Page:Notes by the Way.djvu/219

 NOTES BY THE WAY.

��149

��is a difference in its liturgy ; but owing to the greater freedom of speech and action allowed to its members, it has suffered more from internal quarrels than its parent has done. To one of these quarrels, a question of a divorce, we owe the first Hebrew book published in this country, ' Urim and Thummim,' 1706. The second Hebrew book was by the learned Rabbi David Nieto, ' Mathai Dan,' or ' Rod of Judgment,' its object being a vindication of the oral law. His next work was Aish Dath,' or ' The Fire of the Law ' ; and in the same year, 1715, Rabbi Joseph Irgas pub- lished ' Touchachath Megoolah : an Open Remonstrance.'

In 1771 Prof. Levysohn, who had been studying under the celebrated surgeon John Hunter, published his philosophical work ' Maamar Hatourah W'hachochmar,' ' An Essay on the Law and Science,' his object being to demonstrate that theology and science must go hand in hand. This work gave so much offence to his co-religionists that he left London and went to reside in Hamburg.

In 1802, after several years had been passed without a Chief Rabbi, the German communities appointed Solomon Herschell. He occupied the position for forty years, and his influence was so great that during that period the Ashkenazim made rapid progress, twenty-five charitable societies and institutions were formed, and in addition to these a new synagogue was founded in Brewer Street. At his death at the age of eighty-one a medal was struck in his honour. He was succeeded by Dr. Nathan Marcus Adler, who was appointed on the 12th of December, 1844 ; and on his death in 1890 he was succeeded by his son, the present Chief Rabbi. I am indebted for many of the facts I have given to the Rev. Moses Margoliouth's interesting book ' The History of the Jews in Great Britain,' published by Bentley in 1851. Mr. Margoliouth's first work was, as is well known, 'A Pilgrimage to the Land of my Fathers.' I am glad to learn that a copy of the former book hi the hands of his nephew, the Rev. G. W. Margoliouth, of the British Museum, contains many original notes by the author, so perhaps we may see a revised edition brought up to the present time. One has only to look over the pages of the ' English Catalogue ' and at the shelves of the London Library to see how few have been the books published on the Jews. The Whitechapel Free Public Library contains one of the most complete collections of books relating to the Jews, a separate catalogue being devoted to it. The most complete little manual of the Jewish religion is that by Friedlander, published by Kegan Paul, Trench, Triibner & Co., 1891. In its pages can be found every particular concerning the Jewish faith. Friedlander is also the author of a small ' Text-Book ' adapted for teachers.

' Jewish Portraits,' by Lady Magnus, published by Fisher Unwin, contains a beautiful sketch of that sweet singer " who solved the pathetic puzzle of how to sing the Lord's song in a strange land " Jehudah Halevi, physician and poet.

��First Hebrew

book

published in England.

��Prof. Levysohn.

��Solomon

Herscbell

appointed

Chief Rabbi,

��Adler appointed.

Succeeded by

his son in

1890.

��Rev. G. W.

Margoliouth.

��Friedlander's manual.

��1 Jewish Portraits,' by Lady Magnus.

�� �