VOORSANGER COLLECTION OF TH E SEMITIC LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA GIFT OF REV. JACOB VOORSANGER, D.D. 1906 LOWERS OF ZION BY AARON FRIEDENWALD, M. D. OF BALTIMORE, MD. ADDRESS DELIVERED BEFORE THE M2KVE ISRAEL ASSOCIATION OF PHILADELPHIA DECEMBER 23, 1894 PUBLISHED BY THE ZION ASSOCIATION OF BALTIMORE Since affairs in Russia assumed a state which compelled thousands upon thousands of its Jewish inhabitants to seek homes in other parts of the world, the love for Zion, that has accompanied Israel throughout the dispersion, has ac- quired a fresh intensity; this has inaugurated a movement, full of richest promise. This movement has the lofty aspira- tion of making the Hebrew language again .the language of the Hebrews, and of establishing a home for Israelites in that land which was the home of their ancestors. It shall be the purpose of the lecture which I have the honor to deliver, by your kind invitation, to present the motives which have led to the organization of the Chovevi Zion, to outline >its progress, and to consider the possibilities which it in- dicates. The world has greatly marveled at the unexpected pre- servation of the Jews. When Rome finally triumphed over the Holy City and Israel was carried into captivity, every- thing pointed to the total annihilation of the Jews as a people. Little did the historian of that day dream, that the historian of nearly twenty centuries later would speak of them as the only living relic of antiquity; as a people, which, under the most adverse conditions, had made the long jour- ney from ancient to modern times; as a people, fully pre- serving its identity, and still adhering to that religion for which it had unceasingly to suffer, from the time of the destruction of its nationality to the present day. But it is not the simple survival of the Jews of which history has to take account. It must accord them recognition not only for having preserved themselves, in spite of having been subjected to persecutions such as have been the lot of no other people, but also for much that they have preserved for the world. They were the media, through which largely the intellectual achievements of the East reached the West 320222 during the middle ages; and to them, furthermore, must be accorded no mean share in the progress the world has made since that time. During that long period in which the whole of Europe was steeped in ignorance and the con- tinuous clash of arms was the expression of a vile brutality, the Jews, proscribed at every step by those in power, sub- jected to the contumely of vulgar mobs, insecure in the possession of what was tangible, with no place that they could call a home, cultivated a spiritual life and an intellect- ual life; "and in moments of peace within their four walls their crouching forms would assume the dignity of self-respect and they would look down upon the degradation of their persecutors with contempt, were they slaves, or were they kings. Conscious of a sacred mission which they were des- tined to fulfill, feeling their responsibility as custodians of the Law and animated by the hope of the restoration of their national life, they became the heroes of an unequaled mar- tyrdom consecrated to the glory of God. Through many centuries they were the witnesses of the instability of material grandeur among the many nations. While they were kept alive by the inspiration of a holy faith, they saw one power succumb to another, each in turn becoming their persecu- tors. Over and over again they were robbed of all their earthly possessions, but they took good care not to be cheated of their faith. Though pressed as they were on all sides, peace and honor were regarded as worthless currency when offered them in exchange for that gem inherited from their forefathers; although treated as aliens everywhere, they held this up as the insignia of becoming a blessing to all mankind. When at last the light of modern times began to illumine the world, and under its benign influence man was gradu- ally led from serfdom into citizenship, and despotism had to yield to representative government, the Jew could not altogether be excluded from the benefits which were brought about by the salutary changes. In those countries which led in the advance, the Jew was granted equal rights. It seemed as if an era had been established in the world's his- tory, in which there could be no step backward in the con- ception of the principle of equal rights for all men. The general proposition, that any law which denied the rights of any special class of men, carried with it the condition that the rights of all men would be rendered insecure, was too clear to be disregarded. No class of men, therefore, in the great struggle for liberty, could demand rights for themselves which they would deny to others; and so the Jew came in for his share, although, the inference is justified that it was not always ungrudgingly awarded. It seemed further that the intimate intercourse among the nations which marked the age, would bring them rapidly nearer to each other in their sympathies, and that the memor- able political regeneration which had so greatly changed the complexion of Western Europe could not long be barred out of its Eastern empires. Under these favorable auspices, the Jew entered upon a new activity. The long discipline through which he had passed, came very much to his aid in the various fields in which he was now permitted to move, and it was not long before he attracted attention for the distinction which he attained. It was not remarkable that he succeeded so well in the various branches of commerce, for even with the disadvantages under which he had previously labored, his aptitude in this direction had fully manifested itself. He now assumed a conspicuous part in the work to be done in other fields. He had suffered under the unjust accusa- tion that he had no ambition except for gain, but he soon appeared as an earnest competitor in every avenue which led to honorable fame. In the arts and in the sciences, in literature and in politics, he contributed names which will remain illustrious for all time. Having always been loyal to the state, even when he had to suffer from unkind discriminations, his pride in full citi- zenship knew no bounds; and he was not loath to rid him- self of characteristics, some of which were not to his dis- credit, in order to thoroughly provide against the continu- ance of social distinctions between him and other citizens. He plunged into the current of the times and his course indicated that he sought his welfare in directions in which he drifted farther and farther from his Jewish interests. He lived his new life as though he had just been born, and as though at his birth his history had died. He felt sure that he was now standing upon firm ground, and that no occa- sion could arise that would render his rights insecure. History, however, has often repeated itself in the testi- mony which it has recorded in regard to unexpected in- terruptions in the onward march of civilization; and so in our day, the long-cherished hope that the benign influence which had developed in Western Europe would travel east- ward and reach the Jews where they were most in need of it, was doomed to meet a sad disappointment. It was a most bitter irony of fate, when the storm came from whence the refreshing zephyr was expected. In that country fore- most among the advanced in high culture and in the develop- ment of general intelligence, an intolerance asserted itself which on account of its anomalous character had to assume a new name, " antisemitism " ; this, the lamented Frederick III. (then Crown Prince) denounced as " Ein Schmach des Jahrhunderts." More thian this, its contagion 1 spread to that mighty empire, its close neighbor, whose institutions were formed in the mould of the dark ages, and there it incited a cruel persecution, which, in the intensity of its barbarism, could only be equaled by events which disgraced mediaeval times. Antisemitism spread from Germany to Austria, and even secured for itself some foothold in repub- lican France. To provide a basis upon which it could stand, the Jew was confronted by a remarkable arraign- ment. "He pushed himself forward and secured positions which others should occupy." " He sent too many of his youth to higher institutions of learning." " He filled too many chairs in the universities." " He became too potent a factor in the press." These were some of the charges preferred against him. The intelligence, energy and ambi- tion which enabled him to elevate himself, and which would have been commended in any one else, subjected him to a relentless hatred. He was denounced as a parasite upon the nation, although he was an inhabitant of Germany be- fore Christianity was brought there, and here, as has been his lot almost everywhere else, had been systematically robbed during many centuries whenever it was worth while doing so. He was charged with being governed by a low standard of honor in his dealings with all men, and this by the party which sent Ahlwardt to the Reichstag, even after he had been disgraced in a court of law. Every possible distortion of statistics was made available to place him -in a false light before the world, to justify the cruel ostracism to which -he at once was subjected, and to .offer a plea upon which eventually, the abrogation of his rights under the law could be consummated. Humiliating as this condition of affairs was to the Jew in Germany, against whom it was specially directed, it made no less a profound impression upon his unfortunate brother in Russia. In Russia the Jew was in the way on account of his religion, and inasmuch as he could not be made to desert his faith, he must be gotten rid of. In Germany ,no one objected to his religion, so it was said, but his race, as a component part of the nation, would vitiate the ethical well-being of the " Germanen- thum"; and he had to be degraded, so that he might be made harmless. The persecution in Russia, terrible as it was, could be more readily understood than antisemitism born in Germany. The former was the outcome of the crime of one man, in a country whose people could not claim rights; the latter is the sin of a nation, whose institu- tions are based on the theory that all men have rights, to assail which is a crime. Everywhere the relation of the Jew to the rest of the world has been and is being busily dis- cussed, and there has arisen what has been termed the " Jew- ish Question." Those who have been forced to contemplate expatriation with all the hardships necessarily attending it, felt that they would be unwelcome guests wherever they would come. It has become more and more evident, that the Jew is more or less hated everywhere. The prejudice against him has gone through so many generations, has been made legitimate by the example of so many high in the church and in the state, that it has finally impressed itself as a perverted social instinct, to eradicate which will require a very extended period of time and a higher moral development than the world has yet attained. One who has come into possession of wealth by inheritance would be rather loath to renounce it on the ground that it had origin- ally been dishonestly acquired, especially on the allegation of one who was known not to have enjoyed the friendship of the testator; and so will one generation inheriting a social prejudice from previous generations be disinclined to give it up in behalf of one who has been considered an outsider in untold number of generations. The efforts of the Jews themselves and of their friendly advocates to place their cause in a true light before the world have not met with much success. The hideous caricature in which the Jew has so long been maliciously represented, has finally made such a lasting impression upon the mental vision of his enemies, that no matter in what form he ap- pears, he assumes the repugnant picture in which he has become familiar. So far, there is no indication that can encourage us to hope that any speedy change will take place in this morbid condition. The restoration of healthy function in a perverted sense, that has passed through gen- erations as a hereditary infirmity, is an extremely slow pro- cess. In concrete cases the Jew will succeed by life-long reputation for integrity, by special talents, or rare genius, to win due recognition, but the friendship which it may bring him will not benefit any other Jew; on the contrary, when one Jew brings himself into discredit, the Jews as a class are embraced in the condemnation which follows. The antagonism which is directed against the Jew everywhere proceeds from the same cause, its expression varies only according to the state of civilization in the respective coun- tries in which it exists. It is very unfortunate, therefore, that the geographical distribution of the Jews is such, that but a comparatively small number live in the more highly devel- oped states of Western Europe, while probably more than one-half of all their number are to be found aggregated in rather a small area of Eastern Europe, where the harshest conditions prevail. It would be a sad mistake to continue to suffer and to wait for that period when the brotherhood of man shall have been fully established, and those enmities based upon differ- ences in descent and belief shall have ceased. But what shall we do? The Chovevi Zion has given an answer to this question. It is based upon the conviction that the preservation of the dignity of the Jewish people all over the world depends upon the revival of the national idea. This will bind them closer to their Jewish interests; and this is gradually to secure for a portion of those imbued with the national sentiment, now suffering from the de- pressing influence prevailing within the overcrowded pale of settlement, a life such as their ancestors led, amid the scenes of their ancient history. Here the Jew is to find peace in a simpler and more natural life. Here, in freer movements, in fresher air, he is to regain his physical strength. Here, under the inspiration of a glorious past, Jewish thought is to find its richest spontaneity. Here, to the land where once milk and honey flowed, the Jew shall come from his latest expatriation to redeem it from the waste, worn as the badge of mourning for the children carried off by the ancient exile. This sentiment led to the organization of Chovein Zion Association in Russia in 1882, shortly after the outbreak of the persecution which has become so memorable; but from the nature of things in that empire, it continued to exist in secret, until 1890, when it received the sanction of the government. While it still receives its largest support in Russia, similar associations have been established in Aus- tria, Germany, England, France, and I am glad to add, in this country. Twenty-four colonies have thus far been established, embracing a population of over 4000 souls. The progress of these colonies has made it clear that the project of repopulating Palestine by Jews in this way is perfectly feasible. It is true that these colonies are still far from having reached full prosperity, but the increasing re- ward which has attended the persistent labor of the earnest colonists, warrants the assumption that it will not be long before they will be able to rely entirely upon themselves. The " Chovevi Zion " will then be enabled to devote its means to the gradual organization of new colonies. It must be mentioned here that a part of the money contributed to the older colonies has already been returned to the asso- ciation. Very important data relating to the colonies, col- lected by Mr. Adam Rosenberg of New York, during a visit in October, 1891, were published in the " Palestina," a quarterly journal in the interest of the Chovevi Zion in England. There have been considerable changes since this report was made, but it is sufficiently recent to furnish very important information. This, with an article from " Jordan," an annual publication by the Zion Association in Vienna, in 1893, by Dr. Nathan Birnbaum, form the basis of some details which I shall now give. COLONIES IN JUDEA. Mikveh Israel, the oldest of the colonies, founded by Net- ter in 1869, is situated one mile south of Jaffa. It com- prises over 3000 acres. It is not to be classed with other colonies, being the agricultural school of the Alliance Israelite Universelle. It is prominent in being the pioneer to suggest the return of Jews in Palestine to agricultural pur- suits. Those who have been educated in this school, have rendered valuable services in organizing the later colonies. One hundred and twenty pupils are now receiving instruc- tion in this institution, whose curriculum extends over six years, three of which are devoted to theory, and three to its practical application. Among its products are almonds, peaches, apricots, oranges, citrons, granates and apples, but the principal yield is derived from its extensive wine culture. In 1891, its income reached 20,000 francs. Rishon r Zion, situated five miles south of Jaffa, is the first colony to grow out of the modern Zion movement. It embraces 2000 acres, bought at i i6s. per acre; 240 acres are planted in fruit trees, of which there are about 15,000 almond trees, 700 granates, 16,000 mulberries and a large number of trees bearing nuts. 600 'acres are planted with 1,150,000 vines. Other parts of the land are assigned to cereals. This colony was founded in 1882 under great dif- ficulties, which have now, through the patient persistence of the colonists and the timely aid of Baron Edmund de Rothschild, been fully overcome. Silk culture has been added to the enterprises of this colony. The length of the village from east to west is 540 metres, its breadth, north and south, 150 metres. There are about 50 houses built of stone, and a population of 400. The four streets are lined on both sides with mulberry trees. Satisfactory irrigation is maintained by steam power and a network of pipes. Upon the highest elevation in the colony its beautiful synagogue is located. The colony has the advantage of a well-orga- nized school. The more advanced boys and girls are already availing themselves of Hebrew as the language of conversa- tion. The prospects of this community are most gratifying. Waad el Chanin was founded by Reuben Lehrer, of Rus- sia, in 1883. It is about four miles in a southeasterly direc- tion from Jaffa. It comprises 400 acres, which were bought at i 45. per acre. Here, again, the munificence of Baron de Rothschild came to the rescue by a loan of 12,000 francs. There are 30,000 grape vines and 10,000 fruit trees. The colonists number 30. They are still in want of sufficient funds, but their lot has greatly improved and they are full of encouragement. The wine which they manufactured was 10 sold to the baron. Honey has been a profitable product; 300 hives have yielded about 20 francs each, per annum. Ekron, founded in 1882, is about 20 miles south of Jaffa. After a severe struggle in the beginning, it came under the protection of the baron and has made such satisfactory progress, that as early as 1886, its settlers were able to dis- pense with further aid. It embraces noo acres purchased at from i 123. to i i6s. per acre. The population, con- sisting of 1 6 families and laborers, numbers 150 souls. There are planted 12,000 apricot, 300 olive, 700 orange and 800 fig trees. Grain and vegetables are among the products of this colony. looo acres are under cultivation. The colony has been provided with a synagogue for the past 8 years, with a school, an 'apothecary and a good road to Jaffa. Gadrah owes its organization, in 1882, to Russian Jewish students, in whom there awoke a new love for Zion and the national sentiment, and who in their enthusiasm turned their steps toward 'Palestine. These settlers had to undergo great privations, which they bore with commendable heroism. They finally were accorded aid by the Chovevi Zion Associ- ation in Odessa. It is situated eight miles west of Ekron and has 900 acres of land, to which 400 acres are shortly to be added. Gadrah numbers 91 souls, and has well-built houses. One-half of the land is devoted to the raising of grain and the rest to fruit trees and vines. They have ploughing machines drawn >by six horses. The soil is well adapted to vine culture. In the summer of 1888, quite an exciting battle occurred between the colonists and thievish fellahin, 1 of whom one was captured; since then they have not been molested. Kustinyeh was colonized in 1888, by 25 families from Bessarabia, and acquired by them at a cost of 25,000 rubles, and now mostly farm-let to fellahin; only three of the orig- inal families remained. The baron bought up the whole land and maintains a few orchards and vineyards. Several 1 Native peasants. II of the original settlers are now among the colonists of Rishon 1'Zion. Rechovoth, about two miles distant from Ramleh, is on the road between Jaffa and Jerusalem and was founded upon a new plan. Since 1889, societies have been formed all over Russia, and even in Palestine, in France and in America; the members, by monthly payments of larger or smaller amounts, in the course of a number of years, secure a home in Palestine upon land which is adequate to support a family. Such an association in Warsaw, called " Menucha w'nachla" (Peace and Possession), purchased, in 1890, a neglected fellah village, which now has been converted into a prosperous colony. This colony of 3000 acres presents a beautiful landscape. Its population is 200. It has 170,000 vines. A large number of laborers find employment here at fair wages; they sleep in a large woodshed, or in the open field, or find lodging in Waad el Chanin, or in Ramleh, a distance of three-quarters of an hour's walk. The euca- lyptus has been planted here in large numbers for its sanitary influence. Pethach Tikveh (Gate of Hope) is 8 miles north of Jaffa and includes 3600 acres. This colony was really founded as early as 1878 by Jews from Jerusalem, by whom the enterprise was abandoned in 1882. Its recolonization by Russian Jews took place in 1885, having at this time enlarged its territory by the acquisition of the contiguous colony, Jehudiyeh. This colony has good land for the rais- ing of grain, which has been its important interest, but 200,000 vines have also been planted. Containing consid- erable marshy land, a larger number of eucalyptus have been raised. The colony consists of 95 families and a number of Jewish laborers. 700 acres of the land is the property of ^ the baron, through whose generosity the colony has been enriched by a beautiful park. 300 acres are owned by a Mr. Lachman of Berlin, and managed by his agent, Mr. Frankel, in the interest of the school of the colony. Chedera, about 50 miles south of Haifu, was established 12 in 1890 by a Russian-Jewish society. It contains 8000 acres and 150,000 vines. At first there arose difficulties, the authorities not granting the privilege to build houses; these, however, have been removed. A great deal of work was required on account of draining the soil, which the preva- lence of malaria demanded. The number of the colonists thus far is small. GALILEE AND SYRIA. Those enumerated above embrace the colonies of Judea, and we now come to consider what has been done in Galilee and Syria. Sichron Jacob) with its daughter colonies, Samarin, Shevaye, Em Jemal and Tantura, forms the largest Jewish agricultural settlement in Palestine. It contains altogether 8200 acres, 3200 acres having cost i 45. per acre, and 5000 acres i 8s. per acre. This colony has now a population of about 2000. It is located about 30 miles northwest of Pethach Tikveh. This settlement was inaugurated by 70 Roumanian Jews in 1882, as Samarin, who encountered the greatest hardships and privations, but who were rescued by v the generosity of Baron Edmund de Rothschild. The chief interest of this colony is vine culture, although a considerable amount of grain is raised. The colony possesses a fine park, a good water supply, wine cellar and petroleum storehouse. It has synagogue, hospital, school and kindergarten. The smaller colonies are from 2 to 5 miles from the main colony. Tantura is the harbor of the colony and is close to the sea- shore; through the efforts of the baron, a glass factory has been established here. Much attention has been paid to the raising of roses, acacia, anise, etc., which are already utilized for the manufacture of perfumery to a considerable extent, and it is intended that this industry shall hereafter be largely increased. Rosh Pinah, founded by Russian Jews in 1882, is situated three miles south of Safed. It embraces noo acres with 13 200,000 vines and has been very successful in the culture of citron (ethrogim). It has a population of 240, 50 houses, a synagogue with boys' choir and a school. This colony, which was also aided by the generous baron, has been enabled to dispense with outside assistance since 1889. Yesod Hamalah is situated on the eastern side of Lake Meron, 8 miles east of Rosh Pinah. This colony was founded by Russian Jews from Meseritz in 1883. It has a large vine culture, large plantation school, extensive culture of acacia, roses, anise, etc., for the manufacture of perfumes. It has excellent irrigation. The water supply is effected by elevated works, run by horse power, close to the lake, and distributed to all parts of the colony by means of hewn stone aqueducts. Among its products, wheat, oats, maize and beans must be mentioned. Mishmar H ajar den. This colony is about five minutes walk from the Jordan Stone Bridge, one mile south of Yesod Hamahah. It was founded by Lebowsky, a former resident of New York, in 1884, and for four years let to fellahin, but now cultivated by Yehudim of Safed and former colonists of Rosh Pinah and Yesod Hamalah. It received support from the " Esra " society of Berlin, but is now reported to be self-sustaining. The land of this colony consists of 600 acres, bought at i to i\ 45. per acre. Ain Sejthim and Mechnayim. Founded in 1890, 2800 acres, I mile northwest of Safed, reported to have made sat- isfactory progress. Miron and P'Kyn, 6 to 8 miles southeast of Safed, have 540 acres, with 24,000 olive trees. Miron is renowned for being the burial place of Shimon ben Jochai, Hillel, Shamai, and other tenaim. FKyn is an old settlement of Sephardic Jews, who live the life of the fellahin. There are a number of other colonies, which on account of being very small or of too recent date, need not be men- tioned here. The good effects flowing from the colonies have been varied and manifold, and not restricted altogether to the colonists; for example, the skilled physicians who are at- tached to them have rendered aid to other inhabitants who had previously been in sad need in this respect. In Rosh Pinah a factory is now being established for spinning silk, in which 60 persons will be employed. We see from this that besides redeeming the land from barrenness, the col- onists are inaugurating an activity in the Holy Land by introducing new industries. Some of the colonies are not yet fully equipped, and have to express the juice from the grapes in a primitive way. On this account many of the grapes cannot be utilized for the manufacture of wine. To avoid the sale of the fruit at too low a price, the manufacture of cognac has been resorted to quite extensively. Stores for the sale of this article have been opened in CoYistanti- nople, Beyrout, Saffa, and Jerusalem. During the last three years the Chovevi Zion of Russia contributed the sum of 120,000 rubles towards the support of these colonies, and from indications, the average amount, in the present year, will be greatly increased. The executive committee has established dairy farms in Pethach Tikveh and Chedera, and both in these colonies and in others, stock-raising has been begun on a small scale. The Chovevi Zion, recogniz- ing the importance of proper educational facilities to the colonization schemes, besides looking to the provision for schools in the respective colonies, have established a model school in Jaffa, embracing a preparatory and an advanced grade, which is to form the basis of an institution modeled after the pattern of the German Gymnasium. In the school, as it is now constituted, there are 146 pupils, with 6 teachers in the male department and 115 pupils and 5 teachers in the female department in the advanced grade; and 6 teachers in the preparatory grade. The languages taught embrace Hebrew, Arabic and French. The instruction in the He- brew is conducted with the view of making it the language of conversation. Wisotsky of Moscow has donated 10,000 francs for the development of a department for the educa- tion of teachers, and Weinstein of Odessa has contributed 14,000 francs for providing good buildings for schools. 15 The scheme for the rehabilitation of a large number of Jews in Palestine does not design to favor a general stampede from the West to the Holy Land. Those who desire to enter into combinations for the organization of new colonies will have to furnish evidence of their fitness for the under- taking, and are made thoroughly familiar with the difficul- ties which await them. Under the arrangements governing the formation of colonies, they cannot be made up of such adventurers Who leave their homes where they have nothing to lose, in the expectation of alighting somewhere where something favorable may turn up. Not only are they made familiar with the conditions by which they will be surrounded, but they must manifest their willingness to submit to the discipline of such conditions, by contributing some means to entitle them to enter in these combinations. In contemplating this new and im- portant movement, it must constantly be borne in mind that it is led and encouraged by the national sentiment, and that in maintaining its activity in full harmony with this senti- ment its growth may be slow, but it certainly will be con- tinuous. Even if affairs in Russia shall take a turn in favor of our brethren in that Empire, under the new Czar, of which there seems to be some indication, the movement will go on. The progress which the colonies will no doubt continue to make, will be a potent factor in spreading this sentiment among Jews in every part of the world. There is already one private combination in this country forming for this purpose, having negotiated for a large tract of land in Pales- tine; this temporarily had to be abandoned on account of difficulties presented in the way of securing the title in the name of those representing the combination directly. A large tract of land has likewise been acquired by the Chovevi Zion of England, and it is proposed that the col- onists that shall settle upon this land will come from that country. The Chovevi Zion of New York, likewise, has secured considerable land which is reserved for future settlers. The idea has taken deep root, that the Jews shall acquire i6 a home that shall be their own, and which shall be where their ancestors lived and received that inspiration which will remain imperishable. Under the influence of this sentiment, a new and quite extensive Hebrew literature has been produced. Through- out the development of the Chovevi Zion, the acquisition of a home in Palestine and a revival of the Hebrew language have been inseparably interwoven. It is due to the faithful laborers whose enthusiasm has enabled them to contribute to Hebrew literature a new and valuable treasure, that their work should be made more generally known, and I regard it as a part of the task that I have undertaken to give a summary of what has been accomplished in this direction. I. LITERATURE REFERRING TO THE " LOVE OF ZION" AND JEWISH COLONIZATION IN PALESTINE. (ORIGINAL.) Eretz Chemdo (The Coveted Land). Sokolov. Eretz Israel (The Land of Israel). Ben Yehuda. Doresh L'Zion (Study of Zion). Kramer. Jerusalem (Magazine). Luntz. Massa L'Eretz Hakdosho (Travels in the Holy Land). Bachrach. Im Ain Any Li, Me Li? (If I will not help myself, who will ?). Zitron. Eretz Hatzvi (The Land of Beauty) Eilbaum. Befrosa Pro-oth (In the time of rioting). Eisman. Yosef Chain (Adding Grace). Friedland. Yesod Hamaalo (Foundation of Greatness). Brill. L'Eretz Avothann (To the Land of our Fathers). Levantin. Mevassereth Zion (Tidings from Zion). Mahr. Naitzach Israel (The Strength of Israel). Friedman. Eitzo Vetusheao (Advice and Lessons). Meyrowitz. Shivath Zion (Return of Zion). Slutzky. Free Ho-oretz (The Fruit of the Land). Jawetz. Am Olam (The Everlasting Nation). Smolensky. Kavereth (Bee Hive Magazine). Rohnitzky. Ho-oretz (The Country). Jawetz. Gaon-Ho-oretz (The Greatness of the Land). Jawetz. Me-Jerushalaim (From Jerusalem). Jawetz. Charosheth Hamaase Vehamischor B'Eretz Israel (Industry and Com- merce in Palestine). Judelowitz. The Colonist, Magazine for Agriculture, in Hebrew, published in Jeru- salem, by Meyrowitz & Lutz. II. LITERATURE CONCERNING JEWS AND JUDAISM FROM THE NATIONAL POINT OF VIEW AND IN ITS SPIRIT. (ORIGINALS AND TRANSLATIONS.) Kenesseth Israel (Assembly of Israel). S. P. Robinowitz. Pardess (Garden). Robnitzky. Achiosof (Comp. of Compilers). Achiosof. Memizroch Umimarov (From East and West). Brynin. Nais Lagoim (Tankred). A Banner to the Nations (Translation). Daniel Deronda (Translation). Achrith Jerushulaym (The End of Jerusalem), Lando. Bar Kuchba. Lando. Herod. Lando. Koreth Hayehudim Besphard (History of the Jews in Spain). Fried- berg. Metzoy Golah (Exodus into Exile). S. P. Robinowitz. Dibre Hayomim L'Bue Israel (History of the Jews). Jawetz. Dibre Yemai Hoamim (History of the Nations.) Jawetz. Yomim Mekedem (Olden Times). Yehallel. Hetzoath Ben Abigdor (The Publications of Ben Abigdor). 43 original novels taken from Jewish life. Palestine, by Munk, being translated. Encyclopedia of Judaism, being compiled by the friends of Wisotzky. Many educational works by Jawetz, Klatzka, Gruzowsky, etc. III. RECENT AND OLDER LITERATURE WHICH HAS BEEN REPUBLISHED ON ACCOUNT OF THE SPREAD OF THE HEBREW LANGUAGE. (ORIGINAL AND TRANSLATIONS.) Dibre Yomai Israel (History of the Jews). Translated from Gratz by S. P. Robinowitz. Ho-osif. Magazine, published by Sokolof. Beth-Otzar Hasafros (Treasure of Literature). Magazine, by Graber. Knesseth Hagdolah (Great Assembly). Magazine. Hakerem (Vineyard). Magazine. Gan Prochim (Garden of Flowers). Magazine. Dor Dor Vedorshov (Generations and their representatives or lead- ers). Weiss. Second Edition. More Nebuchay Hazman (Guide to the perplexed of the times). Krochmal. 2nd Edition. Koll Shire, Y. L. Gordon (All the poems of Gordon). Gordon. Koll Kithvey, Y. L. Gordon (All the writings of Gordon). Gordon. Koll Kithvey, Peretz Smolensky (All the writings of Smolensky). About 10 books. Koll Shire, A. B. Gottlober (All the poems). Gottlober. i8 Hebrew Dictionary, by Ben Yehuda, Natural Philosophy, (Translation), Bernstein. Ethics, (Translation), Spinoza. Education, etc., (Translation), Spencer. Evolution of Man, (Translation), Lipfert. History of Modern Philosophy, Miser. Translations of works of Keyserling, Josephus, Karpeles, Zunz. New Editions of the works of Mapu, Ginsburg, Slominsky, Weisel, Levinson. New Editions of the works of Yehuda Halevy, Eben Ezra, Alcharizi, Eben Gabirol, Maimonides, Rav Hai Gaon, Dunash ben Labratt, etc., etc. Translations of the works of Auerbach, Philipson, Dickens, Levanda, Oryeshke. Some of the works of Shakespeare, Lessing, Schiller. The creation of a literature like this, unmistakably sig- nifies that the national idea has taken new and deep root and is not likely to prove an ephemeral growth, but that it will become stronger and stronger. The return of thous- ands of Jews, in a few years, to agricultural pursuits, out of which they had been driven by the unfriendly fate of twenty centuries, under conditions demanding such brave resolu- tion, evidences an earnestness of purpose which points to great possibilities. Palestine was peopled by Israel and yielded sustenance to millions. It was wrested from Israel and remained despoiled. Fertility is again to be restored to it by Jewish hands. In the deserted places Jewish vil- lages shall arise. The vine-clad hills shall again recount the story of happy Jewish homes. The peaceful valleys shall give testimony of renewed Jewish life. The cities shall be redeemed from degeneracy through Western culture, which the exile shall bring with him. He who was a medium through which civilization reached the West during the dark ages, will appropriately become the bearer of en- lightenment through which the Orient is destined to be re- generated. Institutions are to be reared which shall become the laboratories of Jewish thought. The Jew is again to rise to his full dignity and show the world how much light Juda- ism has shed, and is yet capable of shedding upon all man- kind. This is the grand ideal which thousands upon thous- ands hope for and are willing to work and to suffer for. V But the influence of this movement is not to be restricted to those who have, or who are willing to cast their lot in Palestine. It is to take a strong hold upon the Jew every- where. To him who is still suffering from the formidable persecution it is to be the great hope .that shall sustain him through his trial. To him who has been elevated to full citizenship by the law, but made an alien by the social de- cree, as in Germany and elsewhere, it shall afford that self- emancipation which is to shield him from the allurements of the hour and fit him for the purposes of a high destiny. Throughout the great struggle, which eventually is to estab- lish the brotherhood of man, in which we all are to lend our best efforts, the great fellowship which hitherto has embraced the Jew of every land, is inviolably to be maintained. In dealing with the antipathy which assails him because he is a Jew, he is to think, to live and to act in a renewed realiza- tion that there is nothing so sure to contribute to his happi- ness a's that which is Jewish. He is to stop bartering away his old treasures for flimsy novelties. He is not to borrow from others, while he is in possession of an inheritance by which the whole world can be enriched. This is how the " Jewish Question " is to be answered for the Jew. Not in a cringing spirit, but animated in the pride of having descended from a noble ancestry, to whom the whole world is indebted for having been the bearers of a message which was the first to publish the lessons of justice and humanity. In the revival of the national idea it is not proposed that all Jews shall be settled in Palestine. If those who have been honored by citizenship in the more favored lands, will but enter into the spirit which underlies the movement, they can promote the cause by reviving the study of the Hebrew language, by forming societies of Chovevi Zion, as has been done in England and in Germany, and by living con- sistently the life of a Jew; and in promoting the cause in this way they will honor themselves, and fortify themselves to assume an attitude against which the shafts of Antisemitism will prove unavailing. 20 " The eminence, the nobleness of a people, depends on its capability of .being stirred by memories, and for striving for what we call spiritual ends ends which consist not in im- mediate material possession, but in the satisfaction of a great feeling that animates the collective body as with one soul." These are the encouraging words which came from George Eliot. The Jew is confronted by the alternative, either to make a brave resistance against the modern influences which con- spire to bring about his disintegration, and come out of the fight with a new victory to add to his glorious record; or, being misled by the false meaning of assimilation , to sur- render to what he is made to believe is inevitable, and suffer the ignominious doom of the forgotten. But Israel will not surrender! A Maccabean spirit will arise anew to fire the Jewish heart to cast out the idols from the sanctuary. It was not Israel that sold his birthright for a mess of pottage. It was his to struggle and to win. -~5SSks i^lubV'!