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Early important collection of thirteen pro-Zionist letters by nine important nineteenth century European rabbis. The rabbis, in the order and as described in the table of contents, are, R. Zevi Hirsch Kalischer, (1795–1874), rabbi and harbinger of the Zionist idea, Av Bet Din of Thorn and student of R. Jacob of Lissa, author of Havvot Yair, and R. Akiva Eger, with two letters; R. Elijah, Rav and Av Bet Din in Graditz and a student of R. Akiva Eger, four letters; R. Meir Loeb, known as Malbim; R. Mordecai ben Joseph Eliasborg of בויסק, two letters; R. Israel Joshua, Av Bet Din, Kutna; R. Zevi Naphtali (sic) Berlin, Av Bet Din and Rosh Mesivta Volozhin; R. Isaac Elhanan [Spektor], Av Bet Din Kovno; R. Reuben ha-Levi, Av Bet Din Doneberg; and R. J. L. Fishman [Maimon], head of Mizrahi.
On the verso of the title page is a poignant dedication page for this, most likely the first American edition, from R. Daniel Rosenthal, who brought Shivat Zion to press. The dedication is to his late wife, Eidah Feigah, whom he extols. At the bottom of this page is a stamp, primarily in Hebrew but with the English words Sabbath Observers Union. Before the text begins there is a page (3) in Hebrew and English giving specific locations where Shivat Zion can be purchased, as well as noting that it is available in Hebrew book stores. R. Rosenthal’s address, 234 Ellery Street, Brooklyn is printed towards the bottom of the page, and next to it, presumably from the author, is a handwritten address, first given as 396 Wallabo and then crossed out and rewritten in the same hand as Wallabout St. Shivat Zion is of value both as early Zionist literature and as Jewish Americana. |
