Secret societies and subversive movementsWebster, Nesta Helen
History
Secret societies and subversive movements
Webster, Nesta Helen
Secret societies
The stories of Falk's miraculous powers are too numerous to relate here,
but a letter written by an enthusiastic Jewish admirer, Sussman
Shesnowzi, to his son in Poland will serve to show the reputation he
enjoyed:
Hear, my beloved son, of the marvellous gifts entrusted to a son of
man, who verily is not a man, a light of the captivity ... a holy
light, a saintly man ... who dwells at present in the great city of
London. Albeit I could not fully understand him on account of his
volubility and his speaking as an inhabitant of Jerusalem.... His
chamber is lighted by silver candlesticks on the walls, with a
central eight-branched lamp made of pure silver of beaten work. And
albeit it contained oil to burn a day and a night it remained
enkindled for three weeks. On one occasion he abode in seclusion in
his house for six weeks without meat and drink. When at the
conclusion of this period ten persons were summoned to enter, they
found him seated on a sort of throne, his head covered with a
golden turban, a golden chain round his neck with a pendant silver
star on which sacred names were inscribed. Verily this man stands
alone in his generation by reason of his knowledge of holy
mysteries. I cannot recount to you all the wonders he accomplishes.
I am grateful, in that I am found worthy to be received among those
who dwell within the shadow of his wisdom.... I know that many will
believe my words, but others, who do not occupy themselves with
mysteries, will laugh thereat. Therefore, my son, be very
circumspect, and show this only to wise and discreet men. For here
in London this master has not been disclosed to anyone who does not
belong to our Brotherhood.
The esteem in which Falk was held by the Jewish community, including the
Chief Rabbi and the Rabbi of the new Synagogue, appears to have roused
the resentment of his co-religionist Emden, who denounced him as a
follower of the false Messiah and an exploiter of Christian credulity.
Falk [he wrote in a letter to Poland] had made his position by his
pretence to be an adept in practical Cabala, by which means he
professed to be able to discover hidden treasures; by his
pretensions he had entrapped a wealthy captain whose fortune he had
cheated him out of, so that he was reduced to depending on the
Rabbi's charity, and yet, despite this, wealthy Christians spend
their money on him, whilst Falk spends his bounty on the men of his
Brotherhood so that they may spread his fame.
In general Falk appears to have displayed extreme caution in his
relations with Christian seekers after occult knowledge, for the _Jewish
Encyclopædia_ goes on to say: "Archenholz mentions a royal prince who
applied to Falk in his quest for the philosopher's stone, but was denied
admittance." Nevertheless Hayyum Azulai mentions (Ma'gal Tob, p. 13_b_):
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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