Manuscript of 'Chassidut V'Chochma' by Moses son of Mathias Levin. Illustrated Title Page

Manuscript of 'Chassidut V'Chochma' by Moses son of Mathias Levin. Illustrated Title Page

Handwritten copy of "Chassidut V'Chochma;" a short satirical story by Yitzchak Arthur.

Specifications: [13] paper leaves, 12x21 cm.

Unique Features: Fluent and impressive handwriting in Rashi script. Copy of the London manuscript, Jews College 26 in chapter 14, 1837.

Content: Chochma V'Chassidut - published in the journal Hamaskili, Kerem Chemed in (1836). Written by Yitzchak Arthur (1791-1851), an author and member of the Enlightenment movement in Galicia. He integrates autobiographical experiences from the author's life, and relates, in fluent Biblical language, a dream with two female figures who represent chassidut and wisdom fight for the author's soul. The story was written from a 'enlightened' perspective criticizing Galician Jewry's old way of life, its chassidim and leaders. The main criticism is directed against the chassidic leaders who he claims, are deceitful and take large sums of money from suffering people in exchange for salvation.

Bound with: 'Al HaProsh', from the book Tachkemoni, by Rabbi Yehuda Elcharizi.

Specifications: [3] leaves, paper, 12x21 cm. Impressive Ashkenazic handwriting, with "How the fleas bothered me on Friday night" in Rashi script (from the fiftieth chapter of Sefer Tachkemoni).

Content: The story which appears in manuscript form before us, is part of the argument between two people regarding the character traits of the flea and the ant, with their advantages and disadvantages. It relates, in the form of a story, the way a flea bothers a man and woman, when they are unable to escape from it.

Background: Rabbi Yehuda Elcharizi (circa 1165-1225) was born in Spain and received a Jewish rabbinic education alongside education in Arab culture and language. He was fluent in the Bible and Talmud and an expert in the Hebrew language and grammar.

Condition: Very fine. Original cardboard binding.