Grace Aguilar: Using Writing to Glorify G-d’s Name

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The name Grace Aguiler has all but slipped through the slippery hold of history, and perhaps only avid historians are familiar with her life story and works. When researching on her, however, an entire world of a woman’s faith and courage opened up. Resilience through the darkest days, and above all, the usage of her exquisite writing talent and huge breadth of knowledge used solely to glorify G-d’s name and bring people closer to him.

Her collection of literary works is huge and includes books, articles, collections of poems and the like. Below is but a tiny excerpt of a poem titled ‘The Rocks of Elim’¹.

‘The sun was sinking slowly in the west,

Yet filling that fair scene with golden light,

Which, soft and mellow’d, heat intense suppress’d,

Yet gilded rock and wave with radiance bright;

And o’er the lovely azure of the sky,

Clouds, gold and crimson, gorgeously swept by,

But all breathed peace and stillness; not a sound

Broke the full silence lingering around’

Can you, like me, envision the scene as you read this poem? Can you feel the heat of the sun? See the clouds, the golden light? It’s evidently been written by a strong poet. But more than that, it’s been written by someone with a powerful soul and intense feelings.

Who was Grace Aguiler and what is the secret of her literary works that have remained relevant for over 2 centuries?

Above all, Grace Aguilar stands as a testament to deep commitment to her Jewish heritage. Born on June 2, 1816, to Spanish-Jewish parents in Hackney, London, Grace’s journey unfolded against a backdrop of personal challenges, intellectual curiosity, and an unyielding passion for writing.

Grace Aguilar’s early years were marked by fragility, both in health and circumstances. Born into a family with roots tracing back to Spanish Jews who fled persecution, she inherited a rich cultural legacy. Her parents, Emanuel and Sarah Aguilar, provided her with a predominantly home-based education due to her delicate health. At the age of four, Grace was taken to Hastings for the sake of her well-being, where her love for collecting and arranging shells blossomed.

It was also in Hastings where it became apparent that Grace was no ordinary child – interested only in play and pleasure – but a sensitive soul who viewed life through a deeper lens. Through the lens of a writer.

Grace had a voracious appetite for learning despite spending only 18 months at a formal school during her childhood. She was an avid reader and a meticulous journal keeper by the age of seven. Her educational journey included a tour of English towns in 1835, where she immersed herself in diverse experiences, from visits to porcelain works to pin factories.

Rest assured, her desire to travel and knowledge was not merely the pursuit of education as an end on its own. Rather it was an intense internal curiosity about the world and everything in it that she would go on to share with her people as an everlasting gift.

Grace’s extraordinary literary prowess showed early in her life. At the age of nine, she penned her first poems, which were filled with a keen understanding of the world, of humans and the spiritual realm.

Grace’s unwavering commitment and passion to Judaism found expression in her works. In 1835, she translated the French book “Israel Defended” and anonymously published a collection of poems titled “The Magic Wreath”² During this period, she also wrote “The Vale of Cedars”³, which was published in 1850 and translated into German and Hebrew. These works, in one way or another, overflowed with the beauty of Torah, her passion for life and the world and everything in it.

At the age of 21, in 1838, Grace contracted measles, leading to a decline in her physical well-being. Undeterred by her health challenges, she continued writing and produced significant works such as “The Records of Israel”⁴, “The Women of Israel” and “The Jewish Faith.”

Her spectacular literary work stands as a testament of the internal faith that every Jewish woman possesses. Her works include multiple examples from her personal life of how she used her inner compass and connection to Hashem to guide her through her multiple challenges. And more than that, how she wrote through the darkest of days – and gave the Jewish people the gift of her works.

The Aguilar family faced a string of challenges, including the death of Grace’s father in 1845. Her brother Henry, who had embarked on a maritime career, returned home after their father’s demise. Grace’s health continued to worsen, leading to a move to Clarence Place, Clapton Square, London. During this time, instead of retreating into herself as a result of her personal tragedies – she instead embraced all life still had to offer and wrote extensively, publishing “The Spirit of Judaism” in 1842 and “The Jewish Faith” in 1845.

Despite challenges of deteriorating health and difficulty speaking, Grace’s literary output remained prolific. Her final publication, an article titled “History of the English Jews”⁵, is her last testament for her commitment to preserving Jewish History.

Grace Aguilar’s life journey, though marred by adversity, is an icon of burning faith and passion to inspire others, above all. A trailblazer in the literary world, her works continue to inspire and educate readers about the rich tapestry of Jewish history and faith. Grace’s legacy extends beyond her own time, serving as a beacon for those who navigate personal challenges and exploring our faith and history. In remembering Grace Aguilar, we remember a woman whose words transcended physical boundaries, leaving an enduring impact on literature, history and the enduring power of the written word.

Much like David Hamelech, who wrote the Tehillim as his song of pain, praise and deep connection to Hashem as he was being chased to death by his son by his father in law, as he was shunned by his brothers and as he faced legions of enemies, so too, Grace Aguiler wrote masterfully wherever she went, and whatever she went through, and in turn, left an eternal legacy.