Letter from Gershom Kursheedt to Isaac Leeser;January 01, 1853

Title: Letter from Gershom Kursheedt to Isaac Leeser;January 01, 1853
Author: Gershom Kursheedt
Contributor: Isaac Leeser
Location(s): New Orleans; Philadelphia
Format: Letter. 4 page(s) on 2 sheet(s).
Type: Letter
Language(s): English
Has Format: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3hd7pj8r/manifest.json
Link to Colenda: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3hd7pj8r
Physical Characteristics: Lined Paper; Manuscript
Is Part Of: Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Isaac Leeser Collection
content: New Orleans ? 3. 5613
My dear friend
Your welcome favor 10th ult ought to have been answered ere this but in good ? I never seem to get a moment from pressing business of one kind or another. Let the past little contretemps be past, I Probably took some part of your remarks as addressed to or aimed at me, lest your letter to our mutual friend revd. Gutheim dispel'd all angry feelings on my part. Still friend Leeser no matter in what humor you are in you ought to vent your spleen rather on enemies than friends, and I am sure if you were to reperuse yours to me now you would say I had a right to feel a little put out with you.
N'importe, let me see what I can tell you that will interest you. Well we have had the revd. Mr Eckman here and last night elected him for the term of one year. He is at present at Mobile where he had promised to preach & he had some business to look into there for a friend. O presume he will enter on his duties on 1st. Feby. next when Mr. Nathan's team ceases. Perhaps Mr. N may give up in the mean time however.
I paid to Mr. Isaac Hart the subsn to Occident for Mr. Touro & myself. Hart says he has written you remitting my former payment to him.
I like the size of your new edition a sheet

of which you sent me. It looks, very well indeed. You doubtless observed or heard of the conduct of the Asmonean towards me & a few others I really thank Mr Lyon for doing what he did. It defined my position in opposition to Dr. Wise's actions preachings & teachings better than if I had written a volume which they might have answered; but as I took no notice of it whatever to several strangers here stopped their paper in consequence of what Lyon did, I have had all the satisfaction I desired— The subject of the Messiah is too important and sacred to be touched by any but the purest hands. They may talk about reforms as much as they please & I have nothing to say. They may try to do away with the 2nd days of the holy days & still I will listen, but the main pillar on which, in this Christian age we have to depend to defend ourselves from the progress of unbelief in our old plain & simple readings about the messiah. Even the ressurection of the body whether believed in or not does not endanger our nationality. The Messiah a temporal prince we never must yield—
As to reform in the Synagogue I defy any improvement in that the service in ours here The shule? is supported by subscription and we consequently search, have any offerings now

The imprudence of men who would reform the practice of reading the Law to 3 years is astonishing They would do away with inspired writings to give them more time to tire their hearers with their comparatively inspired twaddle. Yes this is what they want to do, as if any preaching can do the good that the reading of the Bible will. Just ponder on this proposition & see its enormity.
There is quite a learned man here Dr. Askenazi, I found him an agreeable acquain-tance altho' in order to converse with him I have to use 4 languages at one time. Still I understand him well enough and he is rapidly improving in the english.
My relatives here desire to be remembered to you and often speak of you. Will you please give my fond love to my dear Aunt and tell her I look for her husband to morrow or next day.
And now my dear friend hoping that you may live to enjoy many happy days and specially that our approaching festival of Hanuca may come to you & us all in peace
I am yours very truly
Gershom K
Identifier: LSKAP0063
Date: 1853-01-01

Part of Letter from Gershom Kursheedt to Isaac Leeser;January 01, 1853

Gershom Kursheedt, “Letter from Gershom Kursheedt to Isaac Leeser;January 01, 1853”, 1853-01-01, Isaac Leeser Digital Repository, accessed September 7, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/leeser/item/65727