The Book of Daily Prayers – The Leeser Siddur, Philadelphia 1848. The First Ashkenazic Prayer Book Printed in America

The Book of Daily Prayers – The Leeser Siddur, Philadelphia 1848. The First Ashkenazic Prayer Book Printed in America

The Book of Daily Prayers – The Leeser Siddur, Philadelphia 1848. Printed according to the custom of German and Polish Jews, with English translation. This is the very first Ashkenazic Prayer Book Printed in America, (it was preceded by the Pinto Siddur, which was printed entirely in Spanish for Sephardic Jews). Besides its historical context, this prayer book is particularly important as it was edited and published by Rev. Issac Leeser of Philadelphia, who was one of the leading Orthodox Rabbinic authorities in America during that time. 

Although an Ashkenazic Prayer book with English translation had already been printed in London in 1770, (see: Royal Auction House, Auction 3, Lot 40), Leeser still felt that a new and improved edition was necessary, as he writes in his introduction: “It requires but little critical knowledge to discern the great defectiveness of all the editions hitherto issued in England, at least those which have fallen under my notice… one of the great defects in the English editions being the apparent want of proper arrangement, and the entire absence of many portions, which ought to have a place in every prayer book which is in daily and constant use”. 

Rev. Issac Leeser (1806-1868), a pioneering leader and advocate for Orthodox Jewry in the 19th century, who was known as a fierce opponent to the Reform Movement. To that end, he published numerous works and periodicals where he would write against the Reform movement. 

Contains prayers for the entire year. With two title pages, English opposite the Hebrew. 

A fine copy in overall very good condition. Light foxing seen on several leaves, typical for imprints of this era. Bound in original (?) hand-tooled binding with gilt accents and decorations. 

[5], 243 pp. 

Page size: 22cm.