New-York tribune., 1901-08-18
KNOWS THE TALMUD By HEART.
A SKETCH OF DAVID RosENFELD. OF
RUSSIA. NOW IN THIS COUNTRY.
Chicago Record-Herald.

From The Chicago Record-Herald.
David Rosenfeld is his name. though like Dick
ens's Captain Bunsby. with head such he is
possessed or II doesn't really make much differences
cago few days ago from the town Of Minsk in
State OF Washington with two daughters
Mr.. Rosenfeld has been famous all Europe
marvellous memory and his perfect knowledge Of
the Talmud. Prince Bismarck and Gladstone both
him In scientific journals of England and Germany
and famous phrenologists OF the Old World have
gone into raptureS over the wonderful development
OF his frontal bone II be said in passing that
this portion OF his head is of such abnormal growth
that Mr.. Rosenfeld could hang his hat it If he
desired 10 do
He gave an exhibition OF his powers yesterday IN
the Ghetto in the presence OF several prominent
Jewish rabies and citizens who have known him
Astounding everybody who Vatchsd him They
brought out the thirty-siX volumes of the Tamud.
the paper Without falterines for a moment or
making single error. he called on the word that
teenth or any other page called for below where it
They took the books and read OF three words o,
sentences selected at random. He not only con-
cluded every sentence so started but went on 70
give the rest OF the context. quoting all the COM
mentartes In the margin and explaining the mean
He was shown the bottom line Of a page and
Immediately sailed OF the number that would %. be
Talnlud appearing on that page. and also The first
word OF the marginal notes Every conceivable
met and after IL was all over the scholar was
taken out 10 see the sights
RoSenfeld Is nifty years old. little. shabby
dressed man stoop shouldered. hat nosed, and with
a reddish gray beard almost covering his face. He
cannot speak word Of English. seems amused az
the sensation his wonderful memory creates, and
shows hts contempt for display In the character Q,
the clothes he wears. He was born in Minsk, and
before ne years old was placed In the care
of the famous Rabbi Berlin, who started him on
his Talmudical studies UP TO me tiIne ne "as -
forty years old he lived. moved and hreathed N
this atmosphere. placing his studies above every
thing else and imnu-ing himself IN the wisdom ot
the wonderful work that he gradually came 70
know by heart from beginning 10 end -,
For the last ten years he has been alternateS
travelling In European countries, delivering lsct-
on the Talmud and teaching something oa @ Us
ing In this way the equivalent OF little uncer %
a week In American money -
Eight years ago young man lett NllSh IGI az
America and when he reached here settled ~
Seattle where he soon established clothing ousl-
ness He was a "Iikely' fellow. and had for years
kept company with Rosenfelds eldest daHsn.eIr, a.
The mother. born matchmaker a chalcheh - y.
the language of the Ghetto. watched his career IN
the far of with interest. and rev 1aoht.s
ago successful In pointing out ms guy - -
his old friends at home that ne onered hlIlSeil IL
:sIhaf Is why I'm here now" Rosenfeld said yes
terdav with a sad shake OF the head 'SomeoouI
had 10 come with tne kinder, 50 1 was draesSu
sror, nv hooks I am waiting here now till the
new son-in-law sends the tickets for the rest OF
the journey. -, .,,,fa
n, ade man and wife Rosenfeld will make his way
back 10 the middle of Russia and his IaLnnue nr
classes He had whirt around the circle yestel-
day that took his breath away he went ~ iit
Sa1deviIIe performance that he Insisted on calins
a N ooara viewed the city from the top OF INC
Masonic Temple travelled several miles on tne elS-
yated roads used telephone for the nrst time :,
his life and finished up at soda fountain wA1se
h rsarIv drove the expert mixer into Mysteries oy
asking him in Yiddish If the Ice cream "A'
kosher