The Matza Factory in New York in 1858, but the Accompanying Article Is Full of Errors - Israel's History - a Picture a Day (Beta) Another Library of Congress Treasure

Israel's History - a Picture a Day (Beta)

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Another Library of Congress Treasure: The Matza Factory in New York in 1858, but the Accompanying Article Is Full of Errors Posted: 24 Mar 2014 Caption: "General view of preparations and baking matzot, the unleavened bread for the Passover" (Frank Leslie's  Illustrated Newspaper, New York, April 18, 1858, Library of Congress)  Note the rabbi watching. The Library of Congress Archives has preserved several 150-year old engravings of Jewish customs in New York from Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper. [See Purim celebration] The story we bring today is unusual because of the writer's attempt to describe the New York Jewish community and the Passover holiday.  The first element, rich in Faginesque imageries,  would be considered anti-Semitic by today's standards.  The second element, a description of the holiday customs, is woefully full of mistakes.  Excerpts below: Any one taking a morning walk through Chatham street will meet enough men whose low stature, shining black eyes, crisp laky hair, stooping shoulders, and eager movements proclaim them of the Hebrew race, to convince him that Jews are prevalent in our city in large numbers.  Exactly how many thousands of the Hebraic people have their present sojourning in New York we have no means of ascertaining, but the number is very considerable, and is on the rapid increase. Weighing and kneading of the flour with the rabbi  The Israelitish race preserve to this day their peculiar characteristics as strongly marked, and their national prejudices is as full force as in the days of Darius, King of Persia.  They exist among us, a distinct race, preserving an identity of their own... but whilst constantly intermingling in trade and business with the Gentiles, keeping themselves as separate from the uncircumcised dogs in all social and religious intercourse....They could not keep themselves more apart if they were walled out from the Christian world.... The eating of the unleavened bread for the seven days of the Passover is obligatory on all of the Jewish faith, and it is observed with the most punctilious exactitude by all, old and young, and no matter how poor or rich.  During the seven days this unleavened bread is the only sort permitted to be used, no meat is allowed, and no drop of wine or spirits or fermented liquors.  Fish and some kinds of vegetables are eaten sparingly....  Click on pictures to enlarge. Click on captions to view the original pictures. Subscribe to Israel Daily Alert by entering your email address in the subscribe box in the right sidebar of the website.