Letter from One Jewish Student to Another

Wisdom rests quietly in a wise man (Proverbs 14:33); nothing which he purposes to do will be withheld from him [see Job 42:2]. I envisioned a man who was diligent in his labor, who was as bright as the skies [see Job 37:21]; he stands before kings, but not before mean men [see Proverbs 22:29]. His mouth is most sweet (Song of Songs 5:16), his words were as pleasant as sweet honeycomb [see Proverbs 16:24], yea, he is altogether lovely (Song of Songs 5:16). He has necklaces and chains about his neck [see Proverbs 1:9]. His mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of his heart shall be understanding [see Psalms 49:4]. He has gathered poetic phrases in his fists [see Proverbs 30:4], a word fitly spoken (Proverbs 25:11). His lips drop honey [see Song of Songs 4:11] with knowledge and wisdom. He has seen every precious thing within the science of medicine. The honor of heaven befits him, the honorable rabbi, our R. Samuel, may his soul protect us; Everlasting, eternally, Selah. Forever.

I am at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace [see Daniel 4:1], doing my work, the work of my God. I will call to understanding, and I will give my voice for wisdom [see Proverbs 2:3], for this is my portion in all my toil [see Ecclesiastes 2:10], bequeathed to me from on high, from the Lord, God to me. And when I looked, behold, a hand was sent forth to me; and, lo, a roll of a book was inside (Ezekiel 2:9); it cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir (Job 28:16). It flies and runs to me. It is covered with silver, and its pinions with the shimmer of gold (Psalms 68:14). I shall take it and take off its cover [see Genesis 38:19]. I saw that it was beautiful from the inside and from the outside: all of its sayings are purified, with clear language; and my mouth was filled with sweet honey as I read it [see Ezekiel 3:3]. My ear heard it and my eye saw it. It shall testify and tell of the great perfection of the completeness of the master, like the saying of the philosopher: Every action is absolutely complete, according to that which is defined as the nature of its matter and its form. This attests to the completeness of its action and its great level. I too, in my vision, am nothing in regard to the scroll. I judged the level of its masters; my feet were almost gone; my steps had nearly slipped (Psalms 73:2). I thought nothing of all of my proverbs and my poems. For your tongue speaks great things with choice poetic language; you have spoken a trustworthy testimony in faith, as you have boasted that you have served the one of great counsel, the light of the lamp, leader of his people; the universal wise man, complete in degrees and virtues, with ten portions of wisdom [see Daniel 1:20], the reputable rabbi, the exalted wise man; “he is a Tanna and therefore has the authority to disagree” [see, e.g., b. Shabbat 64b], our honored teacher and rabbi, the living R. Meir Frankel, who enlightens the eyes of the wise in matters of Jewish law. And now, you are like him. Within you, the wellsprings of his wisdom are plentiful. Your legs will run on his pathways; you receive his sayings [see Deuteronomy 33:3], and you will observe the utterances of his lips [see Deuteronomy 23:24], for it is pleasant if you keep them within you; let them be established together upon your lips [see Proverbs 22:18]. The spirit of his wisdom will be delegated to you [see Numbers 11:25], and you will see the wonders of his teaching [see Psalms 119:18]. As for me, what shall I do (Genesis 27:37)? I have not the understanding of a man (Proverbs 30:2), for my knowledge is small [see Genesis 19:20], and the attainment of my intellect is limited. I do not know how to speak, for I am a kid (Jeremiah 1:6), and I am brutish, unlike a man [see Proverbs 30:2]. I have not learned wisdom, that I should have the knowledge of the Holy One [see Proverbs 30:3], as you shall now see and know. Even so, you have heard people praising me, thanking me, and exalting me, saying that I know how to speak, that I know how to compose poetry and riddles; and for this I thank the Lord. I will mention His grace for everything that He has done for me. He has granted me a good name, and I shall be respectable and precious in His eyes. But in truth, I have not yet even reached the level of a cow herder.

Know, exalted and respected sir, that from the day that I saw your precious letters, in which noble matters are spoken about, and I heard your pleasant sayings, which are sweet, pleasant, witty, and well accented, my soul has been thirsty for you and my flesh longs for you [see Psalms 63:2]. I have said: would that you were in my dwelling place, then it would be as you have spoken, that I will be with you in your quarters. Oh that I had wings like a dove! I would I fly there and be at rest [see Psalms 55:7]! Who does not know things such as these [see Job 12:2], that it would be good and pleasant for us to dwell together and we would be as one people [see Genesis 34:16]. However, listen, my beloved master, and take to my sayings, and the years of your life will increase [see Proverbs 9:11]. You, too, have become weak like me; you have become like me [see Isaiah 14:10]. I will speak of my concern [see b. Yoma 75a], and this shall be your comfort, when your ears hear. I will speak that I may find relief [see Job 32:20]. The spirit within me constrains me, for I am full of words [see Job 32:18]. Suffer me a little, and I will tell you (Job 36:2) heaps upon heaps. Many days have passed for me, not only one, and I have been still, and refrained myself; now will I cry like a travailing woman, gasping and panting at once (Isaiah 42:14). I am distraught in my complaint and will moan (Psalms 55:3) from year to year.