Letter from Jonas Bondi to Isaac Leeser;July 21, 1862

Title: Letter from Jonas Bondi to Isaac Leeser;July 21, 1862
Author: Jonas Bondi
Contributor: Isaac Leeser
Date Created: 21 July 1862
Location(s): Philadelphia
Format: Letter. 2 page(s) on 1 sheet(s).; Letter
Type: Letter
Language(s): English; Hebrew
Physical Characteristics: Lined Paper; Manuscript
Is Part Of: The Dropsie College Isaac Leeser Collection at the Penn Libraries
content: Hebrew a play on the name Uri
Monday, 23 of Tammuz(August), 1862.
To him who says, “My light, my salvation, whom shall I fear” That is my friend and the friend of God, the great sage, who fears the words of God etc., Lippman, the son of Yitzchok Issac Leeser:
Constantly interrupted, I am still unable to come there in order to deliver personally to you my manuscript which has grown to con-siderable proportions. Worries on every hand bring me low. “Tradition re-quires prayer”.
I have not yet read Kayserling's work*. I don't want to make even weaker poorer my opinion of the socalled philosopher, reformer, etc., Mendelssohn who certainly accomplished much- an opinion which was rather weak poor from my youth on. Do you know the parable which the Gaon Ezekiel Landau*, may his memory be for a blessing, spoke? What is the difference between the learning of the wicked Balaam and the learning of our father Abraham? Balaam, the heathen prophet, certainly showed himself as a prince in his actions, in order to seem like Abraham, but, in the pupils —v- so Friedlander*, one of his own children, etc., In them the differ-ence shows itself. A hint to the wise is sufficient.
Among us be it said, Frankel's biography, by my brother-in-law*, is a fault to be forgiven. For, as my physician writes to me, he is a victim of the quarrel with Hirsch conducted by Frankel. My brother-in-law was not the man for this. That is why Rappoport* does not mention him in his weak”words of peace and truth”. He died with this work in his hands. I am afraid that Frankel's biography which, as I hear, con-tains much that isn't so, realizes the statement “Through the praise given a man.one can recognize his faults”. Landau was more just in his funeral oration, in which he mentions me to.....and deplores my depar-ture. I am the Marim*. The funeral oration is beautiful and you have probably read it.
I sent you today through Adam's express, free, the treatise “Yebamoth” and the treatise “Kidushin”, for which I ask you to credit me

*Note the transposition of names
*Biography Mendelssohn at edition 186?
*Medelssohn's favorite pupil
*Evidently a reference ? eulogy

with $5. The “Tosefta*” is very much worth while from an historical point of view, especially the one printed here from the manuscript in Vienna. It is supposed to contain all the historical references. It sheds much light upon the charlatan teachings of Christianity and its lying apostles. That they wrapped themselves in the mantle of Essenism*, I clearly indicate.
I beg of you to deliver one package with the enclosed letter to the Chazan Pappe. You will please me by sending at once per express, 4 of your bound prayer books, but at a cheap price. The second part is now much too expensive. For me you must make it cheaper.
Have you read my article in the “Messenger” about the “Shochetim” ? It is....somewhat moderate, but in New York everything is spoiled. On the one side reform, on the other side those who hate Jewish knowledge, who play at orthodoxy in order to make a living, and on the third side, the five Houses of Trampling- I put an s instead of an sh*. This much I accomplished; Raphall does not lend his support any more, and Rabbi Menachem Goldsmith, he who forgot to study, not that he forgot his studies, will no longer examine the shochetim.
I have spoken to the old Halpern. My articles pleased him very much. Please lend me the volumes of the Jeshurun un which he spoke against Graetz's History, since I, too, want to come out against it.
Illoway's reports from New Orleans are to be put aside with contempt, so a man from New Orleans told me. Hoping to hear news from you very soon, I sign.
Respectfully,
Your friend forever
Jonah of the house of Bondi
429 Broadway
Do not take it amiss that I bother you with the letter and package for Pappe. I, too, am ready to serve you. I have not received the July number of the “Occident”.

*The last tannaitic? work, ab. 220 C. E.
*? senes in J. E.
*Battei Midrashot = Houses of Study
*Battei Midrasot = Houses where Torah is trampled upon
Identifier: LSDCBx3FF4a_9
Date: 1862-07-21

Part of Letter from Jonas Bondi to Isaac Leeser;July 21, 1862

Jonas Bondi, “Letter from Jonas Bondi to Isaac Leeser;July 21, 1862”, 1862-07-21, Isaac Leeser Digital Repository, accessed September 18, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/leeser/item/65942