"Judith, a book including the story of a journey by Mrs. Judith Montefiore wich she wrote in the english ...

"Judith, a book including the story of a journey by Mrs. Judith Montefiore wich she wrote in the english language, while traveling with her husband Minister Moshe Montefiore to the Holy Land in 1839, including great and respected thougjts regarding the work of the land in the Land of Israel. Translated into the hebrew language by one of the lovers of a sacred language".

The historical study revealed that the translator who wanted to hide his name was Rabbi Eliezer Shaul of Krotingen, a member of the Volozhin Yeshiva, whom Montefiore had invited to teach at his Yeshiva 'Ohel Moshe and Yehudit' in Ramsgate. The nickname "O'hev Sefat Kodesh" can be interpreted as an allusion to the initials of his name: Eliezer Sha'ul Kartinger. He later served as Rabbi of Wilki and Tsizawa (Lomza District).

Nathan Valentine's Printing Press, London, [1879?].

The text of the book is in Hebrew, with certain passages in English.

Regarding the special copy before us:

On the inside of the front cover is a label with the emblem of the wealthy Montefiore family, which is distinguished by the fact that it has two flags on it, with the inscription "Jerusalem" - which was so revered and loved by the Montefiore couple. Rabbi Zerach Burnett recounted in his memoirs of his encounters with Montefiore, that the name "Jerusalem" was written and engraved on the objects of the Montefiore house, and even on the cutlery they used! All the immense wealth with which they were blessed, was dedicated to the Jewish people and especially to the Jewish community in the country, and its economic prosperity.

Below the symbol is an illustration (based on a real picture) of Moshe and Yehudit Montefiore. The minister sits in his armchair, holding a newspaper in his hand, and looks at a picture of his late wife Judith, hanging on the wall in front of him. Below the illustration is written in handwriting (printed): "The portrait of the lady and her husband". Above the illustration is a split inscription - on Judith it is written: "To the heavens where / great are the righteous, etc. Cholin 7", while regarding her husband R. Moshe it is written: "elderly scholars their wisdom grows with age etc. Shabbat 154".

This copy was signed by her husband, R. Moshe Montefiore, in his own handwriting, and sent by mail as a gift to the late Rabbi David Shipman, one of the rabbis of the city of Tiberias.

When he received the book, he wrote in his pearl handwriting: "a gift sent to me by mail from the great minister of Israel and the nations, Sir Moshe Montefiore may he live for long years" and signed his name: "David Shapman".

Under the signature of Rabbi David Shipman, a thin metal label with the symbol of the Montefiore family was affixed (upside down). This label is extremely rare.

We do not know of any other copies of this book, bearing the signature of Moshe Montefiore in his handwriting! This may be the only copy in the world of its kind!

Additional background on the essay:

The diary of the journey was written by Judith Montefiore during her joint journey with her husband Moshe, from London to the land of Israel (November 1 1838 - August 10, 1839). The diary is written in English. Here is his translation into Hebrew, which was made about 15 years after the death of Judith Montefiore.

The book includes rich, fascinating and unique information about the Land of Israel at that time, about its cities and villages.

At the beginning of the book, a short poem was printed by the translator ("the copyist"), Rabbi Eliezer Shaul, about his translation: "לפני כס-י'ה, השפה העבריה גולה וסורה, זעקה מרה: בני יצאוני, יהודית עזבני, בשפה זרה כתבה ספרה...".

Two introductions (in Hebrew and English), by Rabbi Eliezer Shaul, were also printed, in which he tells about the composition and the author, Yehudit Montefiore, and praises her greatness. "All her deeds and actions are but sacred. Like Deborah, Hulda Yael and the Judith the first, she also plotted the good of Israel, and in her deeds she resembled the great ones, and her love for her nation was her conversation all day long." As is well

known, Judith was extremely pious, observant, and a woman of grace.

This is what Judith Montefiore wrote in the diary before us:

"Who will give, that the favors which Gd has done with during this journey, will direct us to bring the fruit of faithful crops from our hearts ... to serve Gd with all our hearts and with all our souls and with all our might! Then the gates of light will open ... For we have known and persecuted God to keep his laws and judgments and to fulfill the will of God, which he demands of us "

The special image and great work of Judith Montefiore, as a woman, was a rather unusual phenomenon in the Jewish world in that generation, and therefore the translator, Rabbi Eliezer Shaul, decided to devote a few long pages in his introduction to clarifying the image of women in Judaism, according to Chazal. Until his friends who were busy printing the book "scolded him and he immediately retired"! This interesting episode is documented in a comment added in the margin of p. 24, by the same friends.

At the end of the book, a number of letters were printed by rabbis and community leaders in Jerusalem, to Moshe Montefiore, on the subject of settlement in the Land of Israel, as well as one letter he himself wrote.

The book before us is without a doubt a most fascinating masterpiece, which is too short to describe in detail, and will give the wise, and he will wisen more.

Background on the recipient of a copy of the book before us, Rabbi David Shipman:

He was born in Russia in 1852 and immigrated to Tiberias in his youth. Author of the book HaBikurim VeHariayon (Jerusalem, 1879). Died in 1927.

Condition: Medium-good.