- Sergey Rosedkin -
		About d about with t about e in with to about m
	Main | News | Cut-away | fotobio | Prose | About Dostoevsky | J. Roberts | Humour | Non-fikshn | Criticism | Teen Porn
P. 2	Dostoevsky's minus (F. M.Dostoevsky and «the Jewish question») (Termination) 4 Yes, Dostoevsky fine understood — that then will be. It already had to speak, be justified concerning barefaced «antizhidovskogo chauvinism». Too visible role in a public life of Russia he began to play last years lives, its each word, each act called a resonance in the formed circles. So, for example, the writer and public dejatelnitsa E.  P.Letkova-Sultanova recollected, how the youth of the end of 70th years of the last century reacted «to Dostoevsky»: «In student's mugs and meetings Dostoevsky's name was constantly distributed. Each number« Diary of the writer »gave an occasion to neobuzdannejshim to disputes. The relation to so-called to" the Jewish question », the relation which was for us some kind of a litmus piece of paper on decency, — in« the Diary of the writer »was absolutely unacceptable and is inadmissible:« the Jew, zhidovshchina, zhidovskoe a kingdom, zhidovskaja the idea covering all world … »All these words blew up youth, as sparks gunpowder …» Dostoevsky had to listen to similar opinions both from youth, and from "liberals", and from companions on a feather. It received letters and in support of the position from simple, so to say, readers "DP" (so, a certain Muscovite within a year has sent it three letters with appeals and further «to conduct ruthless struggle against Jews»), but began to come letters from the Jews more, wishing to enter with the writer dialogue, to challenge its statements and conclusions. It was saved, for example, six letters to Dostoevsky from And.  G.Kovnera, the writer, and at the moment of correspondence and the prisoner (has appropriated, serving in bank, 168 thousand roubles), filled with polemic with the author "DP" and its sights. These messages were nasyshchenny philosophical reasonings and autobiographical ispovedalnymi details. By the way, this Arcady (Avraam-Urija) Kovner for some years before, being the feuilletonist of the newspaper "Voice", from number in number criticised and floutingly derided just appeared then «the Diary of the writer». Most likely, the author of these feuilletons was meant first of all by Dostoevsky when explained to readers in the next release "DP" why he does not answer these spiteful attacks: «First and the main thing: not to answer any clown?» In a context sew themes those fragments from correspondence of great Russian writer, the former convict with the little-known writer-Jew, the prisoner if it is possible so to be expressed, operating in which the Jewish question is mentioned are interesting. Kovnera Dostoevsky answers first two messages with the most detailed letter, and in particular, writes: «Now about Jews. To extend on such themes it is impossible in the letter, especially with you <…>. You so are clever, that we will not solve a similar controversial point and in hundred letters but only themselves we will break. I will tell to you, that I and from other Jews already received in this sort of a note. Has especially received recently one ideal noble letter from one Jew (T.  V.Braude. — N. N) Subscribed, too with bitter reproaches. I think, I will write concerning these reproaches from Jews some lines in February "Diary" <…>. Now to you I will tell, that I at all the enemy of Jews and never it was. But already 40-century as you speak, their existence proves, what is it the tribe has extremely strong vital force which could not, throughout all history, not be formulated in different status in statu. The strongest status in statu is indisputable and at our Russian Jews. And if so as they can not become though partly, in dissonance with a nation root, with a tribe Russian? You specify in intelligency Jewish, but after all you too intelligency, and look, as you hate Russian, and therefore only, that you the Jew, at least the intelligent. In your 2nd letter there are some lines about moral and religious consciousness of 60 million Russian people. These are words of awful hatred, hatred because you <…> in this sense (that is in a question, in what share and force Russian commoner is the Christian) — you are extremely incompetent to judge. I never would tell so about Jews, as you about Russian. I all my 50 years of a life saw, that Jews, kind and malicious, even for a table to sit down will not want with Russian, and Russian not pobrezgaet to sit down with them. Who whom hates? Who of whom is intolerant? Also that for idea, that Jews — the nation humiliated and offended. On the contrary, it is Russian are humiliated before Jews <…>. But we will leave, a theme long. The enemy I Jews were not. I have familiar Jews, there are the Jews coming and now to me behind councils in different subjects, and they read «the Diary of the writer», and though ticklish as all Jews for Jewry, but me not enemies, and, on the contrary, come … » No, not without reason Dostoevsky has found time and forces on this long multipage letter. He understood, that has come it is time to be explained. Really, it is impossible long years, having such authority, such influence on a society, without consequences to call Jews "Jews", to shout about threat status in statu, about an enslavement of Russian nation and even all world the nation "zhidovskoj". And more nuance: Kovnera whether the prison has corrected, whether time, but spiteful tone of its feuilletons of times of "Voice" was replaced with valid and respectful tone of private letters to the author of "the Diary of the writer». However, not all Jews maintained such appropriate tone in correspondence with the great novelist and the publicist, possibly, someone fell and before direct threats. To judge it it is possible at least on an episode recreated in the letter of the grammar-school boy from Vitebsk V.Stukalicha, written in the end of March or the beginning of April, 1877. This young man from the category of reflecting Russian boys, not on years serious and widely-read, some time consisted with the author of "Demons" in intensive correspondence, personally it met after arrival to Petersburg. And so, after such meeting the grammar-school boy writes in the letter from Petersburg, before departure home, without delay: « … When you joking have told, that Jews will simply kill you, at you in eyes strange expression has flashed; you as though expected to look, what impression will be made on me by your words, whether I will accept them seriously thus to judge, whether something is possible similar. At me the fright on the person, but it because has really flashed, that to me has become terribly for you. Really, has flashed at me, you to such degree are hypochondriac? After all it, perhaps, something like insanity <…> is Written by them <Jews. — Red.> only to you because your address is known for it. If the Jew reads an abusive article in the newspaper or magazine to whom else to address?. »As we see, Dostoevsky still tried to joke on this dangerous theme, but the serious, necessary explanation with angry public and« potential murderers »has obviously ripened. The letter to Kovneru became as though rehearsal, as though a draught copy to this serious explanation with public. The Writer-humanist was excited, of course, with how the student's youth concerns it, the intelligency, all reading Russia. Titlo "obscurantist", "chauvinist" to carry to it it would not be desirable at all. But also the belief it to change was not in forces, to palter did not want — he always wrote and said only that thought. And here in the letter to Kovneru Dostoevsky puts before itself trudnejshuju a problem: to convince the Jew, that it, Dostoevsky, never was the enemy of Jews, that it simply not absolutely correctly understand. (It is possible to guess, as Dostoevsky kept the hand that instead of a habitual word "Jews" to write in the letter a word "Jews"!) Having created the letter-draught copy, the writer writes, at last, and «some lines» on this capital question for general public. Only to be explained because of illness it was necessary not in February, and in March release of "the Diary of the writer» for 1877, and «some lines» have occupied all 2nd head of number. As it is the corner publication at Dostoevsky on «the Jewish theme» it is necessary to quote from it considerable fragments on volume. However, no comment will clear so a position of the writer in its relation to Jews, as the text written by his hand. The first part of the head he and has named — «the Jewish question», but has there and then started to be justified as though for it: «About, do not think, that I really start to lift« the Jewish question »! I have written this title for fun. To bring up such size a question, as position of the Jew in Russia and about position of Russia having among sons of three million of Jews, — I not in forces <…>. But I nevertheless can have some my judgement, and here leaves, that some of Jews began to be interested in my judgement suddenly. Since some time I began to receive from them letters, and they is serious and with bitterness reproach me that I"attack"them that I« hate the Jew », I hate not for its defects,« not as the exploiter », namely as a tribe <…>. In total that is more surprising to me: how it and whence I have got in haters of the Jew as people, how the nations? As the exploiter and for some defects to me to condemn the Jew partly it is permitted by these misters, but — but only in words: in practice it is difficult to find something more irritably and more scrupulously the formed Jew and is more sensitive than it, as Jew. But besides: When and than I have declared hatred to the Jew as to the people? As in heart we wash this hatred was never, and those from Jews who are familiar with me <…>, know it, I <…> from myself remove this charge <…>. Whether not therefore accuse me of "hatred", what I name sometimes the Jew "Jew"? But, first, I did not think, that it was so is insulting (! — N. N), and secondly, a word "Jew" how much I remember, I mentioned always for a designation of known idea: «the Jew, zhidovshchina, zhidovskoe the kingdom» and so forth Here was designated known concept, a direction, the characteristic of a century. It is possible to argue on this idea, to disagree with it, but not to take offence a word. I will write out one place from the letter of one rather formed Jew <…>. This one of the most characteristic charges me in hatred to the Jew as to the people … » And further Dostoevsky leads the big piece from the first letter to it Kovnera («… why you rise against the Jew, instead of against the exploiter in general … two million 900 000 (from three millions Jews in Russia. — N. N), at least, lead desperate struggle for pity existence <…> you do not know neither the Jewish people, nor his life, neither its spirit, nor it sorokavekovoj history …»). On a course having commented on the separate moments from letter Kovnera, Dostoevsky, continuing article, notices first of all, that he is surprised with "fury of an attack» and «sensitivity degree». «Secondly, it is necessary to notice, that the respectable correspondent, having concerned these few lines and to Russian people, has not restrained and has not sustained and I has concerned poor Russian people a little too haughtily. However, in Russia and from Russian does not remain any neproplevannogo places (Schedrin's word), and to the Jew to those prostitelnee. But anyway exasperation it testifies brightly of how Jews look at Russian. Really person formed and talented (I do not think only that without prejudices) wrote it; for that to wait, after that, from the uneducated Jew which so it is a lot of, what feelings to Russian?.» Having finished the first part of the head the assumption, that in separation of Russian and Jews in Russia both parties and more are guilty it is not known, what in bolshej to degree, Dostoevsky continues to develop a theme in the second part, for which has as though borrowed the title from the future novel «Brothers Karamazovy» (the Book the fifth) — «Pro u contra»: «We will put, it is very difficult to learn sorokavekovuju history of such people, as Jews; but on the first case I already one know that, that likely was not present in the whole world of other people which would complain of the destiny so much, constantly, behind each step and the word, on the belittling, on the suffering, on the martyrdom. You will think, not they reign in Europe, not they operate there stock exchanges at least only, and so, a policy, internal affairs, morals of the states. <…> all the same I can not quite believe to shouts of Jews, what so they are hammered, stirred up and belittled In my opinion, Russian muzhik, and in general Russian commoner bears tjagostej almost more Jew …» In this place Dostoevsky cites already second letter Kovnera where it is a question of necessity of granting to Jews in Russia all civil rights including the rights of an empty seat of a residence. Dostoevsky with it does not agree: «But think also you, Mr. the correspondent <…>, that when the Jew« suffered in a free choice of a residence »then twenty three million« Russian working weight »suffered from a serf condition, that, is final, it was heavier than" a residence choice ». Also what, have regretted them then Jews? <…> who has immediately replaced (after 1861. — N. N) <…> The abolished landowners, with toju raznitseju, that landowners though strongly maintained people, but nevertheless tried not to ruin the peasants <…>, and to the Jew to an exhaustion of Russian force of business are not present, has prevailed and has left. I know, that Jews, having read it, what is it the lie, what is it slander immediately will cry, that I lie <…>, and meanwhile I have just read in the March book «Bulletin of Europe» news that Jews in America, Southern States, have already snatched in all weight on mullions-strong weight of the released Negroes and have already appropriated it in own way, the known and eternal «a gold craft» <…> to me as early as five years to that this came most on mind <…>, to it (to Negroes. — N. N) not to escape, because on this fresh zhertvochku Jews whom it is a lot of on light <…> just will snatch. And about ten days ago has read in «New time» (№ 371) the correspondence from Kovno <…>: « Say, there Jews on the local Lithuanian population before have snatched, that nearly have not ruined all vodka … » Dostoevsky, of course, understands, that the appeal by «New time», reputed the edition chauvinistic, "antizhidovskogo", in dialogue-polemic with Jews is looked unpersuasively, strange and passes to generalisations: «… what hardly only <…> the inquiry on the Jew and its affairs is required to you is curious, — that <…> stretch only a hand to what want to the first newspaper laying beside you and look on the second or on the third page: by all means will find something about Jews <…> and by all means same — that is all same feats! <…> Certainly, me will answer, that all are overwhelmed by hatred that is why all lie <…> (but) if all to the uniform lie and overwhelmed by such hatred from something yes this hatred undertook, after all something means this general hatred … <…> Let I am not firm in knowledge of the Jewish life, but one I know likely <…>, that was not present in our common people of prejudiced, aprioristic, stupid, religious any hatred to the Jew, like: «Judas, say, has sold the Christ». If you will hear it from children or from drunk all our people look at the Jew, I repeat it, without any prejudiced hatred … » Here Dostoevsky as if absolutely forgets a known saying: «That at sober on mind at drunk in language», — and in general obviously contradicts that itself just confirmed above about «general hatred». Proving the thesis he recollects penal servitude tolerance of Russian to Jews and soldatchinu where he had to observe, how, on the contrary, Jews expressed «disgust and fastidiousness» to Russian people. «And meanwhile, — Dostoevsky continues, — to me the imagination sometimes entered into a head: well, if it not Jews was in Russia of three million, and Russian; and Jews would be 80 million — well, in what Russian would address at them and as though they slighted them? Whether <…> have turned directly into slaves? Worse that: whether have skinned absolutely? They would not beat completely, before definitive destruction, how delyvali with another's nationalities in olden time <…>? No, I assure you, that in Russian people there is no prejudiced hatred to the Jew, and is, maybe, nesimpatija to it, especially in places, and even, maybe, very strong. About, without it it is impossible, it is, but there is it at all that it the Jew, not from breeding, not with religious any hatred, and occurs it from other reasons in which not so radical people are guilty, and the Jew». Having torn off on this intriguing place the second part of article, already definitively having confused the reader (general hatred — hatred is not present — is nesimpatija), Dostoevsky, the recognised master of a sharp plot, passes to the third, culmination part of this chapter March «the Diary of the writer». And, it is final, he chooses the name corresponding — «Status in statu. Forty centuries of life». Dostoevsky does at once the statement-message, that-de 40 centuries of the Jewish history prove — without status in statu this nation could not exist. So in what, on Dostoevsky, the idea status in statu consists? « To state it would be long <…>, and it is impossible also on that even for the reason that all times and terms, despite the leaked forty centuries, and a definitive word of mankind about this great tribe still ahead have not come still, — he writes besides in prophetical tone, however undertakes at least in brief to explain signs and the basic essence status in statu. — these Signs: estrangement and otchudimost on degree of a religious doctrine, neslijannost, belief that there is in the world only one national person — the Jew … » And further Dostoevsky quotes, if it is possible so to be expressed, sense serdtsevinnyh postulates of the Talmud, the main Judaic book: «Leave the people both make the individual and know, that till now you are uniform at the God, the others exterminate, or into slaves turn, or maintain. Believe in a victory over all world, believe, that all will obey you. Strictly all shun and with anybody in the life be not informed. And even when you will lose the earth of the, political person, even when will be disseminated on the person of all earth, between all people — for ever believe that is promised to you, time for ever believe that all will come true for now live, shun, edinis and maintain and — expect, expect …» Here an idea essence status in statu, and then, of course, is internal, and can be, and the mysterious laws protecting this idea », — makes comments Dostoevsky On recollects, how in the childhood still read a legend about Jews (commentators assume, that he read it in drama N.  V.Kukolnika« Prince Daniel Vasilevich Holmsky. — N. N) That they wait till now the Messiah who will collect them in Jerusalem «and will depose all people the sword to their bottom», and to that Jews prefer to all other employment trade in gold that supposedly on call of the Messiah bystrenko to be going to and all riches to carry away with themselves … But all these memoirs-legends only a prelude to Dostoevsky's developed by it in this part of article the basic thought: «And instead of that <…> the influence to lift <…>, instead of that the Jew where settled, there still more humiliated and corrupted the people <…>. That became <…> with Russian people there where Jews settled — the history of our Russian suburbs testifies to that. <…> also what in that for the justification, what here in the West Europe have not allowed to overcome themselves the people and what, so, Russian people itself are guilty? <…> If they specify in Europe, to France for example <…> not without reason there everywhere Jews at stock exchanges all the same reign, not without reason dvizhut capitals, not without reason they masters of the credit and not without reason <…> they masters and all world policy and that will be further — certainly, it is known also to Jews: their kingdom, their full kingdom approaches! <…> Jews all shout, that there are and between them good people. About My God! Yes unless in it business? <…> we speak about whole and about its idea, we speak about zhidovstve and about idea zhidovskoj, covering all world, instead of "unfortunate" Christianity <…> ». Having finished thought on this accusatory note, Dostoevsky passes to a final part and suddenly, at all in tone of conversation, exclaims in heading: «But long live a brotherhood!» And in the beginning of this it really starts speech to conduct central boards about peaceful disposition, about tolerance, asserts again, that it not the enemy to Jews and even more than that is it resolutely stands up for expansion of the rights of Jews in Russia, but … There and then Dostoevsky opens brackets, the note bene »puts significant« and again is developed on 180 degrees, and again turns off also a former track: «<…> I definitively stand <…> for perfect expansion of the rights of Jews <…> (NB though, maybe, in other cases, they have already and now it is more right or, it is better to tell, possibilities to use them, than indigenous population). Certainly, I am occurred there and then, for example, by such imagination: well if our rural community <…>, well reels <…> if there and then to this released muzhik <…> the Jew <…> here in a trice its end gushes all kagalom: its all property, all force will pass it for the next day in the power of the Jew, and will come such it is time, to which not only could be compared it would be not time serfdoms, but even tatarshchina …» And trace Dostoevsky shows amazing kulbit thoughts: «But <…> I all the same stand up for the full and definitive equation of the rights — because it is the Christ's law <…>. But if so for what I have used up so much pages and what wished to express it, if so protivurechu to myself? And that's it that I not protivurechu to myself also that with Russian, from the radical party was not present and I do not see obstacles <…> these obstacles lay from Jews <…> similarly <…> to the Jew-commoner, we and in the intelligent Jew meet rather frequently the same immense and haughty bias against Russian. About, they shout, that they like Russian people; one so even wrote to me, that he grieves that Russian people have no religion and understands nothing in the Christianity. It already is too strongly told for the Jew, and the question is born only: whether understands that in Christianity this vysokoobrazovannyj the Jew? But the self-conceit and arrogance is one of very heavy for us, Russian, properties of the Jewish character. Who from us, Russian or the Jew, is more incapable to understand each other? I swear, I will justify more likely Russian: at Russian, at least, is not present (positively is not present!) religious hatred to the Jew <…>. And really it is possible to confirm, what not the Jew, rather often, incorporated from it (Russian people. — N. N) persecutors, took from them on a payoff Russian people and itself addressed in its persecutor? <…> but we anywhere have not heard, that the Jewish people repented of it, and Russian people he all the same accuses that that likes him … »a little And approaching to the definitive ending of article, Dostoevsky takes tone of the preacher, primiritelja-uveshchevatelja, but, besides, admitting thus strange "antizhidovskie" hints, italicising them is intended: «… I first of all beg my opponents and correspondents-Jews to be, on the contrary, to us, Russian, it is more indulgent and more fair. If their arrogance, if usual« mournful fastidiousness »(the autocitation from a"Crime and punishment ". — N. N) Jews to Russian tribe there is only a bias,« a historical outgrowth », instead of is covered in any much deeper secrets of its law and a system, — that yes will dissipate all it more likely and yes we will converge uniform spirit, in a full brotherhood, on mutual aid and on great business of service to our earth, the state and our fatherland! <…> but all the same the brotherhood, for a full brotherhood, needs a brotherhood from both parties. Let the Jew will show to it (to Russian people. — N. N) and itself though some brotherly feeling to encourage it …» 5 It would seem, the explanation has occurred full, points over i are placed. Henceforth and for ever Dostoevsky will be more loyal in relation to Jews, will cease to give vent to the bile on them, will forget a word "Jew" in publicism, will cease to prophesy about the world victory of Jews. But, as it was already spoken, in note writing-books up to last days lives of the writer appear "antizhidovskie" a dung, in the same «the Diary of the writer», after March, "reconciliatory", already in the majsko-June book expression — «a kingdom of Jews» again will flash. And, at last, on this question Dostoevsky leaves original testamentary and definitive opinion for history in the letter to the singer and writer J.F.Abaza  , written for half a year to death: «And the main thing that there is a thought (in the Abaze story. — N. N) — Good and a deep thought. <…> that breeds of the people who have received initial idea from the founders and submitting to it <…>, should it is necessary to degenerate in something osoblivoe from mankind, as from whole, and even, under the best conditions, in something hostile to mankind, as whole <…>. Jews, since Avraam and up to now when they have addressed in Jews are that, for example. The Christ (except its other value) was popravkoju this idea having expanded it in vsechelovechnost. But Jews have not wanted the amendment, remained in all former narrowness and straightforwardness that is why instead of vsechelovechnosti have addressed in enemies of mankind, denying everything, except itself, and really now remain carriers antihrista, and, is final, will triumph for some time. It so is obvious that to argue it is impossible: they break, they go, they have captivated all Europe; All egoistical, all hostile to the mankind, all bad passions of mankind — for them as it not to triumph on  destruction to the world!. » Here so! By the way, V.V. Rose trees, "pupil" and passionate admirer Dostoevsky, was during the certain periods of a life is frankly hostile to Jews, exclaimed, that from them «the countries and the people» perish, that from them «my people"("the Fallen down leaves») will be lost, but before the death have reversed the opinion: «Live, Jews. I bless you in all … I at all I do not believe in enmity of Jews to all people … often observed surprising, zealous love of Jews to Russian person and to Russian earth. Yes the Jew will be blest. Yes Russian »will be blest also. ("Domostroj") Its teacher, Feodor Mihajlovich Dostoevsky, up to the end remained convinced "Antijew". In uncountable "literaturovedcheskih" jobs-researches about Dostoevsky's creativity this aspect practically is not mentioned, ignored, unless at L.  P.Grossman who has printed in 1924 the book «Confession of one Jew» about destiny Kovnera and its correspondence with Dostoevsky, there is about it a speech; though, by the way, among dostoevskovedov the considerable majority is made by Jews. It is thought, the writer of such level, the genius of Russian and world literature, is interesting to us, readers, not only pluses, but also minuses. As "plus" and "minus" — categories in a public life, in the literature, in history are rather indistinct and zybki. 1993 <<<(P. 1)
çç ● èè
© Rosedkin Sergey Nikolaevich, 2001
E-mail: emp-reports@fustercluck.com