Maides of Honor (1587); High Holy Dayes (1653)

[James A. Landau]

In a message dated 1/14/03 9:46:34 PM Eastern Standard Time, Bapopik at AOL.COM
writes:

>    Early English Books Online has been available for a while now.  I've been
>  waiting, and I checked the NYPL's databases today.  EEBO is now full-text
>  searchable!

Thanks for telling me about this database.  I went into the "Free featured
content" section (wwwkub,ynu,cin.eebi) and unearthed an antedating for
"Shema"

"The hope of Israel: written by Menasseh ben Israel, a Hebrew divine, and
philosopher. Newly extant, and printed in Amsterdam, and dedicated by the
author to the High Court, the Parliament of England, and to the Councell of
State. Translated into English, and published by authority. In this treatise
is shewed the place wherein the ten tribes at this present are, proved partly
by the strange relation of one Anthony Montezinus, a Jew, of what befell him
as he travelled over the Mountaines Cordillaere, with divers other
particulars about the restoration of the Jewes, and the time when. by
Manasseh ben Israel, 1604-1657. Printed at London : by R.I. for Hannah Allen,
at the Crown in Popes-head Alley, 1650"

The applicable quote is on page 89 (image 52 of 53)
<begin quote>
As for the other things in the relation of our Montezinus, they say nothing
which savours of falsehood. For their saying that Semah, truly it is the
custome of our people, in what part soever of the world they live: and it is
the abridgement of the confession, and religion of the Iewes.
<end quote>

page 9 (image 12 of 53)
<begin quote>
   Then those two men comming on each side of Montezinus, they spoke in
Hebrew, the fourth Verse of Deut. 6.Semah Israel, adonai Elohenu adonai ehad;
that is, Heare O Israel, the Lord our God is one God.
<end quote>

Thanks again, and see you 'round like a bagel,

      - Jim Landau