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of Moses, in respect of the law of the Yeboom, otherwise called the Levirate; and eventually to the strong and important light upon it which may be perceived from the teaching of our Lord: for while He severely censures the doctrines of other parts of the Oral Law, called in our version "traditions" (as in St. Mark vii., 1-14, and their law of divorce,) He does not censure their fulfilling of the law of the Yeboom. This is very touchingly exhibited in the Book of Euth. Thus we may come to the decided conclusion, that their fulfilment of their duties under that law was maintained, pure and undefiled, at the date of our Lord's ministry; as is indeed exhibited clearly in the various chapters of the Treatise Yebamoth, which treats of it, and is taken from Seder Nashim or the Book relating to Women; and shew what was the reading of the Israelites of the verses herein alluded to from Leviticus xviii.; and that the three passages found in a subsequent part of that Treatise and utterly contradictory of the original; and which the promoters of incest love to harp upon; are spurious and corrupt interpolated passages of many hundred years later date; arising from the isolation, persecution and miseries which that unhappy people suffered subsequently to the dispersion of the Jews, in A.D. 70, and others also; but of this more anon.
I may here mention en passant, that the denomination of Jews called "The Reformed Jews" are a mere set of Dissenters from the Orthodox Jews: and I am informed on reliable Jewish authority, that they sprang up into notice only at about the beginning of this century. Marriage with a deceased wife's sister is admitted among them; as it is also in Germany and Switzerland. Dr. Marks is the Chief Rabbi in England of this Jewish Sect:[1] and I trust that I need hardly point out to your Honourable House, that letters and opinions quoted upon this subject, as they, have been and are, from Dr. Marks, Dr. F. Adler, and other learned Hebrew Professors who are members of these Sects; whether English, German, Swiss or other; are but ex parte statements, and therefore of no reliable value whatsoever!
I have before me an English translation (London, 1845) of such Books of the Mishna as were considered necessary by the Vestry Board of the Sphardin Synagogue for its consideration for improving its public worship, by the two Jewish Rabbis, the Rev. D. A. De Sola, and the
- ↑ As Dr. N. Adler was or is of the Jews who adopt the German Rite.
