2005-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2005
From H. Lowenthal at "LA FAYETTE [sic] INDIANA, 24 JUNE, 5617 [1857]", just the second congregation formed in that state (organized 1849). Four pages in his hand with fine signature to Isaac Leeser. In a bold penned hand with a great many Hebrew words interposed throughout. Leeser opens "My engagements are brief and so are yours…therefore allow me to ask of you an immediate reply about the following questions."… enumerating five specific problems facing him or the congregation, all pertaining to ritual slaughter and the "SCHOCHET" pertaining to how he is to be prepared, whether he is bound to ask the party that desires his services if it is for a sick person "…consequently, if it is not for a sick person he must not kill it !" …about permissions that must be requested for certain days of the month…and more. His writing gets bolder and larger in size as it proceeds, as if he is more impatient to get the letter over with. All quite easily read; he again asks for an immediate answer. Also "…it's most astonishing how pious people that violate the Sabbath and defile the [Hebrew words] never enter the gate of a [Hebrew word] that when they see that the [Hebrew word] have killed a chicken…they challenge and abuse the [Hebrew word] for being very indifferent to his duty ! And, of course who shall decide upon such matters ? If I offer them a [Hebrew word] they can't read, nor have they faith in the translation of a person so wicked, according to their opinion, as to kill on [Hebrew word] when demanded of him !" He ends with a lengthy penned postscript about how one is to seek redress when sacred laws of the ritual are broken "…and upon whose judgment ought they to rely. A comment on the above theme in your next magazine will be gratefully admired." Some normal light aging, but exc. +. Fills four pages complete. (A historical aside: Abraham Kuhn & Brothers settled in La Fayette, Ind. and in 1865 joined in founding the famed New York investment firm of Kuhn, Loeb & Co).
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