Rabbinical manuscripts of Judah Monis, ca. 1700s

This leather-bound volume contains ten handwritten Hebrew texts presumably compiled by Judah Monis in the early 18th century. The pieces range from three to 150 pages on different sized leaves and appear to be in multiple hands. The last page of the volume has the struck-through inscription, "Judah Monis' Book" and accompanies a 44-page text. The texts are unattributed and undated, but have been identified as transcriptions of cabalistic writings and include a short biography of Isaac Luria (1533-1572) and extracts from the work of Luria, Hayyim ben Joseph Vital, Jacob ben Hayyim Zemah, Abraham ben Isaac of Granada, and Naphtali Bachrach. The transcriptions appear to be unattributed and undated.

[Certificate from Ezekiel Leeds], 1780 June 25

Handwritten certification from Ezekiel Leeds that Philip Draper kept the Dorchester grammar school.

Letter from Judah Monis to the Harvard Corporation, 1734 June 1

One-page handwritten letter from Judah Monis to the Corporation discussing the potential long-term losses associated with a plan to advance twenty-five percent of the cost of the Hebrew Grammar to the College.

Letter from Judah Monis to the Harvard Corporation, 1735 October 3

Two folio-sized leaves containing an October 3, 1735 letter from Judah Monis to the Harvard Corporation requesting an increased "reward" for the Hebrew Grammar and an increased salary. The document includes a financial outline of a "Scheme for 30 Years."

Letter from Judah Monis to the Harvard Corporation, 1729 March 24

A half-page handwritten letter from Judah Monis to the Harvard Corporation on one folio-sized leaf requesting that his service with the College be extended.

Letter from Judah Monis to the Harvard Corporation, 1732 September 27

A half-page handwritten letter from Judah Monis to the Harvard Corporation on an octavo-sized leaf requesting a salary increase.

Petition of Judah Monis to the Harvard Corporation, 1733 September 14

A half-page handwritten request from Judah Monis to the Harvard Corporation on a folio-sized leaf requesting a salary increase due to the high cost of living. The petition was read to the Corporation on October 5, 1733.

Order for the salary of Judah Monis, 1725 October 21

Small slip of paper containing an order from President Benjamin Wadsworth to Treasurer Edward Hutchinson to pay Judah Monis's salary for half of one year.