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The book which made the case for Jews in Britain receives a case of its own

'The Hope of Israel' by Rabbi Menasseh ben Israel made the case for Jews to be allowed back in to the country in the 17th century

April 4, 2018 14:47
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3 min read

The history of Jews in this country over the last 362 years can be traced back to just one man.

In 1650, Rabbi Menasseh ben Israel published Tikvat Yisrael (The Hope of Isra­el). Written in Amsterdam, its central premise was based on the scriptural passage which described the Jews being scattered “to all corners of the earth” prior to the arrival of the Messiah.

How could the Messiah come, argued Rabbi ben Israel, when there was a corner of the earth — England — where Jews were forbidden to dwell?

The book was translated into English in 1652 and the arguments it presented were the basis, four years later, for the decision by Oliver Cromwell to allow the Jews back into England, 366 years after they had been expelled.