Talk:Isaac Leeser

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[edit] Leeser's translation is the first American, but not the first English, Jewish translation

See Jewish English Bible translations. These are some of its sources:

• According to the "Preface" to the 1917 JPS Translation: "Mention may here be made of the work of Isaac Leeser in America, which was both preceded and followed by two translations produced in England: the one by Dr. A. Benisch, the other by Dr. Michael Friedlander."

• According to the Jewish Encyclopedia: "[Abraham] Benisch ... His most important works were: ... 'A Translation of the Old Testament, Published with the Hebrew Text,' 1851"

Leeser's translation was published in 1853. That makes it the second Jewish English translation. However, since Benisch was published in Britain, Leeser was the first such translation in America.

• • Leeser's translation of the Pentateuch was first published in 1845, under the title "The Law of God". The Law of God - was a liturgical work, including the Parashot and Haftarot according to German and Portuguese customs. In 1848 his "Biblia Hebraica" was published, this was the first printing of the Hebrew Bible in America which was printed with vowels. In 1853 his translation of the entire Hebrew Bible was published.(See, Isaac Leeser and the Making of American Judaism, Lance Sussman. p. 150-151) Benisch's translation was published in multiple volumes between 1851 and 1856 (See, Jewish Encyclopedia, "Bible Translations;" and "A Book About the English Bible, Joseph Penniman, 1919, p. 422-423.) Thus, which Jewish Translation of TNK appeared first is debatable. In the end, however, I do not object to leaving the article as is.Guedalia D'Montenegro 21:10, 4 March 2007 (UTC)