Letter from Isaac M. Slatkin to Isaac Leeser;June 04, 1849 · Isaac Leeser Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Letter from Isaac M. Slatkin to Isaac Leeser;June 04, 1849

Author

Isaac M. Slatkin

Contributor

Isaac Leeser

Location(s)

Buffalo

Philadelphia

Format

Letter. 9 page(s).

Type

Letter

Language(s)

English

Hebrew

Has Format

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3fq9qv7z/manifest.json

Link to Colenda

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3fq9qv7z

Physical Characteristics

Wax Seal

Manuscript

Is Part Of

The Dropsie College Isaac Leeser Collection at the Penn Libraries

content

Hebrew

Hebrew
to institute the Portuguese Hebrew through whole America. with out distintione? of Native Land whether, Pole, German, English, or Americane,
Revd Sir Mr Leeser.
I am in great hope, that, the assembly, will cause, my freedom in giving ? my advice gratio, and prove a Body who is not much learned mere, who are to assemble very soon, please, to lay my Letter before the Assembly

and also to put it in print, in your valuable Book the Occident. and have the goodness, to inform me of the result, of your Meeting. I wuld have written, in the English Language intyrly, but, I can't express myself so well with English language, as in the Hebrew therefore, I was compelled by persuasion of my friends to adress my letter to you, in the Holy Langu,,,,age, and hope that, the awe also form of Prayers, and also, the Hebrew of Reading fore ever, and ever, Amen.
Hebrew
Amen
adress I am your most Respected
Isaac Moses Slatky and devouted for the Israe,,
care of Mr litsch faith voor ever and
E. Bernheimer ever.
Buffalo N. Y. Isaac M. Slatky
care ? of
the Buffalo Hebrew
Congregation.

Revd
Isaac Leeser
Editor of the Occident
Philadelphia.Pa

The interesting thing about this letter which comes from a pious soul though a befuddled mind, is the naivite with which orthodox Jews regarded reformers. This man thought that they were aching for a change, any change

Buffalo, Sunday, 14 Sivan, 5609 [June 1849]
To the accomplished etc. etc
I heard from indirect sources, and also have read in the Occident, that scholars and rabbis living here in America, and who sit on the seat of instruction to teach the children of Israel the way to go and the thing to do, will soon gather in assembly. Although I have not attained to the destruction of being one of the delegates, for I am a stranger here, a guest who seeks no more than lodgings, and cannot compare with you; nevertheless, I cannot refrain, and shut my mouth. I want to know why and wherefore. In this great cry I, the youngest among the families of Israel, agree with the learned Mr. S. Abraham with regard to everything he pointed out in the Occident of last month. Your Honor knows that to the customs of our fathers one may not add, nor detract from them. Then again, my soul wants to know how it is possible to imagine changing the prayers now established; to distort the established rules of Ezra the Scribe [his memory for a blessing], with whom were many prophets, and whose actions were undertaken at God's command and insperation. How can we, therefore, consider the reduction of the number called up to the Torah on every holy Sabbath from the number severe and one ?. They may be wise, but they do not know how to do good. All they can do is to come together and place a yoke and a burden upon us. They have a sword in their hand to cut down the tree of the knowledge of good, and to change the traditions of our

sages [their memory for a blessing] and prophets [their soul rest in the bag of life]. I therefore come with a plea and request to your Great Honor not to obey the priest who comes to perform the service of the high priest in the holy place, and like a poor man on Passover who begs for a piece of bread to support his breaking heart, thus changing the order of of purity and holiness, to pray in a strange language, and perverted speech. What is this strange service which we, the congregation of Israel, the witnesses of Sinai, the descendants of Abraham, must never, never God forbid, do this?
My hand is still stretched out, and my quick pen continues to speak, to be a good pleader and intercessor, to speak righteousness for those who are about to meet in the shadow of fine perfume. Who is the first who began to change our holy language for a foreign one? And seeking one's people's good, for the remnant of Israel who do no evil, (one understands that) the scattered grapes of Ephraim are better than the entire crop of Yahuda*. Outside of the lang? is there no wisdom in it. Ah, to teach these goyim we have numerous commentaries on the Torah and the commandments, so what more do we have to call out to God, the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel. We have six volumes of Gemara, and ethical books, and legal works of the elder and younger legalists—wealth of mind. We have no portion or inheritance
*Evidently this scatter brain means that the least of the Hebrew is superior to the most of the German-Jewish culture.

in new covenants. Why then are Jewish children taught to go in foreign ways, contrary to our holy Law. My heart, my heart! How great is my pain, and my eyes shed tears because of the breach of my people
But! I have a good plan, that seems to me excellent. If you want to take my advice, let it be as you say, change the ordinances of the sages and at the same time remain God-fearing, Create a new tradition among the Jews who live in America

On last page of the Letter
Torah
Till the coming of the Messiah, soon in our day. So may it be God's will, and let us say
Amen

P. S.
This moment I spoke with the president of the Buffalo congregation, and pleaded with him to send to the place of your meeting. At the moment who could not give me a proper satisfactory reply—not till he talks to the members of the congregation. Then we shall see about his plans...
S. M. S.
from Posen

The above text refers to Occident Volume 7 No. 4 page 143. Click here to view.

Identifier

LSDCBx1FF6_41

Date

1849-06-04