St., 55. Reform, 142. St. Alban's Place, 133. Synod, Four- Lands, 37. Talmide Hakamim ( = scholars), 43. Talmud, study of, 100. Talmud Torahs. 23. Tebilah ritual bath), 120, Tene Bikkurim by Sol. Bennett, 144. Toleranz-Edictof Emperor Joseph II, 39- Tombstone inscriptions : R. Saul b. Zevi Hirsch, 73. Judith Levy, 99. R. Tevele Schiff, iii. Torah, neglect of study, 21, 28, 94. Torat Jekniiel, 41, 43. Tosca, R. Leb, 95, 226. Tower of London, description by Azulai, 283-4. Transgression of Laws, 27. Trumm. Moses' widow, 104. 232, 248. Turbot, Responsa whether turbot is permitted to be eaten, 292-3. Turim, 232. Van Diemen's Land, 116. Van Oven, Joshua, 114, 143. Venice, 275, 276, 292. Vienna, 82, 83, 92, 107. Voire of Jacob, 114,. 143, 154-6. W. Wachstein, B., Inschnflen, 295. Wachstein-Landau, Privatbriefe, &c., lOI. Wahl, R, Saul, 59. Walisch (Wolcz), Simon b. Nala, Wallich, Moses, of London, 107. Waiidsbeck, 75. Warburg, R. Reuben of, 285. Warsaw, 152. Weil, R. Jacob, of Regensburg, 3. Weiss, Isaac, Abm Beth Hajoser, 87. Wesscly, Naphtali Herz = Herz Wesel,-249. — 's Dibre Shalom, 39, 50. INDEX 305 West London Synagogue, v. Reform Synagogue. Wetzlar, R. Leb, of Frankfurt-a.-M., 91. Wien, V. Vienna. Wigi (nnD3 ns'3\ 15- Wilna, R. Elijah Gaon of, 51, 249. Wine, raisin, blessing over, 291. Witherbj', 147. Wolf, Joseph, missionary, 132. — Rabbi of Friedberg, 20. Wolf-Jacobs, Bibliotheca Aii^lo- Jiidaica, 78, 144, 147. Worms, 82. 83. III. Wreschen in Posen, 117. Wiirzburg, 107, 230, 239. Yeshivah ^Yeshibot;,scliool for study of Talmud, 16, 18, 22, 29, 32, 34, 37, 83. Z. Zabel. Eger, Rabbi of Braunschweig, 58. Zangwill, Isr., 96, 97. Zedlitz, v.. German Minister, 4. Zeev Wolf, R., Dayyan in London, n8. Zelliker, Samuel, son in-law of R. Sol. Hirschell, 141, 150. — Nahum, his father, 141, Zeniah Zedek ^ Responsa\ 59. Zevi Lazzaddik by Rabbi Michel- sohn, 5, 21, 31, 35, 53, 116, 152. Zevi Hirsch, Oppenheim, Rabbi of Hildesheim, 20. Zevi Hirsch(el) Lewin, youth, 4, 5 ; in London, 7-28, 278 ; Ser- mons on War, 9 ; in Halber- stadt, 28-34 ; '" Mannheim, 34-5 ; Berlin. 36-53 ; Literary activity, 53-6 ; Approbations, 51, 57 ; other references, 94, 113, 114, 275; Responsa, 284- 95- Zunz, L, ^'^'^r\ T-y, 60, 87. — Leopold, 15, 20, 45. — Adelheid, 34. — Moses b. Leb, of Frankfurt-a.-M., 104, 244. I-KINTKD IN ENGLAND AT TIIK OXroKIt UNIVKRSITY PI.KSS HY KKIDKKKK llAl-L PB 5345-16 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. BEC'D LP ■ T . . 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