Igroth Bikoreth.

GOTTLOBER, ABRAHAM BER.

1857-61

Hebrew manuscript on paper. Various Ashkenazic hands, some portions apparently in the author’s hand with his signature.

Manuscript containing scholarly letters and book reviews written to various literary figures and leaders of the Haskalah movement. The author, Abraham Gottlober (1810-99) was an historian and poet who often wrote under the pseudonyms “Abag” and “Mahalalel.” Originally from a Chassidic background, Gottlober was increasingly attracted to the Haskalah movement and eventually divorced his more religious wife for that reason. Among the correspondents here are Isaac Ber Levinson, E. L. Silberman (editor of HaMagid), S.D. Luzzato, Ludwig Phillpson, Baron H. Ginzberg, Baron S. Rothschild, Mendele Mocher Seforim, E. Zweifel, S.Y. Funn, J. Kohen Tsedek, M. Letteris, S. Pinsker, E. Zederbaum (editor of HaMelitz) and many others. In addition to scholarship, many letters are of a personal nature. Also contains anti-Kabbalah and anti-Chassidic material. See M. Waxman, History of Jewish Literature Vol. III pp. 255-58; EJ Vol. VII col. 827-28.