Zur späten Korrespondenz zwischen Josef Horovitz und Shlomo Goitein

Abstract

Abstract Josef Horovitz was one of the most important orientalists of his time. Born in 1874 in Lauenburg (Pommern), he died unexpectedly in 1931 at the age of 57 in Frankfurt am Main, just before the National Socialists came to power. His letters and postcards, written in the years 1930-31 to his disciple Shlomo Dov Goitein, provide information about their relationship but also give a good insight into the differences in the scientific approach between the generations. They are also revealing with regard to Horovitz’ scientific work and his position on the »Jewish question«. It becomes clear that, at that time, Horovitz was working on a commentary on the Koran which he could not finish because of his early death. And as for the »Jewish question«, it shows that he believed in the possibility of a peaceful coexistence between Jews and Arabs in Palestine on the basis of a mutual recognition of interests.