TAE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS—Friday, February 20, 1959-2
Purely Commentary
Did Edgar Allen Poe Know Hebrew?
On Jan. 19, English-reading communities took note of an
important event: the 150th anniversary of the birth of Edgar
Allen Poe.
Inspired by this anniversary, many articles were written
on Poe and a new biography of him was published.
Your' Commentator recalls, on this occasion, that on April
5, 1929, he had reviewed an important book on Poe in which
it was intimated that the great story-teller and poet may
have known Hebrew and that. he was influenced by the Bible.
This Commentator's article, under the title "Did Poe Know
Hebrew?", was a review of a book published by Macmillan —
"Biblical Allusions in Poe" by W. M. Forrest. In view of the
renewed interest in Poe, and because of the provoking ideas
contained in that book, we reprint the April 5, 1929, article:
William Mentzel Farrests, John B. Cary Prof. of Biblical
History and Literature at the University of Virginia, began his
study of the Biblical allusions in Poe in 1909 when the 100th
anniversary of the birth of America's most universally
renowned author was celebrated at his alma mater, the
University of Virginia. The result is a very fine contribution
on the subject and a valuable work for the student of Poe
and the Bible.
To this author. "the Bible in. Shakespeare and Browning
and Tennyson seems an almost obvious result of the spiritual
permeation of English literature in general." "But Poe has
never before been so studied," we read in his preface. "The
extent of his familiarity with the Bible may not induce the
reader to follow Poe's gifted French critic and translator
(Charles Baudelaire), who wrote in his journal, 'I swear
to myself henceforth to pray every morning to Poe.' Yet it
is likely to astonish many by reason of the type of his
writings and his reputation."
Professor Forrest makes a study and a very interesting
one, of Poe's spirituality, Pantheism. and niysticisin. He devotes
chapters to Poe's references to "Death, - "And beyond death"
and "World end and Judgment." later proceeding to a study
of his prose and poetic resemblances to the Bible and devotes
a chapter to "The Bible and. Poe.'' Of unusual value for the
Biblical student is the appendix. in this case a very necessary
item in the study, containing quotations. Hebraic phrases,
Scripture proper names and an interesting section on the
question of whether P'oe knew Hebrew.
The author makes a comparison in discussing Poe's
mysticism, between the Jewish Biblical writers and Poe: "In
the case of both the Jewish Writers and Poe the explanation
is found in the contrast between what was and what ought to
be according to their ideal. With Israel the wailing arose
'from measuring their condition by the glorious rhapsodies
Concerning national triumphs and splendors which the early
prophets sang to ''them in times of calamity. They had
re-established their state after the exile with such hopes
luring them an. Then weary centuries wore away and their
enemies continued to rule them instead of coining to lick the
dust at their feet. Prophetic voices no longer spoke to them
. . . Then arose the new order of seers. In new fashion the
hope of Israel found •voice: in strange guise the mysteries
of life were expounded. The prophecies were not to fail. God
would yet avenge."
Professor Forrest points to the fact that the Bible in
general is against "Vain repetitions, - and declares that "This
finds its precise analogy in Poe. No man ever hated verbosity
more than he. None other ever so appreciated the value of
brevity—stories must be short; poems must be short."
The refrain in "The Raven" is compared to the refrain
in the 26 stanzas in psalm 136. "For his mercy endureth
forever." The double refrain, although faintly suggested in
Poe, is . traced to psalm 10".
We learn from Professor Forrest's concluding section to his
appendix that "numerous •passages in Poe express or imply
same knowledge of Hebrew." The author publishes a list of
references to these passages. In a lengthy discussion, marked
by references. Professor Forrest defends Poe against the late
Professor Harrison's charge that Poe brought his reputation
"Perilously near charlatanry" by waving repeatedly a passage
in Hebrew with which he was assisted by Professor Charles
Anthon. Professor Forrest calls this charge "Not altogether
fair or accurate." and declares that "Poe was not entirely
dependent upon Anthon."
Professor Fcrrrest's "Biblical Allusions in Poe" is, on
the whole. interesting to the lay reader and valuable to the
student of Poe and the Bible.
*
*
Distinguished Career of Editor Jacques Back
'Biblical Allusions
in Poe' . . . Tribute to
Shevitz to Get
By
r ess Award
Slomovitz Cong
Jacques Back, Able Editor
Some are primarily local in nature, others place emphasis on the
social elements in their communities. But the major periodicals
are making an effort to give their readers the best possible news
coverage, not only local but national and worldwide.
Mahy of the English-Jewish weeklies are published in com-
munities with small populations. Nashville, Tenn., is such a
community. It has a population of some 3,000 Jews. It has many
traditions for service to Jewry, and in its recent trials and
tribulations, when the Center was bombed, its rabbis and leaders
showed true courage as adherents to Jewish traditional prin-
ciples of social justice.
Its position of dignity and its splendid record for Jewish
service are in real measure attributable to the fact that, in
spite of the community's smallness, it possesses a great Jewish
newspaper.
Students of the Jewish press in America will know at once
that the reference is to The Observer of Nashville. and to its
illustrious editor, Mr. Jacques Back.
The two represent, at best. a struggle—especially for space.
The Observer couldn't possibly have sufficient room for the
presentation of all the facts of all the news involving Jews
and Jewry. Yet, thanks to the skills of its able editor and pub-
lisher, his community may be one of the truly well-informed
in America because, no matter how serious the handicaps from
space restrictions, Jacques Back makes certain to share with
his readers the important happenings in Jewish life.
This requires great effort and genuine ability. Jewish news
is pouring in from everywhere through the currently available
news and feature services. The sifting of news calls for strenuous
work. Jacques Back is, nevertheless, tireless. Approaching 80, he
has shown greater stamina than many an editor half his age.
Jacques Back subscribes to every available Jewish news
source. He is lucky to be able to use one or two per cent of the
material, and to do the selecting requires tremendous effort.
But he labors uncomplainingly, energetically, with the skill of
a trained newspaperman.
This is not all: Jacques Back stands head and shoulders
above many of his confreres because he is a master of the
English language. He is not only a well-informed Jewish leader,
he also is a skilled writer and a brilliant thinker.
In the 25 years of the appearance of The Observer, he has
pioneered in many interesting activities in his community. He
has authored many inspiring editorials, he has written a series
of sermonettes which should have been published in book form
and which could serve as a layman's guide to the rabbis. He
has displayed the skill of mastering brevity—because of the
limitations imposed upon his newspaper and because of his own
ability as an editor.
It is in time of crisis that Jacques Back emerges as a great
advocate for his people's needs. Whether it is in behalf of his
Temple. in which he is a leader; in behalf of philanthropy or
in defense of Jewish rights, he is able to write and say the right
words at the right time.
Nashville is fortunate to have so able an editor. so valuable
a Jewish citizen. In congratulatit4 Jacques Back and The
Observer, let us keep in view not only the editor's and his
newspaper's gifts to Nashville, but also to all of American Jewry.
Nashville has reason to be proud of its First Jewish Citizen
—Jacques Back. Heartiest congratulations to Jacques Back
and to The Observer on this 25th anniversary and to Nashville,
Tenn., for possessing them.
UJA Granted
$30 Million Loan
Sidney Shevitz, former FEPC
chairman and former president
of the Jewish Community Coun-
cil, has been
selected to re-
ceive the 1959
Amity Award
of the Detroit
Women's Divi-
sion of the
American Jew-
ish Congress.
R e v. Rich-
ard C. Emrich
was chairman
Shevitz
of the judges'
committee 1 that made the se-
lection.
The award will be made at
the annual Amity Luncheon of
the Women's Congress, Division
on March 14.
Begin Campaign
to Furnish Israel
School Libraries
An effort is currently under-
way in the United States to sup-
ply libraries and reading mate-
rials for immigrant schools in
outlying settlements in Israel.
Established by Israel's first
lady. Mrs. Itzak Ben-Zvi, and
known as the Beth Hanasi Chil-
dren's Fund for Libraries, the
project has already made pos-
sible the purchase of 450 library
units.
Each unit consists of 100 He-
brew books, carefully selected
and graded in Israel, costing
approximately $150.
The American committee or-
ganized to interest Jewish
schools and individuals in this
country to contribute to this un-
dertaking is headed by Mrs. I.
B. Berkson, former owner-direc-
tor of Camp Modin in Maine,
wife of the noted educator and
author, Prof. Berkson of the
City College of New York.
The committee hopes to in-
vite the cooperation of rabbis in
urging parents of youngsters
celebrating their Bar Mitzvah or
Bas Mitzvah to donate a library
unit in honor of the occasion.
Boris Smolar's
'Between You
... and Me'
NEW YORK (JTA) — The
United Jewish Appeal of Great-
er New York completed ar-
rangements for a credit of $30,- I
000,000 from seven local banks.
Copyright., 1959,
Samuel D. Leidesdorf, New
Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc-)
York UJA treasurer, made the
announcement following formal Fund Raising Problems:
American Jews will have to do better this year in their
signing of the loan agreement
by officers of the UJA and par- contributions for Jewish causes than they did last year . . .
This, not only because of the huge waves of Jewish emigration
ticipating banks.
The credit exceeds by Wow_ from Romania to Israel, but also because last year—when the
000 the amount of the biggest Problem of helping Jews leave Romania did not exist as yet—
previous financing of this kind they did not do as well as in the previous years ... The Council
undertaken by the United Jew- of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds is revealing that the
ish Appeal of New York. It will fund-raising campaigns in the Jewish communities have declined
be used to help speed the re- by about 13 percent compared with the preceding two years ...
settlement in Israel this year of Community leaders have attributed this loss primarily to adverse
an anticipated 100,000 or more economic conditions . . . The CJFWF analysis shows that most
immigrants from Eastern Euro- of the losses were due to deep cuts by small numbers of big
pe, principally Romania. givers . . . The CJFWF analysis establishes that 113 cities
Leidesdorf said that borrow- pledged in 1950 about $61,000,000 as compared with $70,000,000
ing of such unusual proper- raised the year before . . . Eleven cities with the largest Jewish
tions has been made necessary population — 40,000 or more — accounted for more than half
by the great volume of the cur- of this total — about $35,000,000 . . . The same group of large
rent immigration to Israel of cities raised about $40,000,000 in 1957. . . Cities in the 15,000
thousands of Jews leaving Rom- to 40,000 Jewish population group showed a smaller drop, but
ania each month. the 5,000 to 15,000 group dipped by over 15 percent. Communities
Banks participating in the with less than 5,000 Jews declined by more than 16 percent
loan are the Manufacturers
Trust Company, First National Migration Record:
United Hias Service is now celebrating the 75th anniversary
City Bank of New York, the
Bankers Trust Company, Chem- of its existence . . . Started as HIAS, it merged four years ago
ical Corn Exchange Bank, Han- with the United Service for New Americans and the overseas
over Bank, Chase Manhattan migration services of the Joint Distribution Committee . . .
Bank and Marine Midland United Hias thus became a worldwide Jewish migration agency
helping Jews to immigrate to countries other than Israel, while
Trust Company.
Representatives of the United the migration to Israel is directed by the Jewish Agency . . .
Jewish Appeal in negotiations Next to Bnai Brith Hias is the oldest Jewish group in the U. S.
for the credit included Leides- There are in the United States literally hundreds of thousands
dorf; Gottlieb Hammer, execu- of Jews whom the Hias assisted either with obtaining a U.S.
tive director of the Jewish entry visa, or with other forms of aid which facilitated their
Agency, the UJA beneficiary immigration to this country . . . If United Hias were to recover
responsible for transportation the funds it spent on Jewish immigrants in this country during
and resettlement of immigrants the 75 years of its existence, it would today become probably
to Israel; and Henry C. Bern- the richest Jewish organization in the ,world ... During the last
stein, executive vice-president four years, Hias has helped' the migration of about 35,000 Jews
For more than 60 years, the Yiddish daily press was a
factor of greatest importance in the rise of the American Jewish
community. It guided the thinking of newcomers to our shores.
It kept intact the links between American and other Jewries.
Regrettably, the Yiddish press is in a declining state..
Not so many decades ago, there were daily Yiddish news-
papers, in addition to New York, in Philadelphia, Cleveland,
Detroit and Chicago. They graduallly vanished from the scene.
The surviving Yiddish dailies in New York are the result
of mergers. Only the Forward has survived 60 years of continuous
publishing. The Day-Morning Journal is, as the name implies,
a merger. Before the joining of the two papers bearing the above
names, the Morning Journal already had merged with the Tage-
blatt; the Warheit, the Tzeit and other Yiddish dailies had dis-
appeared. The two remaining find themselves in serious finan-
cial difficulties.
These comments are necessary for an understanding of the
position of the new instrument in American Jewish life: the
English-Jewish weekly newspaper. While the Jewish weekly
published in English is older than the Yiddish press—the English-
Jewish press is now 110 years old—it has only recently come into
its own. It has replaced other Jewish periodicals in other lan-
guages. It has its counterparts in more than 50 communities.
It is read by all Jews, young and old; and even the handful of
remaining Yiddish readers must read the English-Jewish weekly
to be fully informed on happenings in the Jewish communities
throughout the world.
Not all the English-Jewish weeklies measure up to the
standards their communities demand or should demand of them. of the UJA of New York.
-
to countries other than Israel.
I