GAMALIEL BEN PEDAHZUR

GAMALIEL BEN PEDAHZUR (fl. first half of 18th century), pseudonym of the author of The Book of the Religion, Ceremonies, and Prayers of the Jews (London, 1738). This is the earliest translation of the Jewish prayer book, published in English with a scurrilous introduction. It appears from a letter in The Gentleman's Magazine (28 (Oct. 1758), 468) that the author was an apostate named Abraham Mears. The work throws interesting light on the life and customs of London Jewry in the 18th century. -BIBLIOGRAPHY: Roth, in: JHSEM 2 (1935), 1–8; Singer, in: JHSET, 3 (1896–98), 51–53. ADD. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Katz, England, 231–32. (Cecil Roth)