Lot 560
Ben-Gurion, David. Autograph letter signed ("D. Ben-Gurion"), 1p, 8½x4¾ in., in Hebrew, on ruled, light tan paper with a printed "7" at the top, Sdeh Boker, 31 March 1970. To P.Z. Hartal, veteran of the Six Day War, artist, poet, and author of "The Brush and the Compass" and "Toldot HaAdrichalut" (A History of Architecture). Fine. Accompanied by English translations of Ben-Gurion's letter and of Mr. Hartal 's letter to him.
Ben-Gurion writes: "I suggested proposals to Einstein--not because of Plato's statement (and your interpretation of Plato's utterance in my opinion is not justified) but because president in Israel--is unlike the president of the United States, and practically he has no rights and freedom to interfere with the affairs of the state, but he represents the spiritual side of the people and it seems to me that in those days--Einstein was the most appropriate for the role--because he exemplified all the positive qualities of the Hebrew people in the moral sense and the intellectual sense. To my regret he did not think that he was suitable for this role…."
In 1952, Einstein, who was Jewish but not a citizen of Israel, declined an invitation to become Israel's second president. In this letter, Ben -Gurion is responding to an inquiry by Mr. Hartal as to whether the offer to Einstein was made based on Plato's statement that the state should be ruled by philosophers and offering a different interpretation of what Plato might have meant by the word "philosopher."
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,500.
From the personal collection of P.Z. Hartal. Copies of the correspondence offered here between Ben-Gurion and Mr. Hartal are in the Ben-Gurion Archives in Israel.
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| Realized $6,900 |
