Subject: Apologetics

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Jacob Mordecai Notebooks, circa 1810-1820: Theological Polemics 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.

Letters of Benjamin Dias Fernandez on the Evidences of Christianity Letters of Benjamin Dias Fernandez on the Evidences of Christianity

This 1869 book is an abridged reprint of letters originally written by Benjamin Dias Fernandez in 1740 on the evidences of Christianity. The letters were first published in 1854 by Isaac Leeser and this abridged version was published by Bloch & Co. in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Letters of Certain Jews to Monsieur Voltaire: Containing an Apology for Their Own People and for the Old Testament; 3rd American Edition, 1848 Letters of Certain Jews to Monsieur Voltaire: Containing an Apology for Their Own People and for the Old Testament; 3rd American Edition, 1848

Third American edition of "Letters of Certain Jews to Monsieur Voltaire," published in Cincinnati in 1848. This work, originally authored by Antoine Guenee and translated by Philip Lefanu, purports to be a response from Jews to Voltaire's criticisms of Judaism and the Old Testament. The book includes a note from J. Jonas, President of the Holy Congregation of the Children of Israel in Cincinnati. The original work, while presented as a Jewish defense, is largely considered a Christian apologetic against Deism.

Reason and Faith, or Philosophical Absurdities, and the Necessity of Revelation Reason and Faith, or Philosophical Absurdities, and the Necessity of Revelation

This 183-page book, written by Joshua Hezekiah DeCordova, was originally printed in Jamaica in 1788 and reprinted in Philadelphia by F. Bailey in 1791. It presents a defense of Judaism and religion in general against the criticisms of Enlightenment philosophers. DeCordova argues for the unity of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faiths, emphasizing their shared divine origin. The book covers various philosophical and theological topics, including the nature of God, the soul, and the importance of revelation.