JEWS. 
tyish of the Emperor to ensure to them the 
free exercise of their religion, and the full 
enjoyment of their political rights. In re- 
turn for this protection, the Emperor de- 
clared it his intention to exact from the 
Jews a religious guarantee for the entire 
observance of the principles announced in 
their answers. For this purpose, it was 
deemed requisite to constitute a Grand San- 
hedrin, that their engagements of loyalty, 
attachment, &c. might have the most per- 
manent sanction that could possibly be 
given to. them. This was a most august der 
sign, and promised a high day for the poor 
Scattered and despised children of Israel. 
The restoration of an assembly which had 
but seldom been convoked since it pro- 
nounced the sentence of condemnation, at 
Jerusalem, upon the Saviour of the world, 
excited the astonishment, and rouzed the 
jealousy, of the prejudiced and the vindic- 
tive, while it called forth the energies, and 
demanded the admiration, of not only the 
Jew's, but of the greater part of all en- 
lightened and reflecting Christians. Now' it 
was that the scattered sheep of the House 
of Israel should again have a voice among 
their fellow-men ; their declarations, as citi- 
zens, should henceforth be placed by the 
side of the Talmud; and they should, at 
length he constrained to acknowledge the 
authority of the laws of their country, un- 
der the awful and imposing obligations of 
morality and religion. This was regarded 
as the prelude to consequences still more 
important and flattering ; perhaps, indeed, 
to nothing less than the speedy arrival of 
that period when they should again worship 
under their, own vine and their own fig-tree, 
and none dare to make them afraid. 
After assurances of liberty and protec- 
tion on the one hand, and of gratitude and 
obedience on the other, it was agreed that 
a Grand Sanhedrin should be opened at Pa- 
ris, at which should be preserved, as much 
as possible, the ancient Jewish forms and 
usages. This momentous event w'as an- 
nounced to the dispersed remnant of the 
descendants of Abraham in a most grateful 
and pathetic address to the Jewish nation 
throughout France and Italy, w'hich -con- 
tained suitable advice, that the brethren 
would choose men known for their wisdom, 
the friends of truth and of justice, and ca- 
pable of concurring in the great work there 
before them, and of giving the Grand San- 
hedrin a sufficient degree of weight and 
consideration. The address concludes thus ; 
“ The sovereign Arbiter of nations and of 
kings has permitted this empire to cicatrize 
its wounds, to restore that tranquillity which 
continued storms had interrupted, to ag- 
grandize its destiny, to fix ours, and to give 
happiness to two nations, who must ever 
applaud him, to whom has been confided 
the care of their happiness after that of 
their defence. Paris, 24th Tisliri, 5567.” 
(6th Oct. 1806-) 
This address was shortly after answered 
by one of concurrence and congratulation 
from the people of the Jewish nation at 
Francfort on the Main; and the Prince 
Primate of Francfort, following the French 
Emperor’s example, put an end to every 
humiliating distinction between the Jews of 
that city and the Christian inhabitants. The 
Israelites soon began to manifest the happy 
consequences of their emancipation by con- 
siderable improvements in education and the 
useful arts. 
The Grand Sanhedrin assembled on Mon- 
day the 9th of February, 1807, while the 
number and distinction of the spectators 
added much to its solemnity. Reciprocal 
assurances of encouragement, congratula- 
tion, and thankfulness were exchanged, and 
this august assembly proceeded to make se- 
veral important regulations relative to the 
Jewish worship and economy. Numerous 
addresses were read, and the most encou- 
raging orations were delivered, while the 
great synagogue in the street St. Avoie re- 
sounded the praises of the God of Israel, 
amid repeated cries of U Empereur, L’hn- 
percitrice ! La Famille Imperiale ! and La 
brave Armee Franc pise ! It might be said 
of these Israelites, as it was once observed 
of their ancestors, that “ all the people 
worshipped God, and the King.” 
Twenty-seven articles were drawn up 
and agreed to for the re-organization of the 
Mosaic worship. Sundry regulations were 
also made concerning polygamy, divorce, 
marriage, moral relations, civil and politi- 
cal relations, useful professions, loans among 
Israelites, and loans between Israelites and 
those who arc not Israelites. 
On the 2d of March the Grand Sanhe- 
drin again sat, and passed a law for the 
condemnation of usury among the Jews. 
A most animated discourse was delivered 
in the Hebrew tongue by M . David Sintz- 
lieim, President of the Grand Sanhedrin. 
Translations of the discourse, in French 
and Italian, were afterwards read to the 
members assembled. A copy of this dis- 
course, and of the whole, of the proceed- 
ings of the Sanhedrin, have been preserved 
