David Paul Drach
Encyclopedia
David Paul Drach was a Catholic convert from Judaism, and librarian of the College of Propaganda in Rome.
Drach received his first instruction at the hands of his father, a renowned Hebraist
and Talmud
ic scholar. At the age of twelve Drach entered the first division of the Talmudic school in Edendorf near Strasbourg. This course of study, lasting ordinarily for three years, he completed in one year, and entered the second division of the Talmudic school in Bischheim the following year. He graduated in eighteen months and then matriculated in Westhofen
to qualify as a teacher of the Talmud. When only sixteen years of age he accepted the position of instructor in Rappoltsweiler
, remaining there three years; afterwards he followed the same profession in Colmar
.
Here the youth devoted himself to the study of secular sciences to which he had already seriously applied himself during his Talmudic studies. Having obtained the rather unwilling permission of his father, he went to Paris, where he received a call to a prominent position in the Central Jewish Consistory
and at the same time fulfilled the duties of tutor in a Jewish household. The results of his method of teaching induced even Christian families to entrust their children to his care. He writes: "Stirred by the edifying examples of Catholic piety continually set before me to the furtherance of my own salvation, the tendency towards Christianity, born in earlier life, acquired such strength that I resisted no longer."
He now applied himself studiously to patristic
theology and specialized in the study of the Septuagint in order to investigate accusations made by certain rabbis that the Alexandrian translators had been unfaithful to the original Hebrew. These studies resulted in his unquestioned belief in the divinity and Messiahship of Jesus Christ. On Maundy Thursday
, 1823, he renounced Judaism
in the presence of Archbishop Quélen
, in Paris, was baptized the following (Holy) Saturday, and on Easter
morning received his first Holy Communion and the Sacrament of Confirmation. Two daughters and an infant son were also baptized. David Paul DRACH was married to Sara DEUTZ,born October 1794 in Oberwesel, Germany. Sara DEUTZ was the dauther of Judith BERMANN and Rabbi Emanuel DEUTZ, chief Rabbi of Paris. His wife,the only member of the family who remained Jewish, is reported by the Catholic Encyclopedia
to have abducted the children. They were returned, however, after two years.
After a few years Drach went to Rome, where he was appointed librarian of the Propaganda (1827), which office he held at his death. His conversion apparently inspired others, including that of Libermann brothers; Francis Libermann
was especially grateful to Drach for his advice and assistance in the establishment of the "Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary".
Drach received his first instruction at the hands of his father, a renowned Hebraist
Hebraist
A Hebraist is a specialist in Hebrew and Hebraic studies. Specifically, British and German scholars of the 18th and 19th centuries who were involved in the study of Hebrew language and literature were commonly known by this designation, at a time when Hebrew was little understood outside practicing...
and Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
ic scholar. At the age of twelve Drach entered the first division of the Talmudic school in Edendorf near Strasbourg. This course of study, lasting ordinarily for three years, he completed in one year, and entered the second division of the Talmudic school in Bischheim the following year. He graduated in eighteen months and then matriculated in Westhofen
Westhofen
Westhofen is an Ortsgemeinde – a municipality belonging to a Verbandsgemeinde, a kind of collective municipality – in the Alzey-Worms district in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.- Location :...
to qualify as a teacher of the Talmud. When only sixteen years of age he accepted the position of instructor in Rappoltsweiler
Ribeauvillé
Ribeauvillé is a commune in the Haut-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.Its inhabitants are called Ribeauvillois.The picturesque town is located around north of Colmar and south of Strasbourg.-History:...
, remaining there three years; afterwards he followed the same profession in Colmar
Colmar
Colmar is a commune in the Haut-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.It is the capital of the department. Colmar is also the seat of the highest jurisdiction in Alsace, the appellate court....
.
Here the youth devoted himself to the study of secular sciences to which he had already seriously applied himself during his Talmudic studies. Having obtained the rather unwilling permission of his father, he went to Paris, where he received a call to a prominent position in the Central Jewish Consistory
Central Consistory
Central Consistory is the institution set up by Napoleon I by means of the Imperial Decree of 17 March 1808 to administer Jewish worship in France....
and at the same time fulfilled the duties of tutor in a Jewish household. The results of his method of teaching induced even Christian families to entrust their children to his care. He writes: "Stirred by the edifying examples of Catholic piety continually set before me to the furtherance of my own salvation, the tendency towards Christianity, born in earlier life, acquired such strength that I resisted no longer."
He now applied himself studiously to patristic
Patristics
Patristics or Patrology is the study of Early Christian writers, known as the Church Fathers. The names derive from the Latin pater . The period is generally considered to run from the end of New Testament times or end of the Apostolic Age Patristics or Patrology is the study of Early Christian...
theology and specialized in the study of the Septuagint in order to investigate accusations made by certain rabbis that the Alexandrian translators had been unfaithful to the original Hebrew. These studies resulted in his unquestioned belief in the divinity and Messiahship of Jesus Christ. On Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great & Holy Thursday, and Thursday of Mysteries, is the Christian feast or holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles as described in the Canonical gospels...
, 1823, he renounced Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
in the presence of Archbishop Quélen
Hyacinthe-Louis De Quelen
Hyacinthe-Louis De Quelen was Archbishop of Paris.-Biography:Born in Paris, he was educated at the College of Navarre. Ordained in 1807, he served a year as Vicar-General of Saint-Brieuc and then became secretary to Cardinal Fesch. When the latter was sent back to his diocese, de Quelen exercised...
, in Paris, was baptized the following (Holy) Saturday, and on Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
morning received his first Holy Communion and the Sacrament of Confirmation. Two daughters and an infant son were also baptized. David Paul DRACH was married to Sara DEUTZ,born October 1794 in Oberwesel, Germany. Sara DEUTZ was the dauther of Judith BERMANN and Rabbi Emanuel DEUTZ, chief Rabbi of Paris. His wife,the only member of the family who remained Jewish, is reported by the Catholic Encyclopedia
Catholic Encyclopedia
The Catholic Encyclopedia, also referred to as the Old Catholic Encyclopedia and the Original Catholic Encyclopedia, is an English-language encyclopedia published in the United States. The first volume appeared in March 1907 and the last three volumes appeared in 1912, followed by a master index...
to have abducted the children. They were returned, however, after two years.
After a few years Drach went to Rome, where he was appointed librarian of the Propaganda (1827), which office he held at his death. His conversion apparently inspired others, including that of Libermann brothers; Francis Libermann
Francis Libermann
Francis Mary Paul Libermann was a 19th-century Jewish convert to Catholicism who was a member of the Spiritan order. He is best known for founding the Congregation of the Sacred Heart, which later merged with the Congregation of the Holy Ghost. He is often referred to as "The Second Founder of the...
was especially grateful to Drach for his advice and assistance in the establishment of the "Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary".
Published works
- Lettres d'un rabbin converti aux Israélites, ses frères (Paris, 1825)
- Bible de Vence, with annotations (Paris, 1827–1833) in 27 volumes octavo.
- He remodelled the Hebrew-Latin Dictionary of GeseniusWilhelm GeseniusHeinrich Friedrich Wilhelm Gesenius was a German orientalist and Biblical critic.-Biography:He was born at Nordhausen...
- Catholic Hebrew-Chaldaic dictionary of the Old Testament (ed. Migne, Paris, 1848)
- Du divorce dans la synagogue (Rome, 1840);
- Harmonie entre l'église et la synagogue (Paris, 1844)
- La Cabale des Hébreux (Rome, 1864).