"Chataim V'Chotim B'Eretz Yisrael," Jerusalem 1924. First Edition. Inscribed and Autographed by the Author

"Chataim V'Chotim B'Eretz Yisrael," Jerusalem 1924. First Edition. Inscribed and Autographed by the Author

Chotim V'Chataim B'Eretz Yisrael - journal by David Tidhar, police commander in the new city of Jerusalem. Jerusalem, [1924]. Includes descriptions and photos of Jerusalem criminals [primarily Jews and Arabs] from the beginning of the yishuv. This copy was inscribed and autographed on the frontispiece by the author.

This was Tidhar's first work in which he relates about the "sins" of a few of the Land of Israel's residents of the time, per his work as police commander. In this book, he exposes, for the first time, the "other side" of life in the country - the tricks of the thievery trade of those born in the country ["the thief pretends to be suffering," "hug him and kiss him," "sins attained through mitzvah fulfillment"] along with episodes of drunkenness and murder. Along with the pictures of criminals that appear here for the first time, there are photos of Jews and Arabs in traditional garb with short descriptions of the features characteristic of their place of origin.

Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook wrote an interesting letter of greeting for this book [appears in his work B'Madim V'Lo B'Madim], "Great job on your clever work Chotim V'Chataim B'Eretz Yisrael. May it be His will that we soon merit the publication of a work titled Tzadikim V'Tzidkut B'Eretz Yisrael.

177 pages. 40 pictures. Title page in Hebrew, with English on its back. Stains on the binding and a number of leaves. Fine condition.