Alexander's Hebrew Ritual; An Doctrinal Explanation of the Whole Ceremonial Law, Oral and Traditional, of the Jewish Community in England and Foreign Parts Being a Necessary Companion to the Holy Scriptures. Together with Several Remarkable Events

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1819. Excerpt: ... of the Sanhedrin, had for his vice-president one Manachem, a very learned man of those times; but not long after he deserted his station, with several others, and entered into the service of Herod, and Shammai was chosen in his place . Hillel was born in Babylon, and dwelt there till the fortieth year of his life; at which age he came to Jerusalem, and there betook himself to the study of the Law, in which he grew so eminent, that, after forty years more, he became President of the Sanhedrin, being then eighty years of age; and he continued in that office for forty years after; so that he lived full one hundred and twenty years, as did Moses $. He was one of the most eminent among the Doctors of our nation, for birth, learning, rule, and prosperity; for, as to his birth, he was of the seed of David, being Now by this renunciation of Idolatry it was intended to deter the Jews from learning their evil ways, and-becoming Idolaters also. See Deut. chap. xx. ver. 18.--The other soil of Proselytes, called the Proselytes of Righteousness or Justice, (for the Hebrew word p1Y is made use of to express either, ) were such as took on them the observance of the whole Jewish Law; for, although we do not hold this to be necessary for those who are not of our nation, yet we never refused any that freely offered, but received all that were willing to profess our religion; and when any such offered to become Proselytes to our faith, they were initiated to it by ablution, sacrifice, and circumcision; and were thenceforth admitted to all the rites, ceremonies, and privileges that were enjoyed by the natural Jews. We must, however, except intermarriages; for somi nations were excluded from marrying with our people for ever, while others were only debarred till after the ..