Following in the wake of the Napoleon Wars (1804-1815) in which Napoleon conquered much of Europe, came the emancipation of the Jews of Western Europe. For hundreds of years the Jews had been economically and politically marginalized and physically confined to the ghettoes of Europe. After Napoleon, the Ghetto walls came down and the Jews of Western Europe were free to enter European society for the first time. For better and for worse, this represented one of the greatest periods of transformation for these Jewish communities. These new freedoms allowed the Jews of Europe to prosper and have tremendous impact on European society, but also led to a wave of secularization, assimilation and even conversion to Christianity.
August 15th is the birthday of Napoleon. The following article, written by Mr. Ben Weider, the president of the International Napoleonic Society ,gives us much food for thought about anti-Semitism, assimilation and Jewish identity in the world today.
One of the many contributions that Napoleon has made, and perhaps his most important and lasting one, was his Civil Code. This was written at a time in history when discrimination was rampant. It was then that Napoleon decided to liberate and offer Liberty, Equality and Fraternity to Jews, Protestants and Freemasons. He also opened the churches that were closed for years.
The Civil Code of 1804 was to grant religious freedom to all of them. At the time, there were about 480,000 Calvinists and 200,000 Lutherans living in France.
In 1804, Napoleon arranged for the public regulation of the Protestant communities and then decided that the State would assume the responsibility for the salaries of their pastors.
Now, how did Napoleon's involvement with the Jews come about? It started on the 9th of February 1797. When Napoleon occupied Ancona, a strange thing happened. He was amazed when he saw some people wearing yellow bonnets and arm bands on which was the "Star of David." He asked some of his officers why these people were wearing the bonnet and arm bands and what was its purpose.
Napoleon authorized the closing of the ghetto and allowed the Jews to live wherever they wanted.
When he was told they were Jews and they had to be identified so they could return to the ghetto in the evening, he immediately gave an order that they should remove the yellow bonnet and armbands. He then authorized the closing of the ghetto and allowed the Jews to live wherever they wanted and to practice their religion openly.
Why did Napoleon do this?
Here is yet another incident of interest. On the 12th of June 1798 when the French occupied Malta, he learned that the Jews were not permitted to practice their religion in a synagogue. He immediately gave them permission to build a synagogue.
Again I ask -- Why did Napoleon do this?
Now here is an amazing incident that is not generally known. When the French troops were in Palestine, and besieging the city of Acre, Napoleon had already prepared a Proclamation (see Appendix) making Palestine an independent Jewish state. He felt confident that he could occupy Acre and the following days he would enter Jerusalem and from Jerusalem he would issue his proclamation. He was unable to realize this project because of the intervention of the British.
This proclamation was printed and dated the 20th of April 1799, but his unsuccessful attempt to capture Acre prevented it from being issued. The Jews had to wait about 150 years before their state was proclaimed.
Why did Napoleon do thi?
It just doesn't make sense, because he had nothing political to gain. However, the answer could be discovered in a private conversation that Napoleon had with Dr. Barry O'Meara, which took place on the Island of St. Helena. On the 10th of November 1816, Dr. O'Meara (who was Napoleon's personal physician at the time) asked the Emperor point blank as to why he was encouraging and supporting the Jews. The Emperor Napoleon replied, and I quote, "My primary desire was to liberate the Jews and make them full citizens. I wanted to confer upon them all the legal rights of equality, liberty and fraternity as was enjoyed by the Catholics and Protestants. It is my wish that the Jews be treated like brothers as if we were all part of Judaism. As an added benefit, I thought that this would bring to France many riches because the Jews are numerous and they would come in large numbers to our country where they would enjoy more privileges than in any other nation. Without the events of 1814, most of the Jews of Europe would have come to France where equality, fraternity and liberty awaited them and where they can serve the country like everyone else."
During the different periods of Napoleon's career, his sympathy for the Jews was clearly noted. He did everything he could to assure that the Jews were treated on an equal basis as Catholics and Protestants.
The French Revolution in 1789 was to change all the various restrictions that Jews had to face in France. It was on the 27th of September 1791 that France adopted a decree, which accorded the Jews of France full citizenship. However, the Legislative Assembly, did not take any specific measures to apply this new freedom that was granted to the Jews. The National Convention closed the synagogues, forbid the use of the Hebrew language and in general made their lives difficult.
Under the Directory, the synagogues were open again and Jews got involved in business and in political life. But, in general, the Jews were barely tolerated. Before Napoleon took over the leadership of the French government, the political situation of the Jews was precarious, unstable, and had to submit to negative laws, and according to specific regions of France, they were some times treated in a liberal manner and some times in a tyrannical manner.
Napoleon stood firm in his support of Jewish equality.
Napoleon was the only government leader that gave Jews equality when most other nations kept them in bondage. When strong opposition in France manifested itself, Napoleon stood firm in his support of Jewish equality. When Napoleon came to power, he did not liberate the Jews for political reasons because there were not much more than 40,000 in all of France, who were living in various provinces.
The province where Jews were most persecuted was Alsace, where half of the Jewish population of France was living. In Paris, there were approximately 1,000 Jews. They were excluded from doing business, excluded from government positions and from the purchase of property.
The new law dated the 8th of April 1802, which dealt with the organization of various religions, the principle leader of this law was Jean-Etienne Portalis who said: "Jews should participate as equals, like all other religions as permitted by our laws."
Although there was tremendous opposition by the anti-Semites, Isaac Cerf-Berr, one of the leading Jewish citizens, presented to Minister of Religion Portalis a specific plan that would ensure Jewish integration into the population. The plan was brought to Napoleon at his camp in Boulogne in 1805. He approved the plan and instructed Portalis to implement it as quickly as possible.
It was in 1806, after the Austerlitz campaign, that Napoleon aggressively supported total liberty for the Jews. Notwithstanding this, the French newspaper, the Mercure de France, published a violently anti-Semitic article stating that the Jews could have freedom in France provided they all converted and became Catholic.
Great opposition to Napoleon's plan to make equal citizens out of the Jews living in France was led by Molé, Beugnot, Segur, and Regnier. Notwithstanding this heavy opposition, including anti-Semitism generated by numerous newspapers, Napoleon was quoted as saying, "This is not the way to solve the Jewish question. I will never accept any proposals that will obligate the Jewish people to leave France, because to me the Jews are the same as any other citizen in our country. It takes weakness to chase them out of the country, but it takes strength to assimilate them."
The decree issued on 30th of May 1806 requested that a special assembly of Jewish leaders and Rabbis from all of the different French departments, would meet in Paris and discuss all outstanding matters including answering questions dealing with accusations against the Jews made by the anti-Semites.
On the 23rd of July 1806, all of these representatives met in Paris. During this time Napoleon stated: "My desire is to make Jews equal citizens in France, have a conciliation between their religion and their responsibilities in becoming French, and to answer all the accusations made against them. I want all people living in France to be equal citizens and benefit from our laws."
One hundred eleven representatives of the Jewish community, representing all the various departments of France and Northern Italy met at the City Hall situated at St. Jean on rue des Piliers. Napoleon had requested answers to accusations made against the Jews so he could understand their position clearly
* * *
Tsar Alexander of Russia protested violently against the liberation of the Jews and encouraged the Orthodox Church in Moscow to protest aggressively. Catholic Austria and Protestant England also protested. In Prussia, the Lutheran Church was extremely hostile towards Napoleon¹s decision and reaction in Italy was also not favorable but not as aggressive.
Napoleon was concerned about these protests, which also included some leading personalities in France. Therefore, in 1806, after the campaign of Prussia, and shortly after the victory at Jena, he made a speech in the city of Posen on the 29th of November 1806, where he gave the results of the deliberations of the Sanhedrin, which pleased him very much.
The "Sanhedrin"* was convened again on 31st of January 1807 for two months, in order to fine-tune the law that would make the Jewish religion equal. The special decree of 1806 liberated the Jews from their isolation. Judaism became the official third religion of France and the method Napoleon implemented to have Rabbis serve the nation is still in effect today and is the basis of the government's relation to the Jewish population.
The uncle of Napoleon, Cardinal Fesh, also got involved. He told Napoleon, "Sire, so you wish the end of the world to come with your actions to give the Jews equality as Catholics."
Even Marshall Kellermann supported by Mole mobilized opposition to Napoleon's laws about the Jews and recommended strongly that the Jews be prohibited from dealing in commerce. The Emperor replied formally and strongly, "We must prevail in encouraging the Jews who are only a very small minority amongst us. In the departments of the East, we find a great number of Jews that are very honest and industrious."
Because of the tremendous amount of criticism that Napoleon was receiving from such famous personalities as Chateaubriand, Cardinal Fesh, Marshal Kellermann, Tsar Alexander and numerous others, Napoleon felt obligated to introduce a "Restrictive Decree." On the 17th of March 1808, this decree limited the freedom given to the Jews. His plan was to reduce criticism to a manageable level and then gradually, over time, remove the restrictions one-by-one.
On the 11th of April 1808, Napoleon received into a special audience, Mr. Furtado and Maurice Levy of Nancy, who wanted to express the emotions of their co-religionists about the restrictive decree. After hearing them out, he immediately ordered 13 departments, including those of Le Midi, The Southwest and Les Vosges to eliminate the decree. In June of that same month, Livourne and the lower Pyrenees were also ordered to remove the "Restrictive Decree."
Therefore, within three months of this restrictive decree, more than half of the departments involved were able to reinstate the liberty extended to their Jewish citizens. The last holdout was Alsace. This province eventually removed the restrictions.
Therefore, in 1811, all restrictions were removed and nothing from a political or civil activity distinguished the Jews from non-Jews in France.
Here is a true anecdote that proves how Napoleon was sympathetic to his Grognards. A young member of the Army served with exceptional bravery. He was from Alsace. The Emperor decided to decorate him with a medal in front of his troops. The Emperor said, "David Bloom, you are a brave soldier. Your place with the Old Guard is inevitable." Then he took off his own silver medal, which he wore proudly, and pinned it on David Bloom's uniform.
David Bloom responded by saying, "Sire, I am from Alsace and I find it difficult to accept this decoration as long as my family is being dishonored by French laws that limit their equality and freedom." Napoleon was visibly upset and was reported to have said, "They have lied to me again, and I will correct these unfair restrictions immediately."
Due to the close collaboration between the administration officials and the local Rabbis and leaders, the Jews were able to leave the ghettos where they were confined and to participate freely in the life of France. Jews were able to enroll in the universities, participate in whatever professions they wanted and were able to work for various government agencies. Nothing was prohibited any more.
The Imperial Almanac of 1811 reported that the Jewish religion was now one of three religions accepted by the French government. Napoleon's effort to liberate the Jews was effective, not only in France, but also in all the other countries where France ruled. The new Civil Code, which Napoleon created, assured liberty, fraternity, and equality of all peoples regardless of their religion or station in life.
After the Congress of Vienna and the creation of the Holy Alliance, the laws permitting equality, liberty and fraternity were retracted and were not applied again until 1830 when the principles fixed by the French Revolution and the First Empire, were re-instated.
In 1811, thanks to Napoleon's effort, Portugal allowed Jews complete freedom and permitted them to open their synagogues that were closed for over 200 years. Prussia followed in 1812 but retracted the liberal laws in 1815 after the Battle of Waterloo. Other European nations assimilated the Jews between 1824 and 1867, notably Holland in 1830, Sweden in 1834 and Switzerland in 1838.
It is remarkable that in England, it was only in 1858, after Lord Lionel Rothchild was elected five times, was he permitted to take his seat in parliament. It is also interesting to know that the laws that were passed in France in 1808 are still in existence even to this day.
To show how much the Jewish people appreciated Napoleon's efforts on their behalf, the Jewish of France printed a special Prayer, which was included in their services. This Prayer, in itself, shows the high esteem that the Jewish of France had for the Emperor Napoleon. To see a reproduction of the original Hebrew prayer and its English translation, click here.
Additionally, a very colorful and poetic Hebrew sonnet was written in honor of Napoleon during his reign. To read a Spanish translation of the original Hebrew, click here. To read a French translation of the original Hebrew click here.
*The term Sanhedrin (Greek word for "seventy") was borrowed here from the ancient Sanhedrin which was the supreme court of the Jewish people which existed from the Exodus from Egypt until the 4th century C.E.
(34) Mark Goodman, February 20, 2021 3:24 PM
footnotes?
Where are these quotations from? I need references please for a paper I am working on.
(33) Eileen H, August 4, 2020 7:04 AM
My Great Great Great Grandparents
I always wondered why my maternal french jewish great great Grandparents (born early 1800's) were named Napoleon and Josephine. I had always supposed they had assimilated but now I see probably not! Very exciting information!
(32) Anonymous, August 3, 2020 4:24 PM
The name Napolean
I gave my youngest son the middle name Napoleon now I know why. He is 41 yrs. old and just recently learned his great-great grandfathers middle name was Napoleon. Coincidence, no from G-d. Shalom
(31) Robyn, February 9, 2018 3:48 PM
A man to be admired
He was destroyed by the 2nd most brutal Empire of this world, which is Great Britain. Only Nazi Germany was worse. Napoleon was a brave man, and that pig in Animal Farm insults him by sharing his name. He was also a soldier. A king who FOUGHT with his men. A leader who didn't just sit on his butt and yell "Hey you, risk your life and fight for war while only I benefit.", but fought with them. If only he didn't try to take over Russia, who knows what would have happened. France is known for being cowardly, but Napoleon disproves those outrageous accusations by his memory. He is one of France's heroes, and one of Judaism's heroes as well.
(30) CarolynM, May 4, 2015 8:22 PM
So what happened to conditions for the Jews of France AFTER the fall of Napoleon?
I want to know details of what happened in France AFTER the fall and exile of Napoleon. My understanding is that they worsened again and that there were large numbers of conversions to Catholicism in the mid-1800s, and baptisms of babies of Jewish parents. If this is true was it for social and economic reasons, was it because rights were stripped including rights to education and full participation in society? What was going on in the 2 or 3 decades after the fall and exile of Napoleon? Is it true there were large numbers of conversions to Catholicism/baptisms for economic and social rights reasons, after the fall of Napoleon? If this is true, there are large numbers of descendants of French Jews who probably don't know of their Jewish ancestry.
(29) colette naegle, September 13, 2014 5:01 AM
Napoleon
Was distroyed by the British, what a great courageous man he was!!!
He transformed Europe from a feudal system to a modern age. Instituted the metric system, Was the first archeologist in Egypt.
France was invaded by europe, he pushed back th invaders and went into their countries. The only two countries who remained wre russia and England.He is a hero no0t a vilain!!!!
(28) Richard Rabinowitz, January 10, 2014 4:55 AM
What came before
Jews had been expelled from France in 1394, and they were expelled from Provence in 1501, some 20 years after France had annexed that country. In the early 17th century, Jews began filtering back into France. However, the French then banned Christians from talking with or sheltering Jews on pain of death, in 1615. France took over Alsace and Lorraine in 1648, and harassed the Jews living there, extorting taxes from them. (They weren't banned, though.) Jews were expelled from Martinique when it was overrun in 1685, though.
The 18th century saw more toleration of Jews in France. Authorities let foreign Jews live in Paris, and Jews were allowed to live all over France in 1785. However, the Revolution broke out in 1789, and French attitudes towards the Jews was mixed at that time. Some Jews participated; some other Jews were rioted against. Such were the conditions at the time of the Revolutionary emancipation of 1791.
The Jews had found themselves emancipated, in several places, but their religion abolished, along with the Catholics'. Napoleon reversed this abolition after taking power.
Napoleon was friendly to Jews until 1808, when he restricted freedom for Jews to live in some places and reduced/forgave debts to Jews. Jewish rights were restored again under Napoleon, starting in 1811 and being completed close to his fall in 1818. (My guess is that 1808 saw Napoleonic France with some sort of economic crisis brewing.)
(27) Bernard, July 17, 2013 2:25 AM
Napoleon was a friend of mine
Can you envision how the future would have been altered( and for the better) had Napoleon won the battle at Acre and his proclamation of April 20, 1799 had been enacted ?"what might have been "
(26) Anonymous, June 17, 2011 2:05 AM
Note Bene
I would just love it f you could please research this very important figure: Rabbi Abraham Andrade French Rabbi; born in the last quarter of the eighteenth century; died at Bordeaux, 1836. During the Reign of Terror (1793–94) his energy and eloquence prevented the erection of a guillotine in the market-place of St. Esprit (near Bayonne), and instead of the guillotine the town was adorned with a statue of Jean Jacques Rousseau. He was an active member of the Great Sanhedrin which met at Paris in 1807. While Rabbi at St. Esprit he was elected "deputy of the Jewish Nation" to the Assembly of Notables convoked by Napoleon I. in 1806. He was on the committee of nine charged with the organization of the Sanhedrin, and devoted himself in a serious and broad-minded spirit to the work of that body. In 1809 he was elevated to the office of Chief Rabbi of Bordeaux, in which position he remained till his death, maintaining friendly relations with the authorities of the Catholic Church
Bernhardt, July 17, 2013 2:30 AM
But.....Jean Jacques Rousseau ?
He was a flaming Anti -Semite
(25) Annette, January 2, 2008 7:23 PM
this doesn't have to be a black or white issue
Napoleon was a Liberator; if he wanted to do what was best for France he had 2 choices with the Jews,as other nations did: do or die; if Napoleon actually insisted in Liberty and freedom for all, it did not absolutely have to come with tonnes of love for any group in particular; the Jews very well could have been a non issue to him due to the lack of numbers; this does not imply either love or hate, this is where the balance - at least in this article comes to light.
There are many many Christian groups now a days acting 'Jew-friendly' and 'Israel -friendly', supportive of Jews and Jewish causes more so than many Jews; it does NOT imply these groups actually love us; it does imply they have a goal in mind, possibly trying to be fulfilled by the blessing given to Abraham (and descendants)by The Almighty 'those who bless you will be blessed...' or yes, some other goal (this, in trying to pass judgement positively as we are taught); nor does it mean they aren't preparing to 'mass convert the Jews' at some point.
From the main article and the comments, this man sounds more fair than megalomaniac. And we need to seek the truth even in non Jewish matters. I was raised in a Spanish country, and History class had a different view of the English or the French than what Northamericans learned, and different than what Europeans learned... hmmm
As for the Baal HaTanya, he must have been very close to the Czar like it or not, his decisions surely had to be to protect the Russian Jews - how could we possibly judge him? a tzadik in a very tight spot! what would you have done? do you really think you'd be able to sit across the table and chit chat your way to freedom with the Czar??
NOW Napoleon is starting to look really good!
Let's put ourselves in 'their' shoes first, and forget this silly libertarian petty sofa psychology that never gets off the sofa.
Napoleon could not have been so bad given general history, anywhere.
Fine article!
Alexander, February 13, 2013 10:43 AM
Napoleon no liberal
A very helpful article, agreed. But before we think that Napoleon was a forward thinking political liberal, or even a liberator, let us remember that he *reinstituted* slavery in French colonies. What some gained under Napoleon, many others lost.
Asher, January 9, 2014 11:40 AM
Baal HaTanya's position proved correct
BS"D
The Baal HaTanya saw Napoleon as an enemy, destructive to the Jewish people. The Rebbe was against Napoleon because he saw that Napoleon's true aim was to diminish the Jews, changing them into Frenchmen whose religion happened to be Judaism. (Ask most American Jews and they will say they are Americans whose religion is Jewish.) Thus, one who was "not so religious" could easily assimilate and intermarry with no qualms, the post-Napoleonic plight. In this light it is easier to understand the nazi infatuation with Napoleon.
(24) Ben Weider, September 2, 2007 4:00 AM
additional comments by author
When Napoleon offered "liberty, fraternity and equality" to the Jews of France, there was descent amongst the Jews themselves that were based on the following facts:
1. One extremely large section of the Jews wanted to get involved in higher education, teaching in universities and colleges, opening businesses, traveling, and joining various sporting and cultural clubs, and they were extremely happy. They did not like living in ghettos. This group was extremely pleased.
2. The other groups were the Hasidim and other ultra Orthodox Jewish people. They were concerned about assimilation and preferred that the Jews remained living in ghettos and be isolated from the balance of the population. They were extremely concerned that mixing with the non Jews would be responsible for assimilation, mixed marriages, etc. These Jews were unhappy.
That was basically the problem, and it was certainly not politically important for Napoleon to offer this "liberty, fraternity and equality" to the Jews, other than his desire to do so. There was no political motivation.
There is another point, which should be brought out, and that is as follows:
It was not Napoleon who created the so called "Napoleonic wars". It was England who financed 7 coalitions against France, and together with the reactionary kings of Europe, wanted to bring the Bourbons back into power, as they were part of the reactionary kings.
All the wars that Napoleon conducted were wars to protect France and to prevent them from being occupied by the enemy.
Here is a parallel, which could be made with regards to modern history and the establishment of the state of Israel. Here are the facts:
When the United Nations declared a Jewish state in Palestine, had the Arabs accepted it, Israel would have been the same size now, as it was when the state was approved by the United Nations.
However, since the Arabs continued to attack Israel, because they wanted to destroy it, Israel defeated the Arabs and was able to occupy some of their territory.
After several wars, Israel's size was enlarged and it became what it is today.
If we are drawing the same parallel with Napoleon, then we would have to say today that Israel was a nation that was blood thirsty and responsible for the death of thousands of its young men, who fought in the Israeli Army against the Arabs.
Sometimes when people are too emotionally involved in a situation, they cannot understand the facts or give the facts their proper place in history.
With regards to the message reference "Anonymous 8-13-2007", which was sent at 1:01 p.m., about "Napoleon – Great Man or Murderer?"
Anonymous made the statement that he believes that Napoleon was megalomaniac and was responsible for much bloodshed.
This proves that he has not read all of the literature or understood the motivations for "The Wars Against Napoleon".
Napoleon never started a war. He responded to the coalitions that were organized against France by England and the reactionary kings. He fought to defend France.
If we are to accept what Anonymous believes in, then we must accept that Israel and its Generals and leaders are megalomaniacs and were responsible for much bloodshed.
Israel fought to defend the country and by doing so, a lot of Israelis and Arabs were killed, but the question is, "Who started the war and what would have happened if Israel had not responded?"
The same situation applies for Napoleon.
(23) Anonymous, August 29, 2007 6:31 PM
Baal Hatanya
It is interesting to note that Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the Baal Hatanya supported the Russian Czar against Napoleon. He saw Napoleon as a threat to the jewish way of life. For a complete account please see "Shneur Zalman of Liadi" by Kehot press.
(22) Anonymous, August 18, 2007 2:30 AM
Palestine didn't exist during Napoleon's time
Acco, was in the Sanjak Acco, of the Vilayet Beirut. Palestine did not exist during the Ottoman period. Tel Aviv, for example, founded in 1909 was in The Independent Sanjak Jerusalem!!!
(21) Gary Katz, August 16, 2007 11:48 PM
A little armchair psychology
Perhaps Napoleon identified with the Jews. Napoleon was this short, nebbishy-looking fellow, who overachieved. He might've appreciated the underdog Jews, who overcame roadblock after roadblock, jealousy, mindless hatred, slander and resentment to survive. It's interesting how he was subjected to criticism for sticking his neck out for the Jews. It reminds me of the criticism leveled by the Muslim world at large at any prominent Muslim who confesses his/her admiration for what Jews (particular Israelis) have accomplished).
(20) Ben Weider, August 16, 2007 6:31 AM
AUTHOR RESPONDS
I would like to respond to Michael Goland and why Napoleon treated the Jews with equality, fraternity and liberty, based on facts.
Napoleon's sympathy for the Jews was not created by the pressures of the Jewish bankers because this sympathy was expressed clearly before Napoleon became the Emperor of France and had control over political events.
When Napoleon was still General Bonaparte, and had no influence over the French government, he still accomplished the following facts which proves he was sympathetic towards Jews.
On his way to Egypt, Napoleon occupied Malta and when the Rabbis asked for permission to build a synagogue, he immediately authorized them to do so because the Templar Knights refused this permission to the Jews of Malta.
When Gen Bonaparte and the French army landed in Egypt, he authorized a proclamation for the Jews to create a state in Palestine. But British intervention prevented it from becoming a reality.
When Gen. Bonaparte and the French army occupied Ancona in Italy, he authorized the closing of the Ghettos.
These actions prove that Napoleon supported the Jews and sympathized with their expressions of becoming French citizens before he had any political power.
(19) Beverly Kurtin, Ph.D., August 14, 2007 11:23 PM
Greed
I was astonished to see that the true reason for Napolean's wish to free us from the tyranny of the past was, as always, based on GREED.
This is not to take away from his sweeping generosity and even humanity, but even today when someone is kind to us we have to look beyond the apparent kindness to see what they want from us.
I was brought up in Connecticut when it was still legal to refuse to rent to Jews, to have restricted beaches and other places of enjoyment. I cannot begin to recall how many jobs for which I was qualified wound up being given to a Gentile because, "I'm really sorry, but we don't hire Jews."
Similarly, I've heard TO MY FACE, "Oh, we'd love to have you live here, you seem to be one of the nice Jews, but we don't rent to your race."
Oh yeah. I left that horrible place in 1964 and got as far away from it as possible...to California where it took half a day to get a job because, come to find out, the owner was Jewish.
I've learned the hard way that when offered a hand to look at what the other hand is doing. And Napoleon knew that when left to prosper, we would bring France the riches he coveted.
To his credit, however, he never allowed Jews to build fortunes only to steal them away as so many other Catholic countries did. So while his reasons for freeing our people in France is suspicious, he DID free us and for that, the entire Jewish communities should honor him.
(18) Anonymous, August 14, 2007 2:35 PM
question of accuracy of article
If one reads the questions posed to the "Sanhedrin" one can see that Napoleon was interested in the assimilation of the Jews. Further, the answers of the Sanhedrin caused problems for Orthodox Jews for generations to come.
(17) M. Zygmunt, August 14, 2007 11:06 AM
Excellent!
(16) bill pickholz, August 14, 2007 8:46 AM
excellent article
more articles like this would be welcomed.
(15) Menashe Kaltmann, August 14, 2007 12:15 AM
I disagree......
Thank you for this interesting article.
I would like to agree with Michael Goland who wrote one of the previous comments. Napoleon had no real love of The Jews, he wanted to ingratiate himself with the wealthy Jews like the Rothschilds. I disagree with the contention that Napoleon was totally committed to the Jews.
Also this article fails to mention the big argument that existed between The Rabbis of Poland and Russia in early 1800's. The majority of Rabbis in Poland wanted Napoleon to win and The Rabbis in Russia especially The Saintly R. Schneur Zalman of Liadi ;The Baal HaTanya wanted the Czar to win.
When Napoleon arrived in Liadiduring his war against Russia he attempted to capture and prison The Baal HaTanya.
(Interestingly there is a story based on a letter The Baal HaTanya sent to his son. In it The Baal HaTanya explained if Napoleon had won the war it would be good materially but not spiritually for the Jewish People of Eastern Europe.) There are other stories that recount who The Baal HaTanya R. Schneur Zalman actively told his Chassidim to support the Czar against the accursed Bonparte.
There are also many questions recorded as being sent by the Torah observant members of Napoleon's Sanhedrin to Rabbinic authorities like the famed saintly Chasam Sofer Tz'l Rabbi Moshe Sofer.
The most famous concerns the Sanhedrin decree to allow the eating of legumes beans on Pesach. The Chasam ruled against this leniency on many grounds.
Possibly Bonparte's Sanhedrin motivation was not totally kosher but he wanted the Jews to assimilate.
(14) bat-sheva ostrow, August 13, 2007 10:56 PM
napoleon and the jews
i cant thank you enough for teaching me this history which i was not enlightened enough. napoleon was somewhat of an enigma to me for too long. now this is clarified. god bless you for teaching me what i should have known before. bat-sheva ostrow, los angeles.
(13) ric, August 13, 2007 9:56 PM
Princess Bonaparte
I understand that the only reason England allowed Sigmund and Anna Freud in when they were fleeing nazi Austria was because of the influence of his friend and former patient Princess Bonaparte.
(12) YH, August 13, 2007 4:28 PM
Russia
When Napoleon invaded Russia, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (also known as the Alter Rebbe and the Baal Ha'Tanya) sided with the Russian Czar - not so much because he appreciated the Czar's policies, but because he feared what would happen if Napoleon would be victorious. "If the Czar prevails, it will continue to be difficult for the Jews materially, but spiritually they will prosper. If Napoleon prevails, by contrast, they will prosper materially, but falter spiritually."
Things weren't so rosy for Jews when Napoleon invaded Russia with the destruction and mayhem wrought by Napoleon's armies in the towns and villages of White Russia. Tens of thousands of Jewish families lost their homes and their livelihoods.
(11) Anonymous, August 13, 2007 1:01 PM
Napoleon - Great man or murderer?
Although Bonapart might have liberated the Jews, one cannot ignore the fact that he was a megalomaniac who was responsible for much bloodshed. I believe that a more balanced article would acknowledge this.
(10) Sandra Hepner, August 13, 2007 8:14 AM
Napoleon was quite a man!!!
In an unfair state of affairs.. Napoleon
stands out like a giant of Liberation...
(9) Justin, August 13, 2007 3:55 AM
I thnk this article is very interesting.
I have never known this about Napoleon and I think it quite eye opening, very very interesting.
(8) Anonymous, August 13, 2007 12:04 AM
Napoleon was a unique man
I am French born and I was so delighted to hear that one man in history recognized the land that God gave to the Jews.
(7) ralph a. kern, August 12, 2007 11:59 PM
suprise
Sir;
I was pleasantly suprised to hear about napolian, and that ben weider,was the author, I have never seen in any text book what napolian did for the jewish folks and it was a breath of fresh air to see it. God bless...
(6) Juan Raul Rael, August 12, 2007 8:59 PM
Hidden treasure is knowing your history
,or is it History is your hidden treasure.
Shalom
Juan Raul Rael
(5) Anonymous, August 12, 2007 11:54 AM
Fascinating
Dr Weiber, I thank you for this very intersesting article. As an American of French descent, always proud of Napoleans efforts to Liberty, fraternity, and Equality and a convert to Judaism, I am so pleased to read about the extreme efforts of Napolean to give to the Jews of France that which all of the rest of france expected for themselves.
(4) Louis Sack, August 12, 2007 11:10 AM
A most interesting history of part of the Napoleonic era which has not, to my knowledge, been taught in schools Thank you for publishing it .
(3) Michael Goland, August 12, 2007 10:44 AM
The Reason Why
A very good article but it didn't point out the impetus to Napoleon's enlightenment. Initially, it should have been clear that his thinking was not the resultof inspiration or of religious enlightened by Jewish scriptures, it was because of the great Jewish investment banking houses lead by the Rothchilds, Lazard, Pincus, Warburg and others that made it impossible for Napoleon to finance his "re-do" of French society and his war efforts. Simply stated, Napoleon could not sell his French government bonds because these great Jewish investment banks were willing to absorb tremendous financial losses by selling other, already existing French bonds at even higher yields (at a lower price, hence the loss) to prospective buyers than Napoleon was offering of Napoleon's newly offered French bonds that he needed to raise cash. Napoleon even lowered the price for his new bonds to raise their yield, but the great Jewish investment banks were not deterred and kept lowering the price (hence raising the yield to new buyers and increasing the Jewish investment bankers losses) on the already existing French bonds. Eventually, Napoleon called a truce and met with Rothchild and others who presented their petition about the unfairness and disingenuousness of the then French policy of liberty, equality and fraternity that did not also include and apply to "us", we Jews. To Napoleon's credcit, he made a deal, and even greater to his credit, Napoleon kept his word both in letter and spirit, even expanding upon it as reflected in this article, which warrranted a prayer from theentire Jewish community. Hashem truly does work in unexpected ways. There are many books that contain this same story about the Rothchilds and others that confirm this story.
(2) George Hafitz M.D., August 12, 2007 10:03 AM
Enlightening
Most informative,. Should be the subject of a book.The prayer should be sent to all synagogues.
(1) Jaime D. Berebichez, August 12, 2007 9:55 AM
Extraordinary
I really liked this study over Napoleon as a statesman which he was better than a soldier. Congratulations