Ten Autograph Letters by Alexander Ziskind Rabinowitz (Azar) to the researcher Avraham Kahana – Poltava and Jaffa ...

Ten Autograph Letters by Alexander Ziskind Rabinowitz (Azar) to the researcher Avraham Kahana – Poltava and Jaffa, 1903-1906

Seven postcards (undivided), a folded leaf and two pieces of paper (stubs of postal payment vouchers), with autograph letters by Alexander Ziskind Rabinowitz. Poltava and Jaffa, 1903-1906.

Ten autograph letters by Alexander Ziskind Rabinowitz (Azar) which were sent to the researcher scholar and writer Abraham Kahana in Zhytomyr and Kiev. The letters are concerend with literary issues and sale and distribution of books, royalties and payments, printing of essays and books, biblical commentary and novellae, as well as personal matters and the events of the time.

In one of the postcards Azar writes about his plan to immigrate to Palestine "and work there as a writer only". In another postcard, sent after the Pogrom in Zhytomyr following the 1905 Revolution, Azar writes Kahana that he heard "there were murders in your area…"; he inquires about Kahana's health, stating "I am not asking about your situation since I know there is no peace for us in this bloody land".
In an additional lengthy letter, from late 1906, Azar writes about his wellbeing after immigrating to Palestine: "I, my friend, am truly happy for the chance to settle in the land of our forefathers. Here I do not feel any moral slavery. I am a Jew, and I am one with my people, my young children […] are being educated in a Hebrew environment, speaking Hebrew and learning what a Hebrew needs to learn. And as for my material situation: - with God's will I and the members of my family are all satiated, and I haven't been rich in Russia either". Azar advises his addressee, Abraham Kahana, to immigrate to Palestine as well: "And if you are a wise man heeding to advice, come here too. For a wise man such as you, it is probably good to sit in the midst of Judaism […] since, who could imagine while sitting in a different country the beauty of his ancient country, its skies, mountains and valleys and especially its gentle and caressing wind. What wonderous gentleness it has, such that is indescribable […] and undoubtedly you would make here a generous living, that is: if you do not strive for horses and a carriage". Azar continues on, claiming that "Palestine greatly needs wise people. We have more than enough 'Intellectuals', but the number of expert wise people… is limited, and they are burdened with so much work on various matters that it is impossible for them to properly engage in literary work".
Alexander Ziskind Rabinowitz (Azar, 1854-1945), author, editor, biographer and prolific translator, who published approximately 100 books during his lifetime. He translated scholarly Talmudic books by Binyamin Ze'ev Bachar and published a translation of the Song of Songs, commentary on the Book of Job, and more. In 1906 he immigrated to Palestine, settling in Jaffa. He worked as a librarian at the "Sha'ar Zion" library as well as a teacher.
Size varies. Fair condition. Two postcards significantly browned. Filing holes to some items. Worming to one postcard. Stains.
Provenance:
1. The Ben Zion Kahana Collection.
2. Sold by "Kedem", auction 60 (March 2018), item 248.