Israel's National Library acquires England's oldest kosher cookbook

The National Library of Israel has acquired a rare, first-edition copy of "The Jewish Manual: Practical Information in Jewish and Modern Cookery," the first kosher cookbook and housekeeping guide published in England in 1846. The acquisition was announced by the library ahead of the Shavuot holiday.

The "Jewish Manual" offers a range of recipes, including "Palestine Soup" and various cheesecakes, alongside practical advice on housekeeping and personal self-care. It also features mentions of "cosmetic baths, composed of milk" used by the upper classes in the East.

Authorship of the manual remains a subject of scholarly debate. Initially published anonymously as "A Lady," many scholars now attribute the work to Lady Judith Montefiore, wife of the prominent philanthropist Sir Moses Montefiore. This attribution is supported by the text's indication that the author was well-traveled, including to Israel, and belonged to the upper class. Few Jewish women in England at the time held the title of "Lady," and several recipes align with cuisine known to have been served in the Montefiore home. Lady Montefiore accompanied her husband on five trips to Israel, lending credence to the theory of her authorship.

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The Jewish Manual: Practical Information in Jewish and Modern Cookery (With a Collection of Valuable Recipes & Hints Relating to the Toilette)