Burlington Free Press

From the "Allgemeine Zeitung des Judenthums."
Jewish Newspaper published at Leipsic

STATE OF THE JEWS.

Years, says the Chronicle, are mile stones on the great path of life—they are not the end of our journey; nor even resting places for the weary; we only pass them and notice their number. As the number increases, we sometimes feel urged to hasten on our course as our aim is still remote. Sometimes a feeling of pride will arise within us, when we consider the number already passed with undiminished strength. Yet, in them, we must seek for the tenor of our whole life. "We see our joys and our sorrows strung together along their course as it were on a thread; our losses, our earnings are specified by them.

Important events have taken place in the East, Constantinople and Alexandria contended for the supremacy; in the midst of the contest, the Sultan was called from the throne to the grave. The contest cannot be compared with those ancient Asiatic ones, upon the decision of which depended merely the continuance or change of a certain dynasty, and by which the nations themselves underwent no total change: but here, events point towards the utter destruction of the true Oriental spirit, which can only be remodelled on the foundation of civilization.

The Turkish, as well as the Egyptian potentates have conceived that it is only by adopting the great fundamental maxims of European policy, that the East can be inspired with new life. Long ago did the Egyptian grasp after the outward forms of European government, and relied on the material powers thereby required. But the Divan then caught the intrinsic vital principles of Europe, and purposed, thereby, to re-animate the people as a whole. Such being the state of things in the East, the Divan could not altogether overlook the great mass of Turkish Jews, and by a Hatti Scherif, intended to delineate the basis of the proposed transformation and renovation of Oriental policy, and embracing in general terms, all relations, the heads of Jewish congregations were not only openly recognized, but the life, property and honor of Jews were placed under public jurisdiction—their military services accepted, and an equal share of taxation imposed upon them.—Although the component elements of the East may be more or less able to follow out and realize these principles, yet by this general equalization, a prodigy was accomplished, and a path opened for true civil existence, without being accompanied by those pains and fears which were caused by hoping for the same in Europe.

In two other places, also, did the Israelites of Asia and Africa feel the nearness of an European spirit. In the one, in Aden (Arabia) the mere presence of the English was able to break bonds and fetters, so that they were no longer confined to a mechanical profession. In the other, in Algiers, it became evident that the French Government had an unfavorable influence with respect to the usual means of subsistence of the native Jews—that the channel of trade was diverted from their hands;—but that still they were only natives who, with confidence, approach European civilization, attend their institutions, and show their attachment to them. Here, also, civilization approaches with pains and losses, but the Jew of every part of the globe, is, of himself, congenial to it, and its fundamental principle he possesses already by his religion.

We have seen in Athens, a congregation quietly formed under the protection of government, and in possession of public regard. We have perceived in Van Dieman's Land, the second Australian congregation steadily and considerably increasing. Accounts from the Dutch colonies, Paramaribo, Curacoa &c., state the flourishing condition of synagogues and schools; there, as well as in Philadelphia, are the doctrines of that faith preached in the language of the country.

If we first turn our eyes to the north of Europe, we hail as an extraordinary phenomenon the proposal made to the Diet (Storthing) of Norway, for striking out the clause in the constitution, which prohibits Jews to enter the kingdom, and though in due course, this proposal come under consideration within three years, yet the President has provisionally sanctioned it by declaring it his own.

In Denmark, indeed, the petition from the Assembly of the States at Roeskilde, for the eligibility of Israelites to the Assembly, was, for the present, set aside by the commissioner of the king, and the negotiations of the States of Holstein also, whose zeal, on occasions of the most trifling concessions to the Jews, was exerted as if the whole State was in jeopardy, had no result; but his majesty, King Christian VIII., gave, on ascending the throne, solemn promise to effect essential improvements in the state of the Jews of Holstein and Sleswick, and expressed his satisfaction at the position of his Mosaic subjects.

Russia has again improved, and more definitely determined, by occasional decrees, the position of those Jews who rise above the mass of the multitude; Israelites may be elected magistrates or judges in towns; medical men may enter the public service in the south of Russia, though not in Poland; schools were encouraged where their want became apparent; the formulary of an oath was determined upon; Jewish peasants were put into possession of the rights of other settlers. But to the multitude, for whose reach honor and rank are still too distant, the elevating impulse has not yet arrived.

The Jewish question remains in England in statu quo, with the exception of a few signs of life.'" During this quiet from without there arose troubles from within. In the congregations of London, many insisted upon improvements in accordance with the spirit of the times; some called for complete renovation. A general meeting was convened the first during 95 years, in which the majority appeared to be on the side of the old fashioned party. Everything fell back into its former quiet, and the only consequences it seems to have had, is, the plan of founding a Bethhamedrash, in which instruction will be imparted in modern sciences.

Holland remains still the blessed country, where by unalterable affection for the paternal faith, a suitable organization in community and school instruction is steadily going forward, under the auspices of a most gracious and enlightened government. We have every where a quiet, but ripening activity, and we have only to regret one thing that the Israelites of Holland have not yet been animated by an aspiring genius, and elevated spirit; we must regret the shallowness of their tendency, wanting depth and solidity. King William evinced his liberality, which bestows its gifts to the glory of God, without respect of faith, on occasion of the building a synagogue at Maestricht.

We cannot pass over unnoticed, the fact, that also during this past year, the Israelites of Paris showed themselves worthy of the bright position they occupy—that they belong to those who were most zealous to defend the order and the law, against insurgent and sealed their devotedness with their blood. Although Jews were found in the ranks of loyal opposition (the coalition) yet in the ranks of bloody rebels none were seen. The French Government showed in the instance of the widow of a Jew, who fell in this contest, that they likewise pay attention to the claims of all citizens. But in proportion to the freedom of the Israelites of France from external troubles, must their inferiority in a religious point of view, be acknowledged. The Israelites of France are divided into two classes; the first of which knows religion merely nominally, and breathes the dullest spirit of indifference; the other (Mentz and the Alsace) finds its vital air in the greatest bigotry, and has felt very little of the "labors of time."—Thus everywhere there is a calm—the Government has no concern in it—the Consistories seem not to care for any thing at least if we may judge from the signs of life they give; as an honorable exception to which, however, we must mention that of Strasburg. A sharp gad-fly has therefore, succeeded in making the drowsy horse feel its sting, so as, at last, to hasten its pace. The Tsarphatic dispute, which has got publicity through the "Courier de la Moselle," has probably been the chief cause of the Consistory's at last proceeding to reform the divine worship. In the meantime, a French sermon has been introduced in Paris. Another point of dispute was the Chebrot in Paris, which was suddenly suppressed by Government. It is therefore, intended to build a separate hospital in its place.

Again was France compelled to make its protest to a neighboring country, in behalf of the Israelites. The canton of Basle campagne revived suddenly an old law, to refuse to all foreign Jews permission to reside in the country; this having a principal view to the French, the ambassador sent a very peremptory note to the Diet on the subject; as yet, however, it has not been answered, in consequence of the troubles which soon after spread from Zurich over Switzerland.

In Austria, during the past year, no political event affecting the Israelites of any importance has taken place, except that in Hungary, the Jews were by the Diet allowed, without restriction, to purchase estates. A general activity, however, was discerned; we have seen the foundation of a new institution laid in the Imperial capital in Hungary and Moravia, the schools are in a flourishing condition. At all events, this first concession of the Hungarian Diet, must be considered as a most important event.

Prussia has, during the past year, in many ways evinced its tolerating system towards its Jewish subject, which, in fact, always was its principle, though during late years, it did not appear so conspicuously." The restrictions imposed upon the Israelites at Paderborn, were partly revoked; collections for founding a Jewish faculty of divinity were unconditionally permitted: Dr. Geiger received the citizenship, whereby by the Government declared itself favorable to the advancement of the Jews in science and theology. In Berlin and Konigsberg, some steps were taken towards the improvement of divine worship.

Also the rest of Germany offers to our view some important events during the past year. A petition from Christians in favor of the emancipation of the Jew, was presented the Chambers of Baden. The most distinguished among the petitions of Jewish communities, was the one from Heidelberg. Hymns are now introduced into the synagogues. In Wurtemberg, the enlightened spirit of the Government, and the noble mind manifested by acts. In Hesse Darmstadt, a new regulation for the community were fixed upon by the Diet; in Mentz, two Israelites were elected members of the chamber of commerce. In Frankfort-on-the-Maine, there arose a violent dispute in the community, respecting improvements in the chief offices, which terminated in favor of the advocates of progressive reform, but has, as yet, been without any important consequences. In Saxony, we find that in Dresden, the charge of the Jewish poor was embodied in that of the town. In Leipsic, the ground for building a synagogue upon was granted by the magistrate, and for the first time, a professorship was allowed at the university, Jewish of learning. At the meeting of the Diet, the so called usury law, which had very much restricted the Jews in trade and business, was immediately revoked; and in the proposed budget, two hundred dollars are specified to be applied to the Jewish divine service. The Grand Duchy of Saxe-Weimar made also an important advance, in issuing a statute, uniting the Israelites of the country in one body, founding a directing Rabbinate, promising future improvements, and containing an annual grant of two hundred dollars towards the Jewish worship. In Hamburg our attention was especially directed to the many and influential associations, the number of which was increased by the establishment of a large hospital through the munificent liberality of Solomon Heine.

Two neighboring states of Germany differed, during the past year, most materially from each other, in the course adopted with reference to their Jewish subjects, viz Weimar and Bavaria. In the former, the German service was rigorously carried into practice, and its attendance enforced, by refusing to the dissentients the annual trading licence. Bavaria endeavored to bring its Jewish subjects, especially the clergy, back to their stationary position. Although, at last the scientific erudition of the rabbis was required—the new regulations for the community, formally drawn up, were now introduced; the synagogues and burying ground are freed from paying taxes—the Jews declared partakers of the common rights of citizens—yet their path was still wavering, and the number of extra payments, incumbent upon the Jews, and the severe matricular restrictions, caused the emigration of an unusually large number Israelites, to seek an uncertain lot in distant parts of the globe.

The Jews of Palestine mourned, in the last year, the loss of the great Rabbi Israel Askenasi. In Europe, we witnessed the death of many excellent men, among whom we mention, Peter Beer; Joseph Perl; Moses Sofer; Orenstein, of Lemberg; Bernstein, of Amsterdam; and Lipschitz, of Warsaw.

Three important schools were established, one at Nicholsburg, in Moravia; one at Riga, in Russia; one at Altona. The school at Seesen was considerably re-modelled."

It is not for us to speculate on the future but it is a remarkable feature of the times, how the eyes of nations are necessarily, and inevitably fixed at present on the East. We find amongst the "signs of the times," many things which are as signs pointing to deeper ideas than ordinarily exercise us, as denizens of a fleeting and transitory scene—signs, unimportant in themselves but aggregated, significant to those willing to be taught. British science has sounded the navigation of the Euphrates—British wealth and valor has purchased and secured a strong hold (Aden) commanding the entrance to the Red Sea—the commercial enterprise of Britain renders Palestine the line of route and highway between Europe and the East; and finally British diplomacy has accredited an agent to that Jerusalem which shall yet shine as the perfection of beauty—the joy of the whole earth.