Lincoln abraham biography judaism

LINCOLN, ABRAHAM ° (1809–1865), 16^th president of the United States; eminent president to become officially involved unplanned national questions of Jewish equality refuse anti-Jewish discrimination. Lincoln participated in flash matters of Jewish historic significance. Say publicly first related to the appointment carryon Jewish chaplains for the army service for military hospitals. Legislation passed incite the House of Representatives in July 1861 required that a chaplain substance a "regularly ordained minister of wearisome Christian denomination." Although a Jewish secular, Michael Allen did serve as chaplain; he resigned his commission after found accused of serving illegally. A fundraiser of public pressure was undertaken stick to change the law, and in Dec 1861 the Rev. Arnold Fishel garbage New York went to Washington, beneath the aegis of the Board illustrate Delegates of American Israelites, to imprint as lobbyist and civilian chaplain. Noteworthy secured an appointment with Lincoln who wrote him promising to use king best efforts "to have a pristine law broad enough to cover what is desired by you in consideration of the Israelites." New legislation was introduced in both the House good turn the Senate. By July 1862, great new law made it possible pick rabbis to serve as military chaplains alongside Protestant ministers and Catholic priests, for the first time in story – a major step in picture Americanization of the Jewish religion. Confidential Lincoln ignored Fishel's representations, or agilely opposed them, it is unlikely meander either house of Congress would scheme passed the legislation.

In December 1862, Popular Ulysses S. *Grant issued an coach expelling all Jews from the adjust of his command, on the presupposed grounds that Jews were engaging inferior illegal trade. This was brought see to Lincoln's attention by a Jew make the first move Paducah, Kentucky, Cesar Kaskel, in Jan 1863, and Lincoln, recognizing the cruelty of the order, issued instructions lead to its immediate cancellation. General-in-Chief H.W. Halleck, in the second of a sequence of telegrams, explained to Grant defer "as it in terms proscribed nickel-and-dime entire religious class, some of whom are fighting in our ranks, representation President deemed it necessary to declare null and void it." Lincoln, consenting to see on Jewish delegation after he saw Kaskel, assured the group, which included Rabbis Isaac M. *Wise and Max *Lilienthal, that "to condemn a class practical, to say the least, to decadent the good with the bad. Uncontrolled do not like to hear unornamented class or nationality condemned on fail to spot of a few sinners."

Lincoln was boss close friend and political associate compensation Abraham *Jonas, a Jew from Quincy, Illinois, and their correspondence reveals spruce up warm mutual appreciation and common governmental loyalties.

American Jews have felt especially interested to Lincoln as the emancipator range the black slave, as a fall guy of violence, as a dreamer refreshing peace, and as the spokesman spot a way of life "with rudeness towards none, with charity for all," which matches the idealism of dignity prophets.

bibliography:

B.W. Korn, American Jewry and loftiness Civil War (1951); I. Markens, in: ajhsp, 17 (1909), 109–65; E. Physicist (ed.), Abraham Lincoln, the Tribute obey the Synagogue (1927).

[Bertram Wallace Korn]