PREFACE OF THE TRANSLATOR. In an age, when science of every kind is pursued with avidity, no astonishment can be manifested at the attempt of an Israelite to give his brethren a clear knowledge of the religion which they have inherited from their ancestors; since, if it is of any importance whatever to any portion of the human family to profess a certain creed, it is also highly necessary, that the principal features at least of this creed should be familiar to all who profess the same. I claim no great literary merit on account of the present performance; for, although the labour bestowed on it has been very great, and considerable additions and alterations made (particularly to the tenth and eleventh chapters), yet, the road was already so clearly pointed out by the very learned author of the original, that I had nothing more to do, than to make as good a use of the materials, as my limited abilities and inexperience would permit. How I have succeeded, I leave others to judge; and claim no particular indulgence, because it is my first literary performance of any note. But at the same time I beg leave to state, that I shall not hold myself responsible for any difference of opinion, which may happen to exist between myself and any of my readers; and I hope, that this difference will not, as in justice it should not, deprive me of as candid and impartial a judgment, as though we agreed upon every point. If I have not obtained the good opinion of the public, I have endeavoured to deserve it. For in the first place, I have spared no application to render the work, though small in size, as perfect as I could possibly make it; and next, I flatter myself, that the typographical execution is of such general correctness as will strike every one as worthy of commendation. I can safely aver, that the Hebrew, which is distributed throughout these pages, will be found to be as free from errors as can well be expected, for every passage has been carefully revised with the best editions of the Bible. That some small errors may nevertheless have escaped both in the English and Hebrew, despite of the care bestowed upon both, I cannot doubt; but no one can demand perfection, when perfection is beyond the reach of man, and literary labours must share the fate of every other human undertaking. The design of this work is the instruction of the younger part of Israelites, of both sexes, who have previously acquired some knowledge of the fundamental part, in the principal topics of their religion. As to the manner of using it to advantage, I would recommend its introduction into schools, wherever these are established, or to be used as a book of instruction in families. Let the scholars learn several paragraphs, both the Hebrew and the English, by heart; but care should be taken, that the task given them should be no more than they can conveniently get through, as I conceive it highly absurd to give children such long lessons, that they must leave them unattended to, or at best study them but very imperfectly. It would also be very adviseable to explain the lesson in general terms, when first given out, and more at length when the scholars recite; and, if possible, the construction of the Hebrew sentences, and the mode of reading this language without points, should at the same time be taught, and children might thus easily become acquainted with a number of elegant extracts from the Bible, whilst they at the same time acquire a thorough knowledge of the principal articles of their religion. Those, who do not understand Hebrew, and have no means of becoming acquainted with it, can also make good use of this book, as almost every word has been carefully rendered into English. In these translations I have been guided by Jewish commentators and versions, chiefly those of the great Rabbi Moses Mendelsohn, to whose genius, guided by God's providence, we are indebted for many benefits, and in particular to the light of science which we now enjoy. I also would recommend to my readers, the younger portion especially, not to be satisfied with a mere casual perusal of this, but to give it now and then a share of their attention; and I trust, that the advantage they will derive from the reading of this little work, will compensate them for the time spent in its perusal. The indulgent reader, I hope, will not accuse me of presumption, for offering these remarks to his consideration; since it is but fair, that I, having some experience in this matter, and the welfare of our community deeply at heart, should be permitted to make a few observations on the use of a book, on which I have bestowed my undivided attention for several months. It is universally acknowledged, that there is a great scarcity of elementary books of this kind amongst us; and this is, therefore, the first of a series, which is attempted, to remedy this defect; as I intend to present more works of this kind to the consideration of the public, if the encouragement held out for this will warrant me in the undertaking. The patrons of this will no doubt recollect, that I last winter issued proposals for this and another work; but the assistance, hitherto promised, is far from sufficient to pay the expenses of the publication even of this alone, and I was obliged to assume the publication myself, as no bookseller was willing to undertake it. I hope, that this will be a sufficient apology to those, who have subscribed for both, for the appearance of one only at the present, as it cannot be expected that I should run the risk of too great a loss. But they may rest assured, that I shall put the said work to press as soon as possible, and the execution shall fully equal that of the present, if the Almighty blesses me with sufficient strength and health to attend to it. From the specimen here offered, the public can judge of my claims to its patronage; and those who judge favourably, it is hoped, will extend their assistance to the proposed publication. I would add, that the price will be raised, immediately after publication, to those who may not have previously subscribed. Persons wishing to subscribe may apply to me personally, or to the following gentlemen, who have kindly promised to act as agents:-the Rev. Mr. Seixas and Mr. J. B. Kursheedt, New York; Mr. Jacob Mordecai, and the Editors of the Whig, Richmond, Va.; Mr. Jacob I. Cohen, Baltimore; Mr. Eleazer Block, Cincinnati, Ohio; Mr. Nathan Hart and Dr. Jacob De La Motta, Charleston, S. C.; Mr. Moses Sarfaty, Kingston, Jamaica; and Messrs. Lewis Allen and J. L. Hackenburg, Philadelphia. To the patrons of this undertaking I return my sincerest thanks, and those of other persuasions may rest assured, that I feel their kindness very sensibly, and that it shall be my constant endeavour to prove to all, that their confidence has not been misplaced. Some persons may perhaps wish to know, why I should undertake this task? To this I simply answer: Having been appointed lately a fellow-labourer in the vineyard of the Lord, I thought it best to transplant this foreign shoot into that part of the vineyard entrusted to my care. May then its branches spread over a wide surface, to shade and shelter the weary, and may its good fruit be plentiful, and refresh many a hungry traveller in the path of life. This is the sincere wish and the only reason of the humble servant of his brethren, PHILADELPHIA, 5590. ISAAC LEESER. |