The Mission of Ha-Mitspeh

There is a need for a special Hebrew newspaper written for Galicia and the rest of the Central European countries—it seems to us that there is no need to emphasize this point. The two Hebrew-language newspapers [Ha-Tsefirah and Ha-Zeman] that are currently published in Russia are both in good taste. Unfortunately, however, the hands of the editors are tied. Newspapers in Russia are forbidden to publish anything important that takes place in their country. They are not permitted to say a single true word about the situation of the Jews—half of the world’s Jewish population—in Russia. Nothing can be said about the persecution and enmity perpetually directed at them. All of the newspaper articles there that describe the lives of our brethren in those great countries discuss marginal matters that are of no interest to those abroad. True information about the major events taking place there—the persecution, hatred, revolutionary movements, the many political parties that Jewish youth are involved with, the demands for justice and critique of injustice, the prejudice and oppression that Jews suffer on a daily basis from the government and its despotic officials, the cries of the oppressed and the moans of those who have been broken—none of these will be seen or found in the pages of Russian newspapers, as if newspapers were not created to describe such things. [ . . . ]

Let us have in our country, which, regarding this issue, offers us freedom, a Hebrew-language newspaper, which we recognize will not be able to enter into Russia, which will offer full freedom to its editor. This newspaper will not have to hide the truth nor withhold any events from its readers. It will report the important news and events that occur daily throughout the Russian Empire among Jews and non-Jews alike. This is especially important now, in the midst of the great war [Russo-Japanese War], when upheaval and changes are taking place, yet the Russian newspapers remain silent. Ha-Mitspeh [The Watchtower] will be such a newspaper.

We, the publishers of Ha-Mitspeh are aware that there have been many attempts in Galicia in the past to produce Hebrew newspapers and that all of them came to naught. The newspapers did not last long and those who published them blamed the local population and their character for their failure, judging them poorly in comparison with other Jewish communities. We are certain—based on those very experiences—that it was not the character of the people living here that served as a stumbling block to the success of the newspaper publishers; rather, those publishers did not understand the needs of this land and its inhabitants. That is what led to their downfall. [ . . . ] Let us hope that we will find success in this endeavor, and that the readers of Hebrew language newspapers in Central Europe and Galicia will recognize the value of our enterprise and will support us. We are not asking for favors from our readers, just for recognition of the need and its usefulness. With that, the newspaper will forge its own path and will not need to beg for kindness or compassion.

Ha-Mitspeh will not promise much in advance, but exactly what it promises it will fulfill. Even more than it promises, it will work to the best of its ability to improve and to meet the high standards of the day.

Ha-Mitspeh will not serve as a mouthpiece only for Jewish or Zionist issues, like our weekly newspapers that appear in other languages. Rather, it aims first and foremost to serve the goals of newspapers in all places and circumstances for those who cannot or do not feel it necessary to read a daily newspaper. Every single edition will offer an overview of all the important news that took place in the course of the previous week regarding political issues, together with social and communal topics among the nations of the world and the Jewish people, science, and literature. Those who read daily newspapers will also find reason to read Ha-Mitspeh, which will offer a review of all the important topics that are spread out in the daily newspapers throughout the week, together with opinion pieces from a Jewish and Zionist perspective. As is obvious, those topics connected to us Jews will receive more space than general news items. Special attention will be given to issues concerning Zionism.

Every issue of Ha-Mitspeh will include short articles that explain and clarify everything taking place in our nation and to our nation. It will comment upon all evil-doing here and abroad. It will take to task any inappropriate attitudes and will without bias judge all evil taking place. It will warn of every danger and every negligence deserving of rebuke. It will endeavor to awaken to action those who are slumbering and educate its readers in the spirit of true Judaism and Zionism.

Ha-Mitspeh will include literary and scientific articles, criticism, and scholarly research into our ancient literature and history, and will not exclude any Jewish subject based on preconceived notions or desire to imitate [foreign scholarship], as is conventional . . .

Ha-Mitspeh employs a staff of correspondents spread out throughout the diaspora, who will inform us immediately of any events concerning the Jewish people in the countries where they live.

Every issue of Ha-Mitspeh will also include a nice story or beautiful sketch, appropriate to the Jewish spirit and ethic. It will also have poems written by our finest poets and humorous pieces.

Ha-Mitspeh will follow the Hebrew language as it is known today, allowing it to develop naturally. However, it will not mix in Aramaic expressions without reason, which would serve to purposefully spoil the style, for example, to spite the false purists.

Ha-Mitspeh has been established as a partnership with a solid financial foundation, and its continued existence is secure.

Ha-Mitspeh will keep to its regular schedule and will always appear on time.

Ha-Mitspeh was not established for the amusement of the editor or readers. Rather, it is a business venture that serves to fill a known lacuna, which is why it aims to respond to the needs of everyone who reads our language. It will respond to the needs of the majority of the readers, by only including things that are of practical value, and will not sublime matters that are of interest only to unique individuals or non-Jewish tastes. Ha-Mitspeh will not be a luxury item, but an essential one—one of the basic necessities of life, like contemporary newspapers that exist among all nations.

As we make note of the unfortunate circumstances of our fellow Jews, we have established a very reasonable price for Ha-Mitspeh, one that is unheard of since the first Hebrew newspapers—six crowns per year, three crowns for six months and one-and-a-half crowns for three months.