Instructions Regarding Children and Inquiry about Passover

ca. 475 BCE

To Hoshaiah. Your welfare (may DN seek after at all times).

Now, look after the children by yourself until Ahutab comes. Do not entrust them to others.

If their bread is ground, knead for them 1 qab, (enough) until their mother comes.

Send word to me when you will make the Paschal sacrifice.

Do send news of the child.

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This brief letter, from circa 475 BCE, combines instructions about caring for the children of a woman named Ahutab during her absence and an inquiry about when the Paschal (Passover) sacrifice was to be performed. It is not clear why the writer inquires about the date of the sacrifice (compare “Passover Letter”).

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