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A Memorandum from the Russian Jews in Safed and Tiberias to Sir Moses Montefiore (1863)1

A Memorandum from the Russian Jews in Safed and Tiberias to Sir Moses Montefiore (1863)1

A MEMORANDUM FROM THE RUSSIAN IN AND TO SIR (1863)1

Joseph Hoffman

Stockholm

In Albert M. Hyamson's invaluable reference "Resolved that the Memorial be forwarded to work "The British Consulate in in Earl Russell. Secretary for Foreign Affairs, with a relation to the Jews of 1838-1914 request that the British Government will be pleased to a letter from Sir Moses Montefiore is quoted.' interfere on behalf of the Memorialists and place Montefiore was at that time President of the them again under its protection".7 London committee of Deputies of the British Jews. The letter, written on 29 December A few years ago I had the opportunity to 1863, is addressed to Earl Russell, the acquire a document which I have good rea- Foreign Secretary, and in this letter Monte- son to believe is the original Memorial which fiore mentions that he is enclosing a Memor- Hyamson was unable to locate.8 It is an ad- ial from the Jewish Communities in Safed dress to Sir Moses Montefiore, sent by the and Tiberias, complaining about the deplor- Ashkenazi Chief of Safed and Tibe- able condition in which they find themselves rias in 1863. The address or memorial is writ- as a consequence of the withdrawal of British ten on the first page of a double-sheet of Protection which they had enjoyed during the vellum-paper 66.5X40.5 cm (see illustration). preceeding 10 years. In a footnote referring Around three sides are quotations from Ta- to this enclosure Hyamson states "not in vol- nach, partly written in gold. In top center, ume or with the London Committee of De- under and between the three wavy lines with puties".4 However Hyamson quotes an entry quotations, is a honorific introduction or in- from the Minutes of the London Committee gress in rhymed verse. Thereafter follows the of Deputies of British Jews, Meeting of the main text of the memorial. Board of 22 December 1863,5 thus exactly Below follows a translation of these three one week before the date of Montefiore's let- components, rendering as faithfully as poss- ter, in which it is recorded that the above ible the extremely flowery language which is mentioned Memorial was read. It also notes full of biblical quotations and formulations that a letter was read dated 22 December (for the translation of which I have used the 1863 from Mordecai Levy,6 who had come to Soncino Books of the Bible translation): England as representative of the Memor- ialists (sic) and who also in person appeared QUOTATIONS AROUND before the Board, and there is no doubt that THREE SIDES Levy was also the bearer of the Memorial from Palestine to Montefiore. The entry in A) In big black letters (straight lines) the minutes concludes with the following (as starting from lower right corner upwards, quoted by Hyamson): and continuing on left side downwards:

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4 t 7 ; I. 76 Thus saith the Lord: Keep ye justice, INGRESS (in rhymed verse), followed by and do righteousness, for my salvation is main text near to come, and my favour to be re- vealed. Happy is the man that doeth this, Who to us is greater than Moses/who and the son of man that holdeth fast by it" can tell his great deeds/Lord of the land of (Jes. 56:1-2)9 , the /and the greatest in B) In big black letters on top (highest Israel/head of the exile of Ariel14/his right- line) in form of arc: eousness is like the mighty mountains15/ And in all the mighty hand, and in all to keep alive a multitude of the people of the great terror which Moses wrought in Israel/ /who is a light to us/his the sight of all Israel (5 Mos 34:12) righteousness has borne multiple fruits/he C) Second line from top, in miniature brought forth branches, and shot forth golden letters (in form of a wavy arc) six sprigs16: he is the honoured and exalted different quotations: righteous, the man greatly beloved17/ Happy are they that keep justice, that crowned with piety/ and he has ten do righteousness at all times (Ps. 106:3) shares18/of character and qualities/the Zion shall be redeemed with justice, famous and honoured MOSES and they that return of her with right- MONTEFIORE may you oh God protect him/and eousness (Jes. 1:27) encompass him with favor as with a Happy is he that considereth the poor; shield19/and let him ride upon the highh the Lord will deliver him in the day of evil places of success20/may the God of Abra- (Ps. 41:2) ham be to his help/and upon him shall his A land which the Lord thy God careth crown shine21/until to Zion will come the for; the eyes of the Lord thy God are al- redeemer/soon in our days, Amen Selah. ways upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year (5 Mos When we with praise seize the beams of 11:12) glory of His Excellency it is because we For thy servants take pleasure in her know that he has always taken part in our stones, and love her dust (Ps. 102:15) troubles, was saviour and defender22 at I shall walk before the Lord in the times of our distress, and like a father who lands of the living (Ps. 116:9) (in his son) delights,23 we call him our fa- D) Third line from top, in big golden ther; therefore we had the impudence to letters (in form of a wavy arc): trouble him time and again. WE BESEECH Who has measured the waters in the THEE SAVE NOW! For in the year 5609 hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven His Excellency the Russian Consul Gen- with the span (compare Jes. 40:12) eral from Beyrouth sent an emissary here May he bring peace to him like a with an edict from H.M. the Czar of Rus- stream10 sia stating that every subject of our big E) Fourth line from top, small golden country had half a year's time to return to letters (but slightly bigger than second his country; and if they would not return line), in form of wavy arc: they would leave his flag and protection. The capital of the column," for the And another document stated that since cities of Israel splendor, pride and he cared for his subjects and desired their magnificence. welfare he gave permission to everyone Who covers his pinions over the people under his jurisdiction to enter under (the of God and the flock of his pasture.12 protection of) other governments and pow- He helps the poor, to keep alive the ers according to their choice, so that his spirit of the humiliated, the oppressed subjects should have the proper protec- poor. tion.24 And when this emissary came here, Thy righteousness is like the mighty we surrendered to him all our Russian mountains,13 people of Israel. passports, and we received from him a summary of the abovementioned Imperial

77 law in Russian language, signed by the of a written release (Kalasse) would be dis- above-mentioned Russian Consul General missed and expelled from his jurisdiction, whom God may protect. And from that and took back the confirmations and time onwards our whole community set certificates from everyone who did not their intentions and hopes on being ac- have a Kalasse, and there remained only a cepted under the high flag, in tiny number who had taken a Kalasse. of mercy and compassion for the benefit And from then on we remained perplexed, of the righteous, of the Government of prostrate and torn, exposed to defeat and England may it be exalted. And during suppression, and deeds of wickedness seek that period arrived here H,E. the Consul us daily, and heavily the yoke of Galuth Mr. Finn from Jerusalem (may it soon be (exile) lies upon us among the shameful, rebuilt and restored) and gathered the violent and wild Ishmaelites, affliction whole community of Russian subjects un- bound with humiliation. A VOICE IS der the English flag; and there were then HEARD IN RAMAH26 IN LAMENTA- in the holy City of Safed (may it be rebuilt TION; THE VOICE IS THE VOICE OF and restored) about 250 and in the holy JACOB,27 the voice of the holy lambs, the city Tiberias about 111 heads of house- voice of the blood of your brother cries holds, and he wrote down their names and out from the earth.28 And when we had addresses and nationality, and the names the privilege of the visit here of the great of all members of their households, and he and exalted lord, the Prince of London' gave to each a signed document as proof. (may God protect him) we took pains to And the whole community rejoiced, and receive him with great honor, and handed we blessed God who had thus steered the him a letter of supplication concerning heart of the mighty Queen, and we lived in everything mentioned above. And he ac- peace and quiet. And during that time the cepted it with love and devotion, and as- emissary of H.E. the Russian Consul re- sured us for the good, but still we have not turned, and brought with him letters of been helped. And as we see how big the release (called "Kalasse") issued in the pain is, we are sending His Honor, our names of all individuals, explaining that good friend the eminent and perfect this would increase the assurance that Hacham, our teacher Rabbi Mordecai Ha- everybody would be accepted by whatever levy (may God protect him), and we gave government he would choose; and since we him a letter to the mighty Queen, and we already saw ourselves and our households also gave him the summary of the docu- assured of powerful protection by the ment from H.M. the Czar of Russia which most important government of all, and was in our possession. And we also gave since the mentional Consul Mr. Finn (may him a list, signed by H.E. the consul Ro- God protect him) had not asked this from gers, of the Russian persons who had ob- us and had not called our attention at all tained English protection. And for all this to the subject of the mentioned letters of may our merciful lord stand up to our release, and since we besides relied on the help, to the help of the lord against the document of H.M. the Czar of Russia mightly.30 Yet the righteous holdeth on his which we had in our possession [a general way31 to stand by us at the time of misfor- release which did not require specifica- tune, so that we may be able to dwell on tion] the community did not pay attention the holy ground, the land of our fathers in to taking these release-letters from him, the service of God and his ; as it is only a few took them, and the emissary our purpose that Moses may not hide his went his way with the releases. But for the face32 from us even by a hair's width. And sake of our many sins peace did not last what are we, but that we have come to tell long, and the wheel was shattered25 and but the tiniest part, and put before you the spectre returned, since after only few just a portion of the multitude of our af- days had passed the Consul Mr. Finn flictions from the yoke of Galuth by the (may God protect him) sent an edict from people surrounding us, who rejoice in Jerusalem that everyone not in possession deeds of wickedness, really our lives are

78 no life, and we are not qualified for the centrated mainly in the holy cities Jerusa- next world. And may our lord HOLD lem, Tiberias, Safed and . Ac- OUT to us the arm of his mercy, like cording to Consul Finn, in 1853 the Jew- God's great hand above him, to obtain for ish population of Jerusalem numbered us a royal edict to return us under the flag about 10,000 persons, whereof about two- of the exalted English government, so that thirds Sefardim.35 Not only did the Jews we may be protected from the wild people live in most abject poverty and under who are the inhabitants of the country. harsh suppression, but on top of all this And in his goodness and mercy may he the even had difficulties befriend our honored friend, the above- with their Sefardi brethren who con- mentioned rabbi who brings this letter, sidered themselvies superior, and in fact who has dedicated himself in God's name, even placed obstacles in the way of Ash- for the benefit of the survival of the com- kenazi immigration. munity, without any pay or compensa- The British Consulate in Jerusalem tion: was founded in 1838, and Lord Palmer- stone's (then British Foreign Minister) di- AND WE all, to us it is left to entreat rection to the first British Consul in Jeru- and pray for his greatest success and salem was "to afford protection to the prosperity, for a long life, in satisfac- Jews generally".36 Given the abysmal situ- tion and pleasure, until there stands up ation of the Jews in Palestine at that time, the priest with the Urim and it is obvious that this direction gave ample Thumim.33 These are the words of the scope of action to the Consul, the more so supplicants who wish his peace and his since although officially he could only act welfare with all heart and soul, here in on behalf of persons under British protec- the holy cities Safed and Tiberias, may tion, he should make it clear to the local they be rebuilt and restored soon in our authorities that the British government days, Amen. In the year "mighty to took an interest in the welfare of the Jews save"34 [i.e. year 5623 according to in general. numerical value ] signed by name: During the period 1830-1850 the num- ber of Russian Jews in Palestine increased

Samuel Heller Naftali Zvi considerably, inspite of all restrictions im- from the holy city Tiberias posed by the Czarist government on Pinchas Beharav Mordecai Friedmann travels abroad. When one reads what Mordecai Segal Menachem Mendel Consul Finn writes about these circum- Avraham Yossef Halevi stances, it is hard to realize that these words were not written today but more Under the signatures of these rabbis than 100 years ago: are the seals of the "Holy Congregation of Ashkenazim Chassidim Kolel Volhynia in "Even for leaving the country for the holy city of Safed" (on the right), and brief periods, vexatious formalities and on the left ditto from Tiberias. (Volhynia fees had to be submitted to by all is a region of Russia, part of Ukraina, classes of Russian subjects, and sureties from where most of the Russian Jews in were required to answer for the re- Safed and Tiberias at that time appearance of the travellers in order to originated). satisfy the requisitions of taxes and mili- tary conscription, at the date written For a better understanding of the cir- on the passport; and besides all these cumstances surrounding this Memorial conditions when fulfilled, the license to the following background information travel abroad was discountenanced may be of value: rather than encouraged."37 During the first decades of the 19th century the Jewish population of Palestine As Finn rightfully says, these restric- can be estimated at less than 15,000, con- tions were understandably felt most keen-

79 ly by the Jews, who however nevertheless vious years, as British Consular Agent succeeded to reach Palestine in increasing at Acre, Mr. Finzi, who was a Jew".40 numbers, more often than not driven by nothing but the burning desire to be Incidentally, as Finn describes it in his buried in the Holy Land. Finally the Rus- memoirs, the Consulate tried whenever sian Government decided to get rid of the possible to help also those Jews not under troublesome responsibility involved in British protection, including members of looking after people who never meant to the Oriental community (Turkish sub- return to Russia. As Finn describes it: jects) to such an extent that the Consul (i.e. Finn) was often reproachfully called "It was, therefore, determined to set "half a Jew". adrift all the Russian Jews then found Already , in a dispatch dated 20 No- in Palestine, furnishing them with pa- vember 184841 addressed to Viscount pers of dismissal, which also allowed Palmerstone, British Minister of Foreign them to resort for protection to any Affairs, Colonel Rose, then British Consul European representatives they might General in Beyrouth, reports the intention think proper to select, but recom- of the Russian Government to deprive all mending the English Consulate. These Jews not wishing to return to Russia of papers were written in French and their passports and citizenship, and to put , and delivered by the Russian them under British protection. In a dis- Vice-Consul in ".38 patch to Viscount Palmerstone dated 23 March 184942 James Finn confirms the Finn mentions that this occurred in the steps taken by the Russian representatives year 1848. The above quoted Memorial to to deprive the Jews of their Russian pa- Sir Moses Montefiore mentions that it pers and protection, except for those in- happened in the Jewish year 5609 which tending to return to Russia, however (as corresponds to the year 1849 but includes Finn writes): part of 1848. Finn goes on to describe the joy of the Russian-Jewish community who "The Jews coming to this country flocked to the British Consulate in great never intend to return to Russia — they numbers (though for some reason or other come here from an impulse of religious a small minority chose Austrian protec- feeling, and are contented to drag out a tion), mentioning that "a register of life of extreme poverty, and to die here names, dates etc of these proteges was rather than return to Russia — especial- duly kept in the consulate, the business of ly as the military conscription in- which was consequently much volving duties so hostile to their relig- augmented".39 ious observances of dress, food and Finn's report thus fully confirms the - Sabbat or other festivals, excites their facts mentioned in the Memorial about utmost dread". the majority of the Russian Jews in Safed and Tiberias having indeed obtained Brit- In the same dispatch Finn reports that ish protection. Somewhat later in his ac- a few days earlier a communication from counts, and describing the situation in the Russian Vice-Consul in Jaffa had been 1854, Finn states: received by the Jews of that city, to be read in synagogues, outlining the above "The Russian Jews — now, since mentioned intentions and adding that in 1850, British proteges — enjoyed, es- case of their failure to return to Russia pecially in Safed and Tiberias, a tranquil- within six months and paying their arrear lity to which they had long been stran- taxes, "His Majesty's paternal care would gers, and the Consulate was well sec- provide them with sufficient protection by onded in regard to them by Mr. Ro- surrendering them to another power". gers, the new Vice-Consul at Caifa, Again to quote Finn: besides whom we had, from long pre-

80 "This last clause inspired great having complied with the beaurocratic alarm, lest it should mean the Turkish procedure of obtaining a written certifi- dominion, whereupon the Rabbis of cate of discharge or dismissal from the those Jews concerned held a conclave, Russian Consul and depositing this certi- and resolved not to read the Imperial ficate with the British Consulate. message in the Synagogues for a week, In a further dispatch of 29 December but to consult me in the interim, as to: 1849" Finn reports that the number of 1. Whether the Czar had power to Russian-Jewish families who had volun- deliver them over to the Turks? tarily applied for and received certificates 2. Whether I was willing to accept of British protection was as follows: under British protection those who had

forfeited their Russian nationality". Jerusalem 98

Hebron 32 Safed 161 To these questions Finn replied that the Czar had no power to deliver the Jews Tiberias 99 "in form" to the Turks, but as soon as 390 they would be without European protec- tion they would by necessity be subject to the laws of their country of residence. To No mention is made how many of these the second question Finn answered that he families surrendered Russian certificates was at liberty to receive Jews of European of dismissal. In fact it appears that Finn, origin under British protection, unless the surely out of sympathy and concern for consul "to whom they had previously be- the Jews, acted with less regard for the longed" should give a valid reason necessary formalities than was called for, against. not only by existing procedures but in fact Finn states in this dispatch that at that by interest for the Jews concerned. Thus time he had not yet received any communi- in a dispatch of 29 April 185245 Finn re- cation from the numerous Jews in Safed ports reproaches from Mr. Basily, the and Tiberias on this subject. In fact, first Russian Consul General in Beyrouth, to the in a dispatch of 24 November 184943 Finn effect that Finn should not have taken un- reports to Palmerston that during his re- der British protection any Russian Jews cent visit to Safed and Tiberias the Jews other than those who could produce a who had been formerly under Russian Russian certificate of dismissal, against dominion unanimously petitioned him for which Finn contends that there was no rea- British protection, "even some who had son for the Jews to apply for such certifi- already paid a dollar each for Austrian cates, since by their refusal to comply with protection joining in the petition". The Russian law they were automatically petition list which Finn received com- exempted from its jurisdiction. prised from Safed 465 persons belonging Finn gives in his dispatch additional to 192 families, and from Tiberias 197 per- lengthy arguments as to why he accepted sons belonging to 63 families. These num- Russian Jews under British protection bers appear to be considerably fewer than even if they could not show Russian certi- the 252 resp. 111 "heads of households" ficates of dismissal. However the reply mentioned in the Memorial to Montefiore. from the Foreign Office (Earl Malmsbury) In the same dispatch Finn reports that dated 8 June 185246 was not what Finn of the Jews living in Jerusalem and had hoped for. Finn was told in plain Hebron 58 heads of households had de- words that he had acted wrongly and in posited their Russian certificates of dis- conflict with existing directives. During charge (and in return received British cer- that period Finn had correspondence also tificates of reception, free of charge as with Mr. Basily who maintained the view Finn is at pains to point out). Apparently that even the lapse of more than three the remaining ex-Russian subjects took years since the Czar's edict had not an- British protection for granted, inspite of not nuled the necessity for ex-Russian Jews to

81 procure formal letters of dismissal before Unfortunately Montefiore's efforts they could be admitted to British were not successful, nor did supportive protection. letters like one from Baron Lionel de Roth- In consequence of his correspondence schild to Earl Russell" have any effect. both with the Foreign Office as well as The Foreign Oftice maintained their with Mr. Basily Finn had to inform the viewpoint which they conveyed to Monte- various Jewish Communities of the new fiore: "Mr. Finn acted erroneously in as- situation which had arisen, which caused suming from the beginning that British considerable panic, the more so since protection could be granted to Russian many Russian Jews did not even possess Jews without being able to show letters of the necessary documents to prove that release."49 Some months later received also they had previously been under Russian Baron Rothschild a note from the Foreign jurisdiction and thereby obtain the certifi- Office stating: cates of release. In a dispatch two years later, of 23 March 1854 Finn again de- "Protection can be extended only if scribes the plight of Jews who come to the person seeking British protection him for help and who could give ample can produce a formal "letter of re- proof of their Russian origin, but not in lease" from the Russian Consulate con- the way of legalistic formality required by firming that Russian protection has the Russian Consulate, and therefore been withdrawn from him, and that he lacked all protection. Finn refers to a peti- would thus otherwis be left unpro- tion just received from Safed, signed by 79 tected. Without production of such a heads of families. letter Her Majesty's Consulate will not According to Finn the number of heads be authorized to extend British protec- of Jewish families under British protection tion to such a person"." at that time, "registered under unexception- able authorization", was as follows:47

Jerusalem 190 Hebron 19 Safed 33 Tiberias 16 258

NOTES

1. This article appeared (in Hebrew) in Zion, Quarterly was offered for sale at a public auction after the for Research in Jewish History published by The His- death of the collector. The document had been torical Society of Israel, Vol. XLIX No. 4, 1984. The folded double with resulting ink-transfer in some author expresses his thanks to Dr. Israel Bartal of places. the Dept. of Jewish History, Hebrew University Je- 9. The last two words of this quotation are added in rusalem, for translating this article to Hebrew and miniature letters at the left lower bottom of the quo- for his help with some footnotes. tation, due to spacing-reasons. 2. A.M. Hyamson (ed.), The British Consulate in Jeru- 10. This is not a direct quotation from the Bible, but the salem in Relation to the Jews of Palestine 1838-1914, picture of "peace like a stream" is taken from I-II, London 1939-1941. Jesaiah (see Jes. 66:12 and 48:18). 3. Ibid II No. 232 pp. 315-317. 11. Meaning "the high point" or the most important 4. Ibid p. 315. part. 5. Ibid pp. 315-316. 12. Expression of "covering with his pinions" taken 6. Ibid p. 316. from Ps. 91:4. Compare also 5 Mos. 32:11. 7. Ibid 13. Ps. 36:7. 8. The handwritten document was part of a collection 14. "Ariel" here referring to Jerusalem (see Jesaja 29:1, of mail sent from Safed during the last centuries. It 2 and 7).

82 15. Ps. 36:7. rusalem 1858-1890", Cathedra V (Tishri 5738) pp. 16. Ez. 17:6. 83-108. 17. Daniel 10:11. 36. James Finn, "Stirring Times, or Records from Jerusa- 18. Can also be translated "ten-fold" (see Daniel 1:20). lem Consuler Chronicles of 1853-1856", ed. by Eli- 19. See Ps. 5:13. zabeth Finn, I-II, London 1878. 20. See Jes. 58:14. 37. Ibid. p. 112. 21. Ps. 132:18. 38. Ibid. p. 113. 22. Isaiah 19:20. 39. Ibid. pp. 113-114. 23. See Prov. 3:12. 40. Ibid. II p. 57. 24. See Isaiah 4:6. 41. Hyamson I No. 68 p. 109. 25. Eccl. 12:6. 42. Ibid. No. 71 pp. 110-112. 26. Jerem. 31:14. 43. Ibid. No. 96 pp. 146-147. 27. Gen. 27:22. 44. Ibid. No. 105 p. 158. 28. Ibid. 4:10. 45. Ibid. No. 133 pp. 187-192. 29. The Prince of Wales (see below No. 37). 46. Ibid. No. 137 pp. 203-204. 30. Judges 5:23. 47. Ibid. No. 160 p. 223. 31. Job. 17:9. 48. Hyamson II No. 242 pp. 334-335. 32. See Deut. 31:18. 49. Ibid. No. 235 pp. 326-327 (dated 1 February 1864). 33. Ezra 2:63, Nehemiah 7:65. 50. Ibid. No. 244 p. 336 (dated 3 October 1864). The 34. Isaiah 63:1; numerical value of letters in quoted subject of granting of British protection by Finn words is 623, i.e. year 5623 corresponding to most of contrary to directives is dealt with also in the article year 1863 (including last months of 1862). by Tannenbaum (see Note 22 above) pp. 102-103. 35. James Finn served as Her Majesty's consul at the The subject of the visit of the Prince of Wales in British Consulate in Jerusalem during the years Palestine in 1862 and the criticism of Consul Finn's 1846-1863. Re the British Consulate in Jerusalem actions during his period of service are dealt with and its work on behalf of the Jewish population see: extensively in the one-sided treatise of Mrs. Finn of M. Werta, "Why the British Consulate in Jerusalem 1864. See also N. Shur "The Family of Consul Finn was established", Zion XXVI (1961) pp. 215-237; in Jerusalem - Last Years", Cathedra 30 (Tevet also M. Tannenbaum "The British Consulate in Je- 5744) pp. 64-90.

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