Discourses on the book of Genesis

Front matter

WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR.

CLASS BOOK FOR JEWISH YOUTH OF BOTH SEXES.

DISCOURSES ON THE PRINCIPLES OF THE RELIGIOUS BE- LIEF OF ISRAEL, AS PRODUCTIVE OF HUMAN HAPPI- NESS AND MORAL IMPROVEMENT.

Dedication

TO THE

CONGREGATION SHERITH ISRAEL,

This Volume of Discourses on the Book of Genesis is inscribed

Preface

In sending forth this little volume, the author would offer a few remarks as to its design and contents. The necessity of a book like the present for the young is sufficiently obvious, if we consider the great indifference now shown to scriptural study, and the objections urged (not without reason) to the indescriminate use of the Bible, by young persons, as being in many places unsuited to their capacity.

The author hopes that this work will not be liable to such objections, but will, by smoothing the way, rather allure the young to a more intimate acquaintance with the Sacred Volume.

It consists of Twelve Discourses on the Book of Genesis (from the Creation to the death of Joseph), with an Appendix, treating of the prophetical blessings of Jacob to his Children, in which is explained one of the fundamental principles of Jewish faith.

The arrangement of the work into Twelve Discourses is based upon the plan of the Hebrew Bible, in which the Book of Grenesis is divided into Twelve Weekly Sections.

To obviate the inconvenience of searching for quotations, they are generally given in full.

A few words as to tlie Appendix. In the liistorical portion of the Book, the Authorized English Version has been adopted, its diction being clear and simple, but this could not be done when

6 PREFACE.

dealing with the poetical and metaphorical expressions of the Prophetic Style, as that Version does not convey the ideas of the Original.

For the right comprehension of the Prophetical Blessings of Jacob, a new rendering was therefore indispensable. Should the author thereby succeed in rectifying any popular errors springing from that Version, he shall consider that he has not labored in Tain ; but if otherwise, he shall feel happy to be convinced that none exist.

The author intends to continue the Discourses to the end of the Pentateuch ; but his doing so will of course depend on the encouragement this, the first volume, will receive.

San Francisco, January, 5624 — 1864.

Contents

DISCOURSE I.

PAGS.

From the First Chapter of Genesis to the end of the Eighth Verse in the Sixth Chapter 9