On February 12, 1809, a young, poor, woman from Virginia, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, gave birth to a son in a log cabin built along the banks of Nolin Creek (now Hodgenville, Kentucky.) Her son, Abraham, become one of America’s most admired Presidents.
Lincoln was also beloved in his time (by the North), and was held in high regard by Jewish Americans for his moral and spiritual convictions. As he never identified with a specific faith there has been much speculation about his “Jewish roots,” especially given the mutual admiration between Lincoln and his Jewish friends and advisors, along with his pro-Jewish policies. Let’s look first at how the 16th President stood up for the Jews and was a true “mensch.”
Let’s look at how the 16th President stood up for the Jews and was a true “mensch.”
Lincoln’s Jewish Involvement
*Lincoln was the first President to make it possible for rabbis to serve as military chaplains by signing the 1862 Act of Congress which changed the law that had barred all but Christian clergymen from the role. It all started on September 8, 1861, when a 30-year-old Philadelphia cantor, Michael Mitchell Allen, returned to his encampment with the 65th Regiment of the Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry, known as Cameron’s Dragoons. The regiment of 1,200 men, mostly Jews, elected him their chaplain. Complaints flew up the military ladder. Lincoln, then signed the Act, and Jewish chaplains have been serving in the American Armed Forces ever since.
*He was also the first, and happily, the only President who was called upon to revoke an official act of anti-Semitism by the U.S. government. He canceled General Ulysses S Grant's “Order No. 11” expelling all Jews from Tennessee from the district controlled by his armies during the Civil War. (Grant denied personal responsibility for this act attributing it to his subordinate.)
*Shortly after delivering the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln met Canadian Christian Zionist, Henry Wentworth Monk, who expressed hope that Jews who were being oppressed in Russia and Turkey be emancipated "by restoring them to their national home in Palestine." Lincoln replied this was "a noble dream and one shared by many Americans."
Factoid: Edward Rosewater, a young Jewish member of the Telegraphers Corps of the Union Army, transmitted President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address in 1863. President Lincoln was a frequent visitor to read the field dispatches. After the war, Rosewater founded the Omaha Daily Bee, and was elected and appointed to public offices.
*Lincoln and Jewish lawyer Abraham Jonas (1801-1864) were intimate confidantes. In one correspondence between them Lincoln wrote: "You are one of my most valued friends." The friendship began soon after Jonas settled in Quincy, Illinois in 1838. When Lincoln visited Quincy in 1854, he spent most of his time with Jonas, who came from Kentucky where he served in the State Legislature for four terms. From 1849 to 1851, he was postmaster and Lincoln re-appointed him in 1861. More, Jonas was one of the first to suggest Lincoln for the presidency when Horace Greeley, the editor of the New York Daily Tribune, went to Quincy in December 1858 to meet with leading Republicans to discuss the election of 1860.
*Lincoln and Jewish doctor Isachar Zacharie, an English-born chiropodist, met in September 1862 professionally. The President gave him the following testimonial: "Dr. Zacharie has operated on my feet with great success, and considerable addition to my comfort." Zacharie became both friend and emissary for Lincoln. The New York World wrote that the chiropodist "enjoyed Mr. Lincoln's confidence perhaps more than any other private individual." Zacharie also actively solicited the Jewish vote for Lincoln.
*Lincoln was exceptionally generous to prominent rabbi Dr. Morris J. Raphall of Congregation B'nai Jeshurun. The Rabbi had met Lincoln only once, but asked a favor of the president regarding his son. Raphall told his congregants, Lincoln had "granted it lovingly, because he knew the speaker to be a Jew-because he knew him to be a true servant of the Lord." Lincoln did more for Raphall's son-in-law, Captain C. M. Levy. Levy had been distributing special food and clothing to Jewish soldiers in Washington's hospitals. When he was dismissed from service, Lincoln came to his rescue.
Was “Honest Abe” Really Abe Lin-Cohen --an MOT?
In his study of American Jewry and the Civil War (Philadelphia, 1951), Bertram W. Korn writes that in the eulogy Rabbi Isaac M. Wise delivered after Lincoln’s assassination, he said: "The lamented Abraham Lincoln believed himself to be bone from our bone and flesh from our flesh. He supposed himself to be a descendant of Hebrew parentage. He said so in my presence."
Ever since, speculation has been rife. Google “Abraham Lincoln Jewish” and a plethora of articles appear.
The “Case for Jewish Lincoln”:
- His close friendships with prominent Jews, along with his pro-Jewish policies.
- While Lincoln never professed belonging to a specific faith, he would often refer to his beliefs citing the 20th chapter of the Book of Exodus – the Ten Commandments.
- His name was Abraham. His great-grandfather was named Mordechai.
- His ancestors came from the town of Lincoln in eastern England, established in 1159, it has an interesting Jewish history. During Crusader riots, the Sheriff of Lincoln and the Bishop of London saved the Jews by giving them official protection and taught love of Jews to parishioners. It’s been postulated that when the Jews were ordered out of England, Abraham Lincoln’s ancestors may have been Conversos.
- When Lincoln was assassinated, Jewish communities sat Shiva. Rabbis around the country eulogized the fallen President.
- Lincoln was described as having Sephardic features.
The answer? At present the above “proof” is purely speculation and “evidence” by association. Lincoln's son Robert Todd Lincoln denied the admission of Hebrew ancestry and dismissed the exchange between Lincoln and the rabbi as a "pleasantry."
There isn’t a shred of credible evidence to substantiate Rabbi Wise's assertion that Lincoln identified as having a Jewish heritage, nor was Lincoln known to have shared similar comments to his close Jewish friends, something he surely would done as “Honest Abe” wrote them of many other intimate and political details.
Yet, no doubt Abraham Lincoln could not have been more supportive, sympathetic, or friendlier to the Jews, if he had indeed been one of us.
Ironically, the Lincoln head penny was designed by Russian-Jewish immigrant, Victor David Brenner in 1909 to celebrate Lincoln’s 100th birthday. Happy birthday, Mr. President.
(22) Raymond, August 23, 2018 1:59 AM
Aching for Him to be Jewish
Abraham Lincoln is actually my favorite non-Jew of all time. There is just so much to admire about him, especially his moral values, plus his entire life is absolutely fascinating from beginning to end. I have something like 35 books about him. I can never read enough about him. I so much want him to be Jewish, and yet in all honesty, there does not seem to be any substantial evidence that he was. Still, it is abundantly clear to me that he was very strongly influenced by Torah values, and so even though he probably wasn't Jewish, he should have been.
(21) Ernest Hendrickson MD, July 3, 2018 7:54 AM
affirmed
Lincoln was Jewish . All signs and data are conclusive. He was the most intelligent president, along with Richard Nixon.
(20) jack b ralph, April 11, 2014 3:06 PM
emanciapation
With Lincolns's desire to learn and to appreciate history, I do not doubt that he was familiar with the Emancipation of Jews in history, including the significant New York State Emancipation of Jews in 1777 under George Clinton. A debt that the Afro Americans should also recognize.
(19) Arnold Kunst, January 19, 2013 6:18 PM
Too speculative
I recently heard a lecture on Calufornia's role in the Civil War - the speaker assured us that Lincoln intended to retire to Calufornia. He did not refer to either of the following two facts: 1. His law partner William Herndon reported that Lincoln told him, just before leaving Springfield for his inauguration in Washington, "keep the sign. I'll come back and we'll pick up where we left off as if nothing had happened;" and 2. Mary reported a few days after her husband's assassination, that they discussed, on the afternoon of thr assassinatipn, life after the Presidency, and he said they should visit California. "Visit," not "retire to." Lincoln as would-be California resident and Lincoln as Jewish have one characteristic in common: understandable wishful thinking. Arnold Kunst
(18) Anonymous, November 20, 2012 7:46 PM
It would be nice, but
I have often wondered myself if Lincoln might have had Jewish ancestry. It is very easy to "believe". However, most the information enclosed would not be regarded as "evidence." It is oral history, hearsay, wishful thinking. The historical facts presented, (we will assume they are substantiated in the records), would be evidence if they were not circumstantial. Without a connection to Lincoln's ancestry, there is no authentic evidence for the case. Lincoln was a deeply thoughtful, considered person. He was an intellectual who read broadly, perceived his world and experiences carefully, and studied of it together, carefully. He was a life long student of the Bible, and quoted the Old Testament frequently, in public. He no doubt might have studied other religious books. He could be of many ancestries, including Jewish. That he respected and developed friendships with Jews is hardly unexpected. It would be a natural affinity for him. This is different than speculating, or guessing based on circumstantial information, e.g., coincidental relationships. Lincoln might be Jewish. It is a cool conjecture, to be sure. More than that, I dont think we can say, yet.
(17) Adam James, November 13, 2012 11:33 PM
Abraham Lincoln-A Jewish soul
An absolutely great article! I've been studying Judaism for over two years on my own (10-15 hours/per week). If you open your heart and mind to Judaism; it will take you on an incredible journey. It appears that Mr. Lincoln stood at the crossroads, and admired the scenery......
(16) Anonymous, October 27, 2012 7:58 PM
Lincoln Jewishness
Abe Lincoln could have very well been born to a Sephardi Converso family such as my own. Perhaps he did not openly embrace his roots because he could be more helpful to Judaism remaining like he was...
(15) Anonymous, March 14, 2012 3:13 AM
I do not find this hard to believe...
I do not find this hard to believe. His historical relatives certainly could have been 'converts', as he hinted.
(14) Anonymous, February 19, 2012 2:53 AM
worst president until obana.
And wonderful Abe Lincoln would throw any one in jail that disagrred with him publicly including journalist. No due process just lock them up until they changed their mind. He nearly destroyed the country because he was in the pocket of northern bussinessmen. He allowed his army's to rape pillage burn and murder civilians. He was a disgrace and a fool.
Bill, December 9, 2012 4:25 AM
Why respond?
Callousness and cruelty was a primary feature of slave owners; Egyptian and American.
(13) Stuart J. Schoenberger, Esq., February 16, 2012 5:27 PM
Great read, entertaining and informative.
Unfortunately, I have to agree with the president's son. There is no basis for believing him to be Jewish or otherwise. He certainly believed in G-d, but in no church, or other established religion. However, he was intimately familiar with the Bible and the psalms. He had numerous Jewish friends or acquaintances, but it would be also true that he was not really intimate with anyone.
(12) Nanci Anne Bunch, February 15, 2012 11:56 PM
My Own Affinity for the Jews
Thank you for this article. I can relate to President’s affinity for the Jews. Even though my own ancestry is listed as Anglo-Saxton and my religious affiliation is Christian I have loved everything Jewish ever since I can remember. And that love for the Jews and Israel has, over time, only increased – and I pray for each Jew and Israel to be divinely protected and blessed …
marnie, the author, February 17, 2012 5:01 AM
God bless you!
May God bless you! Shalom with love, Marnie
(11) Sunita, February 15, 2012 10:18 PM
Prez Lincoln - a God fearing man and leader
Anyone, especially a leader who truly fears God will choose to protect not only our Jewish brethren but all people who are persecuted and marginalized by the powers that be. I am very fond of histories one of the best, our 16th President. Incidently, large communities of Jews found refuge in India and settled there, one of those happened to be my grand-parents. America isn't the only country that supported Jews but we are one the most freely giving, supporting & protecting BUT watch out for the current administration!
(10) Karyn Goldstein, February 15, 2012 3:42 PM
Marnie,always fresh,always informative !
It is always surprising how Marnie keeps coming up with new information,giving it her own special spin ! I always look forward to her next article .
(9) marrika nakk, February 15, 2012 6:11 AM
jews in NM USA
many jews came to new mexico usa in the 1600, still many traditions exist today, mixed with existing population...native americans ...complex and very interesting...hiding from progroms in europe etc etc
(8) Mikey, February 15, 2012 2:18 AM
Also, don't forget
He was shot in the Temple
(7) Selwyn Rose, February 14, 2012 7:55 PM
Abraham Lincoln's Jewish roots
Interestingly (and humorously) enough, Leo Rosten in "The Education of Hyman Kaplan" has his eponymous hero refer to "Honest Abe" as - believe it or not - Abraham Lincohen!
(6) Speller, February 14, 2012 6:03 PM
Spelling
Michael, I don't mean to poke fun at your spelling, but maybe you'll be happy to know that I smiled when I saw you write "admiral" instead of "admirable."
(5) Silvia, February 14, 2012 4:38 PM
President Lincoln and the Jewish Community
Very interesting report on Lincoln´s relationship with Jews.
(4) Louise Doan, February 14, 2012 6:17 AM
Definately a JEW
In the 1500's there were Jews from Portugal and Spain who, in order to excape persecution, came to the 'new land' and settled in the Appaliachans. Abraham's father was a one of these-known as Mulgeons, as was my grandfather's father-who worked for Abraham's father. In the earily 1600's when the new settlers found Mulgeons, they also found them to have Bibles-I am assuming the TANACH. Each one of us have some genetic quirks that others seem to not have. I am interesting in speaking with other Jews from Spain and Portugal to see if they too have them. I have shared this info on some Mulgeon sites and now see that President Lincoln is included in the photos-as is Elvis. The Coffins and the Starbucks of my family (of the Underground railroad) were also in a region close to the Lincolns.
Marnie, the author, February 15, 2012 6:33 PM
Fascinating!
I came across information on the Mulgeons with references to Lincoln. Absolutely fascinating. Thanks for adding this piece. Shalom with love, Marnie
(3) Frederica Steller, February 13, 2012 5:47 PM
Abraham Lincoln- Jewish or not?
I thought this was a great article. Lincoln was one of my few favorite presidents. Now, I know why I've always liked Lincoln.
(2) michael, February 13, 2012 3:26 PM
admiral attributes
Many would share in attributes generally described as Jewish,maybe the butterfly effect is more pronounced than we know. Admiral nonetheless.
(1) BEV. R., February 13, 2012 3:20 PM
VERRRRY INTERESTING !!!!
Anything by Marnie Winston-Macauley is worth a read!!