Frank and Esther. A Polish Jewish romance

Front matter

FRANK AND ESTHER. 3 Ipolisb 3ictoist> iRomance, KT REV. ALEX. LEVIE LONDON JOHN SNOW AND CO., 2, IVY LAXE, PATERNOSTER ROW. CONTENTS. CHAP. FAGS I THE NEIGHBOURS . . . . . 7 II TROUBLES ...... Ij III EDUCATION ...... 2$ IV FRANK'S FIRST DECLARATION TO ESTHER . 33 V MORE MATRIMONIAL DISCUSSIONS 41 VI FRANK'S RETURN . ' . . . . _|p VII FRANK'S DEPARTURE, ALSO ESTHER'S AND HER RETURN 60 -VIII INTERVIEWS . .... 68 IX A COMMOTION ...... 79 X BETROTHAL AND MARRIAGE 89 XI CONVERSION OF ESTHER .... 98 XII TESTIMONY ... . . IO7 -XIII CONVERSION OF THE RABBI AND HIS WIFE . 115 XIV PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE RABBI . . I25 XV THE ATTITUDE OF THE EX-RABBI IN BERLIN .

Chapter I

The Neighbours. HE town of N , about thirty-six English miles from Warsaw the Capital of Poland, was almost entirely inhabited by a Jewish community of some six hundred families ; the only Christian resi dents being the Burgomaster, the District Chief of customs (Herr von Waldmere), a miller who owned the water mill, and six other families. There was a small Roman Catholic Church, which was also attended by peasants from the surrounding villages on Sundays and festivals Estlver 8 On week days the congregation consisted of the priest's domestics and his gardeners of whom he had several, for he owned an extensive fruit garden, the proceeds of which formed the greater part of his income. The garden was well kept, with neat paths, nicely gravelled and prettily bordered. It was the great resort of the Jews on their Sabbaths and festivals in the summer-time, and they were the chief customers for the produce of the garden.

The priest was very partial to them, and the gardeners were very civil. The priest's attitude towards the Jews had a favourable effect on the Burgomaster and on the Chief of customs, so that there existed a kindly feeling between them and the Jewish community. The private residences of the Rabbi and of Herr von Waldmere were separated only by gardens at the back, divided by a low and open wood fence. There were peculiar circumstances which enhanced the neighbourly feelings between Herr von Waldmere and the Chief Rabbi. Both were natives of Berlin, both were of the same age, both were married on the same day of the same year, and to each a child was born on the same day of the same year, and neither had more than one child — von Waldmere's was a boy, and the Rabbi's a girl, named respectively Frank and Esther.

Herr von Waldmere was a fine looking man, a scion of a German noble family, a Lutheran by faith, and a man of literary attainments. Madame von Waldmere was a Hungarian lady of gentle birth, highly educated, handsome, graceful and amiable, and of the same faith as her husband. The Rabbi was a man of dignified appearance, and was not only distinguished for his great proficiency in rabbinical lore, but also for his general scientific attainments. He was an enlightened and liberal minded man, and withal a wit and humourist. Though comparatively young, he was elected to the post of Chief Rabbi from among a considerable number of candidates, entirely on account of the fame of his abilities. His wife, whom he married soon after his appointment, was the only daughter of the weal thiest member ofhis community, and brought him a dowry of one hundred thousand roubles.

She was very handsome, but without any more than an ordinary education, and was distinguished for her piety. One or two examples of the Rabbi's wit and humour are worth relating. A Magid (an itinerant preacher) called on him with the manuscript of a Commentary on the " Song of Solomon," and asked him to oblige him by writing a httle introduction to it, which would greatly enhance its value. The Rabbi said, " I am willing to oblige you, but you must first, please, leave it with me for perusal, and then call again in a fortnight." At the expiration of the time the preacher called, and the Rabbi handed him the manuscript, saying, " I have complied with your request." The preacher expressed his profound thanks, and went away delighted. As soon as he reached home he anxiously opened the manuscript and found on the fly-leaf only the words — " Then all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."

The preacher pondered over these words, and the more he pondered the more puzzled he felt as to their application. Finding himself utterlv baffled, he called again on the Rabbi and begged him to explain the import of the curt com mendation. " I think the meaning is simple enough, namely, if many such books are published, fewer trees will be cut down for fuel, and therefore there will be rejoicing among the trees." On another occasion, a young man of the Chassidim (the pietists) called on him, and asked for a private interview, at which the following conversation took place. Rabbi. — " Well, what is it you wish to see me for ? " Youxg Max. — " I desire to confess to you.' Rabbi.—" Well, what is it?" Young Man. — "I had to put up in an Hotel late in the evening a few days ago, and a damse^ waited on me at supper.

I soon perceived that she was rather too forward in her demeanour, and when she had cleared the table she asked me whether I wished to be called in the morning. I said, No, thank you. Then, in bidding me good night, she seemed to me to bend forward and I fancied she actually wanted to kiss me, but I drew back indignantly and in astonishment. It was then too late, or I should at once have asked for my account and left the place. However, I rose early, settled my account, and left." Rabbi.—" Well, is that all ? " Young Man. — " No; after I left I reflected on the whole affair, and I have since been thinking that I might have unintentionally given the damsel occasion for her misbehaviour, and, there fore, whatever penance you impose on me I will humbly submit to." Rabbi. — " Well, that does not require much consideration.

I impose on you a month's feeding on nothing but thistles." YOUNG Man (appearing rather disappointed): — "I thought you would impose a period of fasting." Rabbi. — " No ; this is the appropriate penance for such an ass as you." Herr von Waldmere and the Rabbi were very intimate, but there was no interchange of hospi tality between them, owing entirely to Jewish exclusiveness, engendered by rabbinical, ceremonial observances. Their children, however, may be said to have grown up together. Their respective nurses met daily at the garden fence, and the little ones played together as well as they could with the fence between them. Madame Rabbi, for so she was always called, was greatly annoyed whenever she happened to see the little ones close to each other, and would always make the nurse come in at once, telling her, that she did not like her child to play with the child of a "Goy," i.e., a Gentile.

Several nurses had been dismissed by her foi disregarding this injunction, but it proved impossible to prevent it altogether. On little Frank's third birthday, which was also little Esther's third birthday, Madame von Waldmere had a few friends with her in the afternoon, and while she was talking to them about Esther, telling them what a fine, handsome child she had grown, she happened to see her with the nurse in the garden. Wishing to let the guests see Esther, she ran out and took the child from the nurse's arms, telling her that she would bring the child back in a few minutes. Instead of waiting, the nurse went into the house without the child, and was instantly asked where she had left her. On being told, that Madame von Waldmere begged to let her have the child for a few minutes to show to some friends, Madame Rabbi ordered the nurse to go at once and fetch the child back.

The nurse ran off with all speed ; and with many apologies from Madame von Waldmere brought back the child, who was eating the remains of a slice of cake. "Give me that cake," said the mother with great excitement, " it is nasty," at the same time forcing it out of the child's hand. She had no sooner thrown it away, than she exclaimed, " Oh, what shall I do ? This cake was no doubt made with swine's fat, and the darling is polluted ! Run quickly for the Rabbi, and tell him to come home at once, because something is the matter with the child ! " The nurse ran off as fast as she could, and alarmed the Rabbi with the message, who went home in great haste. He found his dear wife in tears and the child terrified. She related what had happened, and was surprised that the Rabbi seemed to take it quite calmly.

" What is to be done ? " she asked anxiously. "My dear," answered the Rabbi, "the child is not conscious of anything wrong. It is no sin in her to eat Gentile food, though it would have been if she were of mature age, and ate it knowingly." "Then is there nothing to be done?" added Madame enquiringly. " No, nothing ; except that you might wash the little dear's lips, in case they are greasy, and then you can kiss her without any misgiving," Madame Rabbi. — " I shall send a message to Madame von Waldmere telling her, that she must not do it again." Rabbi. — " No, dear, let it pass. We must take care not to offend such neighbours ani great friends of our people, as they are." The next day Madame von Waldmere called and apologized for having so unceremoniously snatched up the child. She wished to show her to some friends, as she was such a beautiful child* for one. the same age as her own dear boy ; and she took the opportunity of adding, " What nice playmates they would make, especially as there are no other children suitable for them." Madame Rabbi accepted the apology as grace fully as she could, but made no allusion to the children becoming playmates. t

Chapter II

Troubles. DWO years had now passed and the children had not become playmates, as Madame von Waldmere desired, but their daily coming in contact at the fence could not be prevented entirely. In fact, the children became more and more fond of each other, and liked to meet. As for Frank, as soon as he saw Esther in the garden, he would run out to her. They were now five years of age, and seemed like brother and sister. They never met without kissing, to which their nurses had accustomed them from their infancy. One day Madame Rabbi took a walk in the garden with Esther by her side. Franky came to the fence and Esther immediately ran up to him, and, as usual, they kissed each other. The mother was shocked at this intimacy between the children \ She called Esther back at once, though she had the good sense not to chide her this time, but reserved the matter for serious consideration with her husband.

The very same evening she spoke to the Rabbi about it with the utmost gravity. He listened to her attentively and said in reply, that he did not think the matter was quite so serious as she thought, but that, if she wished to prevent too much intimacy, she should watch over the child more carefully. Madame Rabbi, on her part, alleged that it was impossible for her to be always with the child, and suggested that the fence should be raised and closed up, so as to prevent the children seeing each other, and if that could not be done, they must remove to another place. Neither of these suggestions met with the Rabbi's approval. " Herr von Waldmere," he said, " is an important official, and has it in his power either to befriend or to do much harm to our community; and either of the suggestions, if carried out, would be suspected by the von Waldmeres, and would be sure to be resented in some way or other.

There is, therefore, no other means to be employed but watchfulness." Madame Rabbi only heaved a deep sigh, and resigned herself to her imaginations. Very soon after, a terrible event occurred which, however, happily ended in a closer friend ship between the Rabbi and the von Waldmeres. The miller had an only daughter about seven years of age, and a few days before the Jewish Passover the child disappeared. She was searched for far and wide, and all round about the country, but all in vain. At last the mill pond was dragged, and the httle body was found. Great sympathy, of course, was felt for the parents, but ere long a rumour was spread that the Jews had murdered the child in order to mix her blood with their Passover cakes— a scandalous calumny, the disgrace and guilt of which lies at the door of the Roman Catholic Church, in which it originated} and at various epochs has been renewed in different countries.

One day a large number of peasants from the surrounding villages, armed with all kinds of agricultural implements and other weapons, rushed into the town and furiously attacked the Jews in all directions. Fortunately they chiefly confined themselves to demolishing houses, so that no blood had been shed by the time the Burgomaster with a number of constables arrived on the scene, and succeeded in quelling the riot, on promising that a strict investigation should be made into the manner of the child's death. It was also arranged that two persons should be selected from B each of the six surrounding villages to constitute a jury, and that the Priest and Herr von Waldmere should act as assessors with the Burgomaster, and that the Doctor should also be present. Three days after the jury met, and the corpse of the httle child was brought before them.

The Doctor closely examined the state of the body and at once declared that there were no wounds but merely superficial abrasions, as if the body had come in contact with and chafed against projecting pieces of stone, and that death was the result of asphyxia by drowning. Herr von Waldmere then rose, and said : — "I feel it my duty to state that I deeply sympathize with the Jewish community in their recent troubles, and I am happy to testify to their innocence, not only on the opinion of the Doctor, but from my own experience, resulting from my intimacy with the Jews, with whom I have been very frequently brought into contact officially. I know how excessively particular they are in their ceremonial observances, especially with regard to food. As regards meat in parti cular, before cooking it, they soak it in water, then sprinkle it with salt and let it drain, extracting almost every drop of juice, and all this in order to make sure, as far as possible, that there is not a drop of blood left, because their great law-giver, Moses, has prohibited them even the blood of animals; and no people have a greater horror of it, and therefore I am persuaded that they are entirely innocent of this cruel accusation !

" The Priest rose next, and said : — " I know that in different ages this accusation has been made against the Jews of using human blood in their Passover cakes. I blush to own that this scandalous accusation has originated, to our disgrace, in the Cathohc Church ; but it is as cruel as it is false to charge them with such a crime. I think I can remove every vestige of doubt or suspi cion from the minds of the jury and the public at large, by reminding them in the first place, that our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ was a Jew, and the Apostles were Jews, and they certainly would not have eaten Passover cakes with any blood in them. In the next place, let me remind you that the first Church consisted only of Jews, and they forbade the first believers from among the Gentiles to eat blood and things strangled.

This is a proof beyond all contradiction, that they them selves could not be guilty of it. I wish it, therefore, to go forth from here, that it is a base calumny, which, I trust, will never be heard of again." The Burgomaster was then about to address the jury, but the miller asked to be allowed to say a few words. He rose, and said : — b2 " Your Honour and Gentlemen of the Jury : I am anxious to state that, though my wife and I feel poignantly the loss of our only beloved child, we never for one moment suspected the Jews. 1 know myself, because for many years I have had to grind their wheat for their Passover cakes, how careful they are that no foreign substance should get mixed with the flour; and I have also frequently seen, from beginning to end, the process of making the cakes, and I can testify that they are not made of anything but flour and water, and that not even salt is used !

" The Burgomaster then addressed the jury as follows : — " Wp have now had this sad matter thoroughly investigated. You have heard the opinion ofthe Doctor and the views of my assessors, as well as of the father ofthe child. There cannot be the least doubt in the mind of any one as to how the child met with her death, namely, by falling into the pond and being drowned ; and that the Jews are not only entirely innocent ofthe abominable charge that has been brought against them, but that they are incapable of committing such a crime. I further take this opportunity of declaring that they are the most important and useful members of the com munity. Without them there would be no t-oiiimerce; and you could not dispose of your produce aud obtain any article vou need without them; you would have no agricultural implements or household necessaries without them ; and last, but not least, you would not have a drop of Vodky, for they are the only distillers.

I feel certain, therefore, that you will unanimously acquit them, and unite with me in sending in a claim to the Government for the damage done to their property during the late disgraceful disturbance ! " The foreman of the jury instantly rose and •said : — " Your Honour and Gentlemen Assessors : I do not think the jury will want to retire for any further consideration, for I feel sure we are all convinced of the Jews' entire innocence of the charge which has unfortunately been brought against them, and if your Honour will put it to the jury at once, they will, I am sure, unanimously agree in the verdict of 'Not guilty' ! " The Burgomaster then put it to the jury: — " Do you agree with your foreman ? " All immediately said, " Yes, yes." The Chief Rabbi then rose and said : — "It has been a great affliction to us to be charged with such a crime, which we felt far more than any -destruction of our property.

But now that you have so honourably acquitted us, I beg to assure you in my own name and in behalf of my -community, that we will endeavour to forget all, and will not allow a vestige of revenge to rankle in our breasts, but will try more than ever to promote harmony and good will." Thus ended a sad affair which happily was not attended with any loss of life, and the Govern ment eventually compensated the community for the destruction of their property. Another result was a closer friendship between the Rabbi and Herr von Waldmere, to the great comfort of the children, who were now allowed to play with each other without hindrance, to which Madame Rabbi yielded with as good a grace as she possibly could. • CHAPTER HI. Education. UHE children profited by this relaxation of restraint, and frequently played together after school hours in one or the other of the gardens, for at the suggestion of Herr von Waldmere a little gate had been made in the fence for the children to pass to and fro, so that there was no longer any barrier between them.

Frank had the advantage of a good education, having been taken in hand by his father who had both the ability and leisure for it ; but Esther was at a disadvantage in this respect, for the Rabbi had neither the leisure nor the aptitude to teach a girl, and her mother had only an ordinary education. The subject of the child's culture, however, occupied the Rabbi's mind very much, for he was determined that Esther should have a thoroughly good education, both for her own sake and as an example to the community. The only way of accomplishing it was by engaging a well qualified governess ; but unfortunately it was not possible to find one in those days, who belonged to the Jewish faith. The Rabbi himself had no scruples about employing a Christian governess, but he knew that Madame would be utterly opposed to it.

He could not see his way out of the difficulty, and therefore determined to have a serious conver sation with his better half on the subject. When he broached the matter to her, she appeared perfectly indifferent — she did not, she said, feel any great need for it ; but when the Rabbi spoke determinately that he would not have Esther grow up without an efficient education, she replied in a huff: — "You can do as you like with your daughter." Then came the difficulty — a most crucial point. " My dear," said the Rabbi, " the difficulty is to get an efficient governess. There are none to be had except at Berlin, and that not amongst our people, but amongst Christians; for our people as yet, somewhat neglect the education of their daughters." Madame Rabbi fired up at once at the thought of her daughter being educated by a Christian, and even of having one in the family.

" I cannot endure the thought," she said, "aud what will the people say ? " Rabbi. — " Don't excite yourself, my dear ; but reflect, in the first place, that nobody need know that the governess is not a Jewess, unless you tell the people, which you need not do. And as regards having a Christian in the house, we have them on Sabbath-days and Festivals to do things for us which we are not allowed to do ourselves, and I confess that I can see no difference ! " Madame Rabbi. — " Well, my dear husband, you are the Rabbi and guide of the community, and if you don't think it wrong, you can do as you like ! " Rabbi. — " My dear wife, I always thought that you were a woman of good sense, and you have never given better proof of it than in trusting to me now." The Rabbi at once wrote to his brother in Berlin to look out for and to engage an able Christian governess, and ere many days passed, Miss Kriiger, a young lady of twenty-three, arrived, and was forthwith introduced into the family, and entrusted with her pupil; and from the first moment almost, governess and pupil took to each other, and the attachment increased daily.

All went on quietly and peacably now, and both Frank and Esther became daily more interesting, and were the tal* of the whole neighbourhood, and certainly both promised to grow up very handsome. The von Waldmeres very sensibly attended most carefully to Frank's training in behaviour and manners as well as to his education ; and fortunately for Esther her governess was a very sensible lady too, and carefully counteracted her mother's proclivity to over indulging and spoiling her. Both the children were now ten years of age. Esther was much developed for her age, and the neighbours would praise her beauty even in her presence, which pleased the vain and foolish mother; but, whether owing to the principles inculcated by the judicious governess, or to the natural disposition of the child, it did not affect her in the least ; indeed she seemed utterly indifferent to their praises, and paid no attention to what was said about her.

Her manners and general demeanour also became most engaging, and her voice musical and charming — in a word, she delighted everybody who came in contact with her. The Shadchonim (matrimonial agents) began now to busy themselves about her, for amongst the Jews in that country marriages were contracted early, and betrothals at an extremely early age. Offers of alliance began to come from near and far, even as far as from Holland, where the report of her beauty and character, as well as the fame of the Eabbi had reached, and the wealthiest were eager for the alliance. The Eabbi was a reformer in many things, and especially set his face against early marriages. He himself set the example, for he was not married till he was thirty and had obtained an honourable post, though he was considered young for that.

He turned a deaf ear even to the betrothal of his child at an age when she could neither have choice nor voice in the matter. The people in general, and the mother in particular, did not agree with the Eabbi, and thought him eccentric in opposing an old established custom, but he was determined, and refused to listen to the mother's expostulations, sternly requesting, that the matter should not be thought of for the present, and that the child's education should be continued without distraction. The governess quite agreed with the Eabbi, and as she was very fond of her pupil, she took great pains with her and was very proud of her progress in language and instrumental music. Esther was fond also of history and astronomy to the great delight and satisfaction of her father ; but the mother thought that it was utterly unbecoming and even wrong to teach her such knowledge, which she considered, she said, more fit for the daughters of the Gentiles than for those of Israel.

Moreover, she could not see the use of it at all. She did not know anything about those things herself, she argued, and could do without them very well. The community in general did not approve of it either. They did not think science at all necessary to make her a good wife, for which, according to their notions, the knowledge of certain ceremonial observances and of house keeping was all that was necessary. Another two years passed and Esther and Frank were now twelve years of age, and both had made progress in their education beyond most children of their age. Madame von Waldmere's attachment to Esther increased daily, and on one occasion she asked her, why she did not learn to sing as well as play, as she had such a nice voice. Esther replied that she should like very much to sing, but her governess could not sing, though she was a good pianist.

Madame von Waldmere rejoined, " I should be delighted to teach you myself, if your parents would consent to your learning." " I think my father would like it very much, but I don't think my mother would. I am, however, so anxious to learn to sing as you do, .__.___ .__. __ Arj.£isj iy 29 imod at au, _uaay comers, j. speas. lu yuu rankly . . . the case is too serious.' ' Upon my soul, Lady Maud, what a fuss aboul lothmg. ' It may be nothing to you, but it is everything o me. Lady Beatrix Vernon's reputation ought lot to be tampered with, unless upon good authority [ warn you against trusting to servants. Thej ire our enemies.' 'You are quite right, dear Maud,' said Ladj Somers, after a moment's silence ; ' please forgel what I have said . . . don't say a word aboul it.' 'Don't he alarmed. T am not, such a fool as t.n ac about spreading servants' gossip.

You are to. .»*»__.-., . li-M . c r.__ov» T-oslTT Wr. ty, aya 4-r\r\ l_-.r_.l I ot_ UCUU1UUS3, u.at _i__cn_-y sjulucio, luu -_.i_-_.u. x ct>__ afraid your maid puts on you sometimes. Shi looks so impudent.' ' She is an impudent ape ! I am thinking o getting rid of her.' ' The sooner the better ; she is too mischievous too artful for a kind-hearted lady like you.' ' You are quite right. I am not up to her. Shi is artful, deceiving ! ' ' Now, dear Lady Somers, I really must be going Thank you very much for the pleasant afternooi I have spent with you. It was a most delightfu Ute-db-Ute. Come and see me soon.' will never be fit to keep house if her mind is crammed with what I call nonsense, and with music and singing also she will have no time for anything else." Rabbi. — " My dear wife, you speak without ex perience.