Jacob Mordecai Notebooks, circa 1810-1820: Theological Polemics

Two manuscript notebooks containing theological polemics written by Jacob Mordecai (1762-1838), a prominent American Jew. The notebooks, spanning approximately 156 pages, present Mordecai's arguments defending Judaism against Christianity. They include personal reflections, letters to Christians, and biblical passages used as proof texts. The content offers insight into the thought processes of a significant American Jewish figure in the early 19th century. The notebooks were purchased from the Harry Rinker collection of manuscripts. The first notebook is numbered page 1-81. The second notebook is numbered pages 81-156 (page 81 may be a repetition). The notebooks are undated but likely predate 1820 based on the topical relevance of the content in relation to the writings of Joseph Priestly. The material is written in English and Hebrew. The notebooks are held at the University of Pennsylvania Libraries, MS 56, Codex 035.1, v. 1 & v. 2.

Associated People/Businesses

• Mordecai, Jacob, 1762-1838
• Mordecai, Jacob (1762, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - 1838, Richmond Virginia)

Geography

• North Carolina

Subjects

• Judaism
• Christianity
• Apologetics

Physical Location

MS 56, Codex 035.1, v. 1|MS 56, Codex 035.1, v. 2