In addition to the critical text, I give a translation of the British Museum Ms., and add brief notes thereto.  I have purposely confined the latter to small dimensions in view of the fact that Asher’s notes, the Jewish Encyclopaedia, and the works of such writers as Graetz and others, will enable the reader to acquire further information on the various incidents, personages, and places referred to by Benjamin.  I would, however, especially mention a work by Mr. C. Raymond Beazley entitled “The Dawn of Modern Geography,” particularly his second volume, published in 1901.  The frank and friendly manner in which the writer does justice to the merits of the Jewish traveller contrasts favourably with the petty and malignant comments of certain non-Jewish commentators, of which Asher repeatedly complains.

It is not out of place to mention that soon after the publication in 1841 of the work on Benjamin by A. Asher, there appeared a review thereof in consecutive numbers of the Jewish periodical Der Orient.  The articles bore the signature Sider, but the author proved to be Dr. Steinschneider.  They were among the first literary contributions by which he became known.  Although written sixty-five years ago his review has a freshness and a value which renders it well worth reading at the present day.  The ninetieth birthday of the Nestor of Semitic literature was celebrated on March 30 of last year, and it afforded no little gratification to the writer that Dr. Steinschneider on that occasion accepted the dedication to him of this the latest contribution to the “Benjamin Literature.”  The savant passed away on the 23rd of January last, and I humbly dedicate my modest work to his memory.

I have the pleasure of expressing my thanks to the editors of the Jewish Quarterly Review, who have permitted me to reprint my articles; also to Dr. Berlin and other friends for their co-operation; and to the Delegates of the Oxford University Press for allowing me to make use of the map of Western Asia in the twelfth century, which was designed by Professor S. Lane-Poole.

Marcus N. Adler. May 27, 1907.

* * * * *

THE ITINERARY OF BENJAMIN OF TUDELA.

HEBREW INTRODUCTION.

This is the book of travels, which was compiled by Rabbi Benjamin, the son of Jonah, of the land of Navarre—­his repose be in Paradise.

The said Rabbi Benjamin set forth from Tudela, his native city, and passed through many remote countries, as is related in his book.  In every place which he entered, he made a record of all that he saw, or was told of by trustworthy persons—­matters not previously heard of in the land of Sepharad[1].  Also he mentions some of the sages and illustrious men residing in each place.  He brought this book with him on his return to the country of Castile, in the year 4933 (C.E. 1173)[2].  The said Rabbi Benjamin is a wise and understanding man, learned in the Law and the Halacha, and wherever we have tested his statements we have found them accurate, true to fact and consistent; for he is a trustworthy man.