 Graetz had written that the chapters in Isaiah referring to the Messiah were meant to be interpreted non-literally, and that they referred to a national Messiah instead of a personal one.Isaac Hirsch Weiss published a pamphlet entitled "Neẓaḥ Yisrael" in support of the testimony.On the other hand rabbis such Azriel Hildesheimer, criticized Horowitz for defending Graetz.