Letter to Isaac Leeser
- Contributor
- Isaac Leeser
- Location(s)
- Philadelphia
- Format
- Letter. 4 page(s) on 2 sheet(s).
- Letter
- Type
- Letter
- Language(s)
- English
- Has Format
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p30z71d03/manifest.json
- Physical Characteristics
- Lined Paper
- Manuscript
- Is Part Of
- http://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124516100
- content
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Hebrew
“Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph.”
(Exod: 1. 8.)
Hebrew
“Who knew not: He pretended not to know him.”
(Rashi's commentary)
Dear Sir.
Though it is but a few weeks since I became personally acquainted with you, I have been for many years an admirer of your ably conducted periodical, and but for the oftentimes too ready admission of articles of rather questionable qualifications and a general tendency to overrate the mediocre and to compliment the undeserving, I think the jewish public will coincide in my assertion, that it stands unexcelled either for by any religious periodical in this country, either for earnestness of purpose, or for the learning, consistency, unvaried politeness and decorum of its editor. A full approbation of your labours in the cause of Israel might have perhaps been more agreeable to you, but it would have tarnished the sincerity of my views on the subject, particularly as my remark in reference to misapplied courtesy, has of late been so amply verified.
As long as you were seated in the editorial chair of the Occident, for many years the only
jewish paper in America, as long as you were known as an author, a correct translator of several hebrew works and the only preacher in the vernacular in this country, the sheaves (and from what I know many empty-headed ones) were, like those in Joseph's dream, bowing and making obeisance to you, and many a dog that barks now at your heels, was then ready to lick your hand.
However “Tempora mutantur &ca”
Now there arose up a new Editor in Israel, whose superior education according to his own record in the Asmonean of 6th inst. “had led him into the presence of the sovereign of one of the mightiest of Empires” yet who knew not, either the polished manners of the courtiers, or the ceremonious politeness of the Chinese. If I understand him right (which task is rather a difficult one) he claims for his paper the avowed object of furthering the cause of our sacred faith by elevating the mind of its followers and by preaching Union to Israel. How far he has generally succeeded, I feel no inclination to investigate, but as an individual, who is not indifferent to the fair fame of his fellow-believers, I claim the right to enquire whether the article headed “The Occident, and the Asmonean”, published in the latter on the 13th instant, is befitting a periodical devoted to a high and holy purpose, and whether such low abuse in the columns of a religious paper
is calculated to elevate the character of the Jews, their press and the standing of its supporters and subscribers? Language like that, is even unbecoming the columns of a political country paper, and the scurrilous, vulgar and disrespectful epithets used in that publication against a former functionary of our faith and a preacher of its doctrines, must certainly tend to exclude it from the table of every respectable family. Yet the author seems to entertain a different opinion in regard to his productions, and by appending his initials to it, he appears anxious to proclaim his paternity, which likely might have been questioned by a discriminating public since the arrivals of the pictorial part of the Asmonean with the Motto “Two are better than one” were practically substituted by adding a correcting hand to the grammatical department of the paper. If R. L., however had been conversant with the latin quotation “Ex ungue leonem”, he might have saved himself that trouble.
Though I am fully acquainted with the particulars of the origin of your difficulty with the Magnus Apollo of the Asmonean, I do not consider it my province to enlarge upon the subject; sufficient it is to know, and such every one does know, that you have neither published nor caused to be published aught, which could have deserved such a virulent and atrocious attack from that quarter;
and even if you had offended the dignity of the self-constituted organ of the Jews in America, it is more than questionable, whether the mode selected and adopted by him was a justifiable and proper one.
Your labours in Israel certainly entitle you to a better treatment at the hands of your co-religionists, in consideration of which and of the many services you have for a number of years rendered to that cause, I concluded that the Asmonean's article should not pass without some comment; and as the columns of the Occident, from the obvious reason that its editor is a party to the controversy, cannot with propriety be opened to a more extended review, and no proper medium for its pub=lication being presently available, I am constrained for the moment to restrict the same to its present dimension.
As a man of experience you will, however, not be surprised when you find that the world ill requites favours, that have been received, when there is a supposition that additional ones can no more be obtained; and as for the strictures of the Asmonean, you may console yourself, if consolation be required, that you share them with
Part of Letter to Isaac Leeser
“Letter to Isaac Leeser”, Isaac Leeser Digital Repository, accessed September 19, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/leeser/item/69201