_ Correspondence. 405 
controvert this statement, we wish simply to remark that 
this is the Caraitic view of the passage commented upon by 
the review. The general view, however, not unsupported 
by historical evideace, favours the rabbinical strictly literal 
interpretation of the Scriptural passage.”—Fewish Chro- 
nicle, February 8th. 
Let us see what. Maimonides, the mouth-piece of the 
Rabbies, says on the subject of Phylacteries. In his pre- 
face to the Thalmudic treatise Zeraim ‘oy, he observes : 
“ The yw (shin) of the Phylacteries, their knot, black leather 
tongues, traverse and square receptacles, are halachah of 
Moses from Sinai ‘309 nynb nsdn a decision of Moses from 
Sinai. 
Some persons will demur to this statement, because 
Maimonides was a Rabbinical Jew! Is the author of the 
“ Morch Rebuchin,” and the “ Yad Hachazacah,” entitled 
to be classed among “rational Jews?” The late Rev. Dr. 
Alexander McCaul, Professor of Hebrew at King’s College 
(who, as is well known, bore no great love to the Jewish 
Rabbies), speaking of Maimonides in his “Old Paths,” 
considers him as “one of the mightiest intellects that ever 
inhabited a tenement of clay.” The learned Dr. Milman, 
Dean of St. Paul’s, in his “ History of the Jews,” calls him 
“the wise Maimonides ;’ and lastly, though not least, 
Julius Scaliger gives this testimony of Maimonides (which, 
because it is not flattering to the Jews in general, becomes 
in consequence more striking), “ Primus inter Hebraeus 
nugari desivit.” 
By giving insertion to these remarks in your next im- 
pression, you will oblige 
Yours respectfully, . J. STRANDERS. 
February 12th, 5627. 
[We cheerfully open our columns to the above letter, 
and we take leave to express our willingness to admit all 
communications couched in the temperate spirit that dis- 
tinguishes the criticisms of Mr. Stranders. At the same 
time our amiable correspondent must bear with us when 
we venture to state that he has advanced nothing which 
should induce us to change the opinions which he challenges, 
Josephus is too late a writer to be quoted as an authority 
in the practices of primitive Judaism. He was himself a 
Pharisee, and a zealous advocate of the Rabbinical system 
of interpretation. Touching Maimonides, no eulogy which 
is pronounced on him can exceed the measure of his 
