If it revolted you, Christian reader, to study the horrible blasphemies in this book, do not vent your anger on me. I did not state in the beginning that I was going to narrate something pleasant, but merely to show you what the Talmud really teaches about Christians, and I do not think I could have done so in a more suitable way.

I realize, however, that, since the truth does not please everyone, there are many who will become my enemies for thus having borne witness to the truth. And I have been reminded of this, both by the laws of the Talmud itself which threatens death to "traitors," and more so, by the warnings of those who have had experience of the actions which Jews take against those who make known things which are not favorable to them. They all foretold that I would perish at the hands of the Jews. In trying to prevent me from going ahead with my work, some begged me to remember the fate of Professor Charini, who was suddenly killed after he had undertaken to translate the Talmud into the vernacular. Others reminded me of the fate of the monk Didacus of Vilna, a convert from Judaism, who was cruelly murdered; others of those who had been persecuted for having revealed secrets of the Jewish religion. Still others warned me of the danger to those dear to me. "Wszak ciebie zydzi zabija" (but the Jews will kill you), was repeated to me hundreds of times.

The book you now hold in your hand is the best proof that I did not heed these warnings of my friends. I considered it unworthy of me to keep silent just for the sake of my own personal safety while the conflict rages between the two camps of "Semites" and "Anti Semites," both of which claim they are fighting for the truth, while I know that the whole truth is not to be found in either camp.

But whatever befalls me because of what I have done, I shall gladly suffer it. I am prepared to lay down my life—

THAT I MAY BEAR WITNESS TO THE TRUTH (John 18, 37)

I. B. PRANAITIS

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