A Martyr's Message

הרב אביעד נייגר
15 באפר׳
זמן קריאה 3 דקות

Lemaan Achai Vere'ai, I'm happy to present for you an article about the Martyr's Dr. Yaakov Israel DeHaan הי"ד, that was writen by Emil Marmorstein, To commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the murder of Professor De-Haan, Published in London 1975

PREFACE

Sivan 29th was the Yahrzeit of Reb Yaaakov Yisroal Ben Yitzchok Isaac De-Hann.

Dr. Yackov Yisroel DeHaan Zt"l

Fifty years have passed since he was deliberately struck down by the murderous bullets of the Zionists appointed for this assassination.

His fight against Zionism was so determined because his devotion to Torah Judaism was so deep and although he was repeatedly warned of the danger, selflessly and fearlessly he went forth to do battle with the prime adversary envisaged as the salvation of the whole Jewish People; a consoling dream yearned for; a hope awaited. Professor De-Haan understood Zionism for what it really is. He sensed it, he recognized it and made hiss life a mission to combat it. It is this life of Professor De-Haan which true Religious Jews will never forget; his tragic death they will always remember.

He was, perhaps, not rightly appreciated in his lifetime. He had opposition from his own circles. The Aguda, under whose banner he fought and whose creation was primarily to combat Zionism, was already showing the seeds which are now so apparent. The tendency to go along with the stream had started-if not yet in full swing as now, at least not too far behind. The "Israelite" of Frankfurt, the cradle of that deep misconception of a fusion of Torah and Western culture, could not appreciate nor even understand the straightforward Messiras-Nefesh of De-Haan whose soul alone defied and overpowered the narrow avenues of worldly thought with which this Professor of International law was so well acquainted but which he had transcended and left behind completely.

The Zionists, however, did appreciate that great man to the full. They saw in him their implacable opponent: in his devotion to true Judaism-a challenge: in his outstanding ability-a supreme danger: in his determination their cue for action. They concluded that only their murderous bullets would rid them of that problem and they had recourse to them. cowardly and in cold blood.

Professor De-Haan should be remembered the more at this juncture when the all-embracing Zionist Tummoh has become so established, so popular and so universally acclaimed. When all hands are dropped, when all strength is exhausted, when all truth is gone, when Mall Yisroel is ruled by stupidity and lies, Professor De Haan's memory should be given more and more prominence. His body, pouring blood, carried in the darkness of night should be pictured on every wail. The last feeble beats of his pure heart should forever sound with the rhythm of re-awakening and revival.

Many thanks to Mr. E. Marrnorstein who was willing, and indeed found it his duty, to write down in this narrative the facts about the life and death of Professor De-Haan in a moving and descriptive manner. 8y now, when Zionism is moving slowly but surely in the realm of the past it is even more important that the facts about this episode in Jewish history should be known.

Professor De-Haan was a message. His martyr's death demands constant awareness. It is a ceaseless voice piercing the heavy silence into which we are sunken. His grave shows a call to the living not to forget that we are Jews whose Jewishness has set out to eliminate and to destroy. The tragic end of Professor De-Haan is a lasting memorial of the opposition to Zionism, to its achievements, to its State and to all that goes with it.

Many have died, unfortunately, for the cause of the Zionist idol. He is one who gave his life to defy it. There were others who gave much in the fight against this all pervading Tummoh. He gave his all. And when the Zionist achievements will be gone and forgotten, when his murderers will have vanished from the face of the earth, the name of Reb Yaaakov Yisroal Ben Yitzchok Isaac De-Haan will stand out supreme-a shining star. His is the place of honour forever, amongst the great of our People.