The Wisdom of Alfred Edersheim. David Mishkin
time. Edition Cited: Sunday Magazine, 1869, edited by Thomas Guthrie.
1871, Robbie and His Mother
(“Robbie”) Religious Tract Society, London. This is a short novel. It is less complex than his later fiction, and to the modern reader it may appear trite. At the start, the reader learns that a young boy (Robbie) and his (unnamed) mother are in a poor house, presumably in London. Robbie’s sister had died and his father’s whereabouts were unknown. One day a woman gives a tract to Robbie that was titled simply, “God Loves You” and included the verse John 3:16. His mother had been a woman of faith prior to entering the poor house. Robbie wondered if God loved them less now that they were poor. He realizes that God still loves them very much and he and his mother renewed their faith in God. Later, Robbie’s father comes into the picture, having been in Australia working and subsequently gaining wealth. The family is now complete: the father has returned, they all have faith and their financial troubles are ended. Edition cited: British Library Shelf number: 4413.q.16.
1872, The Home and Synagogue of the Modern Jew
(“Modern”)Religious Tract Society, London. One source on the internet (http://chi.gospelcom.net/DAILYF/2003/03/daily-03-16-2003.shtml) attributed this book to Alfred Edersheim, and I was able to find an original version in a used book store. In the book, no author is listed by name, although all the other factors seem to indicate that Edersheim wrote (or possibly co-wrote) this book. The subtitle is: Sketches of Modern Jewish Life and Ceremonies. It is written for Christians to better understand some of the Jewish customs – particularly the feasts – as they are observed in various places around the globe (specifically in Europe and the Middle East). The anonymous author is described in the Preface as one who has “peculiarly favorable opportunities for becoming accurately acquainted with the customs and ritual of the Jewish Church [meaning the synagogue] of the present day. These customs he has related in the style of an eye-witness; though for several of the facts now laid before the reader, he has been indebted to the observation of others.”
1872 Miriam Rosenbaum, A Story of a Jewish Life
(“Rosenbaum”) Religious Tract Society, London. This is a novel about the family reactions towards a Jewish person who comes to faith in Jesus. It takes place in Austria, but could just as well have been set in Victorian London. The plot: Mrs. Rosenbaum lives with her son, Levi, and his son, Anshel. The reader learns that they had relocated there several years earlier because Mrs. Rosenbaum’s late husband had been thrown out of the synagogue in their previous city. The reasons for this are at first hidden, but it seems to have something to do with a book he had in his possession. Mrs. Rosenbaum also has a daughter named Miriam. Although she lived in the same town, Miriam had been shut out of their lives because she had embraced the Christian faith and married a man who became the local minister. The story is rife with accounts of the bigotry – on both sides – which exist in this ancient conflict.
As the story unfolds, both Mrs. Rosenbaum and Levi are challenged to consider the person and message of Jesus. There is the intense struggle between one’s belief and one’s people. Also, Miriam’s young son, also named Levi, is dying from an undisclosed disease. There is family reconciliation. Before young Levi dies, he becomes one of the main instruments to share the love of Jesus with his grandmother. At the end, Mrs. Rosenbaum and her son both come to know the Saviour. The reason for Miriam’s father’s banishment is eventually discovered. He had become a follower of Jesus, as learned by a final letter of his that was opened and read by the family. In the afterward, we read that even young Anshel accepted the faith and desired to be a missionary to his own Jewish people.
The preface lists three questions this book seeks to address: “What are the real thoughts of the more enlightened Jews in our days concerning Christ and Christianity? And why, when Jews are so tolerant and generous towards their Christian neighbours, so kind, and so warm in their affections, do they follow with such rancorous hatred those of their own number who have professed faith in Christ, imputing to them, almost uniformly, only the lowest and vilest motives? To these a third question may be added, as to the manner in which the truth of the gospel will sometimes at first present itself to the educated Jewish intellect.”
1873, True to the End
(“True”) This novel chronicles the life of a brother and sister who are orphaned in Scotland. Their Christian faith is tested and stretched as they face various trials. With dialogue often written in Scottish slang, some character names include Euphemia Bockins, Mr. Puggins, Baillie Rummelhead and Miss Caroline MacMouseland. The story has nothing to do with Jewish people or the Jewishness of Jesus. Yet, Edersheim – being who he was – used several illustrations which alluded to Jewish topics. For example: “Whether or not, like many other traits in Scottish everyday life, it forms one of those strange coincidences between the Scottish and the Jewish character, which so forcibly strike the observer, certain it is that, among at least one class of the population, the female is [favored] as compared with the male portion of a family,” p. 21. Speaking of the Scottish interest in learning and their love of books, he says it is “another of those national characteristics by which the Scottish and the Jewish mind seem so closely assimilated,” p. 93. Referring to the joy of a quiet Saturday night in a typical Scottish home, he says, “in this also almost imitating the Jews.” (p. 321). Edition quoted: (London, John F. Shaw and Co.)
1873, What is Her Name?
(“Name”) Religious Tract Society, London. This is a shorter novel about a young Christian girl (Mary) who is adopted by an elderly Jewish man (Abraham Lazarus) in London. Along with some plot twists, she learns that her Savior is King of the Jews. He discovers that her Savior is also the long awaited Jewish Messiah. Edition quoted: (Waverly, P.A., Lamplighter Publishing, 2002)
1874, The Temple, its Ministry and Services
(“Temple”) Religious Tract Society, London. This classic book remains a valuable tool to help understand the rituals and history of the priesthood, the festivals, and the entire sacrificial system of ancient Israel. Edition quoted: (Peabody, Hendrickson, 1994)
1887, Israel’s Watchman
(“Watchman”) Edersheim was the editor of this Hebrew Christian periodical for at least most of 1887 and possibly longer. Each monthly publication contained approximately thirty pages. Typical articles ranged from Messianic prophecies, eschatology, testimonies of Jews who came to faith in Jesus, updates on the Jewish community around the world, and the land of Palestine. British Library Shelf number: P.P.954.cc
1882, Elisha the Prophet
(“Elisha”) Religious Tract Society, London. A devotional commentary, this book focuses on issues of faith and service of the believer, based on the life of the prophet. It is as much of a discipleship guide as an exposition of the book of 2 Kings. Edition Quoted: Practical Truths from Elisha, (Grand Rapids, Kregel Publications, 1982)
1884, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah
(“LTJM”) Longman’s Publishing, London. This classic work took seven years to write. It was originally published in two volumes, and a few years later there was an abridged version published in a single volume as well. It remains one of the best (if not the best) commentaries on the Life of Christ written in English. It contains nineteen appendices, including a twenty page list of Old Testament passages which the ancient Rabbis applied to the Messiah. Also in the Appendix is his translation and commentary of Sefir Yetsirah (“Book of Formation”), the earliest known Hebrew manuscripts dealing with mysticism. Edition quoted: (Peabody, Hendrickson, 1993)
1876 – 1887, Bible History, Old Testament
(“OT”) Religious Tract Society, London. This narrative description of Old Testament history was originally published as seven separate volumes: 1. The World before the Flood and the History of the Patriarchs, 2. The Exodus and the Wanderings in the Wilderness, 3. Israel in Canaan under Joshua and the Judges, 4. Israel Under Samuel, Saul, and David, to the Birth of Solomon 5. History of Judah and Israel from the Birth of Solomon to the Reign of Ahab, 6. The History of Israel and Judah