His Writings
Levinsohn's new position brought him into close relations with Nachman Krochmal of Zolkiev, an authority on all questions of rabbinical learning and Jewish custom. In 1817 he submitted to Krochmal his first critical studies, entitled "Ha-Mazkir," and Krochmal was so favorably impressed with the work that he offered to contribute toward the expense of publication. Unfortunately, it was never printed, and only a part of it was incorporated in "Te'uddah" and "Bet Yehudah." In 1820 Levinsohn prepared, for the benefit of the Russian youth, the first Hebrew grammar, entitled "Yesode Lashon Russiya." The necessary means being lacking, this was never published and the manuscript was lost.
About this time he wrote a satire on the Hasidim entitled "Dibre Ẓaddiḳim." Returning to Kremenetz in the same year, he began his "Te'uddah be-Yisrael," a work destined to leave an indelible impression on a whole generation of Russian Jews. It was finished in 1823, but was not published until 1828. The book attempted to solve many problems of contemporary Jewish life in Russia. It urged the study of the Scriptures before the Talmud, and the necessity of studying secular languages, particularly that of the Fatherland. It urged also the study of science and literature, and the great importance for the Jews of engaging in agricultural and industrial work. It strongly counseled the abandoning of petty trading and of other uncertain sources of livelihood.
Levinsohn's good advice, however, did not please the Hasidim, who opposed him in many ways and so embittered his existence that he was compelled to leave Kremenetz. Repairing to Berdychev, he became private tutor in the family of a wealthy Jew, and, gathering about him a circle of progressive friends, he organized a society for the promotion of culture. Regarding it as his special mission to carry enlightenment to the young generation, he resided successively in Ostrog, Nemirov, and Tulchin. On his way to the lastnamed place Levinsohn stopped at Kaminka, the estate of Prince Witgenstein, the Russian field-marshal. When the prince heard of Levinsohn's arrival he invited him to his house, assigned him a suite of rooms, and kept him there through the entire summer. The field-marshal liked to pass his evenings in conversation with the learned Jew, and often followed the latter's advice. (see image) Isaac Baer Levinsohn.
In 1823 Levinsohn was compelled by failing health to return to Kremenetz. Soon after his arrival there he was confined to his bed by a sickness that kept him bedridden for twelve years. Notwithstanding this he never resigned himself to mental inactivity, and during these long years of suffering he made himself familiar with Arabic, Greek, and Syriac, and studied the classics, political economy, and philosophy.
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