Fascinating letter from wordsmith Shmuel David Luzzato, one of the leaders of the ‘Enightenment’ movement, in which he gives a “get” to his partner, Meir HaLevi (Max) Letteris. Cheshvan, 1847.
In his important and fascinating letter, Shada”l writes sharply and very firmly against his comrade in the Haskalah movement, Max Letteris. The background to the letter is an article by Letteris in the Jewish Enlightenment movement’s journal, Bikkurei HaIttim HaChadashim , about Jewish philosopher Baruch Spinoza. This was the first article in Hebrew literature relating to Spinoza in a positive way. The article initiated an extensive controversy between the maskilim for and against Spinoza. Shada”l led those opposed. In this “rule-breaking” letter before us, he ceremoniously notified Max Letteris that he has decided to completely sever relations with Bikkurei HaIttim HaChadashim and he is establishing a competing newspaper called Beit HaOtzar and will only publish his articles and works therein. He then moves on to a personal attack against Letteris: “And I have come to the decision to not correspond with you … and the letter from you which arrived today will not be given to me … because I worship the G-d of lovingkindness and mercy. If I had been a disciple of Spinoza, I would have overcome the feeling of compassion, which he terms ‘women’s weakness, ‘ and with all my power I would attempt to not have mercy nor compassion.” He calls Letteris a “corrupter of society” and “cruel to all humanity.” He continues, attacking Spinoza himself as well with harsh expressions: “Enemy of the human species, ” “Satan, ” “Cholera.” All is in literary and oblique language. It is an absolute pleasure to read this letter, as the saying goes: “Divide for the wicked between delight for them and delight for the world.”
Shmuel David Luzzato – Shada”l [1800-1865] was a poet, a biblical commentator, a Hebrew philologist and a philosopher. He was one of the leaders of the Jewish Enlightenment movement, one of the progenitors of “Judaic Studies, ” and head of the Rabbinic Study Hall in Padua, Italy. He had a huge influence on the image of Italian Jewry, both in his lifetime, and in the generations thereafter. His nationalistic outlook was also reflected in the activities of the generation of the Revival, after the decline of the Haskalah movement.
Meir HaLevi [Max] Letteris [1800-1871] was a poet, Hebrew author, and literary activist, one of the leaders of the Jewish Enlightenment movement in Austria. Some of Letteris’ original songs deal with nationalistic subjects, and were very successful; his song “Yonah Homiyah” was especially well-known. It was sung in public at public assemblies and popular gatherings for many years after it came out. The song describes the distress of a dove that had left its nest, as a metaphor for the Jewish people.
[2] pp, 23 cm. A wide piece of paper is pasted at the top of the leaf with the name of the addressee, the date, etc.
Fine condition. Fold marks. Aging stains.