Untitled
Metadata
Untitled
Description
Letter from Dr. Illowy in New Orleans to an unknown recipient in Philadelphia concerning the circumcision of children born to non-Jewish mothers. The letter discusses the conflict between the views of various mohels (ritual circumcisers) and rabbis on the practice. Dr. Illowy details his efforts to prevent circumcisions without the subsequent ritual immersion (tevilah) and seeks a legal opinion from Rabbi Leeser on the matter. The letter is accompanied by images of four pages of handwritten text in German. The text includes references to Jewish law and religious authorities, such as Maimonides, in supporting the argument that circumcision alone does not make a child Jewish, and the ritual immersion (tevilah) is also necessary.
Subjects
Other Details
Type: Letter
Identifier: LSKAP_NC-5
Collection: Arnold and Deanne Kaplan Isaac Leeser Collection
People
Sender: Bernard Illowy
Recipient: Isaac Leeser
Dates
Gregorian: October 31, 1864
Hebrew: א׳ בְּחֶשְׁוָן תרכ״ה
Places
From: New Orleans
To: Philadelphia
Languages
Citation
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