Letter from “A Reader of the Occident” to Isaac Leeser;October 27, 1864

Title: Letter from “A Reader of the Occident” to Isaac Leeser;October 27, 1864
Author: “A Reader of the Occident”
Contributor: Isaac Leeser
Date Created: 27 October 1864
Location(s): Curaçao; Philadelphia
Format: Letter. 3 page(s) on 2 sheet(s).; Letter
Type: Letter
Language(s): English
Has Format: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3707x812/manifest.json
Link to Colenda: https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3707x812
Physical Characteristics: Lined Paper; Manuscript
Is Part Of: The Dropsie College Isaac Leeser Collection at the Penn Libraries
content: To Revd. Mr. Isaac Leeser, Editor of the Occident
by a Reader of the Occident
The old Congregation “Mickve' Israël” of Curacao (W. I.) witnessed for the first time on Simchath Torah the ceremony of confirmation; for the first time, as although adopted in principle since 1864, it had never yet received the sanction of practice Master H. A. de Casseres was on that day to be called to the Sepher, and the ceremony had been fixed to take place, between the Hallel and the reading of the law.
A large attendance, consisting of mostly every member of our congregation besides some of other persuasions, were present.
As an introduction to the ceremony, the choir sang the two last verses of Psalm C, after which the Chief Rabbi (Revd Chumaceiro) addressed the community for a few moments, demonstrating that the quintessence of the Jewish religion, was “Love God above all things, thy neighbor as thyself, and be also careful of they own self” these constitute Judaism; he further stated that in these duties the young gentleman was now to be examined.
The Rev. Santeroos, Hebrew teacher and assistant Hazan of the congregation, their addressed Master de Casseres, and made him several questions regarding the duties of man towards God, these questions embracing the historical, as well as religious parts of the Sacred Books, besides all the doctrines of orthodox Judaism, to all of which the young gentleman replied with the greatest accuracy; the first part of the examination concluding with the recital of the Decalogue and the 13 articles of Faith, when the choir sang “Ele shelosy Jnesray &c.
The 2d part of the examination included the duties towards our neighbor, and those towards ourselves; to all these questions the young gentleman answered likewise to the satisfaction of all present.
The whole ceremony has been conducted in the Dutch language, and at the termination of the second part of the examination, Master

de Cassares made a profession of faith, in the same language of which the following is a translation:
“I feel that I am attached to the religion, in which I have been born;
I feel that I may not abandon it, either voluntarily or by compulsion
I have been taught the fundamental principles of our religion, and acknowledge it as true and everlasting.
The answers which I have given to the questions which have been addressed me on this holy spot, will have given you the assurance, I trust, that I am acquainted, as far as my age allows, with the history of our people, and with the doctrines of our religion; on this same spot, in the presence of my parents, teachers and coreligionists, I do solemnly declare: that I believe in the existence of an Only, Eternal God, who created and governs the Universe; that I believe in the immortality of the Soul, and the resurrection of the dead, and that according to our actions, we will either be recompensed or punished; that I believe in the divine revelation on Mount Sinai, through Moses, and in the coming of the Messiah, who will spread the knowledge of God on the whole earth.
This belief, my faith, will lead me to the fulfillment of my duties towards God, my neighbor and myself; by this faith will I abide, to it will I adhere, disregarding the seductions of all such as might endeavor to entice me to abandon the path of virtue and religion. Nedarai ladonai ashalem &c.”
At the conclusion of the profession of Faith, the father, the Rabbi, and the teacher laid their hands on the young gentleman's head the Rabbi pronouncing a benediction, and praying the Almighty God, to bestow on the initiated strength and fortitude, to observe all the

commandments of his law, to withstand the temptations to which we are all exposed, that he may be a source of gratification, to his parents, our congregation, and also an ornament to society.
Whilst this benediction was being pronounced a melody was played on the organ, as proceeding from distant regions; this naturally tended to enhance the solemnity of the ceremony, which was now brought to a close by the choir chanting the 1st and last verse of Psalm CL.
The Sepharim were then taken out, the two first, as customary by the Hatane atorah; it should here be added that at his own request to the Board of Elders, Mr. B de Casseres Jr., father of the Bar Mitsva, had been elected this year as Hatan Torah, and that when called to the Sepher, he read the last chapter of Deutoronomy “Vayagnal Moshe to end.
Master H. A. de Casseres also read the portion appointed for Bar Mitsva in this congregation, viz: Vegnatá (Deut: Ch: Xv12 to end)
At home, the Bar Mitsva, addressed the meeting in English, and spoke as follows: (see inclosure)
We would add that the greatest union has prevailed in this community during all the festivals that the synagogue has always been well attended, both on first and second days—and that the community continues progressing daily.
Curacao 27 October 1864
Identifier: LSDCBx2FF11_55
Date: 1864-10-27

Part of Letter from “A Reader of the Occident” to Isaac Leeser;October 27, 1864

“A Reader of the Occident”, “Letter from “A Reader of the Occident” to Isaac Leeser;October 27, 1864”, 1864-10-27, Isaac Leeser Digital Repository, accessed September 7, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/leeser/item/69628