in Palestine, he organized the first Zionist society, "Hebrat Yishub Erez Israel," in Frankfurt-on-the-Main, the aim of which was to purchase land in Palestine and parcel it off in small holdings, upon which Palestinian Jews, as well as others who may come there, should be settled. The society also undertook to support these colonists at the beginning with the necessaries of life, with tools and seed. This was soon followed by the organization of similar societies in various towns, through the efforts of Kalischer who travelled extensively in behalf of the movement. When permission was obtained from the Sultan of Turkey for Jews to buy land in Palestine, Kalischer's joy was very great. He saw in this the beginning of the redemption, God's call to his children to come and inherit the land. He aroused the interest of the pious Jews by pointing out to them the opportunity thus afforded them for the observance of many Biblical laws which depend on the soil of Palestine. "Hitherto we were excused from the observance of these laws, because we were regarded as being under duress (Ones), but now that permission
is granted us to settle in Palestine, the excuse is no more valid."
Thus labored and struggled the first practical Zionist of modern days, to whom the epithet of "Rishon l'Zion" was rightly applied. He did not live to see the result of his labors, but he paved the way, he aroused the latent sentiment, so that a later generation, actuated by different motives, but aiming at the same results, found it easier to carry on the work. It is true that we do not argue now whether sacrifices might be offered in Jerusalem before the coming of the Messiah, we do not need to search for Rabbinic authorities for our cherished ideals. Still, stripped of his pilpul and homily, Kalischer's position relating to the future redemption is practically the same as that of many modern Zionists, while his final aim is identical with the goal of all. He gave the impulse, he prepared the way and time and changed conditions furnished additional motives for our adherence to the great ideal, for our devotion to the exalted principle which he cherished.
THE JEWESS
Her hair is winged with summer nights,Her brow is like the dawn,Her voice is like an olden songThat memory lingers on,And all her movements are as softAnd gentle as a fawn.A lovely, mild, and winsome girlOf strange and Eastern grace—I thought, "How happy art thou, childIn whom all gifts find place,"Till deep within her eyes I sawThe story of her race.