188 2YDZIelement. Yet in Polish-speaking society at large, assimilated Jews formed only a
modest minority. For social reasons, many assimilated Jews shunned publicity of
their Jewish origins, and merged imperceptibly into Polish Catholic circles.
Those who preserved their religious beliefs tended to refer to themselves as 'Poles
of the Mosaic Faith'. In Gentile society, it was usual to make the distinction
between the predominant Israelita, who had preserved both his race and his reli-
gion, the Zyd, who had preserved his Jewish identity but not necessarily his reli-
gion, and that wide category of 'ex-Jews', or people of Jewish descent who had
severed their ties with Jewry for good.
Over the years, the Jewish Question accumulated a considerable body of
comment in Polish literature. The classical statement on the subject was made
by Mickiewicz in Fan Tadeusz in the scene where Jankiel, the Jew, treated his
Polish hosts to an impromptu concert on the dulcimer in celebration of their
common liberation from Russian domination. The honest Jew', Mickiewicz
wrote; 'loved his country like a Pole'. Later on, in the age of Positivism, there
were numerous attempts to dampen the fires of growing antagonism. Bolesiaw
Prus, the novelist, was one of many who felt that present difficulties were not
insuperable:
If I could believe, as some of my colleagues do, that the Jews constitute a power, I would
be willing to think of this Jewish question as a real problem. Unfortunately, as far as I
can see, the Jews in no wise constitute a power, except possibly in so far as they are rather
numerous and their proletariat is multiplying rather rapidly.
There are some who think that the Jews are the sole capitalists among us, hence a
financial force. I, on the contrary, regard the vast majority as the poorest of the poor.
There are those who accuse them of unusual solidarity, which again I find amusing
because, as far as I know, their faith is not only divided into classes, filled with mutual
hatred and scorn, but has also a reactionary and a progressive party, and even, it would
seem, religious sects. Finally, there are those who are fearful of Jewish mental prowess,
which, though it doubtless exists, represents no danger for our race.
It may be that this view is erroneous. In any case, it would have to be refuted by facts.
Until this happens I shall continue to believe that the Jews fill us with apprehension and
aversion only because we know nothing about them and because we make no effort to
get to know them. How ridiculous... that we ... do not study the customs, religion and
life of almost a million of our fellow-citizens, who will sooner or later be fused with us
into a uniform society.
What then lies at the root on this 'minor problem'? Is it the nationality or the religion
of the Jews? Certainly not. The Jews are not a nationality, and no one has any intention
of depriving them of their religion. But there are other factors - ignorance and caste feel-
ing. So let me draw attention to the fact that ignorance and caste feeling are not unique
to Jewish separatism. We must sorrowfully admit that in our beautiful country ignorance
reigns supreme from the basements to the rooftops ... In this respect, the Chassidic Jews,
with their superstitions... and belief in miraculous rabbis, are no glaring exception.
As for the Jewish caste spirit - dear Lord! Where is there no caste spirit? Is it so long
ago that gentlemen were ashamed to learn a trade or to engage in commerce? And how
many officials are there today who would give their daughter in marriage to a locksmith
or a carpenter?...