The Sanhedrin continued
to be an important force in Israel until 72 AD when the Roman
General Titus destroyed Jerusalem. The Sanhedrin replaced the
monarchy in Israel in those days and it was their authority that
administered the country. They interpreted the law, and sat as
judges in major cases. This was the first time since the Sanhedrin
was disbanded in Israel that the great liberator "Napoleon"
reconvened it.
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
Napoleon's 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 Iena,
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 finetune 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.
Napoleon
was the first leader in Europe
to grant liberty, equality and fraternity to alI religions.
ln this lithograph of the period,
Napoleon is granting liberty to the Jews.
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 lews 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 lews from
non-lews 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 immedialely."
Due to the close collaboration between the administration officiaIs
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 alI the other countries where France ruled.
The new Civil Code, which Napoleon created, assured liberty,
fraternity, and equality of aIl 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 BattIe of Waterloo. Other European nations assimilated the
Jews between 1824 and 1867, notably Holland in 1830, Sweden in
1834 and Switzerland in 1838.
Il 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.
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Prayer of the
Children of Israel Citizens of France and Italy
for the success and prosperity of our Mater's Ar my The Emperor,
the King Napoleon the Great (may his glory shine)
Composed in the month of Cheshvan, year 5567 (1807)
Psalms chapter
20,21,27,147
I implore Thee, Creator
of Heaven and the Universe and alI who inhabit it. Thou hast
established alI boundaries and limitations of the world and each
nation with its respective language. Thou didst give the Sceptre
of power into the hands of their kings to lead the people under
their reign with righteousness, justice, an uprightness; that
each pers on in his own place should live in peace.
How fortunate we are, how good is our lot, that from Thy hand
glory and beauty were poured out upon the head of a powerful
man, full of vibrancy, NAPOLEON the Great, to sit on the Throne
of France and Italy. Could another be found as worthy as NAPOLEON
deserving of such honours and kingship, who shepherds his people
with sincerity and with the understanding of his heart ? Thou,
GOD, hast wondrously bestowed Thy kindness upon him. As other
Kings of the world approached to fight him, Thou didst protect
him on the day of war, Thou didst save him from those who stood
up against him, until he subdued them and they sought peace from
him. With his kind spirit, he spoke words of peace to them.
Kings have now untied to break their treaty and replace peace
with the blood of war. They have gathered armies to fight against
him and against alI those who admire him. They have come to our
borders, and our master, the Emperor, the King, is standing with
the might of his army to confront them.
O GOD, master of greatness, strength, power and beauty, we implore
Thee to stand next to his righteousness; help him, support him
with Thy mighty arm: guard him as the apple of Thine eye with
an abundance of strength and health. Save him from alI evil and
tell him "I am your salvation."
Send Thy light and truth, that they may lead him. Render foolish
all those who rise against him for evil. Let Thy light shine
upon his plans. Strengthen his armies and those of his allies.
May he succeed in all his endeavors and reign over his enemies.
May they seek peace from him, for he is a man who loves peace,
and peace he will exercise among his nation.
Father of compassion, Master of Peace, implant in the heads of
all Kings and their advisors thoughts of peace and tranquility
for the benefit of all mankind. Let the Sword not pass through
our land and spill the blood of our brethren. Let all nations
unite in total peace and tranquility forever.
May the words of our prayers be acceptable to Thee.
Amen
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Ben Weider,
CM, PhD
President,
International Napoleonic Society
2875, Chemin Bates, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3S
1B7
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The
assassination of Napoleon
by Ben
Weider
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