Auction 60 - Jewish and Israeli History and Culture
Autograph Letters by Shadal - to Meir Halevi Letteris and to Rabbi Shlomo Judah Rapoport / Sharp Statements against Spinoza
Opening: $500
Sold for: $938
Including buyer's premium
1. Autograph letter by Shmuel David Luzatto, to the scholar Meir Halevi Letteris. Padua, November 1847.
Shadal writes in this letter sharp statements against Spinoza, in response to an article in favor of Spinoza written by Letteris and published in "Bikure HaItim HaChadashim": "I am Jewish… don't you see that this man expels the human being from mercy and pity and is therefore the enemy of humanity, and there is no Satan who will harm society more than him, and whoever speaks for his virtues and leads the young people to read his book, is corrupting society…". Shadal signed in initials with the citation: "the left hand drive sinners away" (Hebrew).
Meir Halevi Letteris (1800-1871) - member of the enlightenment movement in Galicia and Austria, poet, author and translator.
[1] folded leaf, 27 cm, written on both sides of the leaf. A wide piece of paper is pasted on top of the leaf, hiding the opening of the letter, on which Shadal wrote about the letter - name of the receiver, date etc. Creases, stains and folding marks. Open tear, repaired.
2. Autograph letter by Shmuel David Lussatto, to Rabbi Shlomo Judah Hacohen Rapoport (Shir). September 1849.
Shadal writes at great length about the 1848 revolutions in Padua, about the birth of his son Joseph, and mentions his scholarly work. At the end of the letter Shadal cites from a letter sent to him. It seems that the letter is not complete.
Shir (Shlomo Judah Hacohen Rapoport, 1790-1867) - one of the founders of "Chochmat Israel" movement and of the enlightenment movement in Galicia, Rabbi of Tarnopol and Prague.
[1] leaf written on both sides, 33 cm. A wide piece of paper is pasted on top of the leaf, hiding the heading of the letter, on which Shadal wrote information about the letter - name of receiver, date etc. Fair-good condition. Tears and creases at margins. Some stains.
Provenance: Collection of Ben Zion Kahana.
Shadal writes in this letter sharp statements against Spinoza, in response to an article in favor of Spinoza written by Letteris and published in "Bikure HaItim HaChadashim": "I am Jewish… don't you see that this man expels the human being from mercy and pity and is therefore the enemy of humanity, and there is no Satan who will harm society more than him, and whoever speaks for his virtues and leads the young people to read his book, is corrupting society…". Shadal signed in initials with the citation: "the left hand drive sinners away" (Hebrew).
Meir Halevi Letteris (1800-1871) - member of the enlightenment movement in Galicia and Austria, poet, author and translator.
[1] folded leaf, 27 cm, written on both sides of the leaf. A wide piece of paper is pasted on top of the leaf, hiding the opening of the letter, on which Shadal wrote about the letter - name of the receiver, date etc. Creases, stains and folding marks. Open tear, repaired.
2. Autograph letter by Shmuel David Lussatto, to Rabbi Shlomo Judah Hacohen Rapoport (Shir). September 1849.
Shadal writes at great length about the 1848 revolutions in Padua, about the birth of his son Joseph, and mentions his scholarly work. At the end of the letter Shadal cites from a letter sent to him. It seems that the letter is not complete.
Shir (Shlomo Judah Hacohen Rapoport, 1790-1867) - one of the founders of "Chochmat Israel" movement and of the enlightenment movement in Galicia, Rabbi of Tarnopol and Prague.
[1] leaf written on both sides, 33 cm. A wide piece of paper is pasted on top of the leaf, hiding the heading of the letter, on which Shadal wrote information about the letter - name of receiver, date etc. Fair-good condition. Tears and creases at margins. Some stains.
Provenance: Collection of Ben Zion Kahana.
Avraham Kahana Collection
Avraham Kahana Collection