Letter from Joseph Jacobsohn to Isaac Leeser;October 24, 1864

Title: Letter from Joseph Jacobsohn to Isaac Leeser;October 24, 1864
Author: Joseph Jacobsohn
Contributor: Isaac Leeser
Location(s): New Orleans; Philadelphia
Format: Letter. 4 page(s) on 1 sheet(s).
Type: Letter
Language(s): English; Hebrew
Physical Characteristics: Lined Paper; Manuscript
Is Part Of: Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Isaac Leeser Collection
content: New Orleans Oct 24th/64.
To the Revd. Isaac Lesser
Editor of the "Occident"
Philadelphia
Revd. & Dear Sir! It seems that you have no regular correspondent in this city, for otherwise he could give you matter enough, to have also "New Orleans" mentioned in the domestic column of your valuable journal. I take therefor the liberty to forward you some short items, regarding religious affairs in New Orleans.
About two months ago Dr Illowy sent an official letter to the Hebrew of this city, in which, he requested them, not to circumcise in future any male child born from a christian mother though the father be an Israelite, for the following reasons:
1st/ It being evident that the circumcision is not performed Hebrew but only for the purpose of being entitled to a portion of ground on the Jewish burying place in case of death, and according to the law, the ceremony of circum˶cision can not be performed only Hebrew after which the ceremony of Hebrew has to follow, while among all those

already circumcised children of christian mothers, of whom some have already reached the age of five and others of six years, is not one that had Hebrew Though Dr Illowy explained to some of the parents that their children can not be regarded as by law as Israelite as long as Hebrew is not performed, the father, but not the mother would yield to the exigen˶cy of the law.
2ndly/ Since the circumcision is not performed Hebrew the Hebrew not only that he acts contrary to the law, but he also transgresses the prohibition Hebrew by making a Hebrew
3rdly/ Suppose every thing would be done according to the law both Hebrew and Hebrew, what however has Judaism to hope of a child educated by a christian mother and an irreligious father have we not enough Hebrew of our own, who would not know that they are Jews were they not circumcised what for should we yet, under the cover of religion increase their number?
Dr Illowy made the above explanation to the Board of Trustees who assisted him, and two of the Hebrew who are members of the cong. were notified by them that it is the desire of the Board that they would act

according to the decision of the Rabby, to which they agreed. But the 3rd Hebrew wrote, two weeks after he recieved Dr Illowy's answer letter, a very insulting answer, in which he declared himself, that he has done so before and will continue so, to circumcise all such children born from christian mothers.
Dr Illowy after having recieved that insulting answer of the Hebrew declared him publicly in the Synag. as Hebrew having forfeited his right as Hebrew and being in future unfit and unworthy for that holy office.
This event gave rise partly to a dissatisfaction among the friends of the Hebrew, and those whose wive are strangers Hebrew to our nation, and partly to a dispute among impartial individuals about the correctness of Dr. I.'s decision.
Permit me therefor Revd Sir to lay before you and your learned readers 3 questions
1st/ Is it permitted according to the law to circumcise ˶the son of a christian mother and an irreligious father ˶though we know aforehand that we have not a spark of hope ˶that the child will ever be brought up as a Jew?
2dly/ Suppose it be not permitted has any Rabby the right ˶to declare a Hebrew who acts contrary to his decision in ˶said question Hebrew and unfit in future to perform the ˶ceremony of circumcision?

3rdly/ Suppose the Rabby has such a right, to ˶declare a Hebrew, is then the Hebrew resting ˶ only upon the Hebrew, or is it likewise sinful of every ˶ individual who allows such a Hebrew to circumcise his child.
Hoping that you will grant these questions a space in the columns of your valuable journal, and let us hear at the same time your own opinion as well as those of other learned men in Israel; I can assure you that by so doing you will restore the peace into the hearts of those who are now dissatisfied with the decision of Revd Dr Illowy.
Hebrew There were this year over fifty Hebrew in our City, of which over forty were built by the members of the Cong. "Schaarey Chased" Rampart St., whilst three years ago when Dr I. arrived in this city there was not more than one Hebrew built by the sexton of the Portoguese Cong. in the yard of their Synag. Though it is true that the Revd Gentleman worked indefatigably with patience and perseverance to keep the word of God alive in his community, still it must be admitted that praise enough cannot be bestowed on S. Friedlander Esqr. President of the Cong. not alone for the powerful support, he is to the Rabby, not alone for his able management through which he made the Cong. flourish and increase to such a number of members, that the Synag. spacious
Identifier: LSKAP20-750
Date: 1864-10-24

Part of Letter from Joseph Jacobsohn to Isaac Leeser;October 24, 1864

Joseph Jacobsohn, “Letter from Joseph Jacobsohn to Isaac Leeser;October 24, 1864”, 1864-10-24, Isaac Leeser Digital Repository, accessed September 7, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/leeser/item/67679