CHAPTER II

THE SECOND COMMONWEALTH

Return from Babylon-Great Change in the Char-

acter of the Nation-The Scribe rises to Power

-Ezra and Nehemiah strengthen the Observ-

ance of the Law-Malachi introduces the Figure

of Elijah in the Messianic Conception-Ob-

servance of the Law a Condition of the Mes-

sianic Hope-Belief in the Resurrection thus

made more Prominent-Individual Responsi-

bility and Importance stimulated-Rise of

Apocryphal and Apocalyptic Literature-Ben

Sira-The Book of Tobit-Judah Maccabee not

recognized as the Messiah-The Book of Daniel

-The Ethiopic Book of Enoch-Notion of Two

Worlds, the Present and the Future-Apocalypse

of the Twelve Patriarchs-The Third Sybilline

Book-An Exalted Picture of the Reign of the

Messiah--The Psalms of Solomon-The Person

of the Messiah placed in Sharpest Relief-The

Similitudes-Philo and the Messianic Era-The

Unscrupulous Rule of the Roman Procurators

intensifies the Hope for Redemption-John the

Baptist-The Messiahship of Jesus "The

Suffering Messiah " of the Early Christ-

ians

.page 51

CHAPTER III

THE TALMUDIC PERIOD

The Talmud-Halachah and Haggadah-The Hala-

chah the Main Element-The Position of the

Haggadah undefined-The Messiah Idea in the

Talmud not settled-The Hope Intensest after

the Destruction of Jerusalem-Johanan ben

Zakkai's Insistence that Judaism is Law-The

Apocalypses of Baruch and Ezra-The Super-

natural Element emphasized-Baruch's Idea of

the Resurrection-The Hadrianic Revolt-The

Messiahship of Bar-Cochba repudiated by the

Rabbis-The Early Tannaim silent on the Mes-

sianic Ideal-The "Messianic Woes "-Israel's

Sufferings increase-The Wars of Gog and

Magog-The Messiah Son of Joseph-Elijah—

The Person of the Messiah-Political Inde-

pendence-Conversion of the Gentiles-The

Future Jerusalem-A New Covenant of the

Law The Belief in Resurrection-The Feast of

the Righteous-The Date of the Messiah's Ar-

rival-Calculation of the Date discouraged―

Julian the Apostate-His Offer to rebuild the

Temple not received with Enthusiasm-Moses

of Crete-Salutary Influence of the Extravagant

Picture of Messianic Times drawn by the

Rabbis
.page 80

CHAPTER IV

THE RISE OF RATIONALISM

Spread of Mohammedanism-The Geonim and their

Influence-Rabbinic Authority questioned by the

Arabic Jews-The Messiah to lighten the Yoke

of Rabbinism-Serene of Syria advocates Laxity

in the Law-Abu-Isa of Ispahan opposes the

Abbassides "The Mysteries of Rabbi Simeon

ben Johai"-Rise of Karaism-Incentive to a

Rational Study of the Bible-Judah Judghan-

Jewish Religious Philosophy-Saadia Gaon and

his Rational Views on the Messianic Beliefs-

On the Resurrection-He accounts for Israel's

Trials Two Possible Periods of Redemption-

Saadia on the Date of the Messiah-Hai Gaon

-Abraham Albargeloni's Universalism-“ The

Book of Zerubbabel "-The Mother of the Mes-

siah-Jehudah Halevi-Patriotic Spirit in his

Poems-"The Kuzari"-Israel the Heart of the

World-The Mission of Israel-David Alrui-

Moses Maimonides-The Messianic Belief an

Article of Faith-Maimonides takes Rabbinic

Exaggerations figuratively-The Greatest Bless-

ing of the Future-His Belief in the Resur-

rection not Definite-Hasdai Crescas and Joseph

Albo-Their Theory of the Resurrection—

Rationalistic Conceptions not universally ac-

cepted-Still wield a Potent Influence..page 114

CHAPTER V

THE DEVELOPMENT IN THE KABBALAH

Action and Reaction in Human History-Excessive

Rationalism produces Mysticism Mysticism

Valuable in Time of Persecution-The Masses

fail to understand the Kabbalah-Fanciful

Speculations-Credulity of the Masses and the

Pseudo-Messiahs - Nahmanides - His Disputa-

tion with Pablo Christiani-His Idea of the

Messianic Period-Tartar Invasion of Palestine

-Abraham Abulafia's Messiahship-Other Im-

postors-Moses de Leon publishes the Zohar-

Messianic Speculations in the Zohar-The Date

of the Messiah's Arrival-The Period preceding

the Messianic Age-"The Suffering Messiah "-

The Greatest Achievement of the Messianic Age

-The Diffusion of Kabbalistic Lore-Persecu-

tions of the Jews in the Fourteenth Century-

Moses Botarel claims Messiahship-Isaac Abar-

banel on the Advent of the Messiah-Writes

Three Messianic Books-His Views Rational-

Yet indulges in Calculations of the Promised

End-Asher Lämmlein declares himself a Fore-

runner of the Messiah-Hope of the Marranos

aroused-David Reubeni's Political Plans-He

meets with Success in Rome and in Portugal—

Solomon Molcho attracted by Reubeni's Ad-

ventures-Returns to Judaism-Arouses Jews of

Turkey-Encouraged by Events-His Dream-

End of Reubeni and Molcho-The Belief in the

Kabbalah not impaired-Isaac Lurya and Hay-

yim Vital-Beneficent Influences of the Kab-

balah
..page 156

Attitude to the Jews-Hebrew Literature studied

by Christians-The Wars of the Reformation—

Signs of the Messianic Era-Manasseh ben

Israel The Fifth Monarchy Men-The Puritans

-Manasseh effects the Resettlement of the

Jews in England-Aaron Levi identifies the

American Indians with the Ten Tribes-

Manasseh believes the Messianic Era Near at

Hand-Manasseh and Cromwell-Sabbatai Zebi

announces himself as the Messiah-Pronounces

the Ineffable Name of God-Excommunicated

and banished from Smyrna-In Jerusalem-

Nathan Ghazati his Prophet-Recognized as the

Messiah-The Messianic Theory of the Sab-

batians Opposition to Rabbinism-Sabbatai

turns Mohammedan-Excitement not abated by

his Death-Michael Cardoso-Mordecai of

Eisenstadt-Jacob Querido Judah Hasid-

Hayyim Malach-Nehemiah Hiyya Hayyun—

Rabbis oppose the Pseudo-Messiahs-Moses

Hayyim Luzzatto misled by Mystic Speculations

-Yankiev Leibowitz Frank-His Theory about

the Various Messiahs-Frankists declare their

Principles-Their Opposition to the Talmud-

Modern Hasidism-Resumé of the Influence of

the Kabbalah
..page 203

CHAPTER VII

RELIGIOUS REFORM AND ZIONISM

The Emancipation of the Jews-The Desire for
Emancipation causes Apostasy-Reform of the
Worship The Rabbis opposed to Innovations-
The Messianic Hope and the Desire for Equal
Rights--Messianic Prayers in the Early Reform
Prayer-Books-Holdheim and Geiger establish
the Reform Movement on a Scientific Basis-
Disbelieve in Jewish Nationality-Hirsch the
Advocate of Orthodoxy-Spiritualizes the Mes-
sianic Hope-Bernays' Position-Zunz's View-
Second Edition of the Hamburg Prayer-Book—
Frankel justifies the Desire of the Jews for Po-
litical Independence-Salomon fears Suspicion
of Disloyalty to the State-Geiger's Radical
View-Frankel's Second Article justly criticised
-Gabriel Riesser-Rabbinical Conferences-
Einhorn's Theory of the Dispersion of Israel—
Geiger and Frankel on the Retention of He-
brew in the Prayer-Book-Jewish Emancipation
strengthens the Messianic Hope among Eastern
Jews-Modern Zionism-Kalischer's View of the
Messianic Ideal-Other Rabbis protest against
hastening the Period of Redemption-The Move-
ment gains Support-First Colony established in
Palestine-National Sentiment intensified in
Europe-Gives Rise to National Exclusiveness-
Modern Anti-Semitism the Result-Persecution
of the Jews in Russia-Zionism gains many Ad-
herents-Rabbis reconcile the National Re-
awakening with the Messianic Hope-Ahad Ha-
'Am's Philosophic Theory of Jewish Nationalism
-Belief in a Personal Messiah still entertained
by the Majority of Jews-Zionism a Step
toward the Greater Ideal of the Messianic
Era
..page 242