APPENDIX TO LECTUREVI.A.Rex vicecomiti Mall. Salutem. Cum nuper pacem nostram per totum regnum nostrum publicè proclamari fecimus, et eam omnibus et singulis de regno nostro tam Judæis, quam Christianis observari præcepimus, et præcipimus quod Judæi nostri de Bruges in balliva tua manuteneas, et defendas, ita quod eis pax nostra, prout ejus per totum regnum nostrum proclamari fecimus, inviolabiliter observetur. Et non exigas vel exigi permittas ab eisdem redemptiones vel alias extorsiones ad opus nostrum, vel alicujus alterius, nisi quatenus ad debita nostra, seu DominiHenriciregis patris nostri, seu tallagia, aut alia ad quæ de jure tenentur ab eis levanda, de nostro, aut ejusdem Domini Henr. patris nostri mandato warrantum habueris. Datum,&c.apud Westm. 15 die Junii.B.Rex dilectis et fidelibus suis Stephano de Pentecester, Waltero de Helynn, et Johanni de Cobham, justiciariis suis ad placita transgressionum monetæ audiendaet terminanda assignatis, et dilecto clerico suo Philippo de Wylegheby, Salutem. Quia datum est nobis intelligi, quod quidam Judæi regni nostri, fidem Catholicam, et Sacra Ecclesiastica, hactenus diversimode blasphemare non formidarunt nec adhuc formidant, in Divini nominis contumeliam, et totius Christianæ professionis opprobrium; nos hujusmodi blasphemias, sicut principem Catholicum decet, reprimi cupientes: volumus, quod nullus Judæus taliter de cætero blasphemare præsumat; videlicet, aliquod erroneum, detestabile aut abbominabile dicendo vel faciendo, in blasphemia crucifixi, fidei Catholicæ, seu beatissimæ matris Mariæ Virginis, seu Ecclesiasticorum Sacramentorum. Volumus etiam, quod hoc, per omnia loca regni nostri in quibus Judæi morantur, publice proclamatur; et ne aliquis Judæus sub periculo vitæ et membrorum talia facere vel dicere præsumat. Et si quis notorius blasphemator invenietur, ita quod per inquisitionem per Sacramentum Christianorum bonorum et graviorum inde convinci possit evidenter; volumus quod quilibet talis puniretur secundum quod in hujusmodi casibus alias fieri consuevit.—Claus.7. E. 1, m. 6, dors.C.Rex Justic. suis ad custodiam Judæorum assignatis, Salutem. Monstraverunt nobis Mosseus de Hornden et Suetecota, uxor ejus, Judæi Lond. quod cum ipsa Suetecota Christiana non sit, nec aliquo tempore fuerat baptizata, quidam emuli eorum, maliciose confingentesipsam Suetecotam baptizatam fuisse inter duo bella de Lewes et Evesham, eam super hoc defamarunt; in ipsorum Mossei et Suetecotæ dampnum non modicum et gravamen. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod, inquisita inde plenius veritate per Christianos et Judæos, sicut mos est; si inveneritis quod prædicta Suetecota non fuit baptizata, sicut sibi imponitur, tunc iisdem Mosseo et Suetecotæ, juxta officii vestri debitum, pacem habere inde faciatis.—Claus.16. E. 1, m. 20.D.Rex vicecomitibus et omnibus ballivis et fidelibus suis, Salutem. Cum dilecti nobis in Christo fratres de ordine Prædicatorum in Anglia, Judæis, quorum mentes vetustas erroris, et perfidiæ, obnubilat, et obcæcat, prædicare proponunt Verbum Dei, quo facilius, interveniente gratia Spiritus Sancti, ad fidei Catholicæ converti valeant unitatem; et ob hoc, dilectus nobis in Christo, Prior Provincialis ejusdem ordinis nobis supplicavit, ut vobis demus in mandatis quod omnes Judæos, ubicunque locorum in ballivis vestris conversantes, efficaciter moneatis, et inducatis, quod in locis, ubi vobis de consilio fratrum ipsorum magis expedire videbitur, ad audiendum Verbum Dei conveniant, et illud ab iisdem fratribus, absque tumultu, contentione, vel blasphemia, audiant diligenter et benigne: et si forte Altissimus velamen duritiæ a cordibus eorum auferens aliquibus vel alicui ipsorum Judæorum gratiam dederit convertendi, quod cæteri Judæi eis super hoc non impediant, nec per alios impediri procurent: Nos prædictumpropositum ipsorum fratrum pium et salubre attendentes, et precibus prædicti Prioris favorabiliter annuentes, in hac parte, vobis mandamus, quod omnes efficaciter moneatis, et eos ad hoc, modis quibus melius sciveritis, inducatis, prout unicuique vestrum inspiraverit spiritus veritatis. In cujus&c.quamdiu regi placuerit duraturas. Teste rege apud Winton. 2 die Januar.—Pat. 8 E. 1. m. 27.E.Johannes de sancto Dionysio, Custos Domus conversorum, tulit breve regis, de magno sigillo, in hæc verba. Edwardus,&c.Justiciariis ad Custodiam Judæorum,&c.assignatis, Salutem. Ex parte conversorum domus nostræ London. Nobis est ostensum, quod cum medietas bonorum, et catallorum, Judæorum conversorum seu convertendorum, ad fidem Catholicam, ad conversos domûs nostræ prædictae, ratione concessionis nostræ eis inde factæ pertineat, alia medietate, illis qui sic a tempore concessionis nostræ prædictæ convertuntur, reservata: ac Belager Judæus Oxon. nuper ad fidem Catholicam se converterit&c.ideo mandamus&c.T. R. apud Woodstock, 25 die Aprilis, an. Reg. nostr. nono.—Rot. placit. term. Pasche 9. E. 1. r. 7.Per hoc breve liberantur eidem Johanni, bona, et catalla subscripta, videlicet, unus Liber Prest. Constit. precii 12d.; unus Græcismus precii 6d.; una Legenda, precii 10d.; unum Doctrinale Magnum, precii 1d.; quidam Liber Constitutionum, precii 4s.; quidam Codex, precii 16s.; quoddam Insciatum, precii 16s.,&c.F.Rex dilectis et fidelibus suis Stephano de Pentecester, Waltero de Heylin, et Johanni de Cobham, justiciariis ad placita transgressionis monetæ audienda, Salutem. Quia omnes Judæi nuper rectati, et per certam suspicionem indictati de retonsione monetæ nostræ, et inde convicti cum ultimo supplicio puniuntur; et quidam eorum, eadem occasione omnia bona et catalla sua forisfecerunt, et in prisonam nostram liberantur, in eadem, ad voluntatem nostram detinendi. Et cum accepimus quod plures Christiani, ob odium Judæorum, propter discrepantiam fidei Christianæ, et ritus Judæorum, et diversa gravamina per ipsos Judæos Christianis hactenus illata, quosdam Judæos nondum rectatos, nec indictatos, de transgressione monetæ, per leves et voluntarias accusationes, accusare et indictare, de die in diem, nituntur, et proponunt; imponentes eis, ad terrorem ipsorum, quod de hujusmodi transgressione culpabiles existunt, et sic per minas hujusmodi accusationis ipsis Judæis metum incutiunt, ut pecuniam extorqueant ab iisdem: ita quod ipsi Judæi super hoc ad legem suam sæpe ponuntur, in vitæ suæ periculum manifestum. Volumus quod omnes Judæi qui ante primum diem Maii, prox præteritum indictati, vel per certam suspicionem rectati non fuerunt de transgressione monetæ prædictæ, et qui facere voluerunt finem, juxta discretionem vestram, ad opus nostrum, pro sic quod non occasionentur de hujusmodi transgressionibus factis ante primum diem Maii, propter novas accusationes Christianorum post eundumdiem inde factas non molestentur, sed pacem inde habeant in futurum. Proviso, quod Judæi indictati, vel per certam suspicionem rectati de hujusmodi transgressionibus ante prædictum diem Maii, judicium subeant coram vobis, juxta formam prius inde ordinatam, et provisam. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod fines hujusmodi capiatis, et præmissa fieri, et observari faciatis, in forma prædicta.—Teste Rege apud Cantuar. 8 die Maii.—Claus.7. E. 1, m. 7.G.הי״ח האי אשר נקרא היום אינגלאטירה נעשה שם שמד גדול ועצום בכל אותם קהלות גדולות ועצומות אשר היו שם בימים ההם בחכמה ובינה וכבוד וביחוד העיר הגדולה הנקראת לונדריש אשר היו שם קרוב לשני אלפים בעלי בתים כלם אנשים בעלי חכמה ועושר ושם עשה החכם ר׳ אבדהם בן עזרא אגרת קראה אגרת שבת והשמד היה שימירו דתם וכאשר עמדו על קדושת השם העלילו עליהם שהיו עושים זיוף במטבע ובאה תביעה זו לפני המלך והמלך חקר ודרש ומצא כי המצלילים המזויפים היו מטילים האשמה על היהורים ונמלטו׃ לימים שבו הנוצרים ובקשו מי שיעיד נגד היהודים ומצאו כרצונם איך ראו יהודי קוצץ המטבע ואף על פי שידע המלך כי הכל שקר מפניהמיית העם בקש להשליך מעליו תרעומות אלו ושמא יקומו העם וחרב בידם כדרכם ואין מציל צוה וגרשם והיה הגירוש זה שנת חמשת אלפים ועשרים ליצירה.H.בשנת ה אלפים כ׳ כומר אחד נימול באינגילטרה כדי להנשא עם יהודית שנתלהב באהבתה ויודע הדבר |לבני העיר והיורוצים לשרפם אבל המלך בחר לעשות הנקמה בדרך אחרת וגזר כי תוך ג׳ חדשים ימירו ואשר מלו הכומר שרפו ורבים מהם המירו ויקחו כל בניהם מו׳ שנים ולמטה ויוליכום לסוף מלכותו למען ישכחו מנהג אבותיהם היהודים וימת המלך וימלוך בנו תהתיו ותכף בא על מלכותו דבר ורעב ויאמרו יועציו כי לחטאת היהודים שאינם מאמינים היטיב בא העונש להם ויעש שני אהלים על חוף הים על א׳ צייר צורת מרעה״ ושמו ועל אחר צייר משיחם ויאמר עליהם כי מרשה להם להתיהד ולא יכריח שום מהם לשום דבר אמנם כדי להכיר מי יהודי רוצה שהמתיהדים יכנסו באהל מרעה״ וקבלו עליהם לעשותו ורבים מהם נכנסו באהל מרעה״ ואחר הכנסם היו שם מרצחים אותם ומשליכים בים וכן ספו תמו כלם׃Both Ben Virga and Rabbi G’daliah apparently fixed the date of the expulsion of the Jews from this countryA.M.5020, orA.D.1260, which is decidedly erroneous. Asher’s inscription on the wall of the Winchester dungeon controvertsit.1Selden ingeniously, and I dare say correctly, proposes to readנinstead ofכ, which proposal reconciles the apparent contradiction. No mistake is more likely to occur with transcribers, than writing down aכinstead ofנ.1– Seepp.379,380.I.To the Editor of the Jewish Chronicle.Dear Sir,—As a constant reader of your well conducted Journal, I venture to hope that you will kindly afford me space in it for the insertion of these few lines.I am anxious to know how the following two statements are to be reconciled:—“But, let me tell you, that you had great men men living in England eight hundred years ago. The sayings of the wise men of Norwich and of York are quoted in some of the additions made by the expounders of the Talmud.”—Moses Samuels’ Address on the Position of the Jews in Britain,p. 27.“Von Schulen ist keine Spur in England, daher auch nicht von Gelehrten; kein dortiger Rabbiner hat einen Platz in den Jüdischen Jahrbüchern der Gelehrten. Zum Studiren war keine Zeit, und keine Ehre lockte unde stärkte den Wissbegierigen.”—J. M. Jost’s Geschichte der Israeliten,vol. vii.,p. 165.I know there is a current opinion amongst the Jews of England in favour ofMr.Samuels’ statement; but after reading through the Talmud again very carefully, at the expense of a great deal of time, and finding that “the sayings of the wise men of Norwich and of York” either escaped my eye, or are omitted in my copy (באמשטרדם לפרט תע׳ו), I bethought me to apply to you. Perhaps this letter may elicit from some of your numerous well-educated readers a reconciliation of the above. Ben Virgamentions the learning of the ancient Jews of Britain, but does not say anything about Norwich and York. He only says,הי״ח האי אשר נקרא היום אנגלאטירה נעשה שם שמד גדול ועצים בכל אותם קהלות גדולות ועצמות אשר היו שם בימים ההם בחכמה ובינה וכבוד וביחוד העיר הגדולה לונדרוש אשר היו שם קרוב לשני אלפים בעלי בתים כלם אנשים בעלי חכמה ועושר וכו׳. An early insertion will greatly oblige me.I am, dear Sir, yours very truly,Moses Margoliouth.Glasnevin, Dublin, August 18, 1845.See Jewish Chronicle,Vol. I.,No. 27.K.The following brief account of De Lyra is given by Bishop Bale in his “Illustrium Majoris Britanniæ Catalogus.”“Nicolaus Lyranus ex Judæorum genere Anglus; atque Hebræorum Rabbinos in literis Hebraicis ab ipsa pueritia nutritus, illud idioma sanctum ad unguem, ut loquuntur, novit. Qui mox ut frequentasset scholas publicas, ac minoritarum quorundam sincerioris judicii audisset conciones; abhorrere coepit a Talmudicis doctrinis, atque ita a tota sua gentis insania stultissima. Conversus ergo ad Christi fidem, ac regenerationis lavacro lotus, Franciscanorum familiæ, se statim adjunxit. Inter quos scripturis sanctis studiosissimus ac longa exercitatione peritus, Oxonii et Parisiis, cum insulsissimis Rabbinis, qui plebem Judaicum vana Messiæ adventuri pollicitatione lactaverant, disputationibus et scriptis, mirifice conflictavit. Denique contra eorum apertissimas blasphemias,utrumque Dei testamentum diligentiori examine et elucidatione explanavit. Si in plerisque, ut ei a multis imponitur, deliravit, tempori est imputandum, in quo fere omnia erant hypocritarum nebulis obscurata. Meliorem certe cæteris omnibus per eam ætatem navavit in scripturis operam. De verborum simplicitate non est quod conqueritentur homines, cum a vocabulis æstimanda non sit æterni patris veritas. Præclara scripsit opuscula, ut prædictus Tritemius habet, quibus nomen suum celebriter devenit ad posteritatis notitiam.—Doctor Martinus Lutherus, in secundo et nono capitibus in Genesim, se ideo dicit amavisse Lyranum atque inter optimos posuisse, quod præ cæteris interpretibus diligenter fuerit historiam prosecutus. Claruit A.C. 1337, quo Danielem exposuit, ac Parisiis demum obiisse fertur.”THE END.
APPENDIX TO LECTUREVI.
A.
Rex vicecomiti Mall. Salutem. Cum nuper pacem nostram per totum regnum nostrum publicè proclamari fecimus, et eam omnibus et singulis de regno nostro tam Judæis, quam Christianis observari præcepimus, et præcipimus quod Judæi nostri de Bruges in balliva tua manuteneas, et defendas, ita quod eis pax nostra, prout ejus per totum regnum nostrum proclamari fecimus, inviolabiliter observetur. Et non exigas vel exigi permittas ab eisdem redemptiones vel alias extorsiones ad opus nostrum, vel alicujus alterius, nisi quatenus ad debita nostra, seu DominiHenriciregis patris nostri, seu tallagia, aut alia ad quæ de jure tenentur ab eis levanda, de nostro, aut ejusdem Domini Henr. patris nostri mandato warrantum habueris. Datum,&c.apud Westm. 15 die Junii.
B.
Rex dilectis et fidelibus suis Stephano de Pentecester, Waltero de Helynn, et Johanni de Cobham, justiciariis suis ad placita transgressionum monetæ audiendaet terminanda assignatis, et dilecto clerico suo Philippo de Wylegheby, Salutem. Quia datum est nobis intelligi, quod quidam Judæi regni nostri, fidem Catholicam, et Sacra Ecclesiastica, hactenus diversimode blasphemare non formidarunt nec adhuc formidant, in Divini nominis contumeliam, et totius Christianæ professionis opprobrium; nos hujusmodi blasphemias, sicut principem Catholicum decet, reprimi cupientes: volumus, quod nullus Judæus taliter de cætero blasphemare præsumat; videlicet, aliquod erroneum, detestabile aut abbominabile dicendo vel faciendo, in blasphemia crucifixi, fidei Catholicæ, seu beatissimæ matris Mariæ Virginis, seu Ecclesiasticorum Sacramentorum. Volumus etiam, quod hoc, per omnia loca regni nostri in quibus Judæi morantur, publice proclamatur; et ne aliquis Judæus sub periculo vitæ et membrorum talia facere vel dicere præsumat. Et si quis notorius blasphemator invenietur, ita quod per inquisitionem per Sacramentum Christianorum bonorum et graviorum inde convinci possit evidenter; volumus quod quilibet talis puniretur secundum quod in hujusmodi casibus alias fieri consuevit.—Claus.7. E. 1, m. 6, dors.
C.
Rex Justic. suis ad custodiam Judæorum assignatis, Salutem. Monstraverunt nobis Mosseus de Hornden et Suetecota, uxor ejus, Judæi Lond. quod cum ipsa Suetecota Christiana non sit, nec aliquo tempore fuerat baptizata, quidam emuli eorum, maliciose confingentesipsam Suetecotam baptizatam fuisse inter duo bella de Lewes et Evesham, eam super hoc defamarunt; in ipsorum Mossei et Suetecotæ dampnum non modicum et gravamen. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod, inquisita inde plenius veritate per Christianos et Judæos, sicut mos est; si inveneritis quod prædicta Suetecota non fuit baptizata, sicut sibi imponitur, tunc iisdem Mosseo et Suetecotæ, juxta officii vestri debitum, pacem habere inde faciatis.—Claus.16. E. 1, m. 20.
D.
Rex vicecomitibus et omnibus ballivis et fidelibus suis, Salutem. Cum dilecti nobis in Christo fratres de ordine Prædicatorum in Anglia, Judæis, quorum mentes vetustas erroris, et perfidiæ, obnubilat, et obcæcat, prædicare proponunt Verbum Dei, quo facilius, interveniente gratia Spiritus Sancti, ad fidei Catholicæ converti valeant unitatem; et ob hoc, dilectus nobis in Christo, Prior Provincialis ejusdem ordinis nobis supplicavit, ut vobis demus in mandatis quod omnes Judæos, ubicunque locorum in ballivis vestris conversantes, efficaciter moneatis, et inducatis, quod in locis, ubi vobis de consilio fratrum ipsorum magis expedire videbitur, ad audiendum Verbum Dei conveniant, et illud ab iisdem fratribus, absque tumultu, contentione, vel blasphemia, audiant diligenter et benigne: et si forte Altissimus velamen duritiæ a cordibus eorum auferens aliquibus vel alicui ipsorum Judæorum gratiam dederit convertendi, quod cæteri Judæi eis super hoc non impediant, nec per alios impediri procurent: Nos prædictumpropositum ipsorum fratrum pium et salubre attendentes, et precibus prædicti Prioris favorabiliter annuentes, in hac parte, vobis mandamus, quod omnes efficaciter moneatis, et eos ad hoc, modis quibus melius sciveritis, inducatis, prout unicuique vestrum inspiraverit spiritus veritatis. In cujus&c.quamdiu regi placuerit duraturas. Teste rege apud Winton. 2 die Januar.—Pat. 8 E. 1. m. 27.
E.
Johannes de sancto Dionysio, Custos Domus conversorum, tulit breve regis, de magno sigillo, in hæc verba. Edwardus,&c.Justiciariis ad Custodiam Judæorum,&c.assignatis, Salutem. Ex parte conversorum domus nostræ London. Nobis est ostensum, quod cum medietas bonorum, et catallorum, Judæorum conversorum seu convertendorum, ad fidem Catholicam, ad conversos domûs nostræ prædictae, ratione concessionis nostræ eis inde factæ pertineat, alia medietate, illis qui sic a tempore concessionis nostræ prædictæ convertuntur, reservata: ac Belager Judæus Oxon. nuper ad fidem Catholicam se converterit&c.ideo mandamus&c.T. R. apud Woodstock, 25 die Aprilis, an. Reg. nostr. nono.—Rot. placit. term. Pasche 9. E. 1. r. 7.
Per hoc breve liberantur eidem Johanni, bona, et catalla subscripta, videlicet, unus Liber Prest. Constit. precii 12d.; unus Græcismus precii 6d.; una Legenda, precii 10d.; unum Doctrinale Magnum, precii 1d.; quidam Liber Constitutionum, precii 4s.; quidam Codex, precii 16s.; quoddam Insciatum, precii 16s.,&c.
F.
Rex dilectis et fidelibus suis Stephano de Pentecester, Waltero de Heylin, et Johanni de Cobham, justiciariis ad placita transgressionis monetæ audienda, Salutem. Quia omnes Judæi nuper rectati, et per certam suspicionem indictati de retonsione monetæ nostræ, et inde convicti cum ultimo supplicio puniuntur; et quidam eorum, eadem occasione omnia bona et catalla sua forisfecerunt, et in prisonam nostram liberantur, in eadem, ad voluntatem nostram detinendi. Et cum accepimus quod plures Christiani, ob odium Judæorum, propter discrepantiam fidei Christianæ, et ritus Judæorum, et diversa gravamina per ipsos Judæos Christianis hactenus illata, quosdam Judæos nondum rectatos, nec indictatos, de transgressione monetæ, per leves et voluntarias accusationes, accusare et indictare, de die in diem, nituntur, et proponunt; imponentes eis, ad terrorem ipsorum, quod de hujusmodi transgressione culpabiles existunt, et sic per minas hujusmodi accusationis ipsis Judæis metum incutiunt, ut pecuniam extorqueant ab iisdem: ita quod ipsi Judæi super hoc ad legem suam sæpe ponuntur, in vitæ suæ periculum manifestum. Volumus quod omnes Judæi qui ante primum diem Maii, prox præteritum indictati, vel per certam suspicionem rectati non fuerunt de transgressione monetæ prædictæ, et qui facere voluerunt finem, juxta discretionem vestram, ad opus nostrum, pro sic quod non occasionentur de hujusmodi transgressionibus factis ante primum diem Maii, propter novas accusationes Christianorum post eundumdiem inde factas non molestentur, sed pacem inde habeant in futurum. Proviso, quod Judæi indictati, vel per certam suspicionem rectati de hujusmodi transgressionibus ante prædictum diem Maii, judicium subeant coram vobis, juxta formam prius inde ordinatam, et provisam. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod fines hujusmodi capiatis, et præmissa fieri, et observari faciatis, in forma prædicta.—Teste Rege apud Cantuar. 8 die Maii.—Claus.7. E. 1, m. 7.
G.
הי״ח האי אשר נקרא היום אינגלאטירה נעשה שם שמד גדול ועצום בכל אותם קהלות גדולות ועצומות אשר היו שם בימים ההם בחכמה ובינה וכבוד וביחוד העיר הגדולה הנקראת לונדריש אשר היו שם קרוב לשני אלפים בעלי בתים כלם אנשים בעלי חכמה ועושר ושם עשה החכם ר׳ אבדהם בן עזרא אגרת קראה אגרת שבת והשמד היה שימירו דתם וכאשר עמדו על קדושת השם העלילו עליהם שהיו עושים זיוף במטבע ובאה תביעה זו לפני המלך והמלך חקר ודרש ומצא כי המצלילים המזויפים היו מטילים האשמה על היהורים ונמלטו׃ לימים שבו הנוצרים ובקשו מי שיעיד נגד היהודים ומצאו כרצונם איך ראו יהודי קוצץ המטבע ואף על פי שידע המלך כי הכל שקר מפניהמיית העם בקש להשליך מעליו תרעומות אלו ושמא יקומו העם וחרב בידם כדרכם ואין מציל צוה וגרשם והיה הגירוש זה שנת חמשת אלפים ועשרים ליצירה.
H.
בשנת ה אלפים כ׳ כומר אחד נימול באינגילטרה כדי להנשא עם יהודית שנתלהב באהבתה ויודע הדבר |לבני העיר והיורוצים לשרפם אבל המלך בחר לעשות הנקמה בדרך אחרת וגזר כי תוך ג׳ חדשים ימירו ואשר מלו הכומר שרפו ורבים מהם המירו ויקחו כל בניהם מו׳ שנים ולמטה ויוליכום לסוף מלכותו למען ישכחו מנהג אבותיהם היהודים וימת המלך וימלוך בנו תהתיו ותכף בא על מלכותו דבר ורעב ויאמרו יועציו כי לחטאת היהודים שאינם מאמינים היטיב בא העונש להם ויעש שני אהלים על חוף הים על א׳ צייר צורת מרעה״ ושמו ועל אחר צייר משיחם ויאמר עליהם כי מרשה להם להתיהד ולא יכריח שום מהם לשום דבר אמנם כדי להכיר מי יהודי רוצה שהמתיהדים יכנסו באהל מרעה״ וקבלו עליהם לעשותו ורבים מהם נכנסו באהל מרעה״ ואחר הכנסם היו שם מרצחים אותם ומשליכים בים וכן ספו תמו כלם׃
Both Ben Virga and Rabbi G’daliah apparently fixed the date of the expulsion of the Jews from this countryA.M.5020, orA.D.1260, which is decidedly erroneous. Asher’s inscription on the wall of the Winchester dungeon controvertsit.1Selden ingeniously, and I dare say correctly, proposes to readנinstead ofכ, which proposal reconciles the apparent contradiction. No mistake is more likely to occur with transcribers, than writing down aכinstead ofנ.
1– Seepp.379,380.
I.
To the Editor of the Jewish Chronicle.
Dear Sir,—As a constant reader of your well conducted Journal, I venture to hope that you will kindly afford me space in it for the insertion of these few lines.
I am anxious to know how the following two statements are to be reconciled:—“But, let me tell you, that you had great men men living in England eight hundred years ago. The sayings of the wise men of Norwich and of York are quoted in some of the additions made by the expounders of the Talmud.”—Moses Samuels’ Address on the Position of the Jews in Britain,p. 27.“Von Schulen ist keine Spur in England, daher auch nicht von Gelehrten; kein dortiger Rabbiner hat einen Platz in den Jüdischen Jahrbüchern der Gelehrten. Zum Studiren war keine Zeit, und keine Ehre lockte unde stärkte den Wissbegierigen.”—J. M. Jost’s Geschichte der Israeliten,vol. vii.,p. 165.
I know there is a current opinion amongst the Jews of England in favour ofMr.Samuels’ statement; but after reading through the Talmud again very carefully, at the expense of a great deal of time, and finding that “the sayings of the wise men of Norwich and of York” either escaped my eye, or are omitted in my copy (באמשטרדם לפרט תע׳ו), I bethought me to apply to you. Perhaps this letter may elicit from some of your numerous well-educated readers a reconciliation of the above. Ben Virgamentions the learning of the ancient Jews of Britain, but does not say anything about Norwich and York. He only says,הי״ח האי אשר נקרא היום אנגלאטירה נעשה שם שמד גדול ועצים בכל אותם קהלות גדולות ועצמות אשר היו שם בימים ההם בחכמה ובינה וכבוד וביחוד העיר הגדולה לונדרוש אשר היו שם קרוב לשני אלפים בעלי בתים כלם אנשים בעלי חכמה ועושר וכו׳. An early insertion will greatly oblige me.
I am, dear Sir, yours very truly,
Moses Margoliouth.
Glasnevin, Dublin, August 18, 1845.
See Jewish Chronicle,Vol. I.,No. 27.
K.
The following brief account of De Lyra is given by Bishop Bale in his “Illustrium Majoris Britanniæ Catalogus.”
“Nicolaus Lyranus ex Judæorum genere Anglus; atque Hebræorum Rabbinos in literis Hebraicis ab ipsa pueritia nutritus, illud idioma sanctum ad unguem, ut loquuntur, novit. Qui mox ut frequentasset scholas publicas, ac minoritarum quorundam sincerioris judicii audisset conciones; abhorrere coepit a Talmudicis doctrinis, atque ita a tota sua gentis insania stultissima. Conversus ergo ad Christi fidem, ac regenerationis lavacro lotus, Franciscanorum familiæ, se statim adjunxit. Inter quos scripturis sanctis studiosissimus ac longa exercitatione peritus, Oxonii et Parisiis, cum insulsissimis Rabbinis, qui plebem Judaicum vana Messiæ adventuri pollicitatione lactaverant, disputationibus et scriptis, mirifice conflictavit. Denique contra eorum apertissimas blasphemias,utrumque Dei testamentum diligentiori examine et elucidatione explanavit. Si in plerisque, ut ei a multis imponitur, deliravit, tempori est imputandum, in quo fere omnia erant hypocritarum nebulis obscurata. Meliorem certe cæteris omnibus per eam ætatem navavit in scripturis operam. De verborum simplicitate non est quod conqueritentur homines, cum a vocabulis æstimanda non sit æterni patris veritas. Præclara scripsit opuscula, ut prædictus Tritemius habet, quibus nomen suum celebriter devenit ad posteritatis notitiam.—Doctor Martinus Lutherus, in secundo et nono capitibus in Genesim, se ideo dicit amavisse Lyranum atque inter optimos posuisse, quod præ cæteris interpretibus diligenter fuerit historiam prosecutus. Claruit A.C. 1337, quo Danielem exposuit, ac Parisiis demum obiisse fertur.”
THE END.
PROSPECTUSOF THEPHILO-HEBRAIC SOCIETY,For Promoting the Study of Hebrew Literature,AND ESPECIALLY FOR REPRINTING THOSE WORKS OF HEBREW WHICH HAVE NOW BECOME SCARCE AND RARELY TO BE MET WITH.COMMITTEE.President—THEREV.THE PROVOST OF TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN.Revs.S. Hinds,D.D.Revs.C. P. Reichel.Revs.J. West,D.D.Revs.T. Cradock.Revs.A. Campbell.Revs.M. Rainsford.Revs.M. Margoliouth.Dr.Litton.Revs.G. H. Carroll.G. A. Crawford,Esq.TheCommittee of the above Society beg leave to draw your attention to the reasons of its establishment, and solicit your co-operation with it. The beauties of Hebrew literature have been long and fully admitted by the few whose superior tastes have led them to explore its treasures, still, we regret to say, too little known. The necessary brevity of a Prospectus prevents the Committee saying much on the importance of a knowledge of that literature, especially to those who spend a great deal of their time in making themselves acquainted with the writings of the ancients. Suffice it to say, that those who have impartially studied the compositions of the Greeks, of the Romans, and of the Hebrews, have found the productions of the latter unrivalled either in beauty or elegance by those of the two former.It is a libel on the literary character of the Jews to say, that they confined themselves to the cultivation of one department of literature—a supposition which gave rise to the idea, that their literature is very scanty, and consists only of the Hebrew Bible and the Talmud.—The Jewish authors grace the literary pages of Spanish history as pre-eminent philosophers, philologists, physicians, astronomers, mathematicians, historians, grammarians, orators, and highly-gifted poets. The Committee have had the privilege of meeting many of the Hebrew race, highly distinguished in the above attainments, and the only education they received was a purely Hebrew one. The Jew spoke the truth when he affirmed, “That no nation in the universe can, during a continuous period of full five hundred years, produce a line of men so truly eminent, so universally learned, as can the Jews of Spain, from the year 980, until their expulsion from that kingdom in the year 1492.”—(Heb. Review,vol. ii.,p. 39.)The object of thePhilo-Hebraic Societyis—as has been already stated at the head of the Prospectus—to promote the study of Hebrew literature more than has been ever done before, by reprinting the most valuable treatises and choicest works of the Hebrew sages, such as those of Saadia Gaon, Ben Gabriol, Samuel Nagid, Kimchi, Aben Ezra, Ralbag, Maimonides, Joseph Albo, Joseph Pinso, Luzzati Mendelssohn, Weizel,&c.,&c., with translations of the same on opposite pages.The Society is formed on the principle of the Parker, Camden, and other similar Societies. Every Subscriber of One Guinea a year (Subscription to be paid in advance) will be entitled each year to two volumes, handsomely printed in octavo, and illustrated with prolegomena, biographies, and notes, by well-qualified editors.The Committee earnestly solicit the co-operation of the literary public, and would feel very much obliged for an early favour of the names of those who are interested in this important undertaking.Signed for the Committee,MOSES MARGOLIOUTH,Honorary Secretary.⁂ The Editorial department will be conducted by theRevds.G. H. Carroll,M. Margoliouth, andC. P. Reichel.N.B.—All communications to be addressed to theRev. Moses Margoliouth, Incumbent of Glasnevin, near Dublin.BY THE SAME AUTHOR.I.Just Published, price 7s.6d.,AN EXPOSITION OF THE FIFTY-THIRD CHAPTER OF ISAIAH;Being a Series of Six Lectures, preached in the Parish Church of Glasnevin.Hatchard and Son, London.W. Curry,Jun.andCo., Dublin.II.THEFUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF MODERN JUDAISM INVESTIGATED;Together with a Memoir of the Author, and an Introduction;TO WHICH ARE APPENDED,A LIST OF THE SIX HUNDRED AND THIRTEEN PRECEPTS, AND ADDRESSES TO JEWS AND CHRISTIANS.B. Wertheim, London.W. Curry,Jun.andCo., Dublin.III.Also, Price 2s.,ISRAEL’S ORDINANCES EXAMINED;AReplytoCharlotte Elizabeth’sLetter to the RightRev.the Bishop of Jerusalem.B. Wertheim, London.W. Curry,Jun.andCo., Dublin.
PROSPECTUS
OF THE
PHILO-HEBRAIC SOCIETY,
For Promoting the Study of Hebrew Literature,
AND ESPECIALLY FOR REPRINTING THOSE WORKS OF HEBREW WHICH HAVE NOW BECOME SCARCE AND RARELY TO BE MET WITH.
COMMITTEE.
President—THEREV.THE PROVOST OF TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN.
TheCommittee of the above Society beg leave to draw your attention to the reasons of its establishment, and solicit your co-operation with it. The beauties of Hebrew literature have been long and fully admitted by the few whose superior tastes have led them to explore its treasures, still, we regret to say, too little known. The necessary brevity of a Prospectus prevents the Committee saying much on the importance of a knowledge of that literature, especially to those who spend a great deal of their time in making themselves acquainted with the writings of the ancients. Suffice it to say, that those who have impartially studied the compositions of the Greeks, of the Romans, and of the Hebrews, have found the productions of the latter unrivalled either in beauty or elegance by those of the two former.
It is a libel on the literary character of the Jews to say, that they confined themselves to the cultivation of one department of literature—a supposition which gave rise to the idea, that their literature is very scanty, and consists only of the Hebrew Bible and the Talmud.—The Jewish authors grace the literary pages of Spanish history as pre-eminent philosophers, philologists, physicians, astronomers, mathematicians, historians, grammarians, orators, and highly-gifted poets. The Committee have had the privilege of meeting many of the Hebrew race, highly distinguished in the above attainments, and the only education they received was a purely Hebrew one. The Jew spoke the truth when he affirmed, “That no nation in the universe can, during a continuous period of full five hundred years, produce a line of men so truly eminent, so universally learned, as can the Jews of Spain, from the year 980, until their expulsion from that kingdom in the year 1492.”—(Heb. Review,vol. ii.,p. 39.)
The object of thePhilo-Hebraic Societyis—as has been already stated at the head of the Prospectus—to promote the study of Hebrew literature more than has been ever done before, by reprinting the most valuable treatises and choicest works of the Hebrew sages, such as those of Saadia Gaon, Ben Gabriol, Samuel Nagid, Kimchi, Aben Ezra, Ralbag, Maimonides, Joseph Albo, Joseph Pinso, Luzzati Mendelssohn, Weizel,&c.,&c., with translations of the same on opposite pages.
The Society is formed on the principle of the Parker, Camden, and other similar Societies. Every Subscriber of One Guinea a year (Subscription to be paid in advance) will be entitled each year to two volumes, handsomely printed in octavo, and illustrated with prolegomena, biographies, and notes, by well-qualified editors.
The Committee earnestly solicit the co-operation of the literary public, and would feel very much obliged for an early favour of the names of those who are interested in this important undertaking.
Signed for the Committee,
MOSES MARGOLIOUTH,
Honorary Secretary.
⁂ The Editorial department will be conducted by theRevds.G. H. Carroll,M. Margoliouth, andC. P. Reichel.
N.B.—All communications to be addressed to theRev. Moses Margoliouth, Incumbent of Glasnevin, near Dublin.
BY THE SAME AUTHOR.I.Just Published, price 7s.6d.,AN EXPOSITION OF THE FIFTY-THIRD CHAPTER OF ISAIAH;Being a Series of Six Lectures, preached in the Parish Church of Glasnevin.Hatchard and Son, London.W. Curry,Jun.andCo., Dublin.II.THEFUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF MODERN JUDAISM INVESTIGATED;Together with a Memoir of the Author, and an Introduction;TO WHICH ARE APPENDED,A LIST OF THE SIX HUNDRED AND THIRTEEN PRECEPTS, AND ADDRESSES TO JEWS AND CHRISTIANS.B. Wertheim, London.W. Curry,Jun.andCo., Dublin.III.Also, Price 2s.,ISRAEL’S ORDINANCES EXAMINED;AReplytoCharlotte Elizabeth’sLetter to the RightRev.the Bishop of Jerusalem.B. Wertheim, London.W. Curry,Jun.andCo., Dublin.
BY THE SAME AUTHOR.
I.
Just Published, price 7s.6d.,
AN EXPOSITION OF THE FIFTY-THIRD CHAPTER OF ISAIAH;
Being a Series of Six Lectures, preached in the Parish Church of Glasnevin.
Hatchard and Son, London.W. Curry,Jun.andCo., Dublin.
II.
THE
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF MODERN JUDAISM INVESTIGATED;
Together with a Memoir of the Author, and an Introduction;
TO WHICH ARE APPENDED,
A LIST OF THE SIX HUNDRED AND THIRTEEN PRECEPTS, AND ADDRESSES TO JEWS AND CHRISTIANS.
B. Wertheim, London.W. Curry,Jun.andCo., Dublin.
III.
Also, Price 2s.,
ISRAEL’S ORDINANCES EXAMINED;
AReplytoCharlotte Elizabeth’sLetter to the RightRev.the Bishop of Jerusalem.
B. Wertheim, London.W. Curry,Jun.andCo., Dublin.