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THere are at this time ve∣ry few among them, that are able to dis∣course Perfectly in the Hebrew, or Holy Tongue, which they call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Laschion hacodesch, wherein the Twentie four Books of the Old Testa∣ment are written: nor yet in Chaldee,
which is the Language of the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Targum, or Chaldee Paraphrase of the Bible, and which they commonly spake before their Dispersion: because they all generally learn, and are brought up in the Language of the Countries, where they are born: So that, in Italy, they speak Italian: in Germany, Dutch: in the Eastern Parts, and in Barbary, they speak the Lan∣guage of the Turks, and Moors; and so of the rest. And they have made these Strange Languages so much their Own, as that Many of them that have gone out of Germany, into Poland, Hungary, and Rus∣sia, to inhabit, have notwithstanding pre∣served the Dutch Tongue in their Fami∣lies, and made it their Mother Tongue to all their Posterities: as likewise those that have gone out of Spain into the Eastern parts, for the most part speak the Spanish Language: But in Italy they use both the one, and the other; according to the place, from whence the Fathers are de∣scended. So that the Common people every where conform themselves to the
Language of the Nations, where they in∣habit; onely mixing now and then a broken Hebrew word, or two, in their discourse one with another: although the Learneder sort among them are some∣what more Perfect in the Language of the Scripture, and have it, as it were, by heart. Notwithstanding it is a very rare thing to meet with any among them, ex∣cept they be their Rabbines, who are able to maintain a Continued Discourse in He∣brew, Elegantly, and according to the Proprietie of the Language.
2. And besides, in the Pronunciation of the Hebrew, they are so different among themselves, that a Dutch Jew can hardly be understood by an Italian, or an Eastern Jew: neither is there any among them that speak more clearly, and exactly ac∣cording to the Rules of Grammer, which they call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Dikduk, then the Italian doth.
3. And indeed the Pure Hebrew Tongue being of little extent, and very barren of words, there being no other
Bookes, anciently written, to be found now, save onely the aforenamed Twentie four Books of the Old Testament, whence the whole Language was to be fetched; the Rabbines have since thought good to enlarge it, by borrowing many words from the Chaldee, and some few from the Greek, and other Languages, and invent∣ing also severall words for the names of things; in like manner as Writers in all Ages have done, fitting Terms of Art, for the better Understanding of their Philo∣sophy, and other Sciences.
4. This Language is still in use among them, in writing of Books; in all kinds of Contracts; in Bills, either Private, or Publick, and the like. But their Ordi∣narie Letters of Complement, or Busi∣nesse, are written, for the most part, in the Vulgar Language of the place where they are; although sometimes they use the Hebrew Character: Onely those of Morea still retain the Hebrew Tongue also, and use it in their Familiar Letters.
5. In their Preaching they likewise use the Language of the Countrie, that they may be understood by All; that is to say, they cite the Texts of Scripture, and say∣ings of the Rabbins in Hebrew; and after∣wards interpret the same in the Vulgar Tongue.
6. Their manner of Preaching, or ma∣king Sermons is thus: the Whole Con∣gregation sitting quietly in the School, He that hath a Mind to Preach, (which is ea∣sily granted to any that desire it,) either putting on the aforenamed Taleth, or else going, without it, up to the Wooden Al∣ter, or Table, spoken of Par. 1. cap. 8. be∣gins his Speech there, repeating some Verse or other, out of the Lesson for the day, and this is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Nosè: that is to say, the Text, or Subject, whereof he in∣tends to treat: adding after it some Sen∣tence out of the Wisemen, or Rabbins; and this is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Maamar: and so ma∣king a kind of Preface, and proposing some certain Subject, suitable to the sense of the aforesaid Passage out of the Lesson
for the Day, he proceeds on to his Ser∣mon; alledging Texts of Scripture, and the Authoritie of the Rabbines in his Dis∣course, every man as he is able, both for the Style, and Method: which is very dif∣ferent, among the several Nations.
7. And this is done every Sabbath day, and at all the chief Feastivals, for the most part, and onely then: unlesse there be some Funeral Sermon to be made, at the death of any Person of Note, which useth to be done upon any of the Week daies, or working daies, according as the Occasion requireth.