ABSTRACT
I gladly pay my tribute of unstinted admiration for the lofty tone which pervades Mr. Simon’s article. Its idealism is in striking and gratifying contrast to the materialistic spirit that characterized another apologia recently published, which constituted a presentment of Judaism—with all the Judaism left out. I also willingly concede, that, at the first blush, the scheme he propounds for propagating the faith of Israel beyond the confines of the Jewish race has much to attract and fascinate. It would appear as though the realization of this project would free us from the reproach which Professor Max Müller levelled at us in his famous lecture on Missions, delivered by him in Westminster Abbey, Dec. 3, 18731. He asserted that the Jews, particularly in ancient times, never thought of spreading their religion, and that when in later days they did admit strangers to some of the privileges of their theocracy, they looked upon them, not as souls that had been gained, but as strangers (םירג), as proselytes (προσήλυτοι), men who had come to them as aliens, and that from the lack of this missionary spirit the days of Judaism were numbered. In a discourse I then published, under the title, “Is Judaism a Missionary Faith?” I disputed the validity of the Professor’s assertion. I showed, by reference to history, that we had at all times been willing to receive proselytes who came to us prompted by sincere conviction, but I pointed out the perils and disadvantages attending active propagandism.
