From an Italian Jew
"Praise be to God that I can announce to you glad tidings which arrived here yesterday…there is no end to the confirmations of that which is reported to have happened, and they all write that time is too scarce to describe all the miracles and signs that occur all the time. I pray you to announce to the whole holy congregation that they should settle all their affairs as soon as possible. Let this hint suffice that they should cease from all trade, since there is hope that our redemption may come sooner than we expected. Four hundred families are waiting in Frankfurt, all ready for the journey, and many others of the same neighborhood have already left. I never wished to write untruths; but as I behold that from all sides they confirm the miracle, I must tell you about it. All this news arrived last night and caused such a great rejoicing that many wept for excess of joy. Immediately all copies of the roles of the comedy (Purim shpil) which they had intended to perform were torn up, since this is not a time for vanities but for the study of law and good works...Everyone must seek the welfare of his fellow man if he want to share in this blessedness. Nobody here enters any claims against anyone, but the most important thing is to restore all dishonest gain” (in Casale, Italy, 1666)
Please post your questions by 10/6 at 11:59pm. I suggest you do it after class; you'll have more familiarity with the subject and thus it's more likely you'll ask a better question. You can also revise your question up until that (11:59pm) point in time.
