Letter from Joseph L. Halevi to Isaac Leeser;August 1852 · Isaac Leeser Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Letter from Joseph L. Halevi to Isaac Leeser;August 1852

Author

Joseph L. Halevi

Contributor

Isaac Leeser

Date Created

April 1852

Location(s)

Philadelphia

Format

Letter. 8 page(s) on 8 sheet(s).

Type

Letter

Language(s)

English

Physical Characteristics

Unlined Paper

Manuscript

Is Part Of

Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Isaac Leeser Collection

http://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124370244

content

Yiddish-German
Thursday, Pericope E Keb,
(August), 1852.
May he go up upon the heights of good fortune and find deliverance from all the evils of the time, etc. etc. my dear and accomplished friend, Rabbi Itzik Leeser.
Almost three months have passed since I received your very welcome letter for which I owe you an answer. I blush with shame over this delay, and beg your forgiveness for it. Your correspon-dence with your trusted friend, Shaftstone, with which you honored me, has increased tenfold my respect for you and I shall never fail to reveal, whenever it be possible, this high esteem and re-spect by word or deed. For the most part the cause of my prolonged silence has been the following: you suggested to me that I must prepare myself for an attack of even greater men than Ben Yehuda and S. A., for I considered it unworthy to reply to their stupid criticism. I was anxious for the publication of the apology (or explanation) which I had sent to you, in order to see the criticism which would follow it. Now I have the pleasure to see my article in your two monthly issues. While the second month's issue was not yet here we already received in the "Asmonean" a translation of it in English. I understand nothing about this, but my son-in-law, Mr. Widenthal,

2
who is a mater of both languages, told me that it was a good translation, except for one point, namely, the expression "For the sake of making her angry" was not translated in the meaning I in-tended to give it. Now the intro editorial note says that the next issue will contain their comments. I look forward to these with eagerness, for I was never afraid and am not afraid now of this thing. But three weekly issues have already appeered in New York and not a line about this. That you As to the matter of your advice desire not to print the omitted point with regard to Kalisch, we shall for the moment declare a truce, until the matter is further clarified. In reality he deserves no consideration. I hope one other point will come to my defense—namely that I know I have not acted contrary to Biblical law.
Among other things, you write that I have won much, in that my name has become known throughout the land. I don't put too much value upon that, for I do not consider it am not inclined to draw wordly advantage out of my inadequate knowledge. I have, moreover, decided to find support in the first virtues mentioned in "Abot"* where it is written; "Make a fence for the Torah and raise up many pupils". I believe that through the latter part the former can be fulfilled. If I could only get pupils, I would gladly train them in Gemaroh. Medieval legalists, as well as
*Ethics of the fathers.

3
in Bible and Hebrew grammar, and devote with them several hours daily in these studies. This would be a highly appropriate time for it, if you would be good enough to include, in your next issue, the advertisement given by me at the end (of the letter) and if you would at the same time ask other magazines to include the same announcement. I would, with the greatest pleasure, see to it that I become useful in this way, and, in this way, the statement would be fulfilled in myself, "I have learned much from my teachers, more from my friends, and most from my pupils."*
How soon do you expect to begin work on your Bible? If there is anything you'd like to request of me, I'll be happy to serve you. From now on I wish to consider you one of my best friends and I beg of you to have similar feelings of friendship.
Let us talk to each other as one man to his brother and to my good friend, with regard to your words which sound sweet to my ear. For you have been receiving the insults and the shame so that sins might be forgiven and evil ended. How good and how sweet it is to
*From the "Ethics of the Fathers".

4
think such thoughts! As our sages said, "A man should always be among those who are insulted"* And Rabbi Meir says, "Always always be thou lowly in spirit." But know, my dear brother that, "He who takes a ritual bath while he has a reptile in his hand, the ritual bath is invalid". (According to Talmudic law, touching a reptile makes one unclean and a man requires a ritual bath in order to make himself clean again. S. G.). Therefore, keep far away from evil speech and you will be considered pure by God and man. "Who is the strong man? He who con-trols his desire, and is master of his spirit." Solomon, the wisest of all men said, "Guard your heart more than you guard anything else," To me the surprising thing is, why did you not bring the dear woman under the wings of God? (Why didn't you make a proselyte of her? S. G.) And in this way you could easily have stopped up the mouth of all those who spoke evil and could have dwelt without quarrel and undisturbed with the men of your congregation. Forgive me, my dear friend, for my unnecessary advice. It is given to you from the depths of the heart of a faithful friend.
I call your attention, herewith, that this week I received a letter from NY. signed Menachem, son of Leib, Goldschmith—and in German, Emanuel Goldsmith. He writes
* The end of this Talmudic statement is, "But never among those who do the insulting."

5.
he wants to have the back numbers and he said no, only the current issues. I believe your old subscribers will take it again. If you send me the list, I shall take steps in that direction.

6.
from these experiences, I note that our youth is unfortunately far away from the works of our exalted faith, namely the Talmud, the legal commentators, as well as the Hebrew language. Since I am endowed by the almighty with children who conduct a business out of which I draw an honorable livelihood and since I want to spend the rest of my life as a true servant of God, I know of no way I can be more useful than by spreading the knowledge of God, as our sages say, "The study of the Torah outweighs everything." In another place it is written, "Great is study, for it brings deeds in its wake." I have made the following decision which I herewith announce. Parents, who have the fear of God in their heart and have sons above the age of 12, and if these sons have the desire and ability to undertake Jewish studies, may bring them here where I shall hold session between three and four hours daily in Gemarah and commentaries and the study of the Hebrew language. The parents need supply only the cost of expenses, lodging, and books. I shall do the rest without pay and conscientiously. If there bye any students without means to supply themselves with the things mentioned above,

5.
with a great deal of flattery, praises my articles in your magazine, informs me that he, too, sent something to be published by you in the same conn connection, but that you refused to accept it. He is considering sending the same thing to a magazine in London. He asks me for a reply which I shall send him next week.
I submit the announcement which I should like to have published. If in translating it into English you find some changes necessary, I am satisfied to have you make them, since you are better fitted than I to understand such matters. I beg for your friendly reply and remain forever, Your respecting and loving friend,
Joseph Halevi
Announcement
I cast a glance at the leadership of Jewry in North America and to my sorrow discovered that our religion is disterted here more than in Europe. For the sake of gain the Sabbath is violated by many and many ceremonial laws trodden under foot. Aside

7.
I hope to be able to place them with kindhearted Jews resident here, of whom there are more than 120. In accordance with the same plan as is used in Europe where there are Yeshivoth and Gymnasia. Such children will also be able to acquire information or knowledge of English, since a university for all all sciences has been established here and is just beginning. I must add that the one condition of this invitation is that the children speak the German language, since I do not know English. I hope that when this wish of mine comes into effect, it will soon show general usefulness, and that this free school will bloom forth like a green tree and produce sweet fruit.
The beginning of this project may take place on Rosh Hodesh Heshvan, (October) 1852. Mr. Field will soon send you my article about the community here.

Identifier

LSKAP_NC-25

Date

1852-04