Letter in the handwriting and signature of Prof. David Yellin - the Hebrew language scholar. Addressed to Israel Michal Nathanson. A postcard, kislev 15 1940, a few months before Yellin's passing.
In his letter, Yellin disagrees with Nathanzon's meaning of the word 'bell' in Arabic, which he thinks is 'opinion', adding that 'there is no need for all the urgent interpretations you have brought' and conclude
forgive me because I contradict your words because I love the truth more than anything"
. below Yellin's signature.
Prof. David Yelin [1864-1941] Teacher, Hebrew scholar and public figure, Mayor of the Yishuv, Mayor of Freemasonry in Israel, Founder of David Yellin College, founder of the Teachers Union and Hebrew Language Committee, chairman of the National Committee, and the founders of the Zichron Moshe neighborhood in Jerusalem. Yellin was a major personality in reviving the Hebrew language, and was very active in renewing words. Unlike Ben-Yehuda, who often turned to the Arabic language to enrich the Hebrew language, Yellin was an independent innovator, who relies on ancient Hebrew sources. He would often seek a word from the sources and renew its meaning, even if its new meaning did not match the original one.
[1] David Yellin's official postcard. Moisture stains. Miss the top right corner. Moderate condition.
