“Jewish Question” in Russia 1819-1911 by Andrew C. Reed A Dissert

384 Pages·2014·1.96 MB·English

by  Andrew Reed

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For One's Brothers:
Daniil Avraamovich Khvol'son and the “Jewish Question” in Russia
1819-1911
by
Andrew C. Reed

A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Doctor of Philosophy

Approved February 2014 by the
Graduate Supervisory Committee:

Stephen Batalden, Chair
Brian Horowitz
Mark Von Hagen
Eugene Clay
Hava Tirosh-Samuelson

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
May 2014
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ABSTRACT

One of the great hallmarks of Russian life during the nineteenth century was the
proliferation of alternative identities at nearly every level of society. Individuals found,
created, or adopted new ways of self-identifying oneself vis-à-vis religion, nationality,
and politics. This project examines the life of Daniil Avraamovich Khvol’son (1819-
1911) and his understanding of his identity—from poor Lithuanian Jew to German
educated scholar, to leading defendant of Jews accused of ritual murder, to renowned
university professor. Khvol’son is often mentioned in works of the period but remains
understudied and, as a result, poorly understood. This dissertation is the first to examine
the man’s life and times, his scholarly and public writings, as well as available
commentaries about him from former students, opponents, and colleagues.
This project is based on the available archival sources housed in the central
archives of Russia and draws upon the different literary venues in which Khvol’son
published during his lifetime. While it provides a broad biography of the man, more
importantly, it takes on the content of his writing, the themes he explored, and the ways
in which his contributions were viewed within their own time.
This project argues that the aim of Russian imperial policy toward Jews was
based on a hopeful, if hesitant, desire to gradually bring Jews into the state’s service.
Khvol’son was among the most successful of those candidates who received a world-
class German education, a position within the state, and an opportunity to participate
fully within Russian intellectual circles. However, Khvol’son’s legacy is complex
because he promoted a radical rethinking of Christian understanding of Jews and Judaism
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and by doing so, he challenged the Orthodox world to reconsider in a deeply personal
way the ongoing persecutions of Jews based on false tales about them and their religion.
Khvol’son painstakingly challenged the blood libel and sought to prove that it was not
based in any identifiable reality but perpetuated an un-Christian worldview that
demonized and vilified Jews. In doing so, Khvol’son formulated a controversial self-
understanding for his position in society as situated between two diametrically opposed
worlds—one Christian, the other Jewish.

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DEDICATION

For my dear Kaylyn, without whom this project would likely reside in a dustbin in
a distant land. Your enduring support and selfless attitude rest behind each printed word
on these pages. You shared me with an old dead professor – a task nobody could bear as
patiently as you! At the most challenging moments, a loving home and kind words
buoyed my spirits. I hope the finished project serves as a reminder of our life together –
may it inspire us to accomplish much more in the years to come.
For my children (Riley, Bentley, Kelsie, Bradley, and Josie) – thank you for
coloring on the countless drafts of these chapters when real coloring books were simply
too expensive – your sacrifices have not gone unnoticed. Your welcome distractions from
this project made it a far more enjoyable and worthwhile endeavor. You tolerated an
absent father more than any child deserves; I promise to make up for lost time!
For my in-laws, David and Carol Sue, who raised a truly “elect lady” and
willingly took on the role of parenting small children once again during a brief crisis.
Finally, for Mom and Dad – who supported a dream that others questioned and
many thought futile. You exceeded your responsibilities as parents and grandparents –
much to the delight of your grandchildren. Dad taught me early to read widely, ask big
questions, and seek answers. Thank you for keeping the cars running while I was away!
Mom taught the value of a job well done and encouraged me, above all else, to enjoy the
journey, especially when it crossed a fairway. Though I cannot repay their many
sacrifices, I hope that I have in some small way made them proud.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Like the subject of this study, my development as a historian is the result of
generous scholars who supported, trained, and encouraged me over many years. Paul
Kerry (BYU) first encouraged my interest in history and I have gained much from his
friendship. I look forward to more conversations with him about the life of a scholar, the
art of writing, and the history of religious ideas. Jan Fellerer (Wolfson College, Oxford)
patiently trained me in Polish and Ukrainian linguistics. Catherine Andreyev (Christ’s
Church College, Oxford) discussed at length Russian and Soviet history. Faculty at
Cambridge University’s Center for the Study of Jewish—Christian Relations expanded
my understanding of the complexity of interfaith relations. Ed Kessler encouraged me to
think about the difficult questions that inevitably arise when we encounter the history of
Jews, Christians, and Muslims living together. Two individuals, John Klier (UCL) and
Melanie Wright (CJCR and Girton College, Cambridge), passed away far before their
time. This dissertation reflects their influence as my first mentors in Jewish Studies.
I was fortunate to have surrounding me at ASU an impressive group of scholars
and fellow graduate students who trained me as a Russian historian and who individually
improved this project far beyond where it would be had they not rescued me from errors
of judgment and poor writing. Stephen Batalden introduced me to Khvol’son and
mentored me through this project. His sharp eye for detail and expertise in Russian
religious history, along with his persistence in reading draft upon draft of poorly
structured grant proposals, essays, and the chapters of this dissertation will not soon be
forgotten. Mark von Hagen’s keen intellect provided engaging lunchtime discussions and
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an open door to celebrate my successes and get me past frustrating moments. Hava
Tirosh-Samuelson encouraged me to do more as a scholar, to think more clearly about the
past, and appreciate a good challenge. Eugene Clay aided me during my first year at ASU
to write and present a paper on the Beilis trial, and served as a remarkable source for
finding obscure references and thinking about the big picture behind this project. Brian
Horowitz accepted an invitation during my final year of graduate work to help steer this
project to its completion. Laurie Manchester trained me to see Russian history as part of a
broader European history, always mindful of where significant differences existed, and
taught me to navigate Russian archives. Victoria Thompson, Catherine O’Donnell, and
Rachel Fuchs served in multiple capacities to sharpen my teaching. Yan Mann, my
colleague and friend, helped find the right word and a good restaurant on occasion.
Librarians at ASU, BYU, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaigne, UCLA,
American Jewish University at LA, European University at St. Petersburg, Cambridge
UL, Oxford’s Bodleian Library, and the British Library aided in locating scattered
editions of Khvol’son’s works and other sources. I am grateful to archivists at the
Russian Academy of Sciences (Natal’ia Sergeevna Prokhorenko and Galina Pavlovna
Suprunovich deserve special mention), the Oriental Institute – Manuscripts division, the
Russian State Historical Archive, and the Publichka. They took me under their wing and
helped navigate procedural and bibliographic quandaries. The ASU Center for Jewish
Studies, Melikian Center for Russian and East European Studies, ASU Graduate College,
and ASU GPSA provided essential funding. NSEP/Boren and Brigham Young University
Religious Education provided substantial grants for extended research trips to Russia.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................... ix
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................1
The Abrahamic Traditions – A lifelong pursuit ................................................ 4
Philosemitism and Jewish Contributions to European Culture......................... 6
Russia as a Confessional Empire ...................................................................... 8
The Blood Libel Charge in History ................................................................ 13
Chapters Outline ............................................................................................. 21
“GOD ALONE KNOWS WHAT’S IN MY HEART”: KHVOL’SON’S
EDUCATION AND CONVERSION ....................................................................... 26
Community and Empire in Transition ............................................................ 39
“That Noble Man Took Me in as a Father” .................................................... 54
Fleischer and Khvol’son the Young Orientalist.............................................. 62
From the Ministry to the Church .................................................................... 70
Interpreting Khvol’son’s Conversion ............................................................. 85
"BUT IN THIS MATTER THEY REMAIN IN THEIR JEWISH CONVICTIONS":
THE SARATOV AFFAIR, 1852-1860 ..................................................................... 99
1844 Report of the Ministry of Internal Affairs............................................ 111
Perovskii Report 1853................................................................................... 120
1854 – 1860 The Case Moves From Local Authorities to the Tsar .............. 131
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Page
"TO DOUBT THE PROGRESS OF HUMANITY AND COMMON SENSE": THE
CONTENT AND CONTEXT OF KHVOL'SON'S 1861 TEXT ............................ 143
Structure and Scope of the Text .................................................................... 150
Rabbinic Judaism and Early Christianity ...................................................... 163
Jewish Christianity – The Space Between .................................................... 178
Khvol’son’s Timing of the Parting of Ways ................................................. 183
Europe Transformed: The Origins of the Myth ............................................ 188
Inmestar and Purim – The Challenges .......................................................... 192
Stealing the Host and Stealing the Child – The Medieval Charge ............... 196
Medieval and Modern Converts .................................................................... 200
Jewish Sects and the Blood Libel ................................................................. 212
PROFESSORS, PLAGIARIZERS, AND POGROMS: FROM SARATOV TO
BEILIS ..................................................................................................................... 224
The Myth Goes Public .................................................................................. 230
Liutostanskii .................................................................................................. 232
Skripitsyn ...................................................................................................... 236
Kostomarov ................................................................................................... 246
Beilis Affair .................................................................................................. 255
Anti-Semitism and the Beilis Trial ............................................................... 261
Science, Boils, and the Professors ................................................................ 263
Mission Accomplished? ................................................................................ 284
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Page
“IN SCIENCE, WE ARE ALL YOUR GRANDCHILDREN” ...............................287
Sparring Orientalists – Joseph Ernest Renan and Khvol’son ....................... 288
Biblical Translation (Synodal, BFBS, OPE)................................................. 306
Joining the Age Old Debate – Khvol’son and the Dating of Jesus’s Death . 317
“An Eternal Teacher” – Khvol’son Behind the University Lectern ............. 331
CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................339
BIBLIOGRAPHY ....................................................................................................346

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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
Figure 1. Young Daniil Khvol'son (ca. 1855) 95
Figure 2. Feofania Iakovlevna (Cohn) Khvol'son - Oil painting (date unkown) 96
Figure 3. Orest D. Khvol'son and family with D. A Khvol'son (date unknown) 97
Figure 4. Anatolii D. Khvol'son, jurist (date unknown) 98
Figure 5. Khvol'son at the Tiflis Conference, 1881 283
Figure 6. Khvol'son at his desk 332

All images used with permission from St. Petersburg Filial Archive of the Russian
Academy of Sciences, fond 959, Khvol’son files. For specific archival source
information, see the caption for each image.

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