Letter to Ḥasday Ibn Shaprūṭ

After some ages another king rose up, named Bulan,¹ who was a wise God-fearing man. He expelled wizards and all idolators from the land, and trusted in God alone. An angel appeared to him in a dream, saying to him, “Bulan, God hath sent me to thee, saying to thee, I have heard thy prayers and entreaties, I will bless thee, I will multiply thee, and establish thy kingdom for ever. I will also deliver all thine enemies into thine hand. Come, rise up early in the morning and pray unto the Lord.” And Bulan did so. The angel of the Lord appeared to him the second time, and said to him, “I have seen thy ways, thy works are pleasing to me, and I know that you will walk before me with all your heart, I will give you precepts, statutes, and judgements. If you observe my precepts, statutes, and judgements, I will bless thee and multiply thee.” [ . . . ]

[T]‌he king, being wise, sent for a learned Israelite. He brought the followers of the different religions together, that they might enter into a discussion of their respective doctrines. Each of them refuted, however, the arguments of his opponents, so that they could not agree. When the king saw this, he spake thus to the Christian and Mohammedan priests, “Go home, and I will send for you again on the third day.”

On the following day he sent to the Christian priest, and said to him, “I know that the Christian ruler is greater than all others, and that his religion is excellent, nor does your religion displease me, but I ask you to tell me the truth: which of these two is better, that of the Israelites or that of the Mohammedans?”

The priest answered him, “May my lord the King prosper for ever. Know that there is truly no religion in the whole world to be compared with the religion of the Israelites, for God chose Israel out of all peoples, called them His firstborn son, wrought among them great miracles and signs, brought them forth from the slavery of Pharaoh, and made them to pass through the sea on dry land, drowned their enemies in the sea, rained down manna upon them, brought water for them out of the rock, gave them the Law out of the midst of fire, assigned them the possession of the land of Canaan, and built for them a sanctuary that He might dwell among them. But after they sinned against Him, He was angry and cast them away from His face, scattering them throughout all regions of the earth. Were it not for this there would be no religion in the world like the religion of the Israelites.” The king answered him, “Thus far you have told me your opinion; know that I will honour you.”

On the second day the king sent for the Mohammedan Kadi,² whom he also consulted, and to whom he said, “Tell me the truth, what is the difference between the religion of the Israelites and that of the Edomites,³ which of them is the better?” The Kadi answered and said to him, “The religion of the Israelites is the better, and is altogether true. They have the Law of God, just statutes and judgements; but because they sinned and acted perversely towards Him, He was wroth with them, and delivered them into the hands of their enemies. What is the religion of the Christians? They eat all things unclean, and bow themselves to the work of their hands.” The king answered him, “Thou hast told me the truth, therefore I will honour thee.”

On the following day, having assembled all his princes and ministers, and the whole of his people, he said to them, “I ask you to choose for me the best and truest religion.” They began to speak, without, however, arriving at any result. Thereupon the king said to the Christian priest, “Of the religions of the Israelites and Mohammedans, which is to be preferred?” The Christian priest answered, “The religion of the Israelites.” He then asked the Mohammedan Kadi, “Is the religion of the Israelites, or that of the Christians the better?” The Kadi answered, “The religion of the Israelites is preferable.” Upon this the king said, “You both confess that the religion of the Israelites is the best and truest, wherefore I choose the religion of the Israelites, which is that of Abraham. God Almighty will assist my purpose: the gold and silver which you promised to give me He can give me without labour. Depart now in peace to your land.”

Henceforth Almighty God was his helper, and strengthened him, and he was circumcised, and all his servants. This being done, the king sent and called certain of the wise men of Israel, who explained to him the Law and the precepts. Hence we have this excellent and true religion to the present day, praise be to God for ever. From the time our fathers entered under the wings of the Divine Majesty, He humbled before us all our enemies, subjecting all peoples that are round about us; nor has any been able to stand before us to this day: all are tributary to us by the hands of the kings of the Christians and the Mohammedans. [ . . . ]

With reference to your question concerning the miraculous end of days, our eyes are turned to the Lord our God and to the wise men of Israel who dwell in Jerusalem and Babylon. Although we are far from Zion, we have heard that because of our iniquities the computations are erroneous; nor do we know aught concerning this. But if it please the Lord, He will do it for the sake of His great name; nor will the desolation of His house, the abolition of His service, and all the troubles which have come upon us be lightly esteemed in His sight. He will fulfil His promise, and “the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the Covenant whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.” Besides this we only have the prophecy of Daniel.