Gella Hirsch. Autograph Letter Signed, written to her son Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (and family), in Judeo-German, Hebrew, and German.

(HIRSCH, SAMSON RAPHAEL)

10th January

Hamburg

1856

Commencing: “Beloved children, l'orech yomim tovim,” this letter is filled with family news, especially that of R. Hirsch’s younger brother Harry, who was traveling with his family in the Americas, his mother mentioning here St. Thomas and Panama. She also informs the rabbi of the welfare of his siblings and their studies. With postscripts from other relatives. She closes: “And now adieu, my beloved children. May God keep you all in good health and cheerful, which is the dearest wish of your mother and grandmother who blesses you with all her heart.”

Provenance: By direct family descent from Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, to the consignor. Samson Raphael Hirsch was raised in a home led by his mother Gella (1786-1860) and father Raphael (1777-1857) that he described as erleuchtet religiös (‘enlightened-religious’). A supportive warmth echoes from R. Hirsch’s mother here evidence of the harmonious home she oversaw. Her correspondence to her son is in German composed in Hebrew letters. She begins the letter with the Hebrew letters ‘Beth-Heh’ a signifier of piety and tradition. See E.M. Klugman, Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch [A Biography] (1996) pp. 2-5.