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PREFACE
PREFACE
The Jewish Historical Society of England, soon after its establishment, resolved on the publication of the present volume as a memorial of Menasseh ben Israel, whose name must always hold the chief place on the first page of the history of the present Anglo-Jewish community. The Society did me the honour of entrusting me with the preparation of the work. Menasseh’s tracts have been printed in facsimile. They have not been reproduced by any photographic process, but have been entirely reset in ty
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THE RETURN OF THE JEWS TO ENGLAND
THE RETURN OF THE JEWS TO ENGLAND
Shrouded in the fogs of the North Sea, the British Isles were, for two centuries after the Great Expulsion by Edward I., little more than a bitter memory to the Jewish people. In other lands they came and went, but England was as securely closed against them as was the Egypt of Danaus to the Greeks. With the exception of a few adventurous pilgrims who trickled into the country to enjoy the hospitality of the Domus Conversorum, they ceased gradually to think of the land which had been so signal a
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TO THE Parliament, The Supream Court of England, And to the Right Honourable the Councell of State, Menasseh Ben Israel, prayes God to give Health, and all Happinesse:
TO THE Parliament, The Supream Court of England, And to the Right Honourable the Councell of State, Menasseh Ben Israel, prayes God to give Health, and all Happinesse:
It is not one cause alone (most renowned Fathers) which useth to move those, who desire by their Meditations to benefit Mankind, and to make them come forth in publique, to dedicate their Books to great Men; for some, and those the most, are incited by Covetousnesse, that they may get money by so doing, or some peece of Plate of gold, or Silver; sometimes also that they may obtaine their Votes, and suffrages to get some place for themselves, or their friends. But some are moved thereto by meere
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Menasseh Ben Israel, To the Courteous Reader.
Menasseh Ben Israel, To the Courteous Reader.
There are as many minds as men, about the originall of the people of America and of the first Inhabitants of the new World, and of the West Indyes; for how many men soever they were or are, they came of those two , Adam, and Eve; and consequently of Noah, after the Flood, but that new World doth seem wholly separated from the old, therefore it must be that some did passe thither out of one (at least) of the three parts of the world sc. Europe, Asia, and Africa; but the doubt is, what people were
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The Translator to the Reader.
The Translator to the Reader.
This discourse of a Jew comming to my hand, and having perused it, I thought it not inconvenient to make it speake English ; for the benefit of my Country-men, who wait for the redemption of Israel ; and at the same time of the Gentiles also. That the Author is a Jew , ought to be no scandall to us (though some of us Christian Gentiles are ignorant of, and scandalized at the notion of the conversion of the Jewes , as the Jewes of old were, concerning our being converted, and grafted into the tru
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THE RELATION OF ANTONY MONTEZINUS.
THE RELATION OF ANTONY MONTEZINUS.
In the 18th. of the Month of Elul: the 5404 year from the Worlds creation, and according to common compute, in 1644 . Aaron Levi, otherwise called Antonius Montezinus came into this City Amsterdam, and related to the Sieur Menasseh ben Israel, and other cheifetains of the Portugal Nation, Inhabitants of the same City, these things which follow . That it was two years and a halfe, since that he going from the Port Honda in the West-Indies, to the Papian jurisdiction, he conducted some Mules of a
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SECT. 1.
SECT. 1.
It is hard to say what is certaine among the so many, and so uncertaine opinions concerning the originall of the Indians of the new World. If you aske, what is my opinion upon the relation of Montezinus , I must say, it is scarce possible to know it by any Art, since there is no demonstration, which can manifest the truth of it; much lesse can you gather it from Divine, or humane Writings; for the Scriptures doe not tell what people first inhabited those Countries; neither was there mention of t
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SECT. 2.
SECT. 2.
You must know therefore, that Alexis Vanegas saith, that the first Colonies of the West-Indies were of the Carthaginians , who first of all inhabited New-Spaine , and as they encreased, spread to the Island Cuba ; from thence to the continent of America ; and after that towards Panama , New-Spaine , and the Isle of Peru . And he grounds himselfe on that reason, that as the Carthaginians (who of old did most use the Seas) so those of Peru , and the Inhabitants of New-Spaine , did make use of Pict
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SECT. 3.
SECT. 3.
The first ground of that opinion is taken from 2 Esdra. 13. v. 40. &c. (which we quote as ancient, though it be Apocryphall) where it’s said, that the ten Tribes which Salmanaster carried captive in the reigne of Hoseas , beyond Euphrates , determined to goe into Countries farre remote, in which none dwelt, whereby they might the better observe their Law. And as they passed over some branches of Euphrates , God wrought Miracles, stopping the course of the Floud, till they had passed over
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SECT. 4.
SECT. 4.
He strengthens this opinion, that in the Isle St. Michael , which belongs to the Azores , the Spaniards found Sepulchres under ground, with very ancient Hebrew letters, which Genebrardus hath Printed, in lib. 1. chro. p. 159. From whence we gather, that in that inscription there is a mistake of the letter (T.) so that the sense of it is, How perfect is God. Sehalbin is dead. Know God. Unlesse you will have them to be proper Names, and to signifie him that is dead, and his Father, in which sense
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SECT. 5.
SECT. 5.
That seemes to be to the purpose which Garcillassos de la Voga saith in his Comment. on Peru , lib. 3. c. 1. That in Tiahuanacu a Province of Collai, among other Antiquities, this is worthy of memory , ( being scituated at the Lake which the Spaniards call Chutuytu ) That among the great buildings which are there, one was to be seene of a very great pile, which hath a Court 15. fathoms broad; a wall that compasseth it, 2 furlongs high; on one side of the Court is a Chamber 45 foot long, and 22 b
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SECT. 6.
SECT. 6.
To this opinion adde an argument taken from what Logicians call a simili ; for he that will compare the Lawes and Customes of the Indians and Hebrewes together, shall finde them agree in many things; whence you may easily gather, That the Indians borrowed those of the Hebrewes (who lived among them) before, or after they went to the unknowne Mountaines. The Indians of Jucatan , and the Acuzainitenses doe circumcise themselves. The Totones of New Spaine , and Mexicans (as Roman and Gomaza in the
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SECT. 7.
SECT. 7.
The fourth ground of this opinion is, that the Indians are of a browne colour, and without beards; but in the new world, white, and bearded men were found, who had never commerce with the Spaniards ; and whom you cannot affirme to be any other than Israelites ; because also as they could never be overcome, so shall they never be fully knowne, as appeares by what followes. Petrus Simon a Franciscan , in his History of finding out the firme Land, saith, that in the reigne of Charles the fifth, he
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SECT. 8.
SECT. 8.
Ioannes Castilianus Vicarius living in the City Pampelona of Nova Granada in Peru , saith, that when Gonzalus Pisarrus had revolted from his people, he sent some to search out new Countries of the Indians who lived East-ward, whose number could never be knowne, because that (as some say) their Country is above two thousand miles in length, if you compute from the head of the river Maragnon , which runs neare Andes of Cusco , unto the place where it runs into the Sea, where therefore the River be
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SECT. 9.
SECT. 9.
Caspar Bergarensis (whom I have oft spoke with) went from the City Laxa , which is in the Province of Quiti in Peru , and accompanied the Colonell Don Diego Vaca de la Vega going to seeke a new Country. In the yeare 1622. they came to the Province Jarguasongo , which had been discovered by Captaine Salines ; and they passed the Mountaines Cordilleræ , where the River Maragnon is not above a stones cast over. In the Province of the Inde Mainenses they built a City, whose name was St. Franciscus d
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SECT. 10.
SECT. 10.
In Farnambuc about forty yeares since, eight Tabaiares had a minde to looke out new Countries, and to see whether the Land that was beyond, and unknowne, were inhabited. They having spent foure moneths in travelling Westward, they came to mountaines, to whose top they got with difficulty, and found a plaine which a pleasant river doth compasse, by whose banke side dwelt a people who loved commerce, they were white, and bearded; and this five of the Tabaires (for three perished by the way, and on
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SECT. 11.
SECT. 11.
In our time, under King Philip the third, Captaine Ferdinades de Queiros being returned out of India (where he had spent most of his life) to Rome , he shewed a Table of Lands yet undiscovered. From thence he went to Madrid , and five ships were given him by the Governour of Panama (to whom he was sent) to perfect his designe. He began his journey, and was scarcely entred the South Sea, but he found Land, which he called, The Isle of Solomon , and Hierusalem , for reasons which he told me. He in
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SECT. 12.
SECT. 12.
That which I am about to tell, shall serve for a proofe of that which I said of the West-Indians . A Dutch Mariner told me, that not long since he was with his ship in America , seven degrees towards the North between Maragnon , and great Para , and he put into an Harbour in a pleasant River, where he found some Indians who understood Spanish , of whom he bought Meats, and Dywood; after he had stayed there six moneths, he understood that that River extended eighteen leagues towards the Carybes I
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SECT. 13.
SECT. 13.
Yet I give more credit to our Montezinus , being a Portingal , and a Jew of our Order; borne in a City of Portingal , called Villefleur , of honest and known Parents, a man about forty yeares old, honest, and not ambitious. He went to the Indies , where he was put into the Inquisition, as the successor of many who were borne in Portingal , and descended from them, whom the King of Portingal , Don Manuel forced to turne Christians: ( O wicked, and unjust action , saith Osorius ; and a little afte
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SECT. 14.
SECT. 14.
Thus farre of the West-Indies , of which Isaiah may be understood (because it lyes in the midst of the Sea, and also hath many Islands) in Isa. 60.9. The isles shall waite for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring their Sons from far, their silver and their gold with them , Jer. 31.10. Heare the Word of the Lord O ye Nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattereth Israel will gather him , Psal. 97.1. The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoyce, and the multitude o
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SECT. 15.
SECT. 15.
You must know that all the ten Tribes were not carried away at the same time. Pul the King of Assyria (as I shew in the second part of my Reconciler) conquered, and carried away the Tribes of Reuben , Gad , and halfe Manasseh , in the reigne of Peka , as you may see in 1 Chron. 5.26. and Josephus in li. 9. c. 11. Tiglahpileser eight yeares after took Ijon , Abel-beth-maachah , Hazor-Gilead , Galilee , all the land of Naphtali , and he carryed away all the Captives into Assyria , in 2 King. 15.29
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SECT. 16.
SECT. 16.
The ten Tribes being conquered at severall times, we must thinke they were carried into severall places. As we beleeve they went to the West-Indies by the strait of Anian , so we thinke that out of Tartary they went to China , by that famous wall in the confines of both. Our argument to prove it, is taken from the authority of two Jesuites, who erected their Colledges in those Countries. Nicholaus Trigantius a Dutch-man in his discourse of the Christian expedition under-taken by the Jesuites to
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SECT. 17.
SECT. 17.
I Could easily beleeve, that the ten Tribes as they increased in number, so they spread into more Provinces before-mentioned, and into Tartary . For Abraham Ortelius in his Geography of the World, and Map of Tartary , he notes the place of the Danites which he cals the Hord, which is the same which the Hebrew Jerida , signifying A descent . And lower, he mentions the Hord of Naphtali , possessed by Peroza in the yeare 476. Schikhardus in his Tarich or series of the Kings of Persia , amplifies th
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SECT. 18.
SECT. 18.
Part of the ten Tribes also live in Ethiopia , in the Habyssin Kingdome; as divers Habyssins reported at Rome . Boterus in his relations speakes the same thing, that two potent Nations doe live neare Nilus , and that one of them is that of the Israelites , who are governed by a mighty King. A Cosmographer who hath added notes to Ptolomyes tables, saith thus in his table of New Africa ; that part of New Africk was unknowne of old, the head of Nilus not being knowne, which is in the Mountaines of
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SECT. 19.
SECT. 19.
And without doubt they also dwell in Media ; from thence they passed Euphrates , whither they were first brought, as in 2 King. 17.24 and in the book of Tobit . Josephus also speakes of them in the Preface of his Book of the War of the Jewes , that the Jewes did think that their brethren, who dwelt beyond Euphrates , and farther, would rebell against the Romans. Agrippa in his Oration to the people of Jerusalem , that they would not rebell against the Romans , speakes thus; What associates doe y
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SECT. 20.
SECT. 20.
Lastly, all thinke, that part of the ten Tribes dwell beyond the river Sabbathian , or sabbaticall. Rabbi Johanan the Author of the Jerusalem Talmud , who lived 160. yeares after the destruction of the second Temple, saith in his treatise of the Sanhedrim , cap. 17. That the ten Tribes were carryed into three places, sc. to the Sabbaticall river, to Daphne the suburbs of Antioch , and thither where a cloud comes downe and covers them: And that they shall be redeemed from those three places; for
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SECT. 21.
SECT. 21.
Neither is there weight in the Argument which some have brought to me, if they be in the world, why doe we not know them better? There are many things which we know, and yet know not their original; are we not to this day ignorant of the heads of the four Rivers, Nilus , Ganges , Euphrates , and Tegris ? also there are many unknown Countryes. Besides, though some live in knowne and neighbour Countrys, yet they are unknown by being behind Mountains; so it happened under the reign of Ferdinand , a
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SECT. 22.
SECT. 22.
Wee learne out of the first of Ezra , that none of the ten Tribes entred the second Temple; for it is said that only some of the Tribe of Judah , and some of Benjamin did returne. Ezra also saith the same in the first of Chronicles , that Salmaneser carryed the ten Tribes to Hala , Habor , and Hara , and to the river Gozan to this day: so that you may gather that at that time they were there. So likewise Josephus in Antiq; Ind. lib. 11. c. 5. Perhaps some will say, since Media and Persia , are n
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SECT. 23.
SECT. 23.
Hitherto we have shewed that the ten Tribes are in divers places, as in the West-Indies , in Sina ; in the confines of Tartary , beyond the river Sabbathion , and Euphrates , in Media , in the Kingdome of the Habyssins ; of all which the Prophet Isaiah is to be understood, in Isa. 11.11. It shall come to passe in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Ethiopia, from Elam, fr
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SECT. 24.
SECT. 24.
The Prophet adds in Isa. 11.12. And he shall set up a signe for the Nations, and he shall assemble the out-casts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the foure quarters of the earth . Where he notes two things; 1. That he cals the Israelites out-casts, but the Iewes scattered; and the reason is, because the ten Tribes are not only farre off from the Holy Land, but also they live in the extremities and ends of Countries; from whence the Prophet cals them cast-out . But he do
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SECT. 25.
SECT. 25.
The same Prophet, sc. Isa. 43.5, 6. saith, I will bring thy seed from the East, and will gather thee from the West: I will say to the North, Give up; and to the South, Keep not back; bring my Sons from farre, and my Daughters from the ends of the earth . For Media , Persia , and China , lye on the East; Tartary and Scythia on the North; the Kingdome of the Abyssins on the South; Europe on the West, from the Holy Land. But when he saith, Bring ye my sons from farre , he understands America ; so t
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SECT. 26.
SECT. 26.
But which way that redemption shall be, no man can tell; but only so farre as we may gather out of the Prophets. That at that time the ten Tribes shall come to Jerusalem under the leading of a Prince, whom some Rabbins in the Talmud , and in some places of the Chaldy Paraphrase, doe call Messiah the Son of Joseph ; and elsewhere Messiah the Son of Ephraim ; who being slaine in the last War of Gog and Magog , shall shew himselfe to be Messiah the sonne of David , who shall be, as Ezekiel , and Ho
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SECT. 27.
SECT. 27.
Those Tribes then shall be gathered from all quarters of the earth, into Countries neare to the Holy Land; namely, into Assyria , and Ægypt ; and from thence they shall goe into their Country; of which Isaiah speakes, in chap. 27.13. And it shall be in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they who were lost, shall come into the Land of Assyria; and they who were cast out, into Egypt; and shall worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem. As if he should say, as trumpets sound
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SECT. 28.
SECT. 28.
All those are the sayings of the holy Prophets, from whence doth appeare the returne of Israel into their Country. It is given to none to know the time thereof, neither is it revealed to Rabby Simeon ben Johay , the Author of the Zoar; because that God hath reserved that mystery to himself, as Moses saith. It is hid with me. And Isaiah in ch. 63.4. For the day of vengeance is in my heart, and the year in which the redemption shall come. Which the Rabbins thus interpret, I have reveiled it to my
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SECT. 29.
SECT. 29.
Yet this I can affirm, that it shall be about the end of this age ; and so the Prophet speaks of that age about the end of dayes : and that after many labours, and a long captivity. So Balaam prophesies, Numb. 24.17. I see, but not now; I behold, but not near; a Star shall come out of Jacob. Isa. 24.22. They shall be cast into prison, and they shall be visited after many daies. And Isa. 49.14. And Sion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Hos. 3.4, 5. The children of I
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SECT. 30.
SECT. 30.
What shall we say of that horrible monster, the Spanish Inquisition, what cruelty hath not daily been used against a company of miserable ones, innocents, old men, and children, of every sex and age, who were slaine, because they could not divine who was their secret accuser? But let us see, why in al those places (in which that Spanish tyrannicall Empire rules,) they were slain, who would observe the law of Moses ; and by how many, and how great miracles hath that law been confirmed; and what u
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SECT. 31.
SECT. 31.
If the Lord fulfilled his word in calamities, he will fulfill it also in felicities. Therefore Rabbi Aquibah laughed, when hee saw a Fox run out of the Temple being destroyed, though his companions wept; he saying, Now is fulfilled that prophecy of Jeremiah , Lament. 5.18. And the foxes shall run therein ; and he added, and those blessings also shall follow, which the Lord hath promised. We see all the curses of God come to passe, which are mentioned in Leviticus and Deuteronomy ; as well as tho
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SECT. 32.
SECT. 32.
Secondly; The argument which we bring from our Constancy under so many evills, cannot be eluded, that therefore God doth reserve us for better things. Moses in Levit. 26.44. saith, Though they be in the land of their enemies, yet I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them to destroy them utterly, and to breake my covenant with them, for I am the Lord their God . And truly these things are now fulfilled, for that in this captivity, and among the many reproaches which we Jewes suffer, ye
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SECT. 33.
SECT. 33.
Who can enumerate the number of ours, who are renowned by fame, and learning? The learned R. Moses bar Maimon was Phisician to Saladin the King of Ægypt . Moses Amon to the Emperour Sultan Bajaseth . Elias Montalto to the most eminent Queen of France, Loysia de Medicis ; and was also her Counsellor. At Padua Elias Cretensis read Philosophy; and R. Abraham de Balmas , the Hebrew Grammer. And how much honour had Elias Grammaticus at Rome ? And almost all the Princes of Italy honoured him with all
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SECT. 34.
SECT. 34.
Moses saith in his last song, that God would revenge the bloud of his people who are scattered. And Ieremiah saith, in chap. 2.3. Israel is the Lords holy thing, the first fruits of his increase; all who devoure him shall be found guilty; evill shall come upon them, saith the Lord. And that the Histories of divers times, even from Nebuchadnezzar to these very times, doe testifie. Have not the Monarchies of great Princes been destroyed? Consider with me the miserable ends of Antiochus , of Pompey
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SECT. 35.
SECT. 35.
The shortnesse of time (when we beleeve our redemption shall appeare) is confirmed by this, that the Lord hath promised that he will gather the two Tribes, Iudah , and Benjamin , out of the foure quarters of the World, calling them Nephussim . From whence you may gather, that for the fulfilling of that, they must be scattered through all the corners of the World; as Daniel saith, Dan. 12.7. And when the scattering of the holy people shall have an end, all those things shall be fulfilled. And thi
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SECT. 36.
SECT. 36.
To these, let us adde that, which the same Prophet speakes, in ch. 12. ver. 4. That knowledge shall be encreased ; for then the prophecies shall better be understood, the meaning of which we can scarce attaine to, till they be fulfilled. So after the Otteman race began to flourish, we understood the prophesie of the two leggs of the Image of Nebuchadnezzar , which is to be overthrowne by the fifth Monarchy, which shall be in the World. So Jeremiah after he had handled in Chap. 30. the redemption
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SECT. 37.
SECT. 37.
These are the things which I could gather concerning this matter, which hath not been heretofore handled; from whence these consequences may be deduced. 1. That the West-Indies , were anciently inhabited by a part of the ten Tribes, which passed thither out of Tartary , by the Streight of Anian . 2. That the Tribes are not in any one place, but in many; because the Prophets have fore-told their return shall be into their Country, out of divers places; Isaiah especially saith it shall be out of e
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SECT. 38.
SECT. 38.
I returne to the relation of our Montezinus , which I prefer before the opinions of all others as most true for that Peru should be derived from the name Ophir , as Gulielmus Postellus , Goropius in Ortelius , Bozius de signis Eccles. lib. 2. c. 3. Marinus in arca Noah , P. Sa. in 3. Reg. Pomarius in his Lexicon , and Possevinus lib. 2. Biblith. c. 8. do think, cannot be proved; as Pineda hath wel observed, in Job , c. 28. p. 500. for we have said out of Garcilasso de la Vega , that that name wa
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SECT. 39.
SECT. 39.
Montezinus then speaks most likely; that as other people forced the Israelites to betake them to the mountains: so America being first of all inhabited by the persecuting Tartars , they were driven to the mountains of Cordillere , where at last they were hid, as God would have it. Truly, comparing the Israelites themselves, or their Laws, with other people, I see not anything that comes nearer truth. Perhaps also America was not of old contiguous to Asia on the North side. It doth not seeme to m
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SECT. 40.
SECT. 40.
Hee that doth seriously weigh those things, may (I think) well gather, that the Sea of the Streight of Anian was an inundation. By affirming which, this doubt may be answered, sc. That after the universall Flood, man-kinde encreased againe, and all beasts, which had been preserved in the Arke. But how could so many kinds of beasts, (which come by propagation, and are not bred out of the earth) be found in those Countries? Some did swim thither, some were brought thither by some huntsmen, some we
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SECT. 41.
SECT. 41.
As for the other things in the relation of our Montezinus , they say nothing which savours of falshood. For their saying that the Semah , truly it is the custom of our people, in what part soever of the world they live; and it is the abridgement of the confession and religion of the Jewes. That revelation of the Magicians whom they call Mohanes , it agrees with those things which in 2 Esdras you may see, concerning the Miracles which God wrought for the Israelites, as they passed over Euphrates
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CONSIDERATIONS Upon the Point of the CONVERSION OF THE JEWES:
CONSIDERATIONS Upon the Point of the CONVERSION OF THE JEWES:
God hath promised to doe great things in these last days, as namely, to subdue all his Enemies, to releive his people, to destroy all Tyranny and Oppression both civil and ecclesiasticall, and to ampliate the Bounds of Christs Kingdom, by a plentifull pouring forth of his spirit, and by converting the multitudes both of Jews and Gentiles. Herein he doth what the Ruler of the Feast said to the Bridegroome in John 2.10. he keepes the best wine till the last ; he makes the last Act, the best part o
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A DECLARATION TO THE Common-wealth of England,
A DECLARATION TO THE Common-wealth of England,
Having some yeares since often perceived that in this Nation, God hath a People, that is very tender-hearted, and well-wishing to our sore-afflicted Nation; Yea, I my selfe having some Experience thereof, in divers Eminent persons, excelling both in Piety and Learning: I thought with my-self, I should do no small service to my owne Nation, as also to the People and Inhabitants of this Common-wealth, if by humble addresses to the late Honourable Parliament, I might obtaine a safe-Conduct once to
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How Profitable The Nation of the Iewes are.
How Profitable The Nation of the Iewes are.
Three things, if it please your Highnesse, there are that make a strange Nation wel-beloved amongst the Natives of a land where they dwell: (as the defect of those three things make them hatefull.) viz. Profit , they may receive from them; Fidelity they hold towards their Princes; and the Noblenes and purity of their blood. Now when I shall have made good, that all these three things are found in the Iewish Nation , I shall certainly persuade your Highnesse, that with a favorable eye, (Monarchy
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How Faithfull The Nation of the Iewes are.
How Faithfull The Nation of the Iewes are.
The Fidelity of Vassals and Subjects, is a thing that Princes most esteem off: for there-on, both in Peace and Warre, depends the preservation of their estates. And as for this point, in my opinion, they owe much to the Nation of the Iews, by reason of the faithfulnesse and loyalty they show to all Potentates that receive and protect them in their Countries. For setting aside the Histories of the Ptolomies, Kings of Egypt, who did not trust the Guard of their persons, nor the keeping of their Fo
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THE FIRST SECTION.
THE FIRST SECTION.
And in the first place, I cannot but weep bitterly, and with much anguish of soul lament that strange and horrid accusation of some Christians against the dispersed, and afflicted Iewes that dwell among them, when they say (what I tremble to write) that the Iewes are wont to celebrate the feast of unleavened bread, fermenting it with the bloud of some Christians, whom they have for this purpose killed: when the calumniators themselves have most barbarously and cruelly butchered some of them. Or
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THE SECOND SECTION.
THE SECOND SECTION.
Your worship desired joyntly, to know what ceremony, or humiliation the Iewes use in their Synagogues, toward the book of the Law; for which they are by some ignorantly reputed to be idolaters. I shall answer it in Order. First, the Iewes hold themselves bound to stand up when the book of the Law written upon parchment, is taken out of the desk, untill it is opened on the pulpit, to shew it to the people, and afterwards to be read. We see that observed in Nehemias , chap. 8.6. where it is said,
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THE THIRD SECTION.
THE THIRD SECTION.
Sir, I hope I have given satisfaction to your worship, touching those points. I shall yet further inform you with the same sincerity, concerning the rest. Sixtus Senensis in his Bibliothæca , lib. 2. Titulo contra Talmud , and others, as Biatensis , Ordine 1. Tract. 1. Titulo Perachot. averre out of the Talmud . cap. 4. “that every Iew , thrice a day, curseth all Christians, and prayeth to God to confound, and root them out, with their Kings and Princes. And this is especially done in the Synago
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THE FOURTH SECTION.
THE FOURTH SECTION.
By consequence, the accusation of Buxtorphius , in his Bibliotheca Rabbinorum , can have no appearance of truth, concerning that which he puts upon us, viz. that we are blasphemers . I will set down the Prayer it self. “We are bound to praise the Lord of all things; to magnifie him, who made the world, for that he hath not made us, as the Nations of the earth; nor hath he placed us as the families of the earth; nor hath he made our condition like unto theirs, nor our lot, according to all their
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THE FIFTH SECTION.
THE FIFTH SECTION.
But forasmuch as it is reported, that we draw, and seduce others to our religion, &c. 1. Never unto this day, in any part hath this been suspected, where the Iewes are dispersed; nor can it find place here. Truly, I have held friendship with many great men, and the wisest, and most eminent of all Europe ; and also they came to see me, from many places, at my house, and I had many friendly discourses with them, yet did not this give occasion to make us suspected of any such things. Yea, G
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THE SIXTH SECTION.
THE SIXTH SECTION.
Having thus discussed the main exceptions, I will now proceed to smaller matters, though lesse pertaining to my faculty, that is to businesse of Merchandise . Some say, that if the Iewes come to dwell here, they will draw unto themselves the whole Negotiation, to the great damage of the naturall Inhabitants. I answer, that it hath been my opinion alwayes, (with submission to better judgements) that it can be no prejudice at all to the English Nation: because, principally in transporting their go
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THE SEVENTH SECTION.
THE SEVENTH SECTION.
And now by this time, I presume (most noble Sir) I may have given abundant satisfaction, (so farre as the nature of an epistle will permit) to all your objections, without giving just ground of offence, or scandall to any. And forasmuch as you are further desirous to know somewhat, concerning the state of this my expedition, and negotiation at present, I shall now onely say, and that briefly, that the communication and correspondence I have held, for some yeares since, with some eminent persons
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PORTRAITS OF MENASSEH BEN ISRAEL
PORTRAITS OF MENASSEH BEN ISRAEL
Pocock, in his biographical introduction to the English translation of Menasseh ben Israel’s “De Termino Vitæ” (Lond., 1700), gives the following pen-picture of the author derived from the recollections of English Jews who remembered the days of the Whitehall Conferences:— “He was of middle stature and inclining to fatness. He always used his own hair, which (many years before his death) was very grey; so that his complexion being pretty fresh, his demeanour graceful and comely, his habit plain
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THE HOPE OF ISRAEL
THE HOPE OF ISRAEL
The title is taken from Jeremiah xiv. 8 (see p. 7 ). The first edition (pp. xiii, 126, 12mo) was in Spanish, and bore the following title:— מקוה ישראל / Esto es, / Esperança / de Israel. / Obra con suma curiosidad conpuesta / por / Menasseh Ben Israel / Theologo, y Philosopho Hebreo. / Trata del admirable esparzimiento de los diez / Tribus, y su infalible reduccion con los de / mas, a la patria: con muchos puntos, / y Historias curiosas, y declara- / cion de varias Prophecias, / por el Author re
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THE HUMBLE ADDRESSES
THE HUMBLE ADDRESSES
For the origin of this tract, and the probable date and circumstances of its preparation, see Introduction, pp. xxxviii-xxxix. There are two editions, neither of which bears any imprint or date. Both are 4to, but one has 26 pp. and the other 23 pp. It is difficult to say whether, and which, one of these two versions is a revision of the other, as the only difference between them is that the following sentence is added at the end of the 23 pp. text: “Which is the close of Rabbi Menesse Ben-Israel
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VINDICÆ JUDÆORUM
VINDICÆ JUDÆORUM
For the origin of this tract see Introduction, pp. lxii-lxiv. It has often been reprinted and translated, especially on occasions of Jewish persecution. In 1708 it reappeared in the second volume of “The Phœnix; or a Revival of Scarce and Valuable Pieces.” In 1743 it was reprinted as an independent pamphlet (Lond., 8vo, pp. 67). Ninety-five years later it was again reprinted by M. Samuels in the prolegomena to his translation of Moses Mendelssohn’s “Jerusalem” (Lond., 1838, vol. i. pp. 1 –73), t
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