Auction 66 - Rare and Important Items
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6
Auction 66 - Rare and Important Items
May 15, 2019
Opening: $35,000
Estimate: $40,000 - $60,000
Unsold
The Journals of the Proceedings of Congress, held at Philadelphia, from January to May, 1776. Philadelphia: R. Aitken, 1776. English. "Cartridge Paper" edition.
A rare edition of the records of the Continental Congress – the legislative body of thirteen American colonies at the eve of the Declaration of Independence.
The Congress, of which members many were among the Founding Fathers of the USA, was active during the years 1774-1789 and its decisions shaped, to a large extent, the image of the USA to this day: the unification of the thirteen colonies, the establishment of the Continental Army, the appointment of George Washington as the commander in chief of the army, the adoption of the Articles of Confederation (which were later replaced by the USA Constitution) and most important, the Declaration of Independence of the Unites States of America.
The records before us were printed during the months of January-April 1776, in the midst of the War of Independence and a short while before the establishment of the United States, and they contain important documentation of the Congress' activity during this time. The records include references to letters from the commander of the army George Washington, letters from Benjamin Franklin, allocation of resources to the various fronts, appointments and additional matters. Jewish figures who took part in the war are also referred to: a record from 7.2.1776 refers to David Franks, the representative of the British Crown in Pennsylvania, who took upon himself to provide food to the prisoners-of-war in the city of Reading; another record from 10.4.1776 refers to the brothers Barnard and Michael Gratz, suppliers of the Continental Army and among the first to trade with the population of Native-Americans, who are asked to arbitrate a dispute with White Eye, chief of the Lenape people.
When the records were published, the number of Jews in the United States was very small: in the late 18th century, only approx. 2000 Jews lived in the USA.
The brothers Barnard (1738-1801) and Michael (1740-1811) Gratz were born in Lagendorf, Germany. During the 1750s, they immigrated to the USA and settled in Philadelphia. Together, they engaged in trade, among others with the Native-Americans, and provided the USA government with Native-American goods. The Gratz brothers established trade routes between New Orleans and Quebec and due to the political climate, also did business in Pennsylvania, Illinois and Kentucky. Among other things, they signed the 1765 Non-Importation Resolution – a regulation against the importation of goods from Britain, which was declared in protest against the Stamp Act of 1765, imposed by the British parliament on the American colonies that same year. About a decade later, the Gratz Brothers served as suppliers of the Continental Army. Barnard Gratz was the first leader of the Mikveh Yisrael community in Philadelphia.
David Franks (1720-1794), a Jewish merchant born in New-York, was one of the supporters of the British Empire in America (the Loyalists). During the French and Indian War, he was appointed by the British Army to supply food to the soldiers and after the defeat of the forces in his place of residence, Pennsylvania, he succeeded in raising approx. 5000 pounds for the defense of the settlement. In 1765, he was among the signatories of the Non-Importation Resolution – a regulation against the import of goods from Britain; yet after the outbreak of the war, returned to support the English and became their representative in Pennsylvania. Franks was imprisoned several times after the war due to his support of the enemy and for a short time even moved to Britain. Eventually, however, he returned to the USA and renewed his business. He died at the age of 74 from Yellow Fever.
[1], 93, 70, 73-237 pp, 21.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Blank cardboard binding. Stains and creases. Small tears to margins. Handwriting on the upper margin of the front binding, the title page and two additional pages [ownership inscriptions of Theo B. Booraem(?)]. Stamp on the inside of front and back bindings. The front binding is detached. Spine missing.
The records of the Continental Congress from January-April 1776, which were named "Cartridge Paper", were printed for the internal use only of the members of the Congress and are considered the rarest edition of the records of the Congress before the Declaration of Independence. In April 1776, the Congress ordered the printer Robert Aitken to stop printing this edition and print a new one instead. 80 copies of the first edition were sold and the rest were given to the army and were used for making paper cartridges for firearms (thus the name). See: American Bibliography by Charles Evans, no. 15145.
Today, only a few copies are known of.
A rare edition of the records of the Continental Congress – the legislative body of thirteen American colonies at the eve of the Declaration of Independence.
The Congress, of which members many were among the Founding Fathers of the USA, was active during the years 1774-1789 and its decisions shaped, to a large extent, the image of the USA to this day: the unification of the thirteen colonies, the establishment of the Continental Army, the appointment of George Washington as the commander in chief of the army, the adoption of the Articles of Confederation (which were later replaced by the USA Constitution) and most important, the Declaration of Independence of the Unites States of America.
The records before us were printed during the months of January-April 1776, in the midst of the War of Independence and a short while before the establishment of the United States, and they contain important documentation of the Congress' activity during this time. The records include references to letters from the commander of the army George Washington, letters from Benjamin Franklin, allocation of resources to the various fronts, appointments and additional matters. Jewish figures who took part in the war are also referred to: a record from 7.2.1776 refers to David Franks, the representative of the British Crown in Pennsylvania, who took upon himself to provide food to the prisoners-of-war in the city of Reading; another record from 10.4.1776 refers to the brothers Barnard and Michael Gratz, suppliers of the Continental Army and among the first to trade with the population of Native-Americans, who are asked to arbitrate a dispute with White Eye, chief of the Lenape people.
When the records were published, the number of Jews in the United States was very small: in the late 18th century, only approx. 2000 Jews lived in the USA.
The brothers Barnard (1738-1801) and Michael (1740-1811) Gratz were born in Lagendorf, Germany. During the 1750s, they immigrated to the USA and settled in Philadelphia. Together, they engaged in trade, among others with the Native-Americans, and provided the USA government with Native-American goods. The Gratz brothers established trade routes between New Orleans and Quebec and due to the political climate, also did business in Pennsylvania, Illinois and Kentucky. Among other things, they signed the 1765 Non-Importation Resolution – a regulation against the importation of goods from Britain, which was declared in protest against the Stamp Act of 1765, imposed by the British parliament on the American colonies that same year. About a decade later, the Gratz Brothers served as suppliers of the Continental Army. Barnard Gratz was the first leader of the Mikveh Yisrael community in Philadelphia.
David Franks (1720-1794), a Jewish merchant born in New-York, was one of the supporters of the British Empire in America (the Loyalists). During the French and Indian War, he was appointed by the British Army to supply food to the soldiers and after the defeat of the forces in his place of residence, Pennsylvania, he succeeded in raising approx. 5000 pounds for the defense of the settlement. In 1765, he was among the signatories of the Non-Importation Resolution – a regulation against the import of goods from Britain; yet after the outbreak of the war, returned to support the English and became their representative in Pennsylvania. Franks was imprisoned several times after the war due to his support of the enemy and for a short time even moved to Britain. Eventually, however, he returned to the USA and renewed his business. He died at the age of 74 from Yellow Fever.
[1], 93, 70, 73-237 pp, 21.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Blank cardboard binding. Stains and creases. Small tears to margins. Handwriting on the upper margin of the front binding, the title page and two additional pages [ownership inscriptions of Theo B. Booraem(?)]. Stamp on the inside of front and back bindings. The front binding is detached. Spine missing.
The records of the Continental Congress from January-April 1776, which were named "Cartridge Paper", were printed for the internal use only of the members of the Congress and are considered the rarest edition of the records of the Congress before the Declaration of Independence. In April 1776, the Congress ordered the printer Robert Aitken to stop printing this edition and print a new one instead. 80 copies of the first edition were sold and the rest were given to the army and were used for making paper cartridges for firearms (thus the name). See: American Bibliography by Charles Evans, no. 15145.
Today, only a few copies are known of.
Category
Jewish Communities Worldwide and Americana
Catalogue
![Large micrographic print made by Levi van Gelder; hand-colored. [New York, ca. 1865]. English and some Hebrew. Impressive and](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale66-public/142_1.jpg "Large Micrographic Print – Levi van Gelder – New York, 1865")
![Large micrographic print made by Levi van Gelder; hand-colored. [New York, ca. 1865]. English and some Hebrew. Impressive and](https://files.kedem-auctions.com/files/Sale66-public/142_2.jpg "Large Micrographic Print – Levi van Gelder – New York, 1865")
Auction 66 - Rare and Important Items
May 15, 2019
Opening: $4,000
Estimate: $6,000 - $8,000
Unsold
Large micrographic print made by Levi van Gelder; hand-colored. [New York, ca. 1865]. English and some Hebrew.
Impressive and detailed print incorporating dozens of medallions with Biblical illustrations, texts from the Bible and from the prayers for the Days of Awe, written in fine micrographic writing (English and Hebrew), and a number of attached pieces of paper, printed in red and gold (collage).
The scenes in the print include Jonah hurled into the sea, the vision of Zechariah, Isaac blessing Jacob, Jacob's dream, Moses with the Tablets of the Law, the Israelites collecting manna, Elijah's ascent to heaven, and more.
Due to the artist's affiliation with the Freemason movement, many of his works incorporate elements related to the movement. This print incorporates, in one of the upper medallions, alongside the pillars of Jachin and Boaz, the symbol of the Freemasons (the square and compasses), the "Eye of Providence", and other Masonic symbols.
Levi David van Gelder (1816-1878) was born in Amsterdam and worked there as a printer. Among the graphic works he created in Amsterdam we know of at least four "Mizrachs", made in Van Gelder's unique style – a meticulous micrographic work incorporating texts and illustrations alongside large text-boxes (sometimes on attached pieces of paper). In the early 1860s (ca. 1860-1864) Van Gelder immigrated with his family to the USA, where he created the present print. In this print and in other works he created in the USA, he incorporated English texts (unlike the works he created in Amsterdam, which he printed in Dutch, at times with some Hebrew).
Approx. 118X90 cm. Fair-good condition. Abrasions and tears (some professionally repaired, with minor damages to text and illustrations). Stains. The margins are mounted on acid-free paper, mounted in turn on a linen sheet. Framed.
Impressive and detailed print incorporating dozens of medallions with Biblical illustrations, texts from the Bible and from the prayers for the Days of Awe, written in fine micrographic writing (English and Hebrew), and a number of attached pieces of paper, printed in red and gold (collage).
The scenes in the print include Jonah hurled into the sea, the vision of Zechariah, Isaac blessing Jacob, Jacob's dream, Moses with the Tablets of the Law, the Israelites collecting manna, Elijah's ascent to heaven, and more.
Due to the artist's affiliation with the Freemason movement, many of his works incorporate elements related to the movement. This print incorporates, in one of the upper medallions, alongside the pillars of Jachin and Boaz, the symbol of the Freemasons (the square and compasses), the "Eye of Providence", and other Masonic symbols.
Levi David van Gelder (1816-1878) was born in Amsterdam and worked there as a printer. Among the graphic works he created in Amsterdam we know of at least four "Mizrachs", made in Van Gelder's unique style – a meticulous micrographic work incorporating texts and illustrations alongside large text-boxes (sometimes on attached pieces of paper). In the early 1860s (ca. 1860-1864) Van Gelder immigrated with his family to the USA, where he created the present print. In this print and in other works he created in the USA, he incorporated English texts (unlike the works he created in Amsterdam, which he printed in Dutch, at times with some Hebrew).
Approx. 118X90 cm. Fair-good condition. Abrasions and tears (some professionally repaired, with minor damages to text and illustrations). Stains. The margins are mounted on acid-free paper, mounted in turn on a linen sheet. Framed.
Category
Jewish Communities Worldwide and Americana
Catalogue
Auction 66 - Rare and Important Items
May 15, 2019
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Sold for: $3,000
Including buyer's premium
Ornamented Ketubah recording the wedding of the groom "R. Yitzchak Refael Ashkenazi son of R. Moshe Elya Ashkenazi" with the bride "Simcha daughter of R. Yitzchak Michael Chai Chai" (Allegra Vivanti). Ancona, 14th Nissan 1849.
Ink and paint on parchment.
The verse "He who has found a wife, has found good" is featured at the top of the Ketubah, within a wreath in the colors of the Italian tricolor, which since the end of the 18th century served as national colors to the emerging Italian nation. The wreath is surrounded with an inscription congratulating the bride and groom.
The text of the Ketubah is written in Italian square script, within a border consisting of roses and leaves, also in the colors of the flag. The Ketubah is signed by the witnesses: "David Yaakov son of R. Shlomo Maroni" (R. David Yaakov Maroni, 1810-1888, served as rabbi in several Italian cities, including Pesaro, Ancona, Florence and others); and "Shlumiel Avraham Yisrael Viterbo" (son of R. Yechiel Chaim Viterbo, he published the books of his father, VaYechi VaYiten, Livorno 1843).
The financial terms regarding the inheritance of the dowry and Ketubah were added at the foot of the Ketubah in Italian cursive script, as was widespread in Ketubot of the Ancona community.
R. Yitzchak Refael Ashkenazi (Tedeschi; 1826-1908), a native of Ancona and later its rabbi, one of the most renowned Italian rabbis of his time. He authored Toldot Benei Yisrael UMatzavam HaMedini VehaChomri BeNafot Italia, Kraków 1901.
57X37.5 cm. Good condition. Stains, creases, several marginal tears. The ink faded and partially erased (in the financial terms). Creases and folding marks.
Ink and paint on parchment.
The verse "He who has found a wife, has found good" is featured at the top of the Ketubah, within a wreath in the colors of the Italian tricolor, which since the end of the 18th century served as national colors to the emerging Italian nation. The wreath is surrounded with an inscription congratulating the bride and groom.
The text of the Ketubah is written in Italian square script, within a border consisting of roses and leaves, also in the colors of the flag. The Ketubah is signed by the witnesses: "David Yaakov son of R. Shlomo Maroni" (R. David Yaakov Maroni, 1810-1888, served as rabbi in several Italian cities, including Pesaro, Ancona, Florence and others); and "Shlumiel Avraham Yisrael Viterbo" (son of R. Yechiel Chaim Viterbo, he published the books of his father, VaYechi VaYiten, Livorno 1843).
The financial terms regarding the inheritance of the dowry and Ketubah were added at the foot of the Ketubah in Italian cursive script, as was widespread in Ketubot of the Ancona community.
R. Yitzchak Refael Ashkenazi (Tedeschi; 1826-1908), a native of Ancona and later its rabbi, one of the most renowned Italian rabbis of his time. He authored Toldot Benei Yisrael UMatzavam HaMedini VehaChomri BeNafot Italia, Kraków 1901.
57X37.5 cm. Good condition. Stains, creases, several marginal tears. The ink faded and partially erased (in the financial terms). Creases and folding marks.
Category
Jewish Communities Worldwide and Americana
Catalogue
Lot 144 Portrait of R. Moshe Nasch Rabbi of Zwolle – Engraving – The Netherlands, Early 19th Century
Auction 66 - Rare and Important Items
May 15, 2019
Opening: $1,500
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Sold for: $5,250
Including buyer's premium
Portrait of R. Moshe son of Yoel Nasch (Nias), rabbi of Zwolle (the Netherlands) – engraving by A. Joëls, partially hand-colored. [The Netherlands, early 19th century].
The engraving is a portrait of R. Moshe son of Yoel Nasch within a round frame resting on three books he authored. Beneath the portrait, the following inscription is printed: "The portrait… of the perfect scholar, the honored and renowned R. Moshe Nasch, rabbi and dean of the Zwolle community…".
R. Moshe son of Yoel Nasch (or: of Nasch) served as posek in Nijkerk (Gelderland) for some thirty years. In 1802, he was appointed rabbi of Zwolle (Overijssel). He passed away in Elul, 1807. In the preface to his book Yismach Moshe (Leiden, 1771), he recounts his life story in flowery terms. He relates that in his youth, he served as preacher, and would wander from one city to another "to instruct the people on the paths of repentance and to straighten their ways". He was once indicted on false charges and imprisoned by the authorities. Thanks to the efforts of R. Shaul Rabbi of Amsterdam and his brother-in-law R. Shaul Halevi Rabbi of The Hague, he was later released. After his wedding, he was appointed posek of Nijkerk, upon receiving a rabbinic ordination from R. Shaul Rabbi of Amsterdam, and near the end of his life, he served as rabbi of Zwolle. Apart from his book Yismach Moshe, he composed a prayer order in honor of the inauguration of the Nijkerk synagogue (Mizmor Shir Chanukat HaBayit, Amsterdam, 1801). This portrait documents three books he authored, named: Yismach Moshe, VaYoel Moshe and VaYaster Moshe. Apart from Yismach Moshe (printed in 1771), his other books are currently unknown.
[1] leaf. 9.5X16 cm. Good condition. Light stains to margins and verso.
The engraving is a portrait of R. Moshe son of Yoel Nasch within a round frame resting on three books he authored. Beneath the portrait, the following inscription is printed: "The portrait… of the perfect scholar, the honored and renowned R. Moshe Nasch, rabbi and dean of the Zwolle community…".
R. Moshe son of Yoel Nasch (or: of Nasch) served as posek in Nijkerk (Gelderland) for some thirty years. In 1802, he was appointed rabbi of Zwolle (Overijssel). He passed away in Elul, 1807. In the preface to his book Yismach Moshe (Leiden, 1771), he recounts his life story in flowery terms. He relates that in his youth, he served as preacher, and would wander from one city to another "to instruct the people on the paths of repentance and to straighten their ways". He was once indicted on false charges and imprisoned by the authorities. Thanks to the efforts of R. Shaul Rabbi of Amsterdam and his brother-in-law R. Shaul Halevi Rabbi of The Hague, he was later released. After his wedding, he was appointed posek of Nijkerk, upon receiving a rabbinic ordination from R. Shaul Rabbi of Amsterdam, and near the end of his life, he served as rabbi of Zwolle. Apart from his book Yismach Moshe, he composed a prayer order in honor of the inauguration of the Nijkerk synagogue (Mizmor Shir Chanukat HaBayit, Amsterdam, 1801). This portrait documents three books he authored, named: Yismach Moshe, VaYoel Moshe and VaYaster Moshe. Apart from Yismach Moshe (printed in 1771), his other books are currently unknown.
[1] leaf. 9.5X16 cm. Good condition. Light stains to margins and verso.
Category
Jewish Communities Worldwide and Americana
Catalogue
Auction 66 - Rare and Important Items
May 15, 2019
Opening: $3,000
Estimate: $5,000 - $8,000
Unsold
Two official announcements announcing the granting of equal rights to the Jews of France: a broadside announcing the granting of equal right to Jews of Spanish and Portuguese origin and to the Jews of Avignon (Bordeaux, 1790); a bifolio announcing the granting of equal rights to all the Jews of France (Clermont-Ferrand, 1791). French.
In 1789, the National Constituent Assembly of France was established, setting the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. In January 1790, after long discussions and subsequent to the many requests submitted to the Assembly, it decided to grant equal rights and the status of active citizens to Jews of Spanish and Portuguese origin and to the Jews of Avignon, who were economically, culturally and politically more involved with the Christian community, were less secluded and during the first centuries of their living in France even declared that they were New Christians. The Ashkenazic Jews of France, whose language was Yiddish and their Jewish identity much more prominent, remained discriminated against.
In September 1791, several days before the National Constituent Assembly was dissolved and the National Legislative Assembly established, a law was enacted eliminating all prior limitations, decrees and regulations and granting full equal rights to all the Jews of France. These were the first laws in Europe granting unconditional equal rights to Jews.
Before us are two items: a broadside announcing the first law granting equal right to Jews of Spanish and Portuguese origin and to the Jews of Avignon and a bifolio announcing the granting of equal rights to all the Jews of France.
1. Lettres patentes du Roi, sur un décret de l'Assemblée nationale, portant que les Juifs, connus en France sous le nom de Juifs portugais, espagnols & avignonois, y jouiront des droits de citoyen actif ["Official order by the king… that all Jews known in France as Portuguese, Spanish or residents of Avignon will be given the status of active citizens"]. Bordeaux: Michel Racle, 1790.
In Bordeaux there existed a large and rich community of Jews whose forefathers were exiled from Spain and Portugal, and which called itself "The Portuguese Nation"; the community even sent representatives to the Malesherbes Committee which examined the situation of the Jews and to the National Constituent Assembly.
39X47.5 cm. Good condition. Fold lines and creases. Stains. Tear to upper right corner (restored with paper and tape). Holes. handwriting on verso.
2. Loi relative aux juifs, donée à Paris, le 13 Novembre 1791 ["Law pertaining to the Jews… Paris, November 13, 1791"]. Clermont-Ferrand: Delcros & Fils printing press, 1791.
[1] leaf folded in half (two printed pages), 24 cm. Good condition. Stains. Filing holes and small tears along edges. Two corners of the leaf were cut diagonally. Handwriting on the first page.
In 1789, the National Constituent Assembly of France was established, setting the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. In January 1790, after long discussions and subsequent to the many requests submitted to the Assembly, it decided to grant equal rights and the status of active citizens to Jews of Spanish and Portuguese origin and to the Jews of Avignon, who were economically, culturally and politically more involved with the Christian community, were less secluded and during the first centuries of their living in France even declared that they were New Christians. The Ashkenazic Jews of France, whose language was Yiddish and their Jewish identity much more prominent, remained discriminated against.
In September 1791, several days before the National Constituent Assembly was dissolved and the National Legislative Assembly established, a law was enacted eliminating all prior limitations, decrees and regulations and granting full equal rights to all the Jews of France. These were the first laws in Europe granting unconditional equal rights to Jews.
Before us are two items: a broadside announcing the first law granting equal right to Jews of Spanish and Portuguese origin and to the Jews of Avignon and a bifolio announcing the granting of equal rights to all the Jews of France.
1. Lettres patentes du Roi, sur un décret de l'Assemblée nationale, portant que les Juifs, connus en France sous le nom de Juifs portugais, espagnols & avignonois, y jouiront des droits de citoyen actif ["Official order by the king… that all Jews known in France as Portuguese, Spanish or residents of Avignon will be given the status of active citizens"]. Bordeaux: Michel Racle, 1790.
In Bordeaux there existed a large and rich community of Jews whose forefathers were exiled from Spain and Portugal, and which called itself "The Portuguese Nation"; the community even sent representatives to the Malesherbes Committee which examined the situation of the Jews and to the National Constituent Assembly.
39X47.5 cm. Good condition. Fold lines and creases. Stains. Tear to upper right corner (restored with paper and tape). Holes. handwriting on verso.
2. Loi relative aux juifs, donée à Paris, le 13 Novembre 1791 ["Law pertaining to the Jews… Paris, November 13, 1791"]. Clermont-Ferrand: Delcros & Fils printing press, 1791.
[1] leaf folded in half (two printed pages), 24 cm. Good condition. Stains. Filing holes and small tears along edges. Two corners of the leaf were cut diagonally. Handwriting on the first page.
Category
Jewish Communities Worldwide and Americana
Catalogue
Auction 66 - Rare and Important Items
May 15, 2019
Opening: $1,000
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Sold for: $1,250
Including buyer's premium
A printed booklet – "Torat Emet", Confirmation Service, Catechism for Instruction in the Mosaic Religion, by the "Beit Israel" congregation. Dunedin (New Zealand), 1886. English with Hebrew verses.
The booklet comprises 29 questions and answers about the Jewish faith. It was printed for a Bat-Mitzvah ceremony that took place in Dunedin on Lag BaOmer (May 23) 1886, for nine girls of the Jewish community. It was the first ceremony of its kind in Dunedin (on the days preceding the ceremony, invitations were printed in the press of New Zealand, and a day after it, the Otago Daily Times published a long news item about it – see enclosed material).
A handwritten inscription on the endpaper: "First Confirmation Service after my returne from England", signed: "J. Hyman" (presumably, Mr. Julius Hyman, 1827-1911, the president of the Jewish community of Dunedin at the time. Born in Melbourne, Australia, a watchmaker and jeweler by profession, he arrived in Dunedin in 1862, during the Gold Rush in southern New Zealand. One of the prominent activists of the community since its early days, who founded and headed the Jewish Philanthropic Society of Otago and the Chevra Kadisha).
This is an interesting documentation of a Bat-Mitzvah ceremony which was common in several Jewish communities in Germany and its surroundings. The ceremony centered around the catechism – a manual arranged in the form of questions and answers presenting the principles of Judaism. The source of the ceremony, as indicated by its name (and the title of this booklet), is the Christian confirmation ceremony. The confirmation service confirms the child's entrance into religion with his or her adolescence. The idea of catechism is also borrowed from Christianity. To a large extent, the ceremony was adopted by Jewish communities due to the demands of the authorities. R. Yaakov Ettlinger, author of Aruch LaNer, performed a similar ceremony in Altona, twenty years before the ceremony documented in this booklet. The sermon that he delivered during the ceremony was printed in Responsa Binyan Zion HaShalem (vol. 2, section 107). In his sermon, the Aruch LaNer expressed his reservations regarding the ceremony and emphasized that unlike Christianity, in Judaism there is no need to accept the religion and confirm one's faith, since a child belongs to the Jewish religion from birth, and so he said: "The act for which we have gathered here is new to our community, and therefore I allow myself to explain its cause… the external form is that of the 'Confirmation' that is customary among those who believe in a different religion, but in essence it is very far from it. There the objective is that children accept religion and confirm their faith, but in Judaism there is no need for this at all… In Judaism there is no need for a festive-religious ceremony to confirm faith, since from the moment he is born, all the commandments of the Torah are imposed on him and in no manner can he detach himself from them. The act we perform here is not a kind of religious ritual, but only an exam in Judaic studies, and as a matter of fact, its place is not in the synagogue but rather in school, however, the law requires that it be performed in a synagogue…".
The first answer in this booklet emphasizes that one belongs to the Jewish People by right of birth, in the gist of the words of the Aruch LaNer. The question "What is the reason of your being present to-day in this Holy Place?" was answered by the girls as follows: "We are resolved to acknowledge ourselves as members of the Congregation of Israel, to which we already belong by right of birth".
The Dunedin community, the southernmost Jewish community in the world, was founded in 1862, after many Jews arrived there subsequent to the Gold Rush which began at that time. The synagogue ("Beit Israel") was inaugurated in 1864, and again in 1881.
It was a modern orthodox community which adopted the customs of the Jews of England and which was subordinate to the Chief Rabbi of Great Britain.
8 pages. 20.5 cm. Good condition. A few stains. The front endpaper (with the handwritten inscription) is detached. Stamp on title page. Cardboard binding, with damage.
No other copy is known. Not in OCLC. Not in the National Library of New Zealand nor in the Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout at the Victoria University of Wellington Library.
Printed material from New Zealand with Hebrew letters is extremely rare.
The booklet comprises 29 questions and answers about the Jewish faith. It was printed for a Bat-Mitzvah ceremony that took place in Dunedin on Lag BaOmer (May 23) 1886, for nine girls of the Jewish community. It was the first ceremony of its kind in Dunedin (on the days preceding the ceremony, invitations were printed in the press of New Zealand, and a day after it, the Otago Daily Times published a long news item about it – see enclosed material).
A handwritten inscription on the endpaper: "First Confirmation Service after my returne from England", signed: "J. Hyman" (presumably, Mr. Julius Hyman, 1827-1911, the president of the Jewish community of Dunedin at the time. Born in Melbourne, Australia, a watchmaker and jeweler by profession, he arrived in Dunedin in 1862, during the Gold Rush in southern New Zealand. One of the prominent activists of the community since its early days, who founded and headed the Jewish Philanthropic Society of Otago and the Chevra Kadisha).
This is an interesting documentation of a Bat-Mitzvah ceremony which was common in several Jewish communities in Germany and its surroundings. The ceremony centered around the catechism – a manual arranged in the form of questions and answers presenting the principles of Judaism. The source of the ceremony, as indicated by its name (and the title of this booklet), is the Christian confirmation ceremony. The confirmation service confirms the child's entrance into religion with his or her adolescence. The idea of catechism is also borrowed from Christianity. To a large extent, the ceremony was adopted by Jewish communities due to the demands of the authorities. R. Yaakov Ettlinger, author of Aruch LaNer, performed a similar ceremony in Altona, twenty years before the ceremony documented in this booklet. The sermon that he delivered during the ceremony was printed in Responsa Binyan Zion HaShalem (vol. 2, section 107). In his sermon, the Aruch LaNer expressed his reservations regarding the ceremony and emphasized that unlike Christianity, in Judaism there is no need to accept the religion and confirm one's faith, since a child belongs to the Jewish religion from birth, and so he said: "The act for which we have gathered here is new to our community, and therefore I allow myself to explain its cause… the external form is that of the 'Confirmation' that is customary among those who believe in a different religion, but in essence it is very far from it. There the objective is that children accept religion and confirm their faith, but in Judaism there is no need for this at all… In Judaism there is no need for a festive-religious ceremony to confirm faith, since from the moment he is born, all the commandments of the Torah are imposed on him and in no manner can he detach himself from them. The act we perform here is not a kind of religious ritual, but only an exam in Judaic studies, and as a matter of fact, its place is not in the synagogue but rather in school, however, the law requires that it be performed in a synagogue…".
The first answer in this booklet emphasizes that one belongs to the Jewish People by right of birth, in the gist of the words of the Aruch LaNer. The question "What is the reason of your being present to-day in this Holy Place?" was answered by the girls as follows: "We are resolved to acknowledge ourselves as members of the Congregation of Israel, to which we already belong by right of birth".
The Dunedin community, the southernmost Jewish community in the world, was founded in 1862, after many Jews arrived there subsequent to the Gold Rush which began at that time. The synagogue ("Beit Israel") was inaugurated in 1864, and again in 1881.
It was a modern orthodox community which adopted the customs of the Jews of England and which was subordinate to the Chief Rabbi of Great Britain.
8 pages. 20.5 cm. Good condition. A few stains. The front endpaper (with the handwritten inscription) is detached. Stamp on title page. Cardboard binding, with damage.
No other copy is known. Not in OCLC. Not in the National Library of New Zealand nor in the Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout at the Victoria University of Wellington Library.
Printed material from New Zealand with Hebrew letters is extremely rare.
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Jewish Communities Worldwide and Americana
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