Also when he left Czestechowa in the year 5522 [1772/3] he dispatched us, the signatories below, to a number of towns, to Lublin, Lwow, Brod and to other towns, as his embassy, to inform all who fear the Lord that they know that there will come a time when all the Jews will be forced to become apostates; for the decree has come from the Lord Himself, whatever the form. And anyone who shall enter into the shadow of faithfulness of the House of the God of Jacob, the God of Jacob will be his support so that he not lose the worlds.[29] For in his shadow we shall live in the midst of the nations,[30] and you shall not be
derisive, lest they tighten your reins.
Footnotes
[29] Berakot 51a; this world and the world to come
[30] Lam. 4:20
Commentary on Frank's Oral Message
Lines 21-26 of page 2 bridge the two parts of the document. The embassy sent by Frank in 1772/1773 reiterates the claim that Jacob Frank was the reembodiment of the patriarch. The ancient passages which everyone assumed referred to the son of Isaac actually pointed to his living eponym. His orders, no matter how extreme, must be carried out even if they involve apostasy. The purpose of citing this embassy lies not in its content, but in its historical context. The question might be asked: By what authority did the authors of this letter represent the master? They answer this question by citing that Frank himself had sent them to act as his messengers. The date of the embassy may also be of significance since it was at the beginning of 1773 that the advancing Russian troops liberated Frank from exile. Again, as in the second letter, Frank tends to become apologetic by threatening those who mock him with dire consequences.[31]
Footnote
[31] 2:26
