(JUDAICA.) Pinto, Isaac; translator. Prayers for Shabbath, Rosh-Hashanah and Kippur . . .according to the Order of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews. iv, 190, [1] pages. 4to, modern calf; 14 leaves in facsimile including title page, 7 leaves restored in lower margin, other minor repairs and wear. New York: John Holt, 5526 [1765-66]
first edition, second state with corrected title page reading "Beginning of the Year." One of the first Jewish prayer books in America, issued to accompany Pinto's 1761 Evening Service of Roshashanah. Prior to Pinto's works, the only Jewish prayer book in the English language was the Book of Religion, Ceremonies,and Prayers, issued in London in 1738 for a Christian audience. Pinto's preface explains that Hebrew, "being imperfectly understood by many . . . it has been necessary to translate our Prayers, in the Language of the Country wherein it hath pleased the divine Providence to appoint our Lot." He acknowledges his reliance on previous Spanish and Portuguese translations from the Hebrew. One special American touch is the Prayer for the King on page 20, noting that "in the Colonies, after the King and Royal Family, the Governor and Magistrates are added." Evans 10344; Rosenbach 47; Sabin 62992; Singerman 0040.
