Part 18
The lines, written in 1882, apply with hundredfold force to the uninterrupted pogroms that have been raging in the Ukraine throughout 1919. More than 100,000 Jews――men, women, and children――have been butchered in cold blood by the hordes under Generals Denikin and Petlura. The soldiery, intoxicated with blood, invented the most diabolical tortures. See the Report on Jewish Pogroms by Kieff Pogrom Relief Committee, controlled by the Russian Red Cross, London, 1920. ‘Our masses in Eastern Europe have been facing death in seven circles of hell. It is sufficient to remember the multi-massacres of Ukrainia. For this cold murder of whole communities not Heaven itself nor all the mercy of the angels could find palliation. There is no instance that shows so much as this the ghastly descent of human character into primitive brutality and cannibalism. This is a deed which in its horror and wicked purposelessness should have stunned the world.’ (Nahum Sokolow, Opening Address of London Zionist Conference, July 7, 1920.) The following stanzas are from Mr. Zangwill’s appeal to American Jewry on behalf of the victims:――
OUR OWN
By devastated dwellings, By desecrated fanes, By hearth-stones, cold and crimsoned, And slaughter-reeking lanes, Again is the Hebrew quarter Through half of Europe known; And crouching in the shambles, Rachel, the ancient crone, Weeps again for her children and the fate that is her own.
No laughter rings in these ruins Save of girls to madness shamed. Their mothers disembowelled Lie stark ’mid children maimed. The Shool has a great congregation But never a psalm they drone. Shrouded in red-striped Tallisim, Levi huddles with Kohn; But the blood from their bodies oozing is the blood that is your own.
Shot, some six to the bullet, Lashed and trailed in the dust, Mutilated with hatchets In superbestial lust―― No beast can even imagine What Christians do or condone―― Surely these bear our burden And for our sins atone, And if we hide our faces, then the guilt is as our own.
At last but a naked rabble, Clawing the dust for bread, Jabbering, wailing, whining, Hordes of the living dead, Half apes, half ghosts, they grovel, Nor human is their tone, Yet they are not brutes but brethren, These wrecks of the hunger-zone, And their death-cry rings to heaven in the tongue that is your own.
107. For an historical account of these child-martyrdoms, see Dubnow, _History of the Jewish Russia and Poland_, J. P. S., 1918, vol. ii, pp. 18‒29.
109. _Stories and Pictures_, J. P. S., 1906, contains the best work of Peretz. The Yiddish original of ‘Bontzie Schweig’, with English translation, is published in Wiener, pp. 332‒53. With Peretz, Yiddish letters ‘enter into competition with what is best in the world’s literature, where he will some day occupy an honourable place. Peretz offers gladly all he has, his genius, in the service of the lowly. Literature, according to him, is a consolation to those who have no other consolation, a safe and pleasurable retreat for those who are buffeted about on the stormy sea of life. For these reasons he prefers to dwell with the down-trodden and the submerged.’ (Wiener).
117. Cf. Emma Lazarus’ _Banner of the Jew_:――
Oh for Jerusalem’s trumpet now, To blow a blast of shattering power, To wake the sleepers high and low, And rouse them to the urgent hour! No hand for vengeance――but to save, A million naked swords should wave.
Oh deem not dead that martial fire, Say not the mystic flame is spent! With Moses’ law and David’s lyre, Your ancient strength remains unbent. Let but an Ezra rise anew, To lift the _Banner of the Jew_!
A rag, a mock at first――ere long, When men have bled and women wept To guard its precious folds from wrong, Even they who shrunk, even they who slept, Shall leap to bless it, and to save. Strike! for the brave revere the brave!
‘When the anti-Semite agitation took the form of massacre and spoliation, several pamphlets were published by Jews in Russia, advocating the restoration of the Jewish State. They found a powerful echo in the United States, where a young Jewish poetess, Miss Emma Lazarus, passionately championed the Zionist cause in verse not unworthy of Yehudah Halevi.’ (Lucien Wolf, _Encyclopaedia Britannica_, ‘Zionism’.)
119. _Seminary Addresses_, ‘Zionism’.
120. _Selected Essays_, ‘Moses’.
123. _Jewish Review_, I.
124. Herzl: ‘Herzl’s personal charm was irresistible. His sincerity, his eloquence, his tact, his devotion, his power, were recognized on all hands. He spent his whole strength in the furtherance of his ideas. Diplomatic interviews, exhausting journeys, impressive mass meetings, brilliant literary propaganda――all these methods were employed by him to the utmost limit of self-denial. He was beyond question the most influential Jewish personality of the nineteenth century. He effectively roused Jews all the world over to an earnest and vital interest in their present and their future. Herzl thus left an indelible mark on his time, and his renown is assured whatever be the fate in store for the political Zionism which he founded and for which he gave his life.’ (I. Abrahams in _Encyclopaedia Britannica_.)
125. Herzl: Address at Zionist Congress, London, 1900.
Hertz: Address at Thanksgiving Meeting for the Balfour Declaration, Dec. 2, 1917.
127. Herzl: Address at First Zionist Congress, Basle, 1897.
Schechter: _Aspects_, 105.
Noah: See ‘Noah’s Ark’ in Zangwill’s _Dreamers of the Ghetto_ for an account of this early American Zionist.
III
131. Cornill: In the same masterly address, _Humanity in the Old Testament_, this great Biblical scholar says:―― ‘But not only to man does the humanitarianism of the Torah extend, it cares for the brute as well, and places it likewise under legal protection, to which I know of no analogy in older extra-Israelitish codes. The Israelite ascribed a soul even to the brute, and saw in it a creature of God, which, while subservient to man by God, yet should not be helplessly exposed to his caprice. What a truly humanitarian sentiment finds expression in the Law; “Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn”. The brute should not perform hard labour, and at the same time have food before its eyes, without the possibility of eating therefrom. I remember some time ago, to have read that one of the richest Italian real-estate owners, at the grape-harvest, fastened iron muzzles to his miserable, fever-stricken workmen, so that it might not occur to these poor peasants, working for starvation wages under the glowing sun of Southern Italy, to satiate their burning thirst and their gnawing hunger with a few of the millions of grapes of the owner.’
132. _Literature and Dogma_, 1, 4, and xi, 6.
133. _History of the People of Israel._ Preface.
134. Lotze: _Microcosm_, III.
138. Frazer: _Passages of the Bible chosen for their Literary Beauty_.――Preface.
Compare the following from the same writer’s _The Folklore of the Old Testament_ (Macmillan, 1918):―― ‘The revelation of the baser elements which underlay the civilization of ancient Israel, as they underlie the civilization of modern Europe, serves rather as a foil to enhance by contrast the glory of a people which, from such dark depths of ignorance and cruelty, could rise to such bright heights of wisdom and virtue. The annals of savagery and superstition unhappily compose a large part of human literature; but in what other volume shall we find, side by side with that melancholy record, psalmists who poured forth their sweet and solemn strains of meditative piety in the solitude of the hills or in green pastures and beside still waters; prophets who lit up their beatific visions of a blissful future with the glow of an impassioned imagination; historians who bequeathed to distant ages the scenes of a remote past embalmed for ever in the amber of a pellucid style? These are the true glories of the Old Testament and of Israel.’
139. Huxley: _Educational Essays_.
140. Huxley: ‘From the free spirit of the Mosaic law sprang the intensity of family life that amid all dispersions and persecutions has preserved the individuality of the Hebrew race; that love of independence that under the most adverse circumstance has characterized the Jew; that burning patriotism that flamed up in the Maccabees and bared the breasts of Jewish peasants to the serried steel of Grecian phalanx and the resistless onset of Roman legion; that stubborn courage that in exile and in torture held the Jew to his faith. It kindled that fire that has made the strains of Hebrew seers and poets phrase for us the highest exaltations of thought; that intellectual vigour that has over and over again made the dry staff bud and blossom. And it has exerted its power wherever the influence of the Hebrew scriptures has been felt. It has toppled thrones and cast down hierarchies.’ (Henry George.)
141. Renan: _History of the People of Israel_, chap. 7.
143. _Moses._ This splendid lecture should be read in full. It is published in a penny edition by the ‘Land Value’ Publication Dept., Strand.
147. Dow: ‘Hebrew and Puritan’, J. Q. R., iii.
Rhys: _Lyrical Poetry from the Bible_. (Dent.) Introduction.
Cornill: _The Culture of Ancient Israel_. Open Court Publishing Co., Chicago. ‘The Psalms in the World’s Literature.’
151. Jowett: _Selected Passages from the Theological Writings_, 1903, p. 53.
152. _The Prophets of Israel._ Open Court Publishing Co., Chicago, 1895.
156. Stanley: _History of the Jewish Church_, iii, lecture 45.
157. ‘Social Life in France in the Fourteenth Century’ (The Jews), Fortnightly Review, vol. 57.
158. _The Shield_, edited by Gorky, &c., A. A. Knopf, New York, 1917. ‘Russia and the Jews.’
159. Herford: _Pharisaism: Its aim and methods_, 1912, chap. vi.
160. ‘A Theist’s Impressions of Judaism’, J. Q. R., xix.
162. _Israel among the Nations. _New York, 1893.
166. _Rationalism in Europe_, chap. vi.
171. _Short History of the English People_, chap. viii, i.
172. _Essay and Speech on Jewish Disabilities_, ed. I. Abrahams and S. Levy. (Jewish Historical Society of England) 1910.
177. From ‘A Letter on the Jew’ sent to a Jewish meeting, Capetown, July 1, 1906.
178. Milyukov: In _The Shield_, ‘The Jewish Question in Russia’.
Lecky: _Democracy and Liberty_, 1896.
179. The Talmudic Story is from _Three Legends_ (Berlin, 1904), written and published by Tolstoy in aid of the victims of the Kishineff pogrom.
180. Schreiner: See Note 177.
181. The British Protest, together with the French, German, and Russian Protests, were republished in pamphlet form by the _Jewish Chronicle_ in 1913.
185. Quoted in Davies’s _Gems from the Fathers_ (Bagster).
IV
189. Philo: C. G. Montefiore, ‘Florilegium Philonis’, in J. Q. R. vii (1895) is a good introduction to the Moses Mendelssohn of Hellenistic Judaism.
193. Abrahams: _Authorized Prayer Book, Annotated Edition_, p. viii.
Both Mrs. Lucas in _The Jewish Year_, and Mr. Zangwill in _The Service of the Synagogue_ (Routledge) have produced versions of Adon Olam. The following is by George Borrow in _The Bible in Spain_:――
Reigned the Universe’s Master, ere were earthly things begun; When His mandate all created, Ruler was the name he won; And alone He’ll rule tremendous when all things are past and gone, He no equal has, nor consort, He, the singular and lone, Has no end and no beginning; His the sceptre, might, and throne. He’s my God and living Saviour, rock to whom in need I run; He’s my banner and my refuge, fount of weal when call’d upon; In His hand I place my spirit, at nightfall and at rise of sun, And therewith my body also; God’s my God――I fear no one.
194. From the first Jewish Hymn Book in America――a free rendering.
195. _The Menorah Journal_, vol. ii, 1916. ‘A Plea for Orthodoxy.’
196. Hertz: _Inaugural Sermon_, Congregation Orach Chayim, New York, 1912.
198. Abrahams: ‘Judaism and Spiritism’, in _Jewish Guardian_, October 1, 1919.
199. In Philipson, _Old European Jewries_, J. P. S.
201. Jacobs: _Jewish Ideals_. ‘And what great bliss and happiness did the Sabbath bring to the family life. When Friday evening came and the Sabbath lamps were lighted and our fathers sang their Sabbath hymns, they forgot, once in each week, all the sorrows and cares of everyday life, and all the affronts and insults which, without pity and without mercy, were heaped upon them, and at last on the Sabbath they felt released in body and soul from all troubles and burdens.’ (B. Felsenthal.)
A SABBATH TABLE-SONG.
Treasure of heart for the broken people, Gift of new soul for the souls distrest, Soother of sighs for the prisoned spirit―― The Sabbath of rest. _This day is for Israel light and rejoicing, A Sabbath of rest._
When the work of the worlds in their wonder was finished, Thou madest this day to be holy and blest, And those heavy-laden find safety and stillness, A Sabbath of rest. _This day is for Israel light and rejoicing, A Sabbath of rest._
ISAAC LURIA, 1560. (_Trans. Nina Salaman._)
202. _Songs of a Wanderer._
204. See _Authorized Prayer Book, Annotated Edition_, pp. cxlix and cclix.
206. Also in _Songs of a Wanderer_.
207. _The Ideal in Judaism_, 1893.
209. Hertz: Passover as Israel’s birthday. ‘A people who, though they never founded a great empire nor built a great metropolis, have exercised upon a large portion of mankind an influence, wide-spread, potent and continuous; a people who have for nearly two thousand years been without country or organized nationality yet have preserved their identity and faith through all vicissitudes of time and fortune; who have been overthrown, crushed, scattered; who have been ground, as it were, to very dust, and flung to the four winds of heaven; yet who, though thrones have fallen, and empires have perished, and creeds have changed, and living tongues have become dead, still exist with a vitality seemingly unimpaired; a people who unite the strangest contradictions; whose annals now blaze with glory, now sound the depths of shame and woe――the advent of such a people marks an epoch in the history of the world.’ (Henry George.)
213. Akdomus: Translation of a thought at the beginning of _Akdomus_, the Aramaic hymn that precedes the Reading of the Law on Pentecost. I have not been able to discover the name of the translator.
Rosenfeld: From a forthcoming book of poems, _Songs of a Pilgrim_ (Jewish Forum Publishing Co., New York). He is known to the non-Jewish world by his _Songs from the Ghetto_――powerful descriptions of the New York sweatshop inferno. This volume has been translated into most Western languages. ‘It was left for a Russian Jew at the end of the nineteenth century to see and paint hell in colours not attempted by anyone since the days of Dante ... the hell he has not only visited, but that he has lived through.’ (Wiener.)
214. _The Sinaist_, 1, 2. ‘The Torah――our Greatest Benefactor.’
216. _The Sinaist_, 1, 3.
TEPHILLIN
Erect he stands, in fervent prayer, His body cloaked in silken Tallis; He seems a king, so free from care, His wife a queen, his home a palace.
These bands he wears and softly prays, Devoting strength and mind to God; His body slowly, gently sways―― He walks the ground his fathers trod.
This daily commune with the Master Lifts him above mere common clay; The Jewish heart, like alabaster, Grows pure and purer every day.
(Aaron Schaffer in _Standard Book of Jewish Verses_, New York, Dodd, Mead & Co.)
217. _Sun and Shield_――a book of devout thoughts for everyday use. Bloch Publishing Co., New York.
218. _The Occident_, vol. 12. It is a pity that no selection of S. R. Hirsch’s Essays has as yet appeared in English.
219. _Sermons_, i. ‘Faith’, the last sermon preached by him. The Jewish idea of faith is that of fidelity, absolute loyalty to God. ‘Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.’ Young Sorley, writing a few days before he fell in battle, says: ‘Real faith is not that which says “we _must_ win for our cause is just”; but that which says “our cause is just; therefore we can disregard defeat”. All outlooks are at present material, and the unseen value of justice as justice, independent entirely of results, is forgotten. It is looked upon merely as an agent for winning battles.’ (_Letters of Charles Sorley_, 1919.)
220. Halevi’s Ode to Zion is one of the noblest religious poems in the literature of the World:――
Pure and faithful, ever spotless, Was his song, even as his soul was; Soul, that when the Maker fashioned, With His handiwork delighted.
Straight He kissed the beauteous spirit; And that kiss of grace, re-echoing, Fills with music all his singing, Whom it consecrated――poet. (Heine.)
226. For Israel Baalshem, See Schechter, _Studies_, i. ‘The Chassidim.’
Joseph: _The Message of Judaism_.
228. _Songs of Zion._ An excellent translation of a poem of great mystic beauty.
229. This hymn forms part of the New Year Morning Service.
230. _Stories and Pictures._ Peretz inimitably succeeds in revealing the whole inner world of Chassidic life. The Rebbe referred to is Nathan ben Naphtali Hertz, a disciple of Nahman of Bratzlav. The story is also related of R. Moses Sassow.
235. From a Sermon preached at Capetown to a Congregation of Refugees from the Transvaal during the Boer War.
237. _Service of the Synagogue_, Eve of the Day of Atonement. Only the last portion of this alphabetic acrostic is given here.
238. From _The Royal Crown_, Gabirol’s best known and most important composition, containing his thoughts on religion and philosophy, and expressing all his ardent love of God. In many congregations, this poem is recited at the conclusion of the Eve of Atonement (Kol Nidra) Service.
240. _Abodath Yisrael_, by Szold and Jastrow, Philadelphia, 1873.
241. _Poems of Emma Lazarus_, vol. ii.
249. This hymn introduces the concluding service on the Day of Atonement in the Sephardi Liturgy.
250. _Cusari_, ii, 50. The translation is from Gottheil, _Sun and Shield_.
252. Joseph: _Judaism as Life and Creed_.
Disraeli: _Tancred_.
253. _Aspects of Judaism_, p. 109.
255. J. Q. R., 1903. For the Yiddish original, See Wiener, _History_, p. 272.
259. The Menorah――the more correct title would be ‘The Chanukah Lamp’.
268. In England every morning service closes with this hymn being recited before the open Ark.
V
273. Spinoza: _Ethics_.
274. _Guide to the Perplexed._
275. See Notes 7‒9.
280. Maimonides: _The Eight Chapters on Ethics_, ed. Gorfinkle, New York, 1912.
Jacobs: _Jews of Angevin England_, p. 172.
Ethics of the Fathers: _Authorized Prayer Book_, pp. 184‒209. A good edition, Hebrew and English, with commentary, is by Gorfinkle, in Library of Jewish Classics, Bloch Publishing Co., New York.
282. ‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness’: The Jewish mystic’s Ladder of Perfection. Its author is Rabbi Pinhas ben Yair――a second-century saint and teacher.
283. Yellin-Abrahams’ _Maimonides_, J. P. S.
285. _The Literary Remains of Emanuel Deutsch_, ‘The Talmud’, for a larger selection of Talmudic sayings.
296. _The Discipline of Sorrow_, 1911. ‘The terrible events of life are great eye-openers. They force us to learn that which it is wholesome for us to know, but which habitually we try to ignore, namely, that really we have no claim on a long life; that we are each of us liable to be called off at any moment, and that the main point is not how long we live, but with what meaning we fill the short allotted span――for short it is at best. As in every battle, so in the great battle of Humanity, the fallen and wounded, too, have a share in the victory; by their sufferings they have helped, and the greenest wreaths belong to them.’ (Felix Adler in _Life and Destiny_, New York. McClure, Philips & Co.)
297. See Note 235.
298. _Aspects of Judaism_, ii, 5.
300. Adler: ‘Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild――a Funeral Address’.
301. Penini: translation in Gottheil, _Sun and Shield_.
308. ‘The Jewels’――based on a version by S. T. Coleridge.
315. Cf. _Authorized Prayer Book_, p. 318.