Sources on the Subject of Syndalphon
By the Grace of G-d
10th of Nissan, 5721
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Professor Dr. David Baumgardt
39 East Broadway
Long Beach, N.Y.
Greeting and Blessing:
Pressure of duties has prevented me from acknowledging sooner your kind regards through my secretary Dr. Nissan Mindel.
I was pleased that the 'Emek ha-Melekh in my library was of service to you regarding the subject of Syndalphon.
In this connection it may interest you to know that the subject is touched upon in Sefer ha-Mamaamarim, 5708 by my saintly father-in-law of blessed memory, published by our Kehot Publication Society (1958), p. 202, particularly in my footnote to that page, where, in addition to other sources, the following are mentioned:
- Zohar I, 37b; 167b; II, 58a; 146b; III, 252b.
- 'Asarah Maamarot, Maamar Em Koi Hai I, chapters 29, 30.
- Pardes, Sha'ar Azilut, etc., ch. 4.
- 'Abodat ha-Kodesh I, ch. 16.
Prof. David Baumgardt (5650-5723), was a Professor and lecturer of the history of philosophy at the University of Berlin until he left Germany, in 1935, due to the rise of the Nazi regime. In his last few years he wrote a number of works on mysticism.
A name of an angel.
I understand you are convalescing, and I send you my prayerful wishes for a speedy and complete recuperation. I wish you also a happy and inspiring festival, the Season of Our Freedom.
With blessing,
M. Schneerson
[Prof. Baumgardt subsequently responded with the following letter. The following is published from a draft found in the Professor’s archives]
[Schneerson, with Nissan Mindel]
Your Greeting and Blessing of the 10th of Nissan reached me only the day before yesterday on the 22nd of Nissan ערב שבת אחרון של פסח.
I am deeply touched by your kindness and profoundly grateful for your prayerful wishes. My dear friend Dr. Nissan Mindel, your secretary, knows how much I am in need of them.
Further, let me thank you especially for your most welcome references to the ספר המאמרים by your saintly father-in-law ז”ל And to the various other sources in which the subject of סנדלפון is touched upon.
My predecessors at the once glorious University of berlin, the philosophers Moses Lazarus (1824-1903) and Hajim Steinthal (1823-1899) have discussed many Jewish problems of past and present in their letters hitherto unpublished and now edited by me with a detailed introduction. סנדלפון appears in one of those documents in a discussion between Lazarus and the well-known Christian philosopher F.W.J. Schelling (1775-1854). I am very happy to refer in this volume of letters soon to appear in London, Jerusalem and New York (Leo Baeck Institute) to the especially valuable references with which you provide me an addition to those accessible to me and Dr. Mindel.
