Epistle to Yemen

For the 19th century letter of the same name, see Jacob Saphir.

The Letter to Yemen or Yemen Letter (Hebrew: אגרת תימן Iggeret Teman, Arabic: الرسالة اليمنية‎‎) was an important communication written by Maimonides and sent to the Yemenite Jews. It is estimated to have been written in 1172.

It arose because of religious persecution and heresy in 12th century Yemen. The average Jewish population in Yemen for many centuries was very small. The Jews were scattered throughout the country, but were successful in business and acquired books about the history of their faith.

There was a revolt against Saladin as sultan in the last quarter of the 12th century, and Shia Muslims began to persecute the Jewish faith in the Yemen at this time. At the same time, a man began preaching a syncretistic religion that combined Judaism and Islam, and claimed that the Bible had foretold his coming as a prophet.

The persecution and increasing apostasy led one of Yemen's most respected Jewish scholars, Jacob ben Nathanael, to write for counsel to Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, better known as Maimonides.

Maimonides replied in a Letter written in Arabic that was later translated into Hebrew by Nahum Ma'arabi. This letter made a tremendous impression on Yemenite Jewry, and effectively stopped the new religious movement. It also served as a source of strength, consolation and support for the faith in the continuing persecution.

Maimonides interceded with Saladin in Egypt, and shortly thereafter the persecution came to an end.

See also

• History of responsa
• Rabbinic literature
• Rishonim

External links

• Works related to Epistle to Yemen at Wikisource
• Oral Reading of Epistle to Yemen with Translation and Explanation
• אגרת תימן - ספריה למתלמדים Hebrew Translation (with English footnotes by Shlomo Goldman)