2006-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/31/2006
4 page letter, neatly penned (in small, easily read hand) from Henry Goldsmith, New York May 9, 5607 [1847] “To the editor of the Occident.” He opens: “I have for several years been anxious to see some literary matter grace the pages of your periodical. Seeing however that you learned correspondents have hitherto kept themselves aloof, although [I am] not one of that number, I have resolved to send you from time to time some random notes on the holy scriptures more with a view to entice our [Hebrew word] from their hiding places then to gain popularity from anything that may issue from my pen.” At which point he ends letter with his autograph signature and then, again commencing on lower page 1 and through to page 4 he takes Biblical passages and their “authorized English versions” compares them with the Hebrew and in many instances finds the translations not according to his own ideas. Numerous Hebrew words and passages are interposed throughout. He often criticizes other translator’s interpretations and offers reasons for same. He ends letter thusly: “Now Mr. Editor what I here advance merely a suggestion and if I am wrong I shall be very happy to be corrected by some of your learned correspondents. Should this article prove palatable to your readers, I shall from time to time communicate more of my reflections on the holy scriptures, hoping that our erudite men will rouse themselves from their lethargy and give us all the benefit of their secret meditations.” He also initials his postscript. A few small notes at the top margin page 1 in Leeser’s hand that it was used in “studies in the bible No. 1” and another smaller note also evident that throughout the pages where Goldsmith has entered words and phrases in Hebrew that Leeser has gone over it and entered in his own hand much neater the printed Hebrew letters for use by the typesetter. It is known that Goldsmith’s letter was published in the Occident, Volume 5 of 1847 in “unrevised” form. It is noted in “The Rise of the Jewish Community in New York 1654-1860” by H. B. Grinstein (pub by J. P. S. 1945) that Goldsmith taught Hebrew school at congregation B’nai Jeshurun, N.Y. circa 1840’s and was “highly praised for his fine work” and that he “…adapted the method considered best at that time for the teaching of foreign languages to the teaching of Hebrew from the Pentateuch”………………
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