Einstein, Albert | Einstein on the predicament of modern Jewry

The Passion of American Collectors: Property of Barbara and Ira Lipman

Einstein, Albert

Autograph letter signed ('A. Einstein') to Ludwig Lewisohn

2 pp. (220 x 140 mm), in German, n.p. [Berlin?], n.d. [12 January 1930], tipped onto mat board; tiny fold tear at right edge. Half black morocco gilt slipcase, chemise.

Einstein on the predicament of modern Jewry: "We Jews are a kind of moral aristocracy.

"Einstein's thoughtful response to Lewisohn's recently published Das Erbe im Blut (1929), praising his masterly style and didactic intent, before taking issue with some of Lewisohn's conclusions and giving his own analysis of the state of modern Jewry. Ludwig Lewisohn (1882 – 1955) was an outspoken critic of American Jewish assimilation, novelist and translator, known for his novel The Island Within.

Einstein agrees with much of Lewisohn's analysis of the Jewish character, noting the Jewish desire to present oneself proudly and naturally to the outside world. He notes that Jews are "excellently" ("trefflich" ironically used) conservative and slightly stunted in personality ("die Persönlichkeit verkümmernd"), like pine trees struggling to grow on frozen and storm-tossed mountain tops. He rejects the likelihood of a revival of orthodox Judaism: all the traditional religions, he thinks, have by now surrendered their moral authority. He believes that though the Jewish tradition may no longer be defined solely by moral and ideological traditions, Jews still constitute a "moral aristocracy," though brought down by outside influences ("ein Art moralischer Adel - wenn auch durch äussere Einflüsse zum Teil heruntergekommene").

He argues for Jewish solidarity and self-respect without nationalistic arrogance, and argues against isolationism, noting that Jews have historically thrived best in a liberal economic climate. He closes by deprecating what he has said as possibly riddled with contradictions, "But life cannot be captured in abstract terms" ("Aber das Leben lässt sich nicht in Begriffe einfangen"), and extending an invitation to the author to visit him in Berlin.

PROVENANCE

Christie's New York, 14 December 2000, lot 316

REFERENCE

Einstein Archives Online, call no. 72-447 (typed transcript only)