Solomon Schechter to Agnes Lewis, Cambridge, 13 May 1896

The letter Schechter wrote to Mrs Lewis declaring his excitement at identifying the Ben Sira/Ecclesiasticus fragment. He insists that for the time being that they keep the discovery secret.

Dear Mrs Lewis,

I think we have reason to congratulate ourselves. For the fragment I took with me represents a piece of the Original Hebrew of Ecclesiasticus. It is the first time that such a thing was discovered. Please do not speak yet about the matter. I will come to you tomorrow about 11 pm and talk over the matter with you how to make the matter known.

In haste and great excitement

yours sincerely

S. Schechter

MS Or. 1102

Extended captions