Begging Letter

He who dwells on high, whose name is holy [see Isaiah 57:15], He knows whether it was in rebellion or betrayal or through gathering forgotten sheaves from the corners of my memory that I refrained for days and years from wielding the scribe’s quill, to write and inquire into your honor’s welfare, as was fit and incumbent upon me. I have engraved you on my palms (Isaiah 49:16), my love for you is constantly before me, and I asked wayfarers regarding your health and welfare, and I have ever prayed for you to the living God. Were it not that my hands are too heavy to grasp a pen and paper, for I am not accustomed to them [see 1 Samuel 17:39], for over time I have become a player of the lyre and flute (Genesis 4:21), and not the holder of a ready writer’s stylus [see Psalms 45:2]. May these words forestall your honor from saying: He has not been my brother or my beloved for years, but now you have turned to me when you are in trouble [see Judges 11:7]. For at all times and in every hour I have been Joseph your brother (Genesis 45:4) and will continue to be.

The truth is that I was forced under pressure to bring forth these lines into actuality from potentiality. First, to inform you that of my four children, two males and two females, one of them is now old enough to be married, and she almost passed the age, until the Lord sent to my hands a good young man from a decent family, one of the best in the city, educated and fine, and I betrothed her to him about three months ago, may it be for good fortune, Amen. I had to promise him seven hundred ducats in the form of both ready money and property, for this is the way of these countries now: every man who is in trouble and distress [see 1 Samuel 22:2] seeks a large and copious dowry. What, then, can the bride’s father do, if he does not want her to sit until her hair turns white? Thus my soul is bitter, for I am poor and in pain [see Psalms 69:30]. Although I run like a deer, all day long, and I labor greatly, it is often too little to feed and sustain the members of my household in this city, where expenses are so great that they cannot be estimated or counted, certainly not enough to gather and collect to provide such a dowry. Our uncle the sage R. Simeon Katz, may his Rock preserve him, who is very old and has no sons, and he has no relative closer than me, has already transferred his estate from us to another man and become my enemy, cruel and merciless. Thus, I do not know to whom I can turn for help, and I have nothing but the mercy of heaven.

Hence I have come to you, my brother and dear lord, I throw myself down and beg, for a brother is born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17), and it is at such times I will know whether I have found favor in your eyes so that you will recognize me. For were it not for this reason, I would place my hand upon my mouth, as I have done until now. However I cannot ignore this. May it please your honor to help me and bring it about that I might see your generosity with my own eyes. With the bounty that the Lord has given you, it is better for you to give it to me, bone of your bone (Genesis 2:23), in this hour of my great need. I do not wish to become an object of contempt, perish the thought, and the time of the wedding approaches, for it is soon, in the month of Ḥeshvan 5376 [October/November 1615], let it be for the good. I do not have in my possession the sum I vowed to pay, and the wedding might be canceled, perish the thought. You know very well that you will receive a great reward from the Lord, may you be paid twice over from Heaven; be firm and fearless. I trust in your mercy, do not put my hope to shame. For this is the kindness that you will do for me [see Genesis 20:13], to inform me as soon as possible what you will send to me [see Exodus 33:12], whether it is a little or a lot, so that I can know and calculate what I will obtain from different sources, for the time is short, and there is no place here for hesitation. Thus, I await your response, your honor; I will not inundate you with words, but I will spread my palms out to the Lord that He will save you, grant you success and always raise your seat firmly, with your whole household, holiness becomes them [see Psalms 93:5], and I wish peace within your walls, comfort and joy, Amen.

Venice, And if your brother becomes poor, and his means fail with you, then you shall uphold him (Leviticus 25:35), [the 39th day of the Omer,] 5375, May 23, 1615. Written by your honor’s brother and servant all his days, Joseph Katz, son of a righteous priest.