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iMM

STEP BY STEP
A STORY OF THE EARLY DAYS
OF

MOSES MENDELSSOHN

BY

ABRAM

S.

ISAACS

Philadelphia

The Jewish Publication Society of America

1910

yV
Copyright,

1910,

BY

The Jewish Publication Society of America

CU278246

PREFACE
The

heroes and heroines of Jewish his-

tory are as

many

as those in the records of

any other people, but, unhappily, their

and deeds are

characters in

Holy Writ and

in rabbinical literature, little

to rescue

Apart from

known.

less

them from

lives

few worthies

has been done

f orgetfulness.

In the present volume an attempt

is

made

to revive interest in the early days and

struggles of

Moses Mendelssohn, one of

the most illustrious Israelites of

times

in

some

and helpful.

respects the

Under

modern

most gifted

the guise of fiction,

the chief scenes and persons of his child-

hood and youth are introduced, and

and experiences

in

Dessau and Berlin are

faithfully portrayed,

little

liberty has

his life

though here and there

been taken with the char-

acters.
5

PREFACE
Written particularly for young people
that have reached the threshold of maturer
years,

and

it is

yet

by no means a book for boys

girls only, but,

it is

hoped,

terest children of a larger

it

will in-

growth, and be

found helpful for our Sabbath Schools, our

Jewish
ish

Women's

Chautauqua, and other literary

The age
was

Council classes, the Jew-

in

circles.

which Mendelssohn lived

a formative one,

and the story does not

exaggerate in associating with his name,

even in youth, those wise and broad tendencies that were,

on the whole, to uplift his

and succeeding generations. If

his thoughts

appear too mature for one so young,

it

not be forgotten that he had a gifted

lect,

must
intel-

and showed early the promise of

his

later years.
J\. o. 1.

New York

University.

CONTENTS
PAGE
I.

II.

III.

IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.

IX.

X.
XI.
XII.

Father and Son

By the Stream

19

A Friday Night
A Wanderer

41

30

Between Minchah and Maariv

54

At the Rabbinical School

A Talk with Rabbi Fraenkel

65

76

Shadows and Resolves

87

A New World
Winning His Way

109

At

120

a Banker's

More Light

XIII.

Victory

XIV.

His Life- Work

Home

98

131
143

154

STEP BY STEP
I

FATHER AND SON

"

Moses Moses,
!

my

son

"
!

slenderly built boy, of about ten years

of age, with dark eyes, which seemed particularly large, so full

and earnest was

their

glance, ran quickly, at his father's call, with

a slip of paper in his hand,

from

wooden bench

and stood

in the garden,

the rear door, fronting the bit of

his

low
at

ground

with a few straggling flowers and climbing

plants.

"

What

is it,

for anything?

He

father?

Do

you wish me

"

thought that there was some errand

to be attended to for his father,

service to be done.

He
9

some

little

was always ready

STEP BY STEP
for such a task, although

it

took him for a

while from his precious books and writing.

The father bent down and kissed him.

" Now, my son, you know the doctor
told you not to write

and study so much.

Here, for two hours, you have been hard

at

work, stooping over your bench, and

You must

curled up like a monkey.

more

careful

that!

Do

how

often have

be

told you

you wish to become a hump-

back?"
" Well,

father,"

boy

the

replied,

roguish smile lighting up his features, " I

would rather be

humpback

in

body than
I

am

sure I can help you soon, can I not?

in

mind.

how

See what I have done!

glad I should be,

if

only I could help

you!"

The man

glanced at the

slip

of paper his

son was extending so eagerly.

short
tion.

It

was a

Hebrew letter of his own composiThe words could not have been
10

FATHER AND SON

more regularly and

written

The

clearly.

boy blushed with pleasure as

father

his

again kissed him tenderly.

"

Well done,

my

soon be able to help

then
11

we

Why, you

child.

me

at

my

shall get rich, so rich

And

then

work, and

"
!

can buy some books, and

go to Berlin to study and become

Not

will

so, father? "

And

a rabbi.

he looked fondly

at his parent.

"

But you

will never be able to help if

you don't grow stronger and

know

Here, take

that very well.

book that

have

stouter.

just

You

this little

copied for Rabbi

Hirsch to the school-house, and then walk

out a bit and play until Maariv." *

He
after a

handed the book

warm

to his son,

embrace, ran rapidly

narrow lane that led

to

the

who,

down

the

house

of

learning.

In the quiet
*

The evening

little

town of Dessau, which,

prayer.

11

STEP BY STEP
in the early

decades of the eighteenth cen-

tury, the days before the railway,

distant

from Berlin and

about one hundred and

Leipsic, there lived

fifty

The community was

lies.

Jewish famismall and of

comparatively recent growth.

the Jewish residents were in
at court,

as

much

kingdom

seemed

few of

marked favor

which the Duke maintained with

dignity as

if

he ruled a mighty

instead of a petty duchy.

The

great majority of the Jews, however, felt

the full force of the harsh, repressive laws,

which compelled them to

live in a special

part of the place, and limited them to a few

occupations, and those of the humbler kind.

Yet, despite the general poverty that prevailed,

and the painful uncertainty whether

the government
still

further,

learning,

might not oppress them

Dessau became a centre of

and produced some eminent Jew-

ish scholars,

who were

later to take a lead-

ing part in the struggle to

12

remove unjust

FATHER AND SON

laws from the statute-book, and bring about
civil

and

That day of

religious liberty.

emancipation was

far distant.

still

It is

well to understand that poverty and oppression have never wholly crushed the Israelite;

they

have

always

made him

greater effort, and

ligion

and

fell

when

on Egypt,

him

more.

In

the plague of dark-

in the district

where our

people lived there was abundant light.

in

to

love his re-

his literature all the

the olden times,

ness

impelled

So

every period of persecution there was

light in darkness, as the

Jew turned with

greater love to the study of his law.

Poorest of the poor at that time was

Mendel, the father of Moses.

ings were of the scantiest.

brew books for the

riage contracts

even

Now,

He

printer, he

His

earn-

copied

He-

wrote mar-

and other documents, and

scrolls of the

Law,

the Pentateuch.

to be a Sofer, a scribe,

as a high honor, for

13

it

was regarded

demanded

good

STEP BY STEP
character as well as learning and ability.

But

it

was

a poorly paid occupation,

Mendel had

to devote

teaching children,

much

in

of his time to

order to keep his

in

He

family from starvation.

esteemed

and

the town,

and

was greatly
his

beautiful

Hebrew handwriting was known far and

wide, often bringing him work from other
communities,

and adding to

his

limited

means.

The
in

little

Ascan

Street,

September
it

is

two-story house

true,

6,

still

standing

where Moses was born on

1729, was a

home of poverty,

but the inmates were so bound

together in affection that they forgot

hardship and the sanded

and

his wife

floor.

Mendel

Sarah were loving parents,

and Moses grew up

in

an atmosphere of

unaffected piety and love of learning.

a plant grows faster
able

soil,

all

and sturdier

where the sunshine has

so the child developed rapidly.

14

As

in favor-

free access,

His love of

FATHER AND SON

study was remarkable, and from the earliest
years he

made

ing could keep

Noth-

surprising progress.

him from

His

his books.

parents were naturally proud of him, but

they feared that he was overtaxing his

mind, and took every means of checking his

ardor.

More

spell of illness,

than once he had a severe

which forced him

reading, and yet, the

moment

to stop

he recovered,

The

he would turn to his lessons again.

doctor's caution, to be
health,

was

was heeded only for

a lad

ish sports, for his size

made him

a while.

He

his books,

was not fond of boyand lack of muscle

dislike all feats of strength.

Mendel, amid
but

careful of his

hard to be kept from

particularly because he

left

more

little

his exacting duties,

which

time for leisure, did not

to teach his son each day,

fail

and he allowed

nothing to interfere with the task.

It

indeed, only in the spirit of the

Mosaic

law, which bids parents " teach

15

them

was,

dili-

STEP BY STEP
gently to thy children," that he strove to

make

the

boy familiar with the language

Moses on

and meaning of Holy Writ.

his part

responded eagerly to his father's

and, within a year or two, he

efforts,

was

master of the Chumesh, or the Five Books

Hebrew

of the Law, could write

letters

with ease and accuracy, and was beginning

the study of Rashi,* long before his tenth

Mendel soon

year.

felt

that the boy re-

quired a teacher better equipped than himself,

and would be ready

in a year,

earlier, for the rabbinical school,

might begin

studies

his

in

where he

earnest,

doubt for the rabbinate of a great

The

Berlin.

best

perhaps

no

city like

was not too good for

Moses.
" Sarah," said

entering
the

book

the

Mendel

room,

after

giving

Moses

to be taken to the school-house,

* Rabbi Solomon ben Isaac, a

the early

to his wife, re-

famous commentator of
Middle Ages (1040-1105).
16

FATHER AND SON

" Sarah, I think, with God's help, we'll

make something
think

so,

out of that boy. Don't you

"

mother?

" I should have

dear,
last

if

he were a

more hope, Mendel,

Why,

stronger.

little

night he coughed for a long time, and

look

how

will

become

And

humpback, and what then?

"

the tears sprang to her eyes.

my

" Don't worry,

worry.
brain.

And

He

his shoulders are curving.

Moses

He

will never

told

me

Don't

dear wife.

so a

have a humpback

few minutes ago."

both smiled at their son's clever

re-

mark.
11

If

we

only were richer, for his sake,"

said Sarah.

"

Never mind,

my

dearest, never mind.

Don't you remember that old story about

One must

Mazzel and Berochoh?

not ex-

pect to have both these fairies, although

sometimes they go close together.

dear

God
z

has not seen

17

fit

to send us

If the

Maz-

STEP BY STEP
zel,*

He

don't

let

has surely given us Berochoh f in

our boy Moses. Is it not so, Sarah? So
us grieve because

rich as the

Duke.

With

we

all his

are not so

wealth, he

has no treasure like our Moses."

* Wealth, or good fortune

a constellation.
t Blessing.

18

the

word

literally denotes

II

BY THE STREAM
The Beth Hammidrash,

or school of

which had been founded decades

learning,

by the Wulff family,

before

prominent

and

Dessau, was a mod-

settlers in

which had always aroused the

est building,

interest of

early

Moses.

He knew

he was to

study there one day to become a leader in

Israel, like so
its

doors.

many

Within

others that
its

had entered

walls he

able to gratify his thirst for

learn all about his religion,

famous men and books.

would be

knowledge and
its

history, its

He

had often

peeped through the narrow windows,

in

boyish fashion, and caught a glimpse of the

low, whitewashed walls, the long benches,
the plain desks on which the

used to
bate,

rest,

Talmud

with the students

as their voices,

in

folios

busy de-

half shouting, half

crooning, were borne to his curious ears.

19

STEP BY STEP
Yes, he, too, would join the classes at no
too,

would be one of the

eager pupils, with his

Talmud wide open

He,

distant time.

before him, and take part in the exciting

Perhaps

discussions.
in a year,

if

month

in a

perhaps

he were found equal to the

work, and had

sufficient

So

preparation!

with the ease and confidence of an old

pupil, he stood at the

and

heavy oaken door,

in response to the cry "

Come

in!

"

faced Rabbi Hirsch, the head teacher.

"

My

father asked

me

to bring

you

this

book, Rabbi."
" Ah, you are the son of
"
old are you?

Mendel?

How

" Just ten, Rabbi."

"

And

" Since

have you studied Torah? "

I

was

five

my

father taught

me

Chumesh, Dikduk,* and Mishnah,f and

*

Grammar.

Work

of the

compiled by Rabbi Judah the Holy, about 220

common

era.

20

BY THE STREAM
can write a beautiful

Hebrew

too,"

letter,

and the boy's usually pale face flushed with

natural pride.
11

Come,

much
Read

my

lad," said the rabbi, very

interested, " I

have a

leisure.

little

few verses from the week's section

of the Law,

Here

with Rashi.

is

the

Chumesh."

Moses took the book unconcernedly,

opened

it

section

Balak

at the proper place

and

translate freely.

it

was the

began to read and

Then, turning

mentary of Rashi, he went on

to the

as fluently

with his clear and simple explanation.

would have gone

further,

com-

He

had not the rabbi

checked him.
" Enough,

enough

You can tell your

me. You have been

am more

than

satisfied.

father to bring

you to

well prepared,

and are able to enter the higher

the rabbi beckoned to

" Rabbi,"

Moses

said the boy,

21

class."

And

to leave.

" I wish you

"

STEP BY STEP

would

first let

me

explain something in the

Sidra * to you."

" Well, go on, Moses," he replied,

amused

much

at the lad's eagerness to display his

knowledge,
" It says,

ments

'

There

in Israel.'

shall be

no enchant-

the boy let his voice rise and fall as

heard the students do

enchantment

came

to

is

in the school

"

man who

to deceive, like the

Dessau

and
he had
an

enchantment "

An

month, and made the

last

canary bird pretend to

tell

my

fortune.

But Israel has enchantments, although

says there shall be
rael,

no enchantments

it

in Is-

and these are our Shabbos, our Torah,

our Talmud, these are proper enchantments, for they preserve Israel from dan-

ger and death.

11

Israel

Enough, enough, thou

Thou
*

And

little

Maggid.f

wilt be a light in the Captivity, a

The weekly

section of the

t Preacher.

22

Torah.

BY THE STREAM

Enough
afternoon! Run

prince in Israel
tiful the

See

how

beau-

out and play in

the fresh air."

"

That

is

just

what

my

father told me/'

and Moses smiled.

11

Go

now, and don't delay

until

it is

too

late,"

and the rabbi opened the door for

him.

Soon the boy was running along the

road, until he

that

trees

came

to the

almost hid the

row of willow
clear,

flowing

stream, where the boys delighted to

It

was

hottest

a picturesque spot,

and cool on the

day of summer.

With
ances,

fish.

mind

his

and

full

of the rabbi's utter-

fancy anticipating the pleas-

in

ure of being one

Moses did not

of his regular pupils,

notice the group of boys that

were gathering

in front

of the road, and

apparently blocking his advance, until he

was made suddenly aware of

their presence.

" Jew-boy, Jew-boy!" cried one of the

lads,

coming

closer to him, as if desirous of

23

STEP BY STEP
having a quarrel.

He knew

the fellow to

be one of the worst boys in town, although

he had never played with him.

was

and standing near were Wilhelm,

Fritz,

Luther, and Otto,

all tall

and

not the quietest of their kind.

Moses
ing,

It

noticed

who were

Max

strong,

and

But then

and August approach-

gentler

and better-behaved.

He gathered courage at their appearance.

He knew they would not allow any unfair
encounter.

" Jew-boy, Jew-boy

to fight?

''

Don't you want

and Fritz advanced threaten-

ingly.

"

Now,

ing his

show

fist,

Fritz,"

Moses

rejoined, clench-

" I fancy I should have a poor

in a fight

with you.

Don't you think

so?"
Fritz and his comrades could not help

laughing at the boy with his clenched

He looked so comical in his

" Let

him

alone, Fritz.
24

fist.

attitude.

Let him alone,"

BY THE STREAM

Max

exclaimed,

if to

protect him.

11

One

moving towards Moses

Max,"

moment,

as

Moses

and

stepped forward, and, looking Fritz

full in

the face, said:

" Don't call

am

think I
fight.

The

me

afraid to fight.

only thing

you might break

help
11

my

coward, because you

am

my wrist,

am

ready to

afraid of

is

are a

good

fellow,

replied, but not before

had whispered

certain

made him change

fish

"

Moses," Fritz

Max

and August

words to him, which

his bearing.

"

Here, take a

with us?

that

and how could

father then to earn a living?

You

wish to

Do

you

line."

All his companions laughed, in spite of

themselves, at the change in his tone

but they said nothing.

attitude,

" Come,

down on
11

come,

fish

and

the

boys,"

and

Moses dropped

bank overlooking the stream,

I'll tell

you something, and you can

afterwards."
25

STEP BY STEP

The boys were soon ranged around him

on the ground, and waited,
for

him

to begin.

full

of curiosity,

They did not wait very

long.

" Fritz,

you

just

now

called

me

a Jew-

boy."
"

Moses,

I didn't

mean

anything.

It

was only a joke," and Fritz looked very uncomfortable, particularly as

Max

and Au-

gust were fastening their gaze upon

a

way he

am proud

boy.

in

did not relish.

" Joke or no joke, Fritz,

I

him

it

of being what you

didn't hurt.
call a

Jew-

Jew-boys make good men, and help

the world to
if I live

Max

become

to be a

better, as I

man."

clasped his hand, and

nearer.

wish to do,

moved

still

" But you Jews killed our Savior," said

Wilhelm.

He

had been confirmed a week

before, and apparently that

fact he

had learned on the

26

was the

occasion.

chief

BY THE STREAM
"

You

was the
man's

mans

Mr. Wilhelm,"

are wrong,

oldest,

title,

he

and hence Moses gave him

" you are wrong.

The Ro-

They were

the rulers

killed him.

The Jews had no power.

then.

Besides,

was the

to stone to death, not to crucify,

Jewish method of

killing,

very rarely practised.

man was governor, and

although very,

At any
the

rate, a

Ro-

Romans, not the

Jews, should be blamed."

"

Didn't the Jews ask the

Romans

to

put him to death? " Fritz inquired.

11

I'll

answer you, Fritz, by asking you a

question,

which you no doubt

will be able to

answer.

Where would your

religion be to-

day,

if

your Savior had not been

you believe?

The boys were

11

Another

killed, as

"
silent.

point,

Mr. Wilhelm.

If

you

think the Jews killed him, why, you ought

to thank, not curse, us for
religion possible."
27

having made your

STEP BY STEP
Again they were

ting things in an entirely

"

am
and

man,

to

all religions,

make people

respect each

My

other's beliefs.

when

study

I shall try to

work

shall

put-

new light.

boys," he continued, "

Now,
a

Moses was

silent.

father has often re-

me the words in the Hebrew

Bible, Have we not all one Father? Has
"
not one God created us?
peated to
'

'

"

That

in spirit just like the

is

words

in

our Testament," said Max, after a brief

pause,

"

mansions.'

In

my

Father's house are

many

"

So the lads talked together on earnest

The words

matters.

of

Moses had taken

deep root, and would not so soon be forgotten.

sink,

Then, suddenly, the sun began to

and the

" Boys,
talking so
time.

It

air

it is

grew

cooler.

getting late.

much

We

have been

that I really forgot the

must be almost

needed at home."
28

night.

am

BY THE STREAM

He
lowed

sprang to his
his

I'll

rest fol-

walk a while with you,"

Max, throwing

his

arm around

the

when they

parted,

they were not silent on the way,

Max

Jew-boy's shoulder, and

and the

example.

" Moses,
said

feet,

had promised to come to supper some

Fri-

day night.

Moses was
service,

just in time for the evening

and looked so well after the

noon walk that Mendel rejoiced

heart.

29

afterin

his

Ill

A FRIDAY NIGHT
was not many weeks before that

Fri-

day night came which had been looked

for-

It

ward

to with

turn of

On

some impatience.

Moses and

gogue, they found

his father

Max

the re-

from the syna-

seated by the win-

dow anxiously awaiting their appearance.

They were not alone. They were accompanied by a

tall stranger, a

stantinople,

rabbi

who was without

from Con-

friends

and

and had been invited by Mendel to

funds,

share the evening meal.

custom

It

and

in those days,

was always the

it is

good old

fashion that has by no means died out, to

ask home, for the Sabbath repast, any poor

stranger
spirit

met

at the

synagogue

of hospitality

is

service.

This

part of the treasures

of our religion.

The

rabbi

was

a very
20

handsome man,

A FRIDAY NIGHT
with keen, dark eyes and flowing, black

He

beard.

voice that
cestors

gal

was

had

Hebrew

spoke the purest

soft

His

and musical.

from Spain,

fled

in a

first

an-

to Portu-

and then to the Orient, on the

final ex-

learned

pulsion of the

Jews

had

in

1492.

lived a rather roving

life,

preferring to travel whenever possible.

He

scholar, he

was

diamond polisher by

trade,

and was

now wandering through Germany on his

way to Holland, where he hoped to get a
that

would enable him

to

save

enough money to provide for further

jour-

position

neys, perhaps to

that there

America.

He

had heard

were large Jewish congregations

in the chief cities

while he had

beyond the

much

Mean-

sea.

to contend with,

had taken temporary

and he

shelter

in

Dessau,

which was widely known for

its

friendly

character.

After greeting each other warmly,

Max

and Moses were soon called to supper.

31

It

STEP BY STEP
a simple repast, wholly different

was

what

Max

Yet

was none the

it

looked at

was accustomed

its best,

to in his

less attractive

the blessing of the wine

of bread.

home.

the table
all

were

First

came

and the faces of

lighted up by joy and kindliness.

loaves

from

and the two small

The cup was

passed

around, and the bit of bread was eaten.

"

We

call that

ceremony, that benedic-

tion over the wine, Kiddush, or Sanctifica-

a rather long word, but

tion,

stand
"

We

it,"

said

associate

you under-

Mendel, turning to Max.

our Sabbath, which

lasts

from sunset to

sunset, with the happiest

feelings, for

a joyous festival, our Sab-

it is

bath bride, as our poets

"

And

call it."

the two loaves of bread? "

Max

asked, deeply interested.

"

We

loaves, to

of

say the

blessing

over the two

remind us of the double portion

manna which

the Israelites found in the

wilderness on the day before the Sabbath,

32

A FRIDAY NIGHT
unnecessary to labor on

so as to render

it

the sacred day.

Thus our Sabbath doubles

our joy," and Mendel smiled contentedly

at his family.

"

Pardon me,

sir,"

Max

inquired once

more, with the curiosity of youth, " what

does that peculiar lamp signify that
"
ing over the table?
"

we

Why,

light

that

is

hang-

the Sabbath lamp, which

on Sabbath eve, to

Sabbath brings brightness.

And

is

tell

Is

us that the
"
it

not so?

Hebrew words to the

from Turkey, who responded at a
rate, to the great amazement of Max.

he spoke a few

guest

rapid

Moses, however, could follow very fairly

the meaning,

and thus expressed the rabbi's

thought
" Light has
writings.

It

many meanings in our holy

may mean life or death, joy or

sorrow, religion or knowledge.

be

light,'

were the

first

33

Let there

words spoken by the

Almighty to the world before

3

'

it

was created

'

STEP BY STEP
Light means,

as a habitation for life.

our Torah,

my

as our sages say,

burning

light

your light. "

" That is a

your

in

If

'

too,

you keep
keep

soul, I will

sermon, Max," said

little

" But I wish I

Moses, after a pause.

why

the

lamp

is

knew

At Rabbi

seven-branched.

Hirsch's house, there are only two sockets

"
for the oil.
is that, father?

Why

my

" I have heard,

lights refer to the

and

'

two terms,

observe,' with

of

the

xx.

8,

Sabbath

As

'

two

remember

which the two versions

commandment

and Deuteronomy

tively begin.

that the

son,

Exodus

12

v.

respec-

to the sevenfold light,

that, I admit, is a mystery, as

many

say can

be seen whenever the number seven occurs

in Scripture.

will learn

But

When

more about

the

number

fear that the discussion

your young friend.

"

you grow older, you

Not

at

all,

Is

it

not

so,

Herr Mendel.
34

is

seven.

wearying

Max?
I am

"

very

A FRIDAY NIGHT
much

a similar

There

your remarks.

interested in

is

mystery about the number seven

How

in history.

frequently does

There are the seven

sleepers,

occur!

it

seven

the

wise men, the seven-hilled city of

Rome,

and"
"

The

seven wonders

added Moses, glad

to

of the

show

that he

something about history, although,

his

knowledge was very

world,"

knew

in fact,

limited.

So the talk went on from one topic to an-

and after supper came the customary

other,

Benshen,

or blessing after meals, which

Moses repeated

to the great admiration of

Max.

Such fluency he never expected to

attain,

although he would have to study

Hebrew, which was part of the course for

clergymen.
"

Herr Mendel," and

eagerly, " excuse

tions,

my

asking so

many

ques-

we always say a blessHere you say it also

but at our house

ing before meals.

Max bent forward

35

STEP BY STEP

Why

afterwards.
"

do you follow such a

custom ?
" Well, we do not

like to rush

Almighty for

the table without thanking the

His goodness.

makes a pause for

And

lution.

in

few minutes' devotion

reflection

our prayers

as the Creator of the

giveth food to
as

man, Jew
"

away from

and wise

reso-

we

God
who

bless

whole universe,

animals as well

all creatures,

as well as non-Jew."

Pardon me again, Herr Mendel, but

hear often about Jewish narrowness, yet

here, in your daily prayers,

Jew be broader?
rant the world

is

It is a

how

could the

shame how

igno-

of the real nature of the

Jew."
" It

is

a long, long story

the persistent

misunderstanding of the Jew.

is

partly his

The world
is,

own

fault,

Perhaps

but only partly

not only does not

it

so.

know what he

but does not want to know, which

is

worse, for this means that the prejudice

A FRIDAY NIGHT
against

him

will survive for ages.

It

in-

is,

deed, a sad state of affairs, but you are too

young
11

to

worry about

it."

Father," said Moses, with such earn-

estness that his eyes fairly shone in his ex-

citement, " father,

man,
is,

I'll

if

try to teach the

and what our

"

God

world what

religion

lessen the ignorance, if

become

live to

God

Jew

help to

I'll

is.

spares me."

my

grant your wish,

dear, dear

son," his mother exclaimed fervently, resting her

"

hand

I'll tell

as if in blessing

you, friends,"

estly,

"

what

come

man.

guages and

would

all

said earn-

do when

like to

religions,

his head.

Max

like to

would

on

study

I be-

all lan-

and show how

they are related to each other, like children

of one family.

That

is

what

would

like

to do." *

*This wish was

descendants,

the

fulfilled in the career of

famous Professor

Max

Oxford University, a native of Dessau.

37

one of his

Mueller,

of

STEP BY STEP
"

For one so young, Max,"

said

Mendel,

glancing kindly at the lad, " your wish does

you great
if

credit.

am

not a prophet, but

you and Moses, young as you

are,

have

such ideals, such noble ambitions, perhaps

good Father

the

to realize

them

in

Heaven

will enable

in the years to

you

come, and

thus hand in hand you both will be a blessing to mankind.

Max

May God grant it,Amen !"

heard these words with much emo-

which he bravely sought to control.

tion,

His own father could not have spoken with

more
"

feeling

and

affection.

Herr Mendel," he
" did

the subject,

inquired, to change

Moses

you about

tell

Fritz?"
"

Why,

Max
stream,

no; what

is

there to tell?

"

then related the incident by the

Moses

trying in vain

from time

to

time to restrain his words of praise.

u

My son

judgment.

was

right,

and showed proper

All such prejudice

38

is

due to

ig-

A FRIDAY NIGHT
norance,

and

taught a lesson.

am

glad the

Young

boys were

people should live

together without disputing about religious

beliefs.

wish they would show as much

good sense when they grow up, and avoid

which, indeed, end

religious quarrels,

all

only in bitterness and strife."

" Well,

Herr Mendel,"

said

Max,

rising

after a pause in the conversation, " I

very

much

tality

and your kindly

now

before

am

obliged to you for your hospi-

it

grows

" Good-night,

talk.

must go home

late."

You know you

Max.

always welcome.

my

Give

are

best regards to

your dear parents."

" Good-bye,
claimed, as
door.

old

fellow,"

Max

Moses went with him

" Good-bye

to the

have had such a

ex-

pleasant evening."
11

Good-bye, Max.

have also had a

pleasant evening, and I hope you will

"
again soon. Good-night
!

39

come

STEP BY STEP
"

The

Muellers

are

Moses," said Mendel, as

his seat, "

and

am

such good friends.

to

know

family,

his son

resumed

glad you and

if

" Indeed,

Max

are

can only benefit you

It

so good and clever a lad.

talked as

Why, he

he were a grown man."

I

when we both

He

fine

did not

hope he

will be a

are men,"

know

good friend

Moses

thgt he

was

replied.

to live far

apart from his Dessau playmate, and yet

have

close

friends that

realize his early dreams.

40

would help him

IV

A WANDERER
" Moses,"
his son, a

the

Mendel

said one afternoon to

few days after the Friday when

wanderer

from

Constantinople

had

been a guest of the household, " I expect

Rabbi Palache to-night.

early with

what you have

come down and

listen to

So get through

to you.

Now, do

His son was not

He

our chat.

remarkable man, and can

new

and you can

to do,

tell

many

is

things

not forget."

likely to forget.

He

loved to hear conversation of any kind, but

as he

had never

strangers
lands.

left

Dessau, he saw few

and knew nothing of strange

The

prospect of learning something

of foreign countries from the wandering

rabbi

was

particularly pleasing.

With

the

utter absence, in those days, of

books of

was

left for a

travel for boys

and

girls, it

41

STEP BY STEP
chance

traveller

rabbi to

tell

like

poor Turkish

the

of far-away scenes and experi-

ences.

Moses was
daily task,

just finishing a part of his

making ready for the

his father the next day.

evening, and the rain

rents against the

its

was beating

in tor-

windows which

and bedroom, and gave

occupant a glimpse of the sky beyond.

The

boy's

first

thought was that the rabbi

would not venture out

then

it

in such

weather. But

occurred to him that an experienced

traveller

by

was a stormy

It

little attic

sheltered his study

lesson with

would surely not be kept

a little rain

and wind.

He

at

home

must have

met worse storms when he journeyed unprotected from land to land.

Suddenly he heard the words Shalom

Alechem, " Peace be to you," from the

below.
stranger.

aside

It

was

floor

his father's greeting to the

The books were

on a convenient

quickly thrown

shelf, the

lamp put

42

A WANDERER
and Moses,

out,

all alert,

was soon

ing to the conversation between

and

his

guest

was wholly

It

listen-

Mendel
Hebrew,

in

and whenever Mendel thought the conversation

was too

difficult,

or phrase to his son,

he explained a word

who was

then enabled

to follow the chat with ease.

"

You

nople

there

"

say
It

you

from

are

Constanti-

was Mendel who spoke. " Are

many Jews

Rabbi Pa-

in that city,

lache?"
"

Where

people

are they not, the children of our

have lived

in

many

lands,

from

Spain to India, from Turkey to China, and

the isles of the sea.

Where

the children of Israel?

did

not find

It is a miracle, this

dispersion of Israel, our Galut.*

Like the

sand of the sea was to be their number,

ac-

cording to the olden promise to the Patriarch.

And

like the

sand of the sea they are

neither to be counted nor destroyed.

* Captivity.

43

The

STEP BY STEP
waves do not harm the sands, but give them
the greater

power to

resist attack."

" True, true, but you did not answer

my

question."

" Yes, I

my

was born

ancestors

and

in Constantinople,

came from sunny Spain.

can say, with Jacob,

been the days of

Few and

have

evil

my pilgrimage.'

Yet,

how

wonderful are the ways of Providence

When

Constantinople was captured by the

Turkish conqueror,
a

Mahomet

new Turkish empire

arose,

II, in

which was

quick to offer shelter to the Jews.

sult,

1453,

As

a re-

they settled freely in Constantinople

and other

cities,

and were graciously

al-

lowed to build synagogues and schools,

while their chief rabbi, the learned
Kapsali,

was held

in

Moses

high favor by the

ruler."

"

You

surprise me.

That was

in great

contrast to the condition of our brethren in

Germany," observed Mendel.

44

A WANDERER
"

How

Mendel?

Rabbi

so,

Explain

yourself," Rabbi Palache inquired.

" Ceaseless and countless were the perse-

and following

cutions in the fifteenth

land of the Germans.

turies in the

hard to imagine the

Our

ferings of Israel.

pelled to yield
in royal taxes

full extent

It is

of the suf-

people were com-

up the third of

their fortunes

and allowed to engage

They

few occupations.

cen-

their property as they liked,

in

only

could not

sell

nor could they

travel at pleasure."
" It

was

different

Turkey.

in

In

all

those years our brethren could dress in silk

and gold, and many became very wealthy.

They had some famous

lot

was happier than

shadow of the

cross.

teachers,

in

and

their

Spain under the

And when the

fires

of

the Inquisition drove our people in terror,

either singly or in groups,

from Spain and

Portugal to the East, thousands settled

Turkey, where a

little

45

Jewish world of

in
its

STEP BY STEP

own was formed. The Marranos, who had

practised their religion in secret, here once

more became Jews

and by

in faith

their piety

make amends

and observance,

and learning strove to

for their apparent desertion

from Judaism on Spanish

soil.

From Tur-

key many went further to the East, to the

far Orient,

and strengthened our congrega-

tions in Persia, Arabia,

and India."

" Tell me, Rabbi Palache,"

moned up courage

Moses sum-

to try his conversational

Hebrew, " were there any famous men

among our
"

people in those days?

"

Anshe Shem, men of fame, always

There

in Israel.

made

is

exist

no era that has not been

glorious by at least one great name.

In Turkey the most famous was

seph Nasi,

Duke

of Naxos,

Constantinople in 1579.

He

Don

who
had

Jo-

died at
fled to

Portugal from Spain, to escape persecution

then he went to Antwerp, and founded a

banking

firm.

Despite their prominence,

46

A WANDERER
partners resolved

the

to

go

Turkey,

to

where they could be Jews openly and without fear.

They stopped

at Venice,

first

where Joseph's niece was imprisoned, and

Owing

her property confiscated.

which went as far

uncle's efforts, however,

as an appeal to

her

to

Turkey, she and her prop-

erty were released,

and

1553 Joseph followed her to Constantinople. He became a

in

member
He was made Duke of

favorite of Sultan Sulaiman

of his life-guard.

Naxos and other Greek

By

islands

his wise counsel he aided

and peace, and

Spain,

his influence

Venice,

Netherlands.
in

1574,

he

and

by Selim

Turkey

France,

On

death

lost

much

war

was sought by

Austria,
the

in

II.

and the

of

of his

Selim,
political

power."
11

11

let

Moses,"

mc

tell

Don Joseph

Mendel

now

interrupted,

you one interesting

Nasi.

He

a Jewish state."
47

fact about

wished to establish

STEP BY STEP

"A

good enough?
"

Was

Jewish state?

He had

not Turkey

"

received from Sulaiman and

Selim not only the ruins of the once famous

city of Tiberias in Palestine,

villages in

its vicinity,

as a site for a state to

be occupied only by Jews.

sent to superintend

but also seven

its

An

agent was

rebuilding,

and the

pasha of Egypt was ordered by Turkey to

assist

Don

Arab

settlers

Joseph.
in

To

hasten the work,

the neighborhood were

compelled to render forced labor.

a year the
streets

new and

were ready.

Within

beautiful houses and

It

was Joseph's

pur-

pose to render his state a rival of Venice as

a manufacturing centre.

Mulberry

trees

were planted for raising silk-worms, and

looms were introduced for the manufacture

of

silk.

He

went so far as to import wool

from Spain, to make

"And was
Moses

fine cloth."

the state really

asked.
48

founded?"

z
K

A WANDERER
" Despite appeals to the persecuted Jews,

Rome,

especially those in

to emigrate to

Tiberias, he seems to have been diverted

from

by other plans.

his project

become king of Cyprus,

to

'to

idle

dream,

have arisen

am

that, too,

age to age

and have only deluded

in Israel,

our people.

it,

like the projects of

who from

the false Messiahs

develop

But

perhaps, into a Jewish state.

proved an

He wished

But, Rabbi Palache, I fear I

talking too much.

Let us hear more

about yourself."
11

Well, dear Rabbi Mendel, light of

rael in the Captivity,

my

has been

life

of dreams since the hour

Is-

full

started to find

the river Sambation, which flows for six

days and rests on the Sabbath, and on the

banks of which dwell the lost

patiently
blast.

awaiting the

tion,

and
4

my

my

Tribes,

Messiah's Shofar

have not found the

but the current of

Ten

life

secret stream,

shows no

cessa-

wanderings continue ever.

49

STEP BY STEP

am

thus a true son of Israel, to

statutes of the

Lord

whom

the

are like songs in the

lands of his pilgrimage, for they

with rapture; and even

fill

him

his pillow is a

if

hard stone by the wayside,

dreams are

his

And

of heaven and angels,"

the rabbi

sighed softly.

Do

"

tell us,

Rabbi Palache, about some

of the places you have seen."

11

me

If all the trees in the

with paper, and

even then

it

all

my seas,

Psalms

and

in

in the ruins

wept

Spain,

of

beautiful synagogues.

my

my wan-

stream to

and sang the

of once illustrious

gazed

as I

for

me from

derings have carried

was

to relate

The words

days are the words of

the rivers with ink,

would be impossible

the wondrous story.

stream.

world furnished

cities,

at the debris of once

I

crossed then to

France, where can be found some pious congregations,

the

who

widow and

love the law, and support

the orphan.
50

Then

to Italy,

A WANDERER
where

saw Rome, but

would not pass

neath the Arch of Titus, and

hours

in the

partly

stood for

shadow of the Colosseum,

by Jewish

slaves.

Greece, despoiled of

Then

all their

be-

built

and

to Sicily

large congre-

Holy Land, and

gations.

Next

witnessed

how the Samaritans offer burnt

on Mount Gerizim oblations of

offerings

"

It

The

calls

What

them.

awakened by

were

thoughts

Zion

Isaiah

as

deceit,

I visited the

sunsets

in

seems a place of perpetual sunset."

sunrise

is

Mendel

yet to be,"

in-

terrupted devoutly.
" I touched the

mon's Temple,
erected,

David.

Western Wall of Solo-

saw the

stables

he had

and the sepulchres of the house of

Syria

Arabia were

in

and Babylonia, Persia and

my

pilgrimage, and curious

were the old synagogues, and tombs close

beside them, which
in

China

was

came

in

my

path.

And

told of an old Jewish colony

with a very ancient synagogue

51

in

one of the

"

STEP BY STEP
provinces, which I could not

low Jews, while

tall

who were

but kept the holy days very

all

yel-

met black Jews,

in India I

and handsome men,

saddest sight of

with

visit,

laborers,

strictly.

But the

"Well, what was the saddest sight?"

Moses asked

eagerly.

" It was in Jerusalem.

was walking

along the uneven streets that are like the

hills

that skip in the Psalm,

denly startled by a
aside

from

fierce cry,

cursed

Jew

fear of

my life

'
!

my

'

Away, away, thou

adversary cried, and in

I fled,

and stopped not

to be allowed to tread the

was sud-

and was pushed

reached the old synagogue.

fathers

narrow path that led upward

over irregular stones.

when

Afterwards

I,

Holy

a Jew, not

City of

my

learned the secret.

had entered what the Jewish people

your language the trefa Gasse

call in

the street

God
They kill

through which the Christian says his

walked on the way to the

52

until

cross.


A WANDERER
any Jew found

in that

pathway, so narrow

that you can touch the houses on both sides

as

you pass.

they would

Gasse for
be He,

waters

Ah
make

Israel,

so ran

but the Almighty, blessed

forsake His people.

forget
I

it

"

Go

my

in

path through the

will not forget or

Yes, that

was

wanderings.

and the grief

must return to

thoughts

the whole world a trefa

who formed a
of the Red Sea,

dest sight in all

my

it

caused.

the sadI

cannot

And now

my lodgings."

peace," said Mendel, as he saw

the rabbi to the door.

53

BETWEEN MINCHAH AND

MAARIV
Throughout the week Mendel had

little

time to devote to his son, apart from his

daily lessons,

which began before

There was so much

Hebrew

to be

done

sunrise.

copying
Law,

books, writing scrolls of the

teaching children

that there

was

rarely

an opportunity, save at meals, of conversing

with

Moses

and

watching

mental

his

growth.

One day of
exception.

It

the week, however,

was an

was the Sabbath, and the

afternoon of the day, between Minchah

and Maariv
afternoon

the quiet time between the

and the evening prayers

came very precious

would

lie

to Moses.

at his father's feet, or sit

be-

Then he
on a low

bench close beside his father's chair, and

54

BETWEEN MINCHAH AND MAARIV

with what eagerness

to

won-

drous stories from the olden rabbis

who

listen

lived

and labored, and worked and

Temple

in the centuries after the

Roman

Jerusalem became a

suffered,

Until the

city.

day dawned when he could read these

for himself, he

knew no

tales

greater pleasure

than to hear them from his father's

lips in

when

the hush of the Sabbath afternoon,

even the sun was going to

and

fell,

rest,

and no sound

disturbed the stillness of the hour.

Moses was

child

enough to

like all

of stories from rabbinical literature

was most fond of

tales in

yet he

which boys were

the heroes, not such boys as he

the willows or in the

kinds

met under

roadways of Dessau,

but boys that were to become great teachers

and scholars. Such

stories,

which have been

handed down from age to age, Mendel

could not repeat too often.
there

In those days

were no story books or magazines

for boys

and

girls,

no free
55

libraries,

no

STEP BY STEP
popular reading

Hence

cheap form.

in

the passionate fondness of

Moses

for the

Sabbath afternoon hour and his father's

tales.

" Father," said he one Sabbath, as he

seated himself this time on his father's knee,

"
'

think to-day I would like to hear about

"

The Inheritance.'
" Why, Moses,

told

you that

last

week."
"

Never mind.

father."

And

so

Let

me

hear

it

again,'

Mendel began.

THE INHERITANCE

He

was growing old and

The

feeble.

end could not be long deferred.

So, calling

his only son, a lad of hardly fourteen,

said, "
I

My son,

fear.

child,

and

I shall

You have
I

not live

many

he

days,

always been a loving

have tried to be a loving father.

You know that

no wealth out of

am poor and

my

savings.

56

can leave you

But

have

BETWEEN MINCHAH AND MAARIV

not wholly neglected you, as you will shortly
see."

At

words the boy wept aloud, and

his

assured his father that he would rather have

him

living, despite their poverty,

than ac-

quire wealth by his death.

my

" Nay,
11

obey

the

my instructions.

father rejoined,

After

my

death go

room, and what you find

into the next

box

son,"

in a

keep for yourself as your pre-

there,

cious inheritance."

The man

ceased,

few days he died.

the

room

for

The

some

heritance his grief

;

exhausted,

and

in

son would not enter

days, to secure the in-

was

so great.

Finally he

controlled his feelings, and, going within,

he discovered a good-sized box on the floor.

Opening

he saw another box within, and

it,

within that

moving

still

another.

number of

At

last,

after re-

boxes, which

grew

smaller and smaller successively, he came

to

the

last

one,

which he opened with

57

STEP BY STEP
great

nor

Within

care.

silver,

"

Be

with such care did the boy

keep those words

strive to

gold

neither

only the simple words,

And

kind."

was

in

view from

day to day that he won the love of

all

that

knew him.
"

And now,

the story

was

father,"

Moses

ended, " let

Hillel.

He

not? "

And Mendel was

was

me

poor as we

as

said

when

hear about
are,

was he

only too glad to

the story.

tell

THE LOVE OF LEARNING

What was the boy

become

a student

to

do ?

He wished

to

and enter the academy,

but his poverty stood in the way, and he had

no

friends.

had

But

his desire for

to be satisfied.

found.

He

went

serving half of

to

knowledge

Some means must be

work one

day, and, re-

what he earned for

his food,

he went to the doorkeeper of the academy,

58

BETWEEN MINCHAH AND MAARIV

and offered him the few pennies remaining
for the privilege of entering the building

and hearing the wisdom of the

how

when day

glad he was

sages.

after

And

day he

could be an eager listener in the house of

learning.

One afternoon he was unable

to secure

any work, and the doorkeeper refused to

admit him without the customary
other might have lost courage.

He

undismayed.
the high

An-

fee.

He

was

glanced upward, noted

window, and, climbing on the roof

by means of a friendly porch, he found he

could both hear and see the sages at their
discussions in the

piness
It

was

was

room below.

What

hap-

his

All

bitterly cold as night fell.

through the

late

afternoon and evening the

snow had gradually covered the houses and

roads.

The morning dawned,

the

snow

ceased.

Soon the sages were again

sembled,

and some complained that the

59

as-

STEP BY STEP

room seemed dark

for so bright and clear a

Glancing upward

day.

the

at

window

above, a kind of sky-light, they saw to their

surprise

the

of

outline

human form
They rushed

stretched against the glass.

out of the hall, some of them climbed to the

roof, and, hastily clearing

away

mass of

snow, discovered the poor lad half frozen

to death.

down

did not take long to carry him

It

into the house, place

and restore him to

did not need to

him on

life

tell

and

warm

couch,

strength.

He

them why he had

climbed the roof that cold, snowy afternoon.

The

sages

his education

made every

and support, and

provision for
in later

years

he became the wise, the gentle Hillel, the

famous teacher of
"

The famous

Moses repeated
" I

am

his people.

teacher of his people,"

softly, as his father ended.

sure he forgot all about his troubles

60

BETWEEN MINCHAH AND MAARIV

when he became

Now,

great man.

father,"
" It

is

getting late,

my

son.

It is

almost

time for prayers."

" Only one story more, please.

and the goods that were thrown

the ship

overboard
"

you

Perish.'

About

Don't you remember ? "

mean

'

Goods

that

never

"

" Yes, yes, that's the one."

And Mendel told the tale.

GOODS THAT NEVER PERISH

ship

was on the Mediterranean.

was nearing
in

good

port,

and

all

It

the passengers felt

spirits.

men began
One said he

In a corner of the ship a few

to ask each other's business.

was a goldsmith, and had a box of precious

gems

in the

hold of the vessel.

Another

dealt in rich silks, cases filled with his

being a few feet away.

61

goods

A third had a cargo

STEP BY STEP
of fragrant spices from the islands of the
East.

fourth had costly raiment, a fifth

the finest wool, and so on.

They began

to debate as to the relative

value of their wares, each claiming his

most precious, and the dispute

to be the

grew more and more

Finally, a

exciting.

young man, who had taken no part

My

in their

stepped forward and said,

conversation,

"

own

friends,

you

all

may have

valuable

goods, but mine are the most precious, for

they are imperishable."

They

all

laughed at his words,

several exclaimed, " Fool,

are selling.

What

tell

us

and

what you

are your wares?

"

" Don't ask," he replied with a smile,

" for you cannot

weigh them, nor touch

them, nor measure them, nor see them."

"

He

is

surely a fool," they thought,

and

spoke to him no more.

Night approached.

storm arose, so

The

skies changed.

fierce that the captain at

62

BETWEEN MINCHAH AND MAARIV

last

ordered the ship to be cleared.

human

the only chance for the safety of the

The

beings.

was

It

cargo was quickly thrown

overboard, crew and passengers joining in

the task.

What were

merchants

as,

the feelings of the

one by one, their precious

goods were cast into the sea ?

silk,

raiment, and wool,

storm

continued

ship's progress,

The

shore.

all

city,

were

all

night,

and

finally

The

lost.

delaying the
driving

it

on

passengers were happily saved,

and, after an hour's rest,

boring

Gold, spices,

where

walked to

a neigh-

were hospitably

all

re-

ceived.

The

next day the merchants were

ing through the place, and they

large

building

thronging.
too.

The

into

which

came

people

to a

were

Full of curiosity, they entered,

A man was preaching.

voice struck

could not

stroll-

tell his

seen him, but

them

They

listened.

as familiar.

They

name, nor where they had

when he had ended, and was

STEP BY STEP
leaving the building, they recognized him.
It

was the young man who had

said his

goods were the most valuable.

"

Was

not right? " he asked them, as

he drew nearer.

most precious ?

"

Were

not

Gold and

the knowledge of the law

It cannot

The

my wares

the

silver perish, but

is

imperishable.

be taken away."

twilight

was deepening.

Presently

a tiny star

would be seen

Hand

hand Mendel and Moses were

in

soon walking

way

in the

evening sky.

narrow lane on

in the

to the synagogue.

64

their

VI

AT THE RABBINICAL SCHOOL

It

was not many weeks after Max's

when Mendel deemed

Moses enter the
that further

advisable to have

it

and gain

rabbinical school

knowledge of Jewish law and

own

learning which he felt keenly his

ability to impart.

his son to

visit,

He

thought

it

unjust to

keep him longer at home,

though he was

still

young and

in-

far

al-

from

robust.
It

was

fore sunrise
old,

morning long

a bitterly cold

when Moses, wrapped

shabby cloak, which almost hid

be-

in

an

his face,

ran by his father's side over the cobble

stones in the

roadway

to the school-house

where Rabbi Hirsch taught the higher

branches

of

rabbinical

lore.

Mendel

walked so rapidly that the boy had to run to

keep pace with him.
5

65

The

exercise

was

STEP BY STEP
healthful,

and when he was presented

rabbi, his cheeks

" I

put

were glowing.

him

You

Hirsch.

to the

your

in

him a

will find

Rabbi

charge,

studious and

obedient pupil."
" I

am

perfectly sure of that,"

rabbi's rejoinder, as he
his cloak
in

was the

bade the lad remove

and take a seat with the students

another room, where the lower division

had

their lessons.

and was soon hard

hand.

It

He
at

kissed his father,

work with book

in

was a chapter from the Torah,

with Rashi * and Ramban,f the two

mous commentators or

interpreters of

fa-

Holy

Writ.

The morning hours

too busy to notice the time.

When

struck to announce recess, no one

surprised than Moses.

He

fairly flew.

was

the bell

was more

Now he could go to

* Rabbi Solomon ben Isaac of Troyes, France (1040-

1105).

t Rabbi Moses ben Nachman, of Gerona, Spain (1194about 1270).

AT THE RABBINICAL SCHOOL

midday

his

unwillingly,

"

He

dinner.

and hastened home.

Why, Moses,"

when he began
never do.

his

mother exclaimed,

to eat hurriedly, " this will

You have had nothing

Now

fore sunrise.

meal.

put aside his books

Take your

you must eat

time,

my

since be-

a proper

son."

" But, mother," he pleaded, " there are

still

read.
I

Ramban that must be

him much harder than Rashi.

some sentences
I find

in

must hurry back, indeed,

must," and

scarcely taking time for the blessing after

meals, he ran

The

He

down

the road to school.

afternoon found him fully occupied.

interested the rabbi

by the surprising

accuracy of his translation and his intense

desire to learn

more about

periences of the sages,

of the law have

classics.

the lives and ex-

whose explanations

become part of

Israel's

So the rabbi told him about Rashi

and Ramban, the ages

in

which they

lived,

and the general character of their works.

67

STEP BY STEP
" I like Rashi better, because he

useful to me, because he

me

understand, and he makes

The
"

so

Yet the other may be

simple and clear.

more

is

is

harder to

think."

rabbi smiled.

My

son, I find that

your good father

has prepared you so well that you can be-

Talmud in the lower class. That

will make you think even more."
The boy was so exultant that the hours
gin the

were hard to bear

and he could rush home with the

closed,

wonderful news.

mud

by

words spoken

step, as the

Line upon

here a

little

house

is

edge

is

Let

'

was

to study Tal-

He recalled

in his early child-

" Moses, the great thing

hood:

He

Another step forward.

his father's

step

until the day's session

line,

is

to go

prophet Isaiah

tells us,

precept upon

precept,

and there

built strongly

and

little.'

Then

well, then

the

knowl-

acquired upon firm foundations.

step

by step

'

be your motto.

The

AT THE RABBINICAL SCHOOL

words from Isaiah

shall be

your Posuk,

my

son."
It

was then the pious custom

in Israel for

a father to give a son a special Posuk, or

verse

from the Old Testament, or prayer-

book, to be a kind of text or guide through

Hence

life.

the

Moses

at

thought of his advancing " step by

51

step,

the pride and joy of

in the spirit of Isaiah's

No

words.

one could be happier.

" Father," he asked that evening after
"
supper, " what is the Talmud?
"

There are two laws

in Israel.

Holy Writ, and

the law of

One

is

the other the

law of the rabbis, which, beginning after

the return

the Scribe,

from the Captivity, under Ezra

is

the explanation and strength-

ening of the law of

mud, meaning
two

parts:

study,'

first,

The

Holy Writ.

Tal-

really consists

Mishnah,

of

learning,'

which contains our traditional rules and

principles,

arranged by Rabbi Judah the

69


STEP BY STEP
Prince, about the year

era

200 of our present

i

and, secondly, Gemara,

supplement,'

giving explanations of the Mishnah, which

was duly compiled by Rabbi Ashi

lonia about three

hundred years

in

Baby-

later.

Both

together comprise the Talmud.

11

But

Thou

thought

Now, my

understand
fact.

said in the Torah,

"
to or take away '?

" Surely the

addition to the

of one

add

shalt not

asked Moses.

"

it

Law,

son,

Our

not?

is it

you are

all this.

Talmud

Be

still

is

too young to

assured, however,

sages of blessed

memory

Law

saw no other way of preserving the

than by raising such defences around
they called them
effectively

'

hedges

and

'

it

they have

kept Israel alive to this day.

their love of the

Law

Talmud

They never

as something op-

posed to the Law, but as

its

continuation

and necessary accompaniment,

70

In

they submitted to

every burden and self-denial.

looked upon the

an

"

like

body

AT THE RABBINICAL SCHOOL

and

tried to

"

Do

soul.

make

Not

you understand?
clear."

it

quite, father,

derstand the point

grow

but

more

fancy

clearly

I'll

un-

when

older."

His progress was

So the days passed.

He

rapid and sure.

escape him.
clear.

At

allowed no

had

subject

he was very

difficulty to

made

to be

much alarmed,

Talmud seemed

to

him

like a

Everything was mysterious and

puzzle.

strange

Every

first

because the

language,

gained the mastery.

meaning,

style,

connection, the allusions

It

the

but step by step he

many

did not take

months before he was able

to understand

the simpler portions, without any help

his

have

from

Here Rashi was his only

who strove to make the Talmud as

teacher.

guide,

clear as he

Imagine

made

the Torah.

his delight

and surprise when

he came across the outline of some charming story which his father
71

had been

telling

STEP BY STEP

him from

his early childhood.

who

about Honi,

neighbors, and

Now

it

was

never mingled with his

fell into

a long, long sleep of

seventy years, to find on his awakening that

he was forgotten, so that he cried at

11

Give

me

friends or death

"

Now

it

last,

was

about King Solomon and his wonderful

which caused him so

seal-ring, the loss of

many

painful adventures, so

ing in beggar's guise

until the ring

was

much wander-

from land

was found, and

Now

restored.

it

simple, ignorant laborer,

faith in his powers,

his

to land,

kingdom

was of Akiba,

whose wife had

and made him devote

years to study, until he became a leader in

Israel, to die,

with the Shemang on his

Roman

lips,

at the rude

hands of the

These

mingled with others that had

tales

soldiery.

been told to him, until he began to wonder

more and more

at the brilliant thoughts

fancies of those early rabbis,

step

had

who

and

step

by

laid the foundations of the temple

72

AT THE RABBINICAL SCHOOL

of the Talmud, in the study of which Israel
felt

ever young and strong, and bade de-

fiance to every foe

nay, has outlived

all

the ages of persecution, according to the

olden promise, "

No weapon forged against

thee shall prosper."

One morning on

entering the school, the

rabbi stated that he

was about

to leave for

another position, and a new teacher was to

be appointed,

one

day,

whom

not long

teacher arrived

all

would

afterwards,

David

No

who was

choice could

have been happier, no teacher more

ing.

From

the very

Moses, the boy

still

more

new

his progress
certain.

inspir-

lesson he gave

felt that a

dawned, and that

made

first

new

the

Fraenkel,

also Dessau's chief rabbi.

And

love.

era

was

had

to be

Nor was

the

teacher's pleasure less keen at sight of the

lad,

already beginning to

show

his

formed shoulders, who displayed such

markable genius for study.
73

dere-

Thenceforth

STEP BY STEP
their paths

were long- to run together, and

Moses was to owe

to this teacher,

more than

to any one else, the secret of his intellectual

growth.

Mendel was glad

pleased with the

man
"

What

new

own

after his

teacher,

who was

You would

he knew so much,
to us boys the

Rabbi

about

father,

Fraenkel," remarked Moses one night, "

his simplicity.

so

heart.

like,

was

that his son

if

most

is

never think that

you heard him explain

disputes in the

difficult

Talmud."
"

gain

You

will learn,

my

dear son, as you

knowledge of the world, that the

greater a man, the simpler he

I

mean

a truly great

been simpler than

tions of life?

pear as he
than he
are the

is.

is.

man.

Of

course,

Who could have

Abraham
great

is.

in all the rela-

man need

only ap-

He need not try to be greater

Modesty,

simplicity, courtesy

marks of greatness
74

after

all.

You

AT THE RABBINICAL SCHOOL

cannot learn this too early,

my

son, and, as

for Rabbi Fraenkel, I believe you will gain

as

much from

his love as

you study under

from the books

his guidance."

75

VII

A TALK WITH RABBI FRAENKEL

The months

passed quickly, and spring

came with unexpected

One day

swiftness.

Cavalier Street, Dessau's pride, was cov-

ered with snow, but the next morning the

swallows twittered in the linden

was spring once more, with

trees.

It

cloudless skies.

The honeysuckle would not be long delayed.

The days being now longer and warmer,
was

there

home.

less

hardship at the

Moses did not need

Mendel
wear

his

shabby cloak, and he enjoyed a more or

less

to

hearty breakfast before he went to school.

The work, however, was

ever, for his studies

just as exacting as

demanded

all his

time.

That they grew steadily more and more

ficult

was

to be expected, but his clear

was never discouraged by fresh

dif-

mind

obstacles.

Step by step the path became easier, and,

76

A TALK WITH RABBI FRAENKEL

despite his youth, he
the brightest

was regarded

and most promising

as one of

pupils.

Rabbi Fraenkel was quick to recognize

the boy's genius,

arousing

still

and he took pleasure

in

further his love of learning.

Now, this teacher was not only a thorough

Hebrew and rabbinical scholar, his published

works prove

his ability,

but he was

modern knowledge.

well acquainted with

It

must be confessed that many rabbis of

his

time were opposed to any other kind of

The latter seemed to

them amply sufficient. They frowned upon
German and Latin, and the new studies that
were so attractive to young minds. They
culture than

Hebrew.

even thought that Judaism would be

grave danger

if

the gates were opened to

general knowledge.
a

hundred and

in

fifty

That was more than

years ago.

Happily, Fraenkel was a

man

of different

stamp, and he was resolved that Moses

should receive a broad education, without

77

STEP BY STEP
any

He

peril to his religion.

ever-increasing

wonder the

watched with
lad's brilliant

progress, his fearless spirit of inquiry, his

remarkable power of reasoning,

his

dogged

perseverance, his untiring industry.

What

he admired most of

perhaps,

all,

was

the

keen desire of Moses to learn everything

about the subject under discussion.

half-knowledge for him.

thorough and accurate.

norant.

It

was pathetic

of triumph on his face

ficult

point,

He wanted to be
He hated to be igto witness the look

when he

and the

No

solved a dif-

discussion

became

clearer.

One midday,
the rabbi asked
following.

as he

was about to go home,

him

to dinner the Sabbath

The boy was

only too glad of

the chance to be with his teacher, and he

was promptly on hand

time.

at the

appointed

During the meal the rabbi expressed

great pleasure at his pupil's interest in his

studies.

78

A TALK WITH RABBI FRAENKEL

" Rabbi Fraenkel,"
" I think that

it is

was the

rejoinder,

partly due to the teacher's

interest in his pupil,"

and both laughed.

Dinner over, the rabbi took Moses to

study,

and began to

tell

him about

his

the books

which crowded the shelves, reaching to the

ceiling

"

on two sides of the room.

The Talmud

is

studied best in the lives

and works of the wise men that strove to

plain
stance,

pages.

its

should

Every

know

the

ex-

student,

for

in-

chief

facts

in

Rashi's career, as well as the leading inci-

dents in the history of the earlier and later

commentators.

Whatever they say

is

of

They were nearer the age when the

Talmud was written, and had better means

value.

of judging

its

meaning."

" Is that true of our religion in general?

Can we not understand

it

more about the history of

all

ages?
"

better, if

we

learn

Israel's leaders in

"

Most

decidedly,

my
79

son.

There

is

no


STEP BY STEP
better way.

Every Jewish
with the

fairly familiar
ites,

of great Israel-

not only in Biblical times but in later

Few

ages and to-day.

of

lives

child should be

men

varied

realize

what

they were, what types of genius in

statesmen, scientists,

lines, scholars,

poets, philosophers, translators,

done their share

the young!

am

who have

helping the world ad-

in

How rarely we

vance.

teach these facts to

rejoiced that you

interest in such matters,

done

a class

and have always

thanks to your good

so,

show

father's

example."
"

Which have had more influence,

"
great men or great books?
" It

not easy to

is

tell.

Rabbi,

Often the book

and the man are so bound together that

is

hard to say which has been more

tial.

There

there "
11

which

is

influen-

book on the middle

pointing to a square

I shall let

it

shelf

volume

you take home with you

to read at your leisure."

80

And, going to the

"

A TALK WITH RABBI FRAENKEL

shelf,

he took

judging from

down

heavy book, which,

appearance, must have

its

been frequently read.

11

Moses,

this

originally written in Arabic

i

Moreh, or

Hebrew work

it

was

called the

is

Guide of the Perplexed.'

Its

author was the Eagle of the Synagogue, no

man

than Moses the son of Maimon,

called also

Maimonides, or Maimuni, and

less a

known,

Rambam. He

too, as the great

" I know, Rabbi Fraenkel,

was born

in

Cordova, Spain,

know.

He

1135, and

in

lived later with his family in Egypt, to es-

Here Moses suddenly

cape persecution."
stopped, as

if

he

felt

he had been rather

rude in interrupting his teacher, although

he had meant no slight.
" Well,
the great
life,

my child,

man

was.

you seem to know who

He

had

remarkable

and wrote remarkable books.

a truly eminent scholar.

works, his Moreh, to

6

81

my

Now,

He was
of

all his

mind, must be


STEP BY STEP
regarded as the most famous, and the one
that has aroused most thought."

"

Was

he not court-physician to Saladin,

who

fought with the Knight Templars and

"
with King Richard of England?
" Certainly, Moses.

He was

appointed

to that office after his fifty-fifth year,

about ten years later he wrote the

and

Guide

'

of the Perplexed,' which has been translated

into Latin

and Hebrew, and

will, I

fident,

appear one of these days

of our

modern tongues."

The

rabbi then told

the aim of

Rambam

Moses

am

it

was

to explain difficulties

which are often more apparent than

in the

most

in

that

con-

real

Torah, and show that our religion

has nothing to fear from criticism, that

was thoroughly

in accord

and thought of the era

and had

a claim

in

it

with the science

which he

lived,

upon the attention and

re-

spect of the world.

" Surely, that

was

a noble purpose for a

82

A TALK WITH RABBI FRAENKEL

writer to have in view.

Don't you think

so?"
11

his point? "

But did he prove

Moses

asked after a slight pause, while he opened

the

volume and began

and

there, as if

to understand
11

You

he wished to

little

here

test his ability

it.

ask a peculiar question for

answer at once.
find the

to read a

me

to

would rather have you

answer for yourself

reading the

in

book," and the rabbi laughed heartily.

" But this you can surely
the

tell

Moreh liked by the people ?

me.

Was

"

" It gave rise to a very exciting dispute,

which lasted after Maimuni's death, and

created

much

bitterness.

and others that con-

that praised the book,

demned

it.

Some

There were many

called the author a very

great man, the glory of his age

he was a heretic, that

others said

who believes no
and that the Moreh

is,

longer in his religion,

one

should be burnt, so that no one might read

83

STEP BY STEP
it
'

The one

hereafter.

Maimunists,'

ists,'

and

the

Anti-Maimun-

'

The

as often happens.

Maimunists
limit the

other

was for a while divided

Israel

two camps,

party was termed

did

all

Moreh's

they considered

in

their

influence

its

into

Anti-

power to

and show what

hurtful character.

Per-

haps from their point of view they were

right."

"

We should have only one point of view

Was the book true

the truth.

that

was the only question

ered, not

Not
"

so,

was

its

or not true

to be consid-

influence hurtful or not.

Rabbi?"

That

right,

is

my

son, that

is

right.

Yet, few of us are prophets, to rise above

our personal

feelings.

Few

of us see be-

yond our wall of habits and pet

we have not

ideas,

which

the courage to outgrow, but

regard after a while as the highest and the

only truth.

Moses ben Maimon was above

his age, that cannot be denied,

84

and such an

A TALK WITH RABBI FRAENKEL

incident

is

However, we must

not rare.

bear this in mind

most

Rambams.

ourselves above our age are not

We are rather inclined to forget this,

But

am

much and

talking too

Now

for you to follow.

go home, Moses,
as

Only don't neglect your meals,

You know

read.
is

when

no meal, there

Hugging

there

no Torah.'

heart,

Moses was soon on

What
What

happiness was in
a privilege

To

as

like.

your

is

to be

Where

there

"

volume to

precious

his

'

you

book

is

the saying,

is

I fear.

too seriously

and read the Moreh as often

habit, I fancy,

deem

of us that

the

his

way home.

store

for him!

be allowed to read

Rambam,

the thoughts of the great

the

glory of his age, the Eagle of the Syna-

gogue!

And

the

moment he reached

house, he began to read

its

the

pages with con-

stantly increasing interest.

In later years * he used to say in jest:

* Kayserling's

Moses Mendelssohn,
85

p. 5.

STEP BY STEP
" This

Maimuni

have to thank for

stunted body; he alone

love

ened

him for

many

has repaid
to

my

all that,

a sad

me

is its

for the

hour

in

But

man has sweet-

my life,

tenfold for

bodily frame."

cause.

my

and hence

what he has done

VIII

SHADOWS AND RESOLVES

For some months now Moses had an
separable companion

the "

in-

Guide of the

Perplexed/' a book which might naturally

be supposed to interest a
for

much

older reader,

dealt with rather difficult problems

it

connected with Jewish law and thought.

Yet he pored over

night and day.

it

It

rarely left his hands, save at his meals, or

when he was

at school, until

familiar with

No

wonder

its
it

he had grown

contents and character.

was

his delight, for

it

dis-

cussed the very points upon which he desired information,

and gave him a ready

answer to many of his doubts.

more than
since

it

was

five

Although

hundred years had passed

written,

and there had been such

marvellous changes,

worthy guide to him

it

was

still

in his inquiries.

87

trust-

Under

STEP BY STEP
its

influence lofty thoughts

came

to him, as

the Jewish religion appeared larger and

broader than ever before.

religion, as the prophets

was

It

had

a world-

foretold.

And

how much this religion had

how much it had been persecuted,

as he recalled

endured,

he

felt

more and more pride

more and more resolved

He

in

to be

being a Jew,

its

champion.

did not know, perhaps, that, about a

hundred years

earlier, a

Amsterdam, who was

young

Israelite in

to attain the highest

rank as a thinker, had drifted away, after

reading the work of Maimuni, from his
torical religion,

reh.

under the

spell of the

his-

Mo-

This youth was Benedict Spinoza.

Moses would often

discuss

Maimuni's

views with his father and Rabbi Fraenkel.

They were both

surprised at his maturity of

thought, and urged him to stop reading and

He was too young to

wrestle with such problems.
He should
wait a few years. He was forgetting Max
studying for a while.

88

SHADOWS AND RESOLVES

He

devotion to his books.

in his

should

walk out more and breathe the fresh

He was

so far advanced that he

nothing

if

air.

would

lose

he gave up school for an entire

But he would not be persuaded, he

year.

He

kept on as before.

simply could not

cease reading.

One morning,
was too

after a sleepless night, he

and for weeks he had

tired to rise,

a violent fever.

second attack followed

his return to school before

gained his strength, and

now

he was forbidden to study.

was

physician

obeyed.

him not

weak

But

came

ing a word.

Moses on

was

in

He

re-

month

This time the

danger

if

seri-

he

was hardly necessary

to read.

to hold a

friends

and

it

for a

The matter was

firm.

ous, the boy's life

he had fully

to

distell

could not, he was too

book or

sit

up

in bed.

His

to his bedside without speak-

Max, on

his visits,

would

kiss

the forehead, after leaving fruit

flowers.

Rabbi Fraenkel would stay

89

STEP BY STEP
beside
until

him for a long time, holding

Moses would

On

restore

him

was

That and good food

in

his recovery,

due course.

Moses looked almost

The enforced

well as ever.

hand

Sleep

fall asleep.

his best medicine.

would

his

rest

as

had been

His shoulders, however,

very healthful.

curved more than of old, his bodily frame

had shrunk from constant stooping over

books and want of

exercise.

But out of

be expected.

That was
his

his

to

eyes there

shone such gentleness and intelligence that

he charmed

all

who knew

him.

Fancy the

love which he aroused in his parents, and

with what devotion they strove to meet his

every wish!

how he

On

his part,

need

it

be said

sought to deserve their affection by

being always quick to obey them and rendering willingly any service they required?

At

school he

was

as diligent as ever.

clear brain

won

difficulties

vanished one by one.

its

way
90

in

His

every study, and

He

was

SHADOWS AND RESOLVES

mastering the

Talmud

by

step

step,

and

gradually obtaining a wider knowledge of

Jewish history and

He

literature.

fancied

himself a Christopher Columbus discovering a

new world, with each new

advance,

each step forward.

Then, one day

a blow,

Moses

midsummer, there came

sudden and unexpected that

so

felt

in

he would not believe

less

true.

He

crushed to earth.
it,

but

it

The news spread

could not,

was none the

first

slowly,

then more rapidly, that his beloved teacher,

to

whom

to leave

he was attached so tenderly, was

Dessau

in

August, to become chief

rabbi of the great city of Berlin with over

three

hundred Jewish

blame him, with

Dessau

families.

Who could

his abilities, for forsaking

and accepting so magnificent a

position?

Moses met

the rabbi the afternoon after

he had heard the startling news, and he was

inconsolable

when

the report
91

was confirmed

STEP BY STEP
by

his

own

Who

Yes, he had to go.

lips.

He
He

could be offended at his departure?

was

young and had ambition.

still

thought he could do more for Israel

lin,

with

its

larger opportunities.

in

Ber-

That was

not to be denied.
"

Rabbi, take
"

implored.
" Moses,

me

with you," Moses

"
can I do without you ?

What
my son,

that

There are many reasons why

you with me.
stand the strain
are far

from

exercise.
all this, is

parents ?
" But,

again ? "

"

cannot take

and you must

strong,

large city like Berlin.

Besides

impossible.

You know you could not

of much further study. You

gain your full strength.

ample

is

first re-

Don't think of a

Remain

Leave the

here.

Take

rest to time.

not your duty with your

"
tell

me,

am

never to see you

And the lad wept bitterly.

I shall

always be your friend, Moses,

and whenever you need

92

my

help,

you can

SHADOWS AND RESOLVES

rest assured

Come,

and gladly.

son, be

calm and

rabbi left Dessau at the appointed

The

time in August.
rally

my

you freely

Almighty."

trust in the

The

will be given to

it

congregation natu-

missed so excellent a man, but to

Moses
and he

seemed

the city
felt

weighed down

carrying a heavy burden.

was strange

dark shadow,

in a

as if he

Such a sensation

to one so young.

out complaint

all

that

was

were

He

did with-

to be done, but

he took no pleasure in his books.

He

re-

fused to walk out to the willows, despite

pressing invitations again and again

Max.

from

Sometimes he would pass the school-

house in the early evening and imagine his

teacher at the

little

window,

kindly face and voice.

casionally

home, but

recalling his

Then he would

oc-

gaze longingly at the rabbi's

it

was

closed and no one bade

him

enter.

Moses was now

past thirteen.
93

That was

STEP BY STEP

when Jewish boys of that day left

and began to work for their living.

the age

school

This step was absolutely necessary when the

Mendel

parents were poor, as his were.

and
it

wife discussed the point earnestly;

his

was

rarely absent

from

their thoughts.

They

did not wish him to leave school, for

they

knew how he loved

his studies,

in

which he had made such gratifying progress.

the

Yet

little

was not

their

means were

limited,

and

help he might secure for himself

to be despised.

But what could he do ? they asked themselves.

Could he wander from place to

place, with a

heavy pack on

like

most boys of

his

delicate

his age ?

health,

his shoulders,

Could

peddle

he, with

goods from

house to house, from village to village?

He

could not enter any other calling without

giving up his religion, so unjust were the

laws of the

state.

They had

What was he to do ?

ardently wished
94

him

to

become

SHADOWS AND RESOLVES

a rabbi, but with his teacher's departure

that

seemed no longer

knew

they

Moses lacked

that

physical

and could not endure many more

health,

years of study, even

of providing

and

Besides,

possible.

more

if

they had the means

bountifully for his food

clothing, so necessary for his health

and comfort.

The

parents would not

their anxiety

on

tell

their son of

his account, but

he was not

to be deceived.

" Father," said he, one evening, a few

weeks after the rabbi had

" father,

this

cannot go on

Neither you nor

have made up
at Berlin, I

as his

Dessau,

left

any longer.

can stand the strain.

my mind.

Unless

do not wish

mother came

to live.

into the

can study

Mother,''

room,

"

am

not right?"
"

O my

plan?

Do

darling

child,

what

is

your

you want to become a rabbi?

You know you

are
95

not

strong

enough

STEP BY STEP
yet to devote yourself to

Be

study.

sensible,

my

many

years of

Remain here

son.

with us."
" I

This

am trying to be
is my purpose.

and study

sensible,

dear mother.

I shall

go to Berlin

Rabbi Fraenkel

further.

help me, he promised

starve,

than in a

And

sau."

If I

that.

am

to

better to starve in a large city

it is

like Berlin

me

will

little

place like Des-

flashed with excite-

his eyes

ment.
"
"

My

we

God

son," spoke his father, gravely,

shall not

will be

oppose your wish further.

You have been

with you.

ways our darling

child,

and

He

al-

will never

forsake you."

When
did

Holy Days were over they

not seem joyous Holy Days in the
the

Mendel home
came.

He

embraced

the

moment

of departure

kissed his brother and

his parents,

their feelings bravely,

sister,

who were

controlling

and with

his clothing

96

SHADOWS AND RESOLVES

and a book or two
about to set

off

tied in a bundle he

on foot

was

to Berlin.

" Here, Moses," a young girl exclaimed,

running up to him, " here

is

a ducat,

my parents bade me give to you."

He thanked her gratefully, put

piece in his pocket

money

was

the gold

his only bit of

and, again bidding his dear ones

farewell, he
heart.

it

which

began the journey with a

They watched him

until

the turn in the road, and then he

view.

97

light

he reached

was

lost to

IX

NEW WORLD

A
was on

It

when

morning

October, 1743,

a boy of fourteen years,

most exhausted
on

in

foot,

weak and

al-

after a five days' journey

came timidly

to the Rosenthaler

That was

gate in Berlin.

the only door

through which Jews could enter the Prussian capital, at least a

Jew

like

Moses, the

son of Mendel, who, a poor, unknown emigrant, desired to be admitted.

was the third year of the reign of Fred-

It

erick the Great,

Jews of

and the condition of the

Berlin, as well as in Prussia in gen-

eral

and throughout Germany, was far

from

enviable.

was

In fact, although Frederick

a brilliant soldier,

and claimed

to be a

great philosopher, he shared in large meas-

ure the prejudices of his age against the

Jewish people, and their position under him

98

A
grew even

less

NEW WORLD
endurable, so constant were

the indignities they

We

had

to suffer.

cannot understand,

we who

live in a

country like the United States, where

and

religious liberty

is

the law of the land,

and where there are no unjust

to race

and

civil

creed, wealth

distinctions as

and poverty,

we

cannot begin to realize the state of

affairs in

Berlin in the eighteenth century.

Had

famous king, to

whom

the

Prussia owes so

much, foreseen that a hundred years after

his

death the city would be one of the

gest Jewish centres in the world, with

lar-

some

of the finest synagogues, hospitals, schools,

and homes of benevolence, that among

its

Jewish residents there would be a novelist

like

Berthold Auerbach, a statesman

Eduard Lasker,

a journalist like

like

August

Bernstein, a physician like Traube, a scholar

like

Zunz, with other eminent names

science, music, literature,

foreseen

all

this,

if

in art,

he could have

he might perhaps have

99

STEP BY STEP
acted in a broader

number of Jews

Not

spirit.

only was the

limited by law, and the

right of residence restricted (1747) to one

child of every family, but Frederick de-

creed later that no Jews should receive

new

privileges unless they started factories,

none

were allowed to marry without buying

porcelain of royal manufacture, so as to in-

Nearly twenty

crease the state revenue.

years afterwards,

was obliged
size,

to

when Moses married, he

buy twenty China

from the royal

ornaments are
scendants

still

among

factory.

apes, life

Some of

these

preserved by his de-

their

most precious pos-

sessions.

The boy stood,

gate.

timidly at

first,

There was reason for

He was tired and hungry,

before the

his timidity.

he was anxious to

gain rest and shelter, and he

knew not what

treatment he might receive.

Suddenly the

Jewish

official

who had supervision

migrants like him came forward.

100

over im-

NEW WORLD

A
"

Who

" I

are

am

you?"

Moses, the son of Mendel, of

Dessau,"
"

have you come to Berlin? "

Why

" I wish to study."

At
was

this reply

fairly

pected.

from such a lad the man

amazed.

It

was

In the meantime

entirely unex-

Moses had

re-

gained his courage, despite the questions

him rather

that were addressed to

"

You wish

to study? " repeated the of-

"You

wish to study?
"
can you support yourself?
ficial.

"

harshly.

Pray,

how

wish to study," Moses replied, ignor-

ing the last question.

"

Answer me

have you?

at once, boy.

What means

"

" I wish to study,"

was

the reply as be-

fore.

" Don't jest with me.

"
port yourself ?

How can you sup-

Moses was embarrassed.

101

He knew

not

STEP BY STEP

what

He had never thought that he

asked such a question. He re-

to say.

would be
flected a

up

moment, and a happy smile lighted

his colorless face.

" Rabbi

David Fraenkel."

This was the solution of every

difficulty,

answer to every question.

Now he

this the

would be

safe.

Taking compassion

at last

who was interesting him

more and more, the man sent a messenger
on the poor

lad,

to the rabbi's house.

home, and without

to the gate

Now

He was fortunately at

loss

of time he hastened

and clasped Moses

the boy felt that his sufferings were

over.

He

was soon to

find that they

only beginning as he entered a

"

in his arms.

were

new world.

Come, Moses," the rabbi exclaimed,

for he

saw

at once

was, " come,

let

how

exhausted the boy

us go home," and, holding

tightly to the rabbi's arm,

in the

busy

Moses was soon

streets of Berlin, which, in con-

trast to Dessau,

seemed a very large

102

city,

NEW WORLD

A
The

indeed.

the

shops,

the

statues,

churches,

stately

broad

throngs of people
thither-

the

houses,

tall

squares,

handsome
the

the

costly

endless

rushing hither and

all

aroused his wonder that he

this so

forgot for a while his troubles and the

uncertain future.

"

Now,

here

we

are," and, stopping at a

small house in one of the side streets, and

opening

the

heavy

oaken

Rabbi

door,

Fraenkel led Moses into the front room.

" First of
to eat,

all

you must have something

and then you

that corner.

will rest

After you have slept a

can talk over matters.

word yet. Not

There
be

is

enough.

He

a word.

a seat for you.

ready.

on the sofa

Why,

Now

No, not

bit,

in

we

a single

Come to the table.

The meal will soon

there

it

comes,

sure

eat."

needed no second invitation to the

bountiful repast, and never did he repeat

with more fervor the customary blessing,

103

STEP BY STEP
which was an acknowledgment of God's
kindness in bringing bread from the earth.
Surely,

it

resting-place

With

He

was

that

after

difficulty

had led him to

toilsome

his

this

journey.

he refrained from shedding

tears of happiness as well as sorrow.

thought of his

many

The

privations mingled

with a sense of joy at the prospect of speedy

help.

His friend saw that the boy was

deeply moved, and he left him for a few

moments, to glance
library

finishing his meal,

much refreshed.
" Now, a little
" But

When

adjoining.

Moses was

some books

at

am

sleep,

he

in the

returned,

and he looked

my son."

not tired, Rabbi."

"

Not a word, not a word. There is the

sofa
now a little sleep, a little folding of

the hands,' and your strength will return

like

an armed man's," said the rabbi, chang-

ing wittily a verse in the

And Moses was soon

Book of

asleep.

104

Proverbs.

NEW WORLD

was almost night when, entering the

It

room, the rabbi was delighted to observe

how Moses, who was now

wide-awake, ap-

peared a different lad, although his face

still

showed

His

traces of the long journey.

eyes were brighter, his hands firmer, his

voice stronger than a few hours ago,

when

he pleaded for admission at the Rosenthaler

gate.

"

Now, my

son,

you can

tell

me

some-

thing about your journey," and the rabbi

drew him
11

to a seat

by the

window.

latticed

How

Were
11

did you leave your good parents?

"
they well?

Dear Rabbi,

health,

God

be

I left

them

praised!

in the best of

As you may

imagine, they long refused their consent to

my

going, but they did not oppose

me

after

how firm I was in my desire."

But how did you manage on

they saw
11

journey?
14

the

"

Well, a

little girl

105

think

it

was Eph-

STEP BY STEP

gave

raim's granddaughter

when

nothing

was about

It

ducat

There

depart.

to

now.

left

me

went for bread and

milk each morning, and a bed of straw

The

the barn at night.

five days.

I? "

And

weather

Do

all

in

me

journey took

was not very extravagant, was

along

that

was coming nearer

his

fine

was some comfort.

The thought

and he threw

" It was

boy smiled.

the

you know what gave

happiness ?

is

me

the greatest

that step by step

to Berlin

and you,"

arms around the

rabbi's

neck.

" I soon grew used to the journey

was over a

fairly level road.

I rested

and then by the wayside under some

ly hedge, a kindly teamster

a ride, and
sounder.

over

Yet

my
I

my

The

it

now

friend-

would give me

sleep could not have been

stars

appeared

like sentinels

head, and nothing disturbed me.

was glad enough when

glimpse of Berlin

in the distance."

106

caught a

NEW WORLD

A
The

was deeply moved by the

rabbi

simple

The

recital.

lad was certainly a

brave fellow to have had no fear.

"

One

Israel

thing more.

on the

I felt really a

entire journey, for

son of

were not

our people always wanderers from the time

Abraham ? Did you not tell me in Dessau that the word Hebrew really means an
of

Did you not?

emigrant.
"

Now, Moses,"

the rabbi spoke after a

pause, " I wish you to sleep here to-night.

To-morrow

I shall

nent quarters.

meals with

w rite
is

which
weekly.

ready

you

can always have your

Sabbaths and Holy Days.

have you copy for me

Hebrew

that

You

me on

shall also

provide you with perma-

so

for

will

That

beautifully

the

receive

will help,

printer,

some

shall not forget you.

enough.

Get to

sleep,

107

We

work

and for
groschen

no doubt.

for the present, I shall say nothing

I

you
Now,

else,

but

have talked

and to-morrow you

STEP BY STEP
can begin your Berlin

life in reality.

will be pretty busy, but

Good-night,

Did

you can stand

God bless you

the youth

You
it.

"
!

dream that

night, like Ja-

cob of old, of a ladder stretching from earth

to heaven, with angels thereon ascending

and descending?

One cannot know, but his

slumbers were refreshing, and he awoke

full

of confidence in the future.

108

X
WINNING HIS WAY
There

is

an old saying often used by

young men and women

per

as a

motto for

ad astra

aspera

college

classes:

through

difficulties to the stars,

obstacles to success.

It

is

their

or through

good thought

for college lads and lasses to reflect upon,

although their
severe,

difficulties

are not so very

and are usually limited to text-books,

recitations, examinations.

In the case of Moses, however, no motto

could have been

known Latin
difficulties

real

on

more

expressive,

at that time.

Surely, he

all sides, obstacles

and hard

to

had he
had

which were

Would

overcome.

he

reach the stars, would he succeed at last?

On

his second

day

in Berlin

he had gained some headway.

the rabbi, he

was

certain of a
109

he

felt that

Thanks

to

few groschen

STEP BY STEP

The work

weekly.

not

difficult,

Then an

of copying

Hebrew was

and always gave him pleasure.

attic

room, large enough for

all

home
of a very pious Israelite, one Hyman Bamberger, who was very fond of Hebrew litwas secured for him

purposes,

erature,

and eager to befriend deserving

Here, too, he had the assurance

students.

of meals on two week-days.

pense at

all

three days
fident that

amply provided
it

He would
it

With na

and

for his room,

his

for,

He

ex-

food for

he was con-

would be an easy task

the rest of the week.

Now,

at the

would not

to live
starve.

get along step by step.

must be remembered that he had

been accustomed to scanty fare from his

early childhood.
at his
tual

home.

It

was always

plain living

Yet he had never known

hunger or privation.

His

parents' love

had shielded him ever from such

He

was soon

hunger.

to realize the full

suffering.

meaning of

There was poverty, of

110

ac-

course, in

WINNING HIS WAY

his parents' dwelling; but their affection

softened

its sting.

vation in
that he

its

had never deemed

Berlin he

and during

was

bread

Experiences

possible

were to

his first years in

is

termed that we

Yet he never faltered

on Passover.

in

He

never

hope or thought of giving up the

strug-

his determination to

gle

to feel pri-

to taste the bread of affliction,

as the unleavened

lost

was now

sharpest form.

fall to his lot,

eat

He

had

and returning

courage would

win

success.

A lad of less

to Dessau.

have yielded to

circum-

He was made of sterner stuff than

to play the coward. He was to conquer cirstances.

cumstances, as most of us can do

if

we

only

will.

There

is

a story told

by a famous Dutch

writer about a warrior,

difficulty

who

in carrying out

his plans.

almost failed at times, and

succeed,

it

was only by the

greatest effort.

always had

He

when he did

exercise of the

Finally he realized that he

111

STEP BY STEP

had

a secret

enemy

him on every
his

and render

occasion,

most precious

find out the

was trying to defeat

that

enemy

He

plans.

was

that

useless

resolved to

spoiling his

life.

One evening he went for a walk. He saw

a man wearing a mask coming towards him.
By some strange feeling, he knew that it
was

his lifelong

He

enemy.

must

enemy.

I shall try to kill

The

and defend yourself."

his sword,

see

who

it is

removed

said: " I

and

whom

his

mask

is

stranger drew
ready, but

you would
and,

every boy or

lo,

fight."

girl,

first

He

the warrior

He was

stood before himself!

foe, as

am

him,

You are
you. Draw

and he exclaimed as they met:

my

kill

"

man

or

his

own

woman,

that yields to timid fears, and becomes a

coward

in the

battle

of

life,

instead of

meeting boldly every obstacle and winning

success step

by

step.

If every author or inventor or merchant,

or worker in any

field,

112

would

yield to his

DO

4!
]j

DO

.S

WINNING HIS WAY

own

fears,

and not resolutely labor on, how

poor would the world become

Moses
his habit

rose early each day

and

from childhood

his studies

it

had been

so arranged

and Hebrew copying that they

His

should not conflict with each other.

first

thought was of the task for Rabbi

Fraenkel, as that fortunately yielded him a

When

money.

little

work was

each day's allotted

done, then with ardor he pored

over the Talmud, sitting up late every night

until his bit of candle

was burnt

and he went to bed and

to the end,

slept refreshingly.

Ah, how can we realize into what

tress

him

when hunger

he was plunged
in the face

Often,

dis-

stared

when he had not

groschen for a more satisfying meal, he

would divide
it

might

his small loaf of

last the day.

would be no dinner

Frequently, too, there

at

all, yet,

he would continue at work.

113

undisturbed,

Happily, now

and then more copying was

8

bread so that

to be done,

STEP BY STEP
which gave him the prospect of meals for a

week or two ahead.

was very much to

It

his credit that he

never thought of asking help from his

richer brethren or even of appealing to

Rabbi Fraenkel for further

aid,

although

he would have received the assistance de-

He

sired.

felt that

he had no right to claim

anything from others, for he had come to

Berlin at his

own

risk.

In this

way he

pre-

served his self-respect, which he would have

had he asked people for alms.

lost,

many

precious

gems did he

he was so very poor

possess, even if

First

was ambition,

then love of learning, then industry,

respect

gems

self-

which outshine gold and

diamonds, and form what

ter,

How

is

called charac-

our best possession.

Bearing

who

in

mind the advice of his

teacher,

always urged him to broaden his edu-

cation,

he resolved to perfect himself

German

literature,

in

which was a closed door

114

WINNING HIS WAY

many

to most of the Jews of that day, as

thought

wrong

it

to speak

language of the land

in

and write the

which they

lived,

preferring a homely jargon of their own, a

blending of

German and Hebrew.

By

adopting

every-day

of their

in

life a dialect

thus

own, they not only narrowed their thought

and ambitions, but strengthened the popu-

them

lar prejudice against

possible,
tice

make

im-

any movement to secure them

jus-

postponed,

It also

and

as a foreign race.

if

it

did not

That was

equality.

to

come

later,

after the French Revolution.

It

must not be forgotten, however, that

a small

number of Jews received

modern

known

in other

He

Jew was

tinct, in his social

attitude he

becoming

felt

lines.

that while in re-

to be separate

and business

was not

more

example and resolved

their

German.

ligion the

were

than purely mercantile

Moses followed
to be a

and

training,

life

and

dis-

and daily

to be exclusive, if he
115

STEP BY STEP
wished to be at peace with his fellow-men.

He owed a duty to
creed,

and to perform that duty aright to

his country
less a

his country as well as his

and age would not make him

This aim Moses ever kept in

Jew.

view despite every adverse circumstance.

It

was the

more
states

secret of his later efforts to secure

justice for the

Jew from

and more consideration for

thought from the Jew.

a century

Of course,

German
German
this

was

and more ago, when conditions

were hardly

One day

was studying

now

as favorable as

spread of kindness and

the

it

was

in

for the

justice.

1746while Moses

at the Berlin rabbinical school,

He was

poor boy entered the building.

just fourteen,

and from the

first

interview

they became attached to each other.

Moses

showed him every kindness, going so far

to divide his scanty bread with him.

taught him also

the

how

to write

boy made good progress.

116

as

He

and read, and

WINNING HIS WAY

" Tell me, Moses, you have been very,

very kind to me, what can

"
return?

do for you

" If you wish to oblige me,

what you can

The

lad

thinking

met him on
book ?

Is

Get me a German book."

pleased his friend would be,

official

What

you

was bringing the book next day,

how

when an
"

do.

I'll tell

in

of the charitable society

the street.

have you there?

it

What a

possible ?

German

disgrace for

Israel!"

Without further ado, he seized the book,

and took the lad
to be expelled

person.

to the

from the

head of the
city as a

dangerous

This was promptly done.

Moses sought

to

have

police,

In vain

his friend sent back.

In vain he tried to interest the rabbi

behalf.

But thanks

was received

in his

to his efforts, the

boy

as a pupil in the rabbinical

school of Halberstadt.

This

lad,

who

ad-

mitted his indebtedness to Moses in a letter

117

STEP BY STEP
which has been published, was the grandof

father

members of

the

present

the

great banking firm of Bleichroeder,

known

throughout the world, to which Prussia and

Germany have

often been under special

obligations.

Undismayed

at the prospect of a similar

he was seen with a German book

fate, if

in

hand, Moses continued his general studies

By feeble canread German books,

with renewed enthusiasm.

dle-light,

he used to

which he obtained

secretly,

and whatever

he could gain from

German

literature

quickly absorbed.

He

book was hard to

read,

A volume

man.

ple poems,

did not care

if

only

it

was

if

the

was Ger-

of stories, a book of sim-

might have helped him consid-

erably; but he did not hesitate to read a

treatise

tense

on theology or philosophy, so

was

His

his love of

zeal

rewarded.

in-

knowledge.

and industry were not to go un-

lad so young and so earnest

118

WINNING HIS WAY

was not

to remain unnoticed.

His

clearness

of brain, which shone from his large, ex-

many people, while

won him friends, the

pressive eyes, attracted

his goodness of heart

best kind

of friends, teachers and com-

who helped him on the way step by

The clouds were clearing at last. His

panions,
step.

poverty was more easily borne each year;

for a

little

bird was singing more and more

joyously in his heart, and

Hope!

119

its

name was

XI

AT A BANKER'S HOME
Berlin attracted a

of

ability,

who

number of young men

desired a larger

field.

With-

out means and friends they sought admis-

and had enough

sion,

lieve in

was

self-confidence to be-

good times to come.

Among

a needy Polish Jew, Israel

name,

who was

mathematician.

Samoscz by

a poet, a thinker,

He

these

and

had drifted to the

capital in 1742, fancying that in so large a

city

he stood a better chance of gaining a

where he

living than in the obscure village

was born.
little

one,

Despite his

abilities,

short of genius, the task

removed

seemed

often occurs in

how

was a hard

and he was often reduced to despair.

Happily, at the very

hope

which were

to keep

life

from

moment when

all

this

from

him

and he was

at a loss

starvation, he

found a

120

HOME

AT A BANKER'S
real friend, rich

him gladly

and kindly, who received

into his house,

and gave him

made him,

in fact, a cher-

bountiful relief,

him have no more

ished guest, and bade

There are many such people

anxiety.
this

who

world,

bounty to others

are quick to give of their

have; what

realize

What

I give,

keep, I lose."

Such a friend was Daniel

w ho
T

eminence,

and

less fortunate,

the truth of the old saying, "

I

Itzig, a

man
T

become court-banker

William

Frederick

II,

honorable and lucrative.

to

position

He

had

Jew

an
his

oil

mill

great

spirit,

and

in those times

both

assisted

he owned

a lead factory.

wealth

in

King

Frederick the Great in his wars and

rarity for a

of

stood at the head of the

Jewish communities of Prussia, and w as

later years to

in

Owing

to

and recognized public

he was one of the few of our brethren

in faith to
citizens,

enjoy equal rights with Christian

and

in official

documents

121

it

was

or-

STEP BY STEP
dered that he and his family should not be
Jews, for Jews were not re-

classified as

garded as

none the

citizens of the state.

less

But he was

attached to his faith, founded

at Berlin a school for

poor Jewish children,

and had the courage more than once to con-

demn

publicly the cruel laws against the

Jews.
Israel

Samoscz became an inmate of

zig's luxurious

It-

house in the Burgstrasse, on

the site of which,

decades

Itzig's

later,

grandson was to build the Berlin Stock Exchange.

It

was

a fairy transformation for

the poor student

and follow

to

sit

at ease in a

mansion

his favorite studies without fear

as to each day's meal or lodging.

Moses,

who had

casually

quaintance, gradually found

interesting friend,

the Itzig home.

tween them.

whom

made
him

his ac-

to be an

he often visited at

A close intimacy arose be-

They

were, in fact, kindred

spirits.

122

AT A BANKER'S
11

Moses,"

Israel

said

HOME
one

afternoon,

while they were seated in the spacious garden, for at that period the larger Berlin

had ample gardens, with high

residences

walls that secured privacy, and they were

favorite places of resort for the family and
its

friends, "

Moses, did you ever read any-

thing by Judah Hallevi?

" I have read

"

some of

poems, of

his

course, for they are in the Siddur,* but not

work, his Cusari.

his great

wish

could

get a copy."
11

Well,

am

writing a

Hebrew commen-

tary on the work, and I should be very glad

to read

it

some of
clearer

to you.
it

You

might, in

I do.

copy

You write
Let me read

for the printer.

hand than

fact,

chapter now."

Now

began inspiring hours for Moses,

which revived the memory of

when he

first

his delight

read the famous work of

* Prayer-book.

123

STEP BY STEP

Maimuni.

make him

It did

not take

fairly familiar

many days

to

with the work of

the Spanish-Hebrew poet, physician, and

Born

philosopher.

and dying

at Toledo, about 1085,

about 1140, he was

in Palestine

one of the most striking figures

in

our

mediaeval literature, and his writings belong

to the glories of the golden age in Spain.

Loving

his religion

and people

passionately,

he resolved to write a book which should

defend Judaism for

sari

was the

result,

time.

all

and

it

has gained him

and appears now

lasting fame,

His Cu-

in several

languages.

The work

is

legend, which

based upon an interesting

some claim

to be historical,

that a Jewish king, called Bulan, ruled over

the Khazars, a Tartar tribe, in the eighth

century.

sudden

One
vision,

night he was startled by a

which

which was the best

left

religion.

summoned before him

him

in

doubt

Next day he

three sages, a Jew, a

124

AT A BANKER'S
Christian,

HOME

and a Mohammedan, and

or-

He

as-

dered them to discuss the point.

sured them that he was open to their arguments, and would adopt the religion which

was made most

Each sage put forth

the contest began.

reasons

was

why

So

satisfying to his mind.

was

his religion

a well-fought debate,

At

tened attentively.

the best.

It

and the king

its close,

his

lis-

he informed

them that he found the Jewish sage the

most convincing, and he chose the Jewish
founding

creed,

lasted

two hundred

Now, whether
torical fact,

it

framework of

Jewish

in

this

is

a legend or

an

his-

served Judah Hallevi as the

his Cusari,

and

it

He

was

well-

wrote his

Arabic, the language of his cultured

age, so that thinkers of the

influenced

by

its

views.

day might be

The book remains

of lasting value by reason of

quality,

that

years.

adapted for the purpose.

book

dynasty

no

less

than by
125

its

warm

its

literary

champion-

STEP BY STEP
ship of Judaism.
their

fist,

Some authors

write with

others with their brain:

Judah

Hallevi wrote with his heart.

Nothing could have been better for

Moses than
work.

It

to

become familiar with such

warmed

fied his intellect.

his heart as well as satisIt

strengthened his love

for his religion and people,

realize

more

and made him

clearly than ever before that

the history of the Jewish people,

whom

Hallevi called " the heart of mankind,"

was continuous
chapters,

story in many,

which was not to reach

until the era

many
its

end

when peace and brotherhood

should prevail throughout the world.

One cannot describe with what ardor

Moses helped his friend to copy the manuscript for the printer.

Most

of his spare

time he devoted to the purpose, and for

quite a while.

It is

of interest to learn that

a fragment of his copy, in his beautiful

handwriting,

still

can be seen at a private

126

AT A BANKER'S
library in Berlin,

where

HOME

it is

carefully treas-

ured and guarded against harm with the

care bestowed on the original Declaration

of Independence in Philadelphia.

" Come, Moses," Israel exclaimed one

afternoon, "

me

it is

too

damp

teach you mathematics.

And

rapidly."

walk

to

You

out.

will learn

soon Moses could under-

stand Euclid with ease from a

Hebrew
Those

translation in his friend's possession.

who

study geometry

Euclid

is

book.

To

know

that the

at the basis of the

study

Let

it

in

work of

modern

Hebrew was

text-

easy to

Moses, and he absorbed the book with enthusiasm, and mathematics became a favorite

pursuit ever after.

Step by step he advanced further in the

knowledge of Jewish philosophy, and he

wondered more and more

writers

whose thoughts have passed

lighted torch
fire

at the genius of

from age

to age

like a

and furnished

to the greatest thinkers, although the

127

STEP BY STEP
debt

is

rarely recognized.

what the world owes

It

is

curious

His

to the Jew.

Psalms and Prophets are read or studied

church and mosque

in

in

every clime, and the

broadest views of his best minds go to build

This should not make

up modern systems.

us proud, but grateful, that in this

way

the

Jew is fulfilling his mission.

Moses was wonderfully stimulated by the
talks with Israel at the banker's house.

He

wished to continue

and

his studies further

learn at least Latin, so necessary for read-

ing the philosophers of the Middle Ages.

Of

course, he

that he

was too modest

was becoming

to imagine

a great scholar; but

he was very desirous of knowing Latin and

thus widening his knowledge, because

many

precious works were written in this lan-

guage.

Yet how was he to buy the necessary

books?

from ?

Where was

the

money

to

come

How was he to pay a teacher ?

128

At

AT A BANKER'S
he could try to save a

least

HOME
little,

and when

he had a few groschen on hand he could

buy one or two books anyway.

One morn-

ing he passed an old book-store and looked

longingly at

its

window, where a couple of

He

attracted him.

titles

lingered a

ment, gave a second glance, then ran

room, took out

to his attic

mo-

home

his savings, re-

turned to the shop, and soon owned two

treasures

grammar and

a Latin

dictionary,

both old and well-worn, but

The

next step

How was

this to be

treasures priceless to him.

was

to get a teacher.

He knew no one,

done ?

anyway for

a Latin

lessons,

and had no money

which were necessary

He was not discouraged

fresh obstacle. Had he not overcome

at the beginning.
at the

other

difficulties,

than this?
fulness,

and

even more threatening

little

all

would be well.

patience, a

little

hope-

These thoughts flashed through him

as

he hugged his new treasures and sped along

9

129

STEP BY STEP
the

street

homewards.

It

was

rainy

morning, but for him the sun was shining,

radiant, glorious sunshine.

No

wonder

amid the darkening

his

face

was

fall,

perhaps the only face that was bright

smiling,

and happy

knew

in

the

that there

He

gloomy weather.

would be no funds for a

regular dinner for two days, but that

was no

more a hardship, and was easily borne.

was used

rain-

He

to such a trifle as going without a

He

hot dinner.

was thinking of

better

things than chicken soup and apple sauce.

Already

in fancy

writers of

he was reading the great

Rome, already

listening to the

poets and orators of classic Italy,

after

which the gates of the early Middle Ages

would be open
its

to him,

and he would explore

treasures of thought at ease.

130

XII

MORE LIGHT
It

was not long before Moses found

teacher

who was

of great service to him in

the study of Latin.

sician
still

from the

He

city of

was

young phy-

Prague, where can

be seen an old Gothic synagogue dating

from the twelfth or thirteenth century

Abraham Kisch, another one of the

kind-hearted men whom he had attracted
Dr.

by

his love of learning,

and whose help was

of such importance to his growth.

No

mere chance led the youth

step

by

step to the attainment of his wishes, and

secured for

him from time

to time excel-

lent teachers at critical periods in his career.

If

it is

only chance that rules our actions and

controls our will,

Moses would not have

survived his early struggles with his

cate health

deli-

and the obstacles that blocked

131

STEP BY STEP
his path.

It

was not chance

him from darkness

to

light,

that guided

but God's

providence.

Every day, for half an hour, Dr. Kisch

taught Moses.
to enable

him

The lesson was long enough

to learn

months he could be

by himself.

own

his

required no one to prepare

ing of Latin.

teacher,

him

it

and he

for his read-

His industry and determina-

tion conquered every difficulty.

found

In six

Dr. Kisch

a distinct pleasure to have such a

pupil.

One day Moses, whose keen

served

everything,

eyes ob-

saw a book marked

Cicero on his teacher's shelf.

" Dr. Kisch," he pleaded, " do let

me

see if I can read Cicero."

" I think

but you can

the

book

Moses

it is

too hard for you, Moses,

try, if

you

like,"

and he handed

to the youth.
tried at once to read a chance

page, and soon, to the doctor's amazement,

132


MORE LIGHT
he translated into German, with remarkable
ease

and

a page

rapidity,

He

work on Friendship.

from Cicero's

rendered

it

with

such feeling, too, that his teacher could not

withhold

warm

Next, he strove to

praise.

master some of Cicero's orations, but he

was hardly
politics

to

enough

interested

few weeks

son, he

had

They

continue their perusal.

grew wearisome, and he put

Roman

in

later,

on beginning

showed Dr. Kisch

just bought.

It

aside the book.

was

a Latin

his les-

book he

a Latin edition of

an English philosopher's celebrated work

John Locke's " Essay on the

derstanding."

Human Un-

This he read with constantly

increasing interest, showing his strong leanings even then

toward philosophical study,

a field in which he

was

to win such distinc-

tion in after years.

One

of his friends in his mature man-

how Locke's work

With indescribable ef-

hood, Nicolai, relates

fascinated Moses.

133

STEP BY STEP
fort he labored to decipher

out in the dictionary every

and he was

understand
of them

He

it.

sought

word he did not

ignorant of most

and wrote them down,

had two paragraphs completed.

until

he

Then he

on their meaning, and strove to

reflected

get at the understanding of each sentence by

quick thought.
all clear,

his

When

he compared

he
it

felt

that

it

was

again, as far as

knowledge of the language went, with

the literal meaning.*

With

such readiness was he

now

able to

understand famous authors that he soon

studied Plato and Aristotle in Latin translation,

and grew familiar with these leaders

of Greek thought.
fied?

First

then Latin.

What

he

now

satis-

German, then mathematics,

Was there more to be learned ?

other languages was he to master?

Moses was never

edge.

And was

content with half-knowl-

Fie wished to be familiar with the

*KayserIing,

p. 13.

134

MORE LIGHT
of learning in

sources

Knowing

tongues.
basis of

other lands

that Latin

was

man

of splendid

young scholar and

Moses was

to

to

Here, again,

was

after waiting a while, a teacher

liant

at the

modern languages, he resolved

study French and English.

vided, a

and

pro-

abilities,

a bril-

writer, to

whom

acknowledge publicly

his

when

the

gratitude.

Only

young king of
with victory,
after

the

among

time

short

before,

Prussia,

entered

in

1745, flushed

Berlin

in

triumph

Peace of Dresden, the Jews,

the rest, were quick to join in the

A solemn service was ar-

public rejoicings.

ranged by

Chief

Rabbi

Fraenkel,

who

preached a patriotic sermon and wrote a

special

ode

in

Hebrew, which was sung

the accompaniment of music.

munity desired
into

German,

this

poem

to

The com-

to be translated

so that the Christian citizens

might appreciate

this

proof of loyalty, and

135

STEP BY STEP
a gifted translator

was found

in the

person

of Aaron Solomon, afterwards called Dr.

Gumpertz, then

in his twenty-second year.

man became

This

the teacher of Moses,

and no wonder that Moses afterwards confessed his deep sense of obligation to him,

not only in the study of French and Eng-

many ways.
The earliest letter which we have of
Moses Mendelssohn is written to Gum-

lish,

but for his inspiration

pertz.

lows
you,

opening sentence reads as

Its

"

in

Who

dearest

is

closely

friend,

fol-

acquainted with

and knows how

to

value your talents, he lacks no illustration

to

show how

easily

fortunate spirits can

soar aloft without model and example, de-

velop their invaluable

and

intellect,

greatest of

No
in

and

gifts,

improve heart

rise to the

rank of the

men." *

details are preserved of these lessons

French and English, but

Kayserling,

p. 19.

136

it

requires

little

MORE LIGHT
effort

to imagine the scene

brilliant teacher

showed him how

earnest,

and the eager, industrious

to study languages, guided

to the best authors,

and then

own labors, without

which may hamper instead
to his

That

the

Like Samoscz and Kisch, Gumpertz

pupil.

him

is

left

him

further help,

of

assisting.

the proper ideal of teaching.

simply points the

way and

prepares the

Gumpertz

student to help himself.

It

lived

long enough to find out that his teaching

had not been

Not

in vain.

all

teachers are

so fortunate.

But he did more than merely teach him

grammar and
we

learn

literature.

At

a certain age

from our acquaintances more than

from books.

In friendly conversation and

thoughtful debate, our minds are aroused

and strengthened, our

tastes

improved, our

sympathies and interests widened.

was with Moses, and Dr. Gumpertz

nized what was needed.
137

So

it

recog-

STEP BY STEP
" Moses," he said one day, " you are too

much by yourself. You are older now, and

need more friends. Come with me," and he
took him to a Conditorei, where a number
of young

men were

drinking coffee and eat-

ing cake, talking quietly at the same time

They belonged

about their studies.

Joachimthal

Gymnasium,

high school in Berlin.

scene

It

the long rows of tables, the students

debate and soon

ting with

them

Moses was
had

after the doctor

He made

duced him to several.

his friends for life.

chat-

intro-

some of

There were

ture scholars in that group,

whose

fu-

friend-

meant everything for Mendelssohn's

ship

growth and
ditorei

The

activity.

was an event

few years

name

his

was

own

visit to

the Con-

in his career.

later,

Moses owed

to

Gum-

man

with whose

will always be

associated.

pertz an introduction to a

He

well-known

was an enlivening

in earnest

them

to the

a bit older then than

138

when he was

MORE LIGHT
One

taking French and English lessons.

happy morning
forget

it

he

in

1754

he was never

was led

house and up two

into a very small

to a

flights

little

to

narrow

of creaking

stairs,

room, where stood a young

poet of about his

own

age.

It

was Gott-

hold Ephraim Lessing, then a poor struggling writer, but to form, with Goethe and
Schiller, the three-leafed clover of

German

literary leaders.

" Here, Lessing! "

leading

Moses

ment.

"

you."

The

Here

Gumpertz exclaimed,

to the centre of the apartis

good chess-player for

acquaintance thus begun con-

tinued through

life,

and

their close friend-

ship has been immortalized in the character of

Nathan,

in Lessing's "

Nathan

the

Wise," a work that has been translated

into

many

languages,

blessing in each, as

it

and has proved

has taught the brother-

hood of man and the unity and fellowship

of religions.
139

"

STEP BY STEP

The

central figure in Lessing's play

Nathan.

It

was

a startling novelty to pre-

sent a

Jew

fiend

or a rogue.

Malta "
were

who was

in literature

and

is

less

than a

Marlowe's " Jew of

" Shylock

Shakespeare's

Lessing

typical of the stage Jew.

showed that the Jew could be

man and

brother, broad, kindly, generous, and his

religion

was

entitled to reverence as

of the great historical creeds.

abounds

in eloquent sentences,

The

one
play

which have

passed into the literature of mankind as

among

the

thoughts.

most cherished and helpful

Contact with Moses, apprecia-

tion of his genius

and ways, led Lessing to

paint his friend's portrait in his famous

drama, which

is

drama of

and human brotherhood.

would arouse
world

is

little

religious liberty

Such a purpose

comment now,

for the

familiar with thoughts of the kind.

But to write such a work a century and

more ago

in Prussia

was an achievement

140

MORE LIGHT
that arrays Lessing

among

the

few

really

men and women that have stood

ahead of their age. And that book was

great

brought about by the chance introduction

Moses

of

to Lessing as a chess-player

by

Dr. Gumpertz.

But that was

in

in

The

1754.

turning-point

Mendelssohn's career had occurred a few

years earlier.

The

poet,

was

was

true,

it is

to be followed

on both

sides.

full

of significance.

It

by marked development

Think what

era a Jew and

that

meeting with the

first

meant

this

in

Christian to be

joined in close friendship and literary aims

when
the

the law of the land was imprisoning

Jew

daily life

in a

by harsh

and livelihood.
other,

Ghetto and embittering his

restrictions

Each was

and the world was

on his liberty

to learn

from the

to be the gainer

from both.
Yet the
life

came

real turning-point in his Berlin

few years
141

earlier.

The hour

STEP BY STEP
which he had

patiently, devoutly awaited,

and for whose demands he was

fully pre-

pared was no longer to be delayed.

not

know

for the
long.

it

call.

was

so near, but he

He did

was ready

He had waited and labored so

Did he not deserve

142

reward

at last?

XIII

VICTORY!
For seven years now Moses had
and labored

in Berlin.

It

had been

lived

a period

of great suffering, of intense struggle, of

severe privations, of ceaseless industry, of

But

patient devotion to study.

The

been shadow.

all

rabbi, the help

which

it

had not

friendship of the

his different teachers

had furnished, the kindness received

many

quarters, these

of the picture.

had advanced
ties

of

that

Then,
step

less grit

all,

he

felt that

he

step, despite difficul-

and ambition.

his path, that

after

by

too,

side

would have discouraged anybody

saw progress, that

on

formed the bright

in

light

The

was

fact that he

really breaking

he was gaining headway

was undeniable and made him

en-

dure every hardship in the firm hope of

final victory.

143

STEP BY STEP

Moses was no impossible

his faults
qualities

and weaknesses.

good

his

and he was achieving success

by deserving

Karl Emil Franzos,

success.

Galician

novelist,

" every country has the

With

But

had

were too many to be impaired by

his defects,

the

He

lad.

equal truth

it

wrote

once

Jews

deserves."

it

that

can be said that every

boy has the success he deserves.

Naturally Moses was becoming more

and more widely known.

built youth,

This slenderly-

with an unmistakable hump-

back, and large shining eyes, attracted old

and young.

His story was known

in the capital,

and the brave

making was winning him

like a

romance

fight

friends.

the record of his

to all

he was
It

life

read

from

childhood, his years of study at Dessau, his

struggles and labors in Berlin.

Such

inci-

dents were not rare, but he was young to

have endured so much.

delicate,

unused to such
144

A mere boy, weak,

trials,

with limited

victory!
education, to attain a mastery of languages
in a

few years and to have overcome every

obstacle,

why,

it

was

like

some old-time

fairy tale of heroes that fought dragons.

Why, was not he just as much a hero as a

warrior who slew a fire-breathing monster,
or a soldier who caught the enemy's spears
in his

embrace ?

Seven years had passed since he had

pleaded for admission at the Rosenthaler
gate.

It

was

in

1750,

when one Sabbath,

while dining at Rabbi FraenkePs

retained that habit

he

still

the rabbi said after

alluding to other matters

" Moses,

was asked about you

yester-

day."
" Indeed? " he rejoined inquiringly, half
in surprise, half in jest.

" Yes, and by no less a person than Isaac

Bernhard."

At

the name,

ested.
io

Moses grew more

Mr. Bernhard was

145

inter-

wealthy manu-

STEP BY STEP
and he was held

facturer,

What

in

high esteem.

me? ran his thoughts.

copy some Hebrew book. It

did he want of

Perhaps to

would be a

little

which he

help, indeed,

would welcome.
" Mr. Bernhard wishes to have a teacher
for his children, to live at his house, of

He

course.

spoke of you, and asked

you would be willing to come.

cide for yourself.

tion

open

The
in his

until

He

was

will

if

him

you de-

let

keep the posi-

he sees you."

youth's heart almost ceased to beat

Such an

glad surprise.

such a source, meant

It

I told

would

that I could not say, but

me

new

a long-wished-for

life

offer,

and

from

activity.

dream becoming

realized.

"

What do

Fraenkel?

you think about

it,

Rabbi

"

" I do not think at

you to accept

it

all

about

it.

It

is

for

at once."

" I shall call at the Bernhard house to146

VICTORY

He

morrow."

spoke quietly and uncon-

much

as he

sparkled in his

eyes.

cernedly, controlling his joy as

could,

although

Then he added:
dear friend

it

"

How

thank you,

my brave

" Well,

can

"
son, I

knew you would

succeed," and he clasped the youth's hand

tightly.

" I

knew you would

succeed.

fancy your struggles are over.

You

will

never need any more to divide a loaf of

bread into three parts for your day's meals.

You have won

the victory.

I congratulate

you."
"

God

has

won

the modest reply.

step,

and

my years
me.
11

He

the victory for me,"

He

"

will guide

of triumph,

if

He not?"
Indeed, He will,"

has led

me

me

was

step

by

further even in

these are to

come

to

Will

changed the

and Rabbi Fraenkel

subject, for he, too,

was deeply

moved by the youth's tone and words.

Moses saw Mr. Bernhard the following
147

STEP BY STEP
day, and

made

so favorable an impression

upon him that he was engaged

terms that made him almost dizzy.

a

man

of wealth, and could

on

at once

He

felt

now send some-

thing to his parents out of his abundance.

And what was

just as important,

he was to

have ample time as well for study and

writing.

" Perhaps, Moses, "

Mr. Bernhard

ex-

claimed as the interview was ending, " you

have done such good work

self to

an education, that

some day

to help

me

he smiled as Moses

in

in helping yourI

my

may

ask you

business,"

and

with a grateful

left

heart.

Did Moses prove

capable teacher?

The

children thought so, four boys and

girls

from

fancied lessons could be

ing,

who had never

made so interest-

six to thirteen,

and who formed a loving group around

Moses each

day, and

their studies, to

made

rapid advance in

Mr. Bernhardt
148

delight.


victory!
11

Rabbi Fraenkel," he said one day when

street, "

he met the rabbi on the

the best teacher

Why,

we

Moses

is

ever had in the house.

the children are learning something

at last."

" Mr. Bernhard, I can

why Moses
young.

is

so

good

He has the

you the reason

a teacher for the

brain of a

And

heart of a child."

tell

man and

the

they parted after a

vigorous handshake.

The

children liked best of

hour each week

the

in

which he told them of

religions

different

each had good

qualities,

When

and could point

You

lofty,

Even

in

it is

to

followers.
in the

just as

it is

find fragrant, beautiful

flowers in every country

only.

its

speak of the goodness

different religions, children,

with flowers.

how

of mankind,

good men and women among

"

all a certain

and not

in

our

own

Switzerland, the land of

snow-capped mountains, you can

find

a delicate flower close to an icy precipice

149

STEP BY STEP
the Edelweiss

made

it is

to tell us that there

cold and harsh but that

good
"

That might be

called.

is
it

no religion so
possesses

some

quality."

Now

own

about our

on another occasion

religion," he said

"

to the children.

Our

religion regards other faiths as doing

God's

work, and their adherents as sharing

in fu-

ture

happiness

Hence we

if

Israelites

their

lives

good.

never seek to convert

other people to our belief.

firmly

are

If they hold

and honestly to their own and act

accordingly, they can be

good and

useful

men and women, and are as acceptable

the Almighty. The Jew does not wish
interfere with the religion of others,

when he

and

all

all

nations will become Jews,

mankind

will live together in

peace and unity, even as our Father

Heaven

to

thinks of the future world, he has

no idea that
but that

to

is

One.

What

could be purer and

better than this simple Jewish belief

150

in

That

victory!
is

crown of our priesthood

the real

mind

a belief like that, never

to hold

the world

if

has not yet advanced far enough to see Ju-

daism as

it

really

these days.

the time seems

we must

wait for

Herr Moses,"

once exclaimed

she

we should be
day they

its

is

a girl of thirteen,

"

it is

us.

Dessau when
the

told

story,
I

was

unjust that

Only the other

names on the

an old

need not worry

he

the eldest daughter

treated badly.

called us

" That

And

still

was

thoughtful for her years

in

one of

" But,

boy

so,

And though

long deferred,
coming.'

do

It will

is.

street."

Miriam.

called once Jew-

was a

little

fellow."

the

incident

children

under the willows by the stream.

listened

full

teacher more,

That

They

of interest, and loved their

if

that

was

possible,

from that

hour.
"

You

to be

see, children, it

called

did

by that name.
151

me no harm
Fritz

was

STEP BY STEP

ashamed afterwards that he had acted

If I

rudely.

had fought him,

been whipped, because

should have

was so

small, but I

taught him what he needed to know.

We

Israel.

so

So

cannot fight with the nations

that persecute us, because

we

are too weak.

We have no army, no navy, no cannon.

we can teach the world the lesson

it

know, as some of us are doing.

day the lesson

But

needs to

And

one

will be thoroughly learned

and never forgotten."

"

But

Moses?

is it

not rather hard on

Herr

us,

" inquired David, a clever boy of

eleven.

"

No, no; not

makes us

so hard as you think.

Don't you know that

stronger.

persecution

is

It

often our best friend?

It

fills

us with greater love for our religion, and

thus keeps us firmer together, those of us

who

survive.

causes

That

is

how

good to come from

have no

fear.

It

is all

152

the Almighty

evil.

We

for the best.

need

That

victory!
is

enough for to-day, children," and the

hour's talk

was

over.

But those boys and

girls often

thought of

such hours of teaching, and kept in

ory for many,

teacher's wise

many

years afterwards their

and earnest words, which

much to make them wise and

men and women, full of love for

helped so
earnest

mem-

their religion.

Had not Moses gained his victory?

153

XIV
HIS LIFE-WORK
What more

is

The

was won,

victory

to be said?
after a long con-

result

might have been

foreseen from the start.

Yet there were

test, in

more

which the

battles to be gained,

accomplished,

more work

more knowledge

to be

to be ac-

quired by this youth of twenty-one.

Yet

step

by step

was

his further career

rounded out with the harvest of the years.

Tutor to Mr. Bernhard's children

he became,

five

first,

years later, his efficient

bookkeeper, then his representative, and at

last his partner.

Book followed book; he

did not abandon literature as he grew

miliar with his ledger

and

letter-files.

fa-

He

studied Greek to read Plato in the original.

He

wrote essays that were admired by

cultured

German

thought, and critical re-

views that have become part of German

154

HIS LIFE-WORK
literature for their style as well as matter.

In 1762 he married Fromet Gugenheim of

Hamburg, and he won

the Berlin

Academy

a prize, offered

by

of Sciences, over the

great philosopher Kant.

In 1763 he gained

from the Government the

privileges of a

" protected Jew," and was exempted by the

community from paying Jewish

Jewish
taxes, to
vices.

show

their appreciation of his ser-

In 1767 he wrote his Phaedon, to

prove the immortality of the

soul,

and was

German Socrates.
What more could he do? Might he not
withdraw now from work and enjoy some
thenceforth

called the

leisure ?

There was more

to be done, perhaps the

most important work of

the esteem of the

his life.

German

world, he sought

to prepare his brethren in faith for

culture
into

by aiding

German.

tateuch,

begun

Sure of

German

in translating the Bible

His
first

translation of the Pen-

for his
155

own

children,

STEP BY STEP

marked

new

the opening of a

Jews of German-speaking

era for the

lands, while he

strove as well to improve their religious life

and adjust to a

certain degree their habits

and thoughts to the new age that was dawning upon Europe and the world in general.

But how can one

the life-work of

tell in

few paragraphs

Moses of Dessau,

as he

And how

modestly called himself?

can

one as briefly describe the universal sorrow,

among Jews and non-Jews, the rich and the

poor, when he died in his fifty-seventh year,
on January

4,

1786, a few years after his

beloved Lessing had passed away?

and peasant joined

many

in

Prince

lamentation,

and

Christians followed the funeral to the

grave in the old cemetery at Berlin, where

Moses now

rests next to his

beloved teacher,

David Fraenkel.
To-day,

if

you go to Dessau

a short distance

by

rail

156

it is

only

from Leipsic or

HIS LIFE-WORK

you

Berlin

will find the

town not

so very

much changed from the Dessau of MendelsThe little houses wear

sohn's boyhood.
same appearance, although

practically the

naturally the streets are improved and the

way

willows by the stream have given

factories.

Still

there

is

much

to

that will inter-

est you.

First there

the statue erected in

is

Men-

delssohn's honor by the city of Dessau.

What would
rest

have

their

said, if

had been told

it

to

the

them

in

boyhood that the Jew-boy would be

honored thus after

will glance at the

with

Wilhelm and

Fritz and

its

ence,

stood,

simple

and

full

Then you

enter, full of rever-

room where

around which

gathered,

death?

house where he was born,

inscription,

the

his

his father

his

cradle

and mother

of hope and ambition for

their smiling babe.

The

dwelling has been

turned into a Moses Mendelssohn

Home

by representative Jews of Germany, where

157

"

STEP BY STEP

man

the memorial of the

is

piously kept for

future generations.

The hundredth (1829) and one hundred

and

fiftieth

birth

anniversaries of his

(1879)

the latter

was

also the

hundredth

anniversary of the appearance of Lessing's

" Nathan the Wise "
were widely cele-

brated.

Large sums were given

to

found

fellowships for poor and needy students,

and to organize
name.

He

literary

societies

in

his

never went to any other uni-

versity than his attic

hundred and

room but on
;

the one

anniversary of his

fiftieth

birth one of his great-grandsons gave a

scholarship fund of one hundred and fifty

thousand mark

in his

versity of Berlin,

memory

open to

out distinction of belief.

his

works has been

cil

of

issued,

to the Uni-

all

students with-

full edition

and the " Coun-

German Hebrew Congregations

published a " Lessing-Mendelssohn

rial

of

Book

" in 1879.
158

Memo-

HIS LIFE-WORK
Dessau saw the most memorable celebration of that one

The

versary.

hundred and
entire

Duke, Duchess, and

try,

members of

trates

court

tions present

at the special

mayor, there were deputa-

from

in

present,

the State Council, magis-

Berlin, Vienna, Leipsic,

who honored
honoring the memory of

Hamburg, and other

themselves

was

their retinue, the minis-

and clergymen, while,

invitation of the

fiftieth anni-

cities,

Moses of Dessau.
Although the grave of Mozart
known,

his matchless

his enduring

is

un-

music has survived as

monument.

Great men need

no memorial, say our rabbis; they themselves are their best

case of

can

Moses Mendelssohn.

visit his

birth,

monuments.

So

in the

To-day you

grave and the house of his

with the

many

associations that keep

name in constant remembrance. Yet,

when all these have passed away, his mem-

his

ory will survive.

Such a motto as " step by

159

STEP BY STEP
step " will ever inspire youth to noble deeds,

and the saying

"

From Moses

to

Moses "

of

Amram,

will be repeated for ages:

to Moses,

that

is,

and from Moses

from Moses, the son

to Moses, the son of

Maimon,

and from Moses, the son of Maimon,

Moses, the son of Mendel.

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