A 16th Century Jew;c17 S1'ate5man

16

THE JEWISH NEWS

—

Friday, February 4, 1949

Jews and Magic, Cabalistic Lore
Discussed in Kurt Seligmann's Book

Jewish settlement in Palestine
Sophie Ruskay Writes
"The Mirror of Magic" by Kurt opher, Philo (born 20 B. C.) had
had been one of Dona Gracia's
Seligman (published by Pantheon translated the Old Testament into
About
Early
New
York
by
DR.
LEON
LIE-
favorite
projects.
A
deep-sated
review
A
Books, Inc., 41 Washington Sq., Greek, attempting to show a re-
BREICH, Gratz College, Phila- religious motive prompted her
New York 12), will be an eye- lationship between the Old Jewish
Sophie Ruskay, prominent New opener to many people in its creed and Greek philosophy.
delphia.
to establish and maintain such a
Anti-Semitism, displaced per- settlement, where rabbis and York woman leader, describes the revelations of ancient and mod- Philo had declared that Grek
sons, immigration restrict
philosophy was superior to the
scholars might engage in the City of New York of her youth, ern magical ideas.
refugees, Cyprus, Palestine! What study of the Torah, undisturbed in the days of the horsecar and
Jewish religion; but he asserted
Jewish
readers
will
be
intrigued
a familiar ring these words by economic considerations. the cobblestones, in a volume
that most of the great ideas in
by
chapters
dealing
with
the
have! They seem to be drawn Joseph Nasi, on the other ,hand, published by Beechhurst Press,
philosophy had originated among
from the daily newspaper. Will with an almost uncanny farsight- 296 Broadway, New York 7. Us- Hebrews, the period of Philo in the Hebrews and had been bor-
Alexandria,
the
'section
devoted
it surprise anyone to learn that edness bordering on prophetic ing "Horsecars and Cobblestones"
rowed from them by the Occi-
in Jewish history they are rather insight, beheld, beyond the all as the title for her memoirs, Mrs. to the Sabbath and the discussion dent. Philo's philosophy culmi-
of
the
Cabala.
ancient terms? If they recur to-, important religious motivation, Ruskay describes her life as a
The chapter, "The Hebrews" is nated in the belief that true wis-
day, they are merely a stern re- the agricultural, industrial and child, the religious observance in
sub-titled
"Jehovah's Warriors." dom and morality are superior
minder of the persistence of the commercial possibilities inherent the home, her college days and
to intellectual apprehension, and
in the rebuilding of Palestine. the events up to the time of her It shows the Assyro-Babylon in- that knowledge alone does not
fluences
upon
Palestinians
and
betrothal
to
Cecil
B.
Ruskay,
Accordis. gly, he initiated the ex-
states: "From the incensed writ- confer blessedness." The point
perimeni. Unfortunately, it fail- New York attorney.
ings of Ezekial (sixth century B. made is that all this led to Neo-
ed. And all that can be said is
There are interesting refer- C.), we learn of Israel's count- Platonism.
that to Joseph Nasi belongs the ences to the early days of the
Witches and the witches' Sab-
credit of being one of the early Yiddish theater to which she was less relapses into the various be- bath are discussed in the chapter
liefs
of
its
victors.
With
few
ex-
forerunners of Herzlian Zionism. taken by her parents, to the era
"The Sabbath." There is abso-
ceptions, the people were fascin-
Most appropriately Dr. Roth of Jacob Adler and Boris Tom- ated by the foreign religions and lutely no relevance in this dis-
cussion to the Jewish idea of the
has dedicated the biography of ashefsky.
magic practices which were car-
Joseph Nasi to Chaim Weiz-
There are many other reminis- ried into the very temple at day of rest.
The author asserts that "King
mann, first president of the new censes of the author which will Jerusalem."
-Solomon was considered the mas-
State of Israel.
arouse considerable interest—es-
Seligmann maintains that Juda- ter of all dealings with the un-
Obviously through no fault of pecially her recollections of the ism 'exerted a strong influence derworld, and many "original"
the author, an unfortunate error late Prof. Solomon Schechter and upon many provinces of the Ro- texts of his conjuration circu-
has crept into the description of Prof. Israel Friedlander and in- man Empire, and the Roman lated among the magicians. The
the picture which serves as a cidents of an historic nature in emperors lost no time in gaining wording was Hebrew, written in
frontispiece for the book. It the Jewish community of New a new patron, Jehovah, by insti- Roman characters. Solomon's
should read: "Gracia Mendes, the York.
tuting daily sacrifices to him .. . seal was considered a most. effi-
Younger, medal made by Pastor-
Her husband did a good job Jewish influence in Rome con- cacious magic design recommend-
ino de' Pastorini in Ferrara."
in providing the drawings for tinued even after the fall of ed by Pater of Abano for the
DR. CECIL ROTH
the book.
"The
House
of
Nasi—The
Duke
JerusaleM and, in fact, grew summoning of an air spirit."
Jewish problem and of the im-
(Mrs. Ruskay is a cousin of stronger. In Alexandria, the Jews
of
Naxos"
is
the
first
of
a
series
The chapter on "Cabala: Chris-
perative need of efforts to arrive
of publications by the Jewish Lawrence W. Crohn of De- were for some time leaders in tian Cabalists and the ,Jews" is
at a solution.
troit).
science and philosophy. These one of the most important in the
That the same aspects of the Publication Society of America
ideas mingled with those of the entire book of more than 500
Jewish problem existed and the made possible by the Nehemiah
Greeks."
pages. It tells how some magi-
same types of solution were pro- Gitelson Fund, established in Handwork and Games
We also learn from the author cians pretended to knoW Hebrew
posed four hundred years ago, memory of Nehemiah Gitelson
of this monumental work that: and inserted in their incantations
may be learned from a reading (1853-1932) scholar, rabbi, Tal- For Jewish Schools
!`In Alexandria, which had be- such words as "Elohim" and
of Dr. Cecil Roth'S new volume mudic teacher, and merchant.
"Handwork and Games for the come the laboratory of the ex- "Adonai." It tells of charges dur-
of biography, "The House of Beautifully printed and bound,
Nasi—The Duke of Naxos," with 'a three-color jacket, it con- Jewish School," by Mabel H. panding communication between ing plagues that Jews were sor-
which has just been published by tains 250 pages plus 15 full page Meyer, published by Bloch, the East and West, a Jewish philos- cerers, Jews having pleaded in
vain that their community was
the Jewish Publication Society illustrations, a n d end - paper New York Jewish book concern,
as pest-stricken as the rest of
of America, and which is a sequel maps. It may be secured as one is a small, 30-page, paper-cov-
the cities in Germany. Selig-1
to the same author's "The Houle of the membership books of the ered brochure. But it has a great Poland-Israel Conclude
Jewish
Publication
Society.
of Nasi—Dona Gracia," likewise
deal of value for Jewish schools Import-Export Agreement mann writes: "Medieval science
offered no tool for the systematic
published under the auspices of
and teachers.
spreading of disease. The Jews,'
the Society a few months ago.
Parcel Regulations Set
AS the foreword indicates, this
WARSAW (JTA) — The con- however, though unjustly acCused .
The reader is introduced to a
book "is a practical handbook clusion of a reciprocal trade
S.-lsrael Authorities for
most interesting account of the By
the busy Rabbi, principal or agreement between Poland and of magic in this particular in-
life' of Joseph Nasi, one of the
teacher, showing different kinds Israel was announced by Dr. L. stance, did practice magical arts,.
and many magical customs hact
most influential Jews of 16th-
NEW YORK (JTA)—Regula- of 'arts and crafts' and games
Gruenstein, Israel's commercial worked themselves into the He-
century Europe. Two generations tions pertaining to the dispatch Of
which may be done by any child attache in Poland. Under the brew religion."
had elapsed since the expqlsion parcels to Israel, as agreed to by
terms of the pact, Poland will ex-
of the Jews from Spain. Its ef- United States aid Israeli postal from 5 to 12 years of age."
The activities of Jolla- -eucli-
The book uses the Jewish holi- port to Israel 2,000,000 wooden lin, the Old Testament as "a book
fect, however, was still being felt authorities, were announced by
in the dislocation of Jews and the Israeli Office of Information days as a motif. It concretel3r...of- citrus crates in exchange for 30 of symbols," the magic of letters,,
fers a program for handwork ac- percent payment in citrus prod- the Book of Yetzirah are among
their desperate search for new here.
tivities. It is interestingly illus- ucts and '70 percent in British the subjects discussed in the Ca-.
homes. Unlike the victims of
Addresses in Israel must be in
Hitler's racial antisemitism, the possession of import licenses in trated and undoubtedly will fill currency. Dr. Gruenstein also bala section in this painstaking
16th-century DPs were not only order to receive commercial par- a long-felt need for such activi- announced that 1,000 tons of book dealing with the art and
water and gas pipes purchased in history of magic.
territorially, but also spiritually
ties in \the Jewish schools.
cels, gift packages exceeding $60
Poland will be shipped to Israel
displaced persons. Our hero,
soon.
Joseph Nasi, was one of these, in value and parcels sent at-bona Canada Will Not Help
for he had been a New Christian, fide gifts valued between $4 and Strasser Return to Germany
The Polish freighter S. S. Ko-
or Marrano, before embracing $60 when more than one is re-
OTTAWA (WJA) — Following lobsheg sailed from Gydnia for
ceived
during
a
-
six-month
period.
Judaism. The doors to the vari-
the recent warning by General Haifa with a cargo of 3,000 tons
ous lands of Europe were tight- Gift parcels not exceeding $4 in Lucius
D. Clay, United States of foodstuffs purchased in Poland.
ly shut to Jewish refugee im- value may be received by persons
Military
Governor in Germany,
in
Israel
in
unlimited
numbers
migrants. The one exception was
that Otto Strasser's infamous "We are the People of the Book,
Turkey. After wandering from and without import licenses.
"Black Front" and other neo-
The written page is our salva-
one country to another, Joseph
PRESENTS
Nazi organizations "were begin-
tion;
Nasi at -last lays down the
ning
to
raise
their
heads
in
Ger-
This only from the wreck we took
wanderer's staff and takes up his
many again," a spokesman of the
When conquerors crushed our
abode in Turkey. With him he
Canadian Ministry for External
nation."
has brought strategic contacts
Affairs stated that it was "very
—Jessie Sampter.
with key persons in the most im-
unlikely"
that
Canada
would
give
portant European capitals. His
identification
papers
to
Otto
"underground" connections en-
Strasser to enable him to return
able him to put a most efficient
INSURED
to Germany, where he intended
"intelligence service" at the dis-
to
"lead
a
rally
of
Germany's
( Copyright
posal of the Turkish government.
1947, Jewish
democratic forces."
He also has recourse to other
Telegraphic
means of ingratiating himself
Agency)
with the Sultan. Thus he proves
THE LEAR SCHOOL
By LEON GUTTERMAN
himself a most valuable asset to
CO-EDUCATIONAL
Kindergarten Thru High School
the state, for which he is duly
Spain's
clergy
has
lifted
its
Academic
instruction out of doors.
rewarded in time. The reward?
Spacious grounds extending along
ban on "Gentleman's Agree-
The Duchy of Naxos!
Biscayne Bay provide ideal educa-
tional environment. Music, Art,
Joseph .Nasi and his illustrious ment," on Franco's orders, after
Dramatics, Sports.
aunt, Dona Garcia, evince keen an appeal to the latter by Eric
Swimming—Large pool on premises.
CURRENT RATE
interest in their fellow-Jews. Johnston, head of the motion
1010 West Ave., Miami Beach, Fla.
picture
producer's
association,
The Duchy of Naxos is unsuit-
American Savings
able as a haven of refuge for during his recent European trip.
their harassed co-religionists. The picture was banned by the MANNHEIMER
& Loan Association
RESIDENT 6 DAY SCHOOL
But other prospects appear on Spanish church censor on "moral
For Boys and Girls—Kindergarten
Your Neighborhood
through High School—lndividuat
the political horizon. The King- grounds" that in Spain brotherly
Instructton.and Attention by Ex•
perlenced Teachers In ElOrida'a
Savings Institution
ealth
•Giving
Climate—Complete
ship of Cyprus for Joseph Nasi love shouldn't include Jews.
Health and Education Program.
Boone Svlinol Textbooks and Cur-
C *. C
looms 'as a fair possibility. Yet
Dexter Blvd. at Cortland
riculum Used.
he is doomed to bitter disap-
TO. 9-6611
Al Jolson turned down a $50,-
pointment. " His hope of becom- 000 deal for two weeks at Copa
ing King of Cyprus and of estab- City, Miami Beach. The proposed
lishing there large-scale Jewisfi bid called for two weeks at that
AND HIS ORCHESTRA
colonization was not to be realiz- night club at $25,000 per week.
ed. In envisaging, however dim- The offer was made through song
ly, in Cyprus a possible solution
to the Jewish problem, Nasi was writer Benny Davis, who wrote
the Copa's show and is staging
DANCING 9-1
the forerunner of the Uganda
the display. Davis argued that
proposal jn modern times.
Masonic
Temple
• Sporting Goods
• Glidden Paints
Palestine as the supreme as long as Jolson will go to
Grand
Ballroom
Florida
on
vacation,
he
might
as
• Children's Toys
• Electrical Appliances
answer to Israel's woes also
$3.60 per couple
figures prominently in the bio- well "do something that will pay
(tax inc.)
AUTHORIZED
DELTA
DEALER
graphy of Joseph Nasi. Though his expenses."
Tickets at:
*
"We try to stock everything a completely
once again his aunt pointed the
GRINELL BROS.
Danne Kaye says: "Publicity is
modern hardware store should carry."'
way, Nasi, nevertheless, displays
WAYNE TICKET OFFICE
AL'S RECORD MARTS
originality in his approach to easy to get. Just be so successful
5044 Joy Rd.
Palestine as the ultimate solu- you don't need it, and then you'll
145w Broadway
tion of the Jewish problem. A get it."

THE HOUSE OF NASI — THE DUKE
OF NAXOS, by Cecil ;loth. Jewish
Publication Society, Philadelphia.

Wayne University
Bnai Bra
Millet Foundation

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