# Mordecai Cohen — Daniel Deronda character guide > Mordecai Cohen in Daniel Deronda by George Eliot. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mordecai, Cohen, Ezra Cohen, Ezra **First appearance:** 0043-xxxv ## Snapshot A dying Jewish scholar and mystic who believes his soul will pass to a kindred spirit, and who sees in Deronda the heir to his vision of a restored nation. ## Who they are Mordecai, known in his family as Ezra, lives above a working-class household in the East End, his body failing while his mind burns with prophecies of Jewish renewal. He recognizes Deronda almost at once as the vessel for ideas he cannot live long enough to carry himself, and his insistence on this spiritual inheritance unsettles Deronda's English certainties. His reunion with the sister he thought lost gives his visionary fervor a human anchor, and his friendship becomes the hinge on which Deronda's identity turns. ## Relationships ### [Daniel Deronda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/daniel_deronda) _friendship_ Daniel becomes Mordecai's spiritual heir and devoted friend, sharing a visionary bond over Jewish nationalism. ### [Mirah Lapidoth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/mirah_lapidoth) _family_ Mirah is Mordecai's long-lost sister, and their reunion is a deeply emotional and spiritual bond. ### [Daniel Deronda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/daniel_deronda) _friendship_ Daniel becomes Mordecai's spiritual heir and devoted friend, sharing a visionary bond over Jewish nationalism. ### [Daniel Deronda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/daniel_deronda) _friendship_ Daniel becomes Mordecai's spiritual heir and devoted friend, sharing a visionary bond over Jewish nationalism. ### [Mirah Lapidoth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/mirah_lapidoth) _family_ Mirah is Mordecai's long-lost sister, and their reunion is a deeply emotional and spiritual bond. ### [Mirah Lapidoth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/mirah_lapidoth) _family_ Mirah is Mordecai's long-lost sister, and their reunion is a deeply emotional and spiritual bond. ## In the story ### [Book III: Maidens Choosing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/book-iii-maidens-choosing) Mordecai's visionary ideas and his relationship with Deronda become more central, highlighting themes of fate and nationalism. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xxxiii) The mysterious Jew in the bookshop, with a striking prophetic face, who questions Deronda about his heritage and then withdraws when Deronda denies being Jewish. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xxxiv) Present at the Cohen table, recites a Hebrew blessing, and exchanges fascinated glances with Deronda. ### [Book V: Mordecai](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/book-v-mordecai) Introduced as a key figure; Deronda meets him on the bridge and becomes drawn to his spiritual and nationalist ideals. ### [Chapter XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xxxviii) Mordecai is consumed by his yearning for the prophesied friend, experiencing deep discouragement after Deronda's denials but clinging to his vision. ### [Chapter XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xxxviii) Ezra Cohen is the head of the household where Mordecai lives, regarded with goodwill but not understanding Mordecai's inner world. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xl) Passionately asserts that Deronda is the destined heir to his Jewish vision, dismissing doubts and insisting on a spiritual bond that transcends biological lineage. ### [Book VI: Revelations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/book-vi-revelations) Reveals that Mirah is his sister; shares his visionary ideals with Deronda. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xli) Mordecai's passionate certitude and visionary excitement dominate Deronda's thoughts, presenting a claim of spiritual kinship and a demand for belief. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xlii) Articulates a fervent plea for Jewish national consciousness and the rejection of assimilation. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xliii) Reveals his past, his mother's suffering, and his belief that Deronda is his spiritual inheritor. ### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xlvi) Agrees to leave the Cohens and live with Mirah, though with reluctance. ### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xlvi) The pawnbroker who hosts Mordecai; is informed of Mordecai's departure. ### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xlvii) Reunites with his sister Mirah after many years; shows nervousness and deep emotion. ### [Book VII: The Mother and the Son](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/book-vii-the-mother-and-the-son) Mordecai is referenced as the spiritual mentor who awaits Deronda's embrace of his Jewish destiny. ### [Chapter L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/l) Mordecai's influence and his conviction about Deronda's Jewish heritage weigh heavily on Deronda's mind, shaping his thoughts and sense of duty. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lii) Mordecai comforts Mirah, expressing unwavering trust in Deronda and rebuking her curiosity about Deronda's origins. ### [LV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lv) Present in Deronda's thoughts as a kindred spirit and visionary. ### [Book VIII: Fruit and Seed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/book-viii-fruit-and-seed) Sees his vision fulfilled as Deronda embraces his heritage and marries Mirah. ### [LXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lxi) Mordecai is in a state of exaltation, anticipating seeing Deronda again, and shares his thoughts on spiritual unity and self-sacrificing love with Mirah. ### [LXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lxii) Mordecai comforts Mirah after her encounter with their father, speaking of their lot as the lot of Israel and the mingling of grief and glory. He is reading and sifting old manuscripts. ### [LXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lxiii) Receives Deronda's revelation with joy and speaks of the spiritual pathways that have led to this moment. ### [LXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lxvi) Ezra confronts Lapidoth with severe authority, condemning his past sins but agreeing to provide shelter. He orders Mirah to leave the room and speaks of broken bonds and distrust. ### [LXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lxvii) Endures his father's presence as a severe duty; insists on supervising all work with the manuscripts; feels like he has a convict on leave under his charge. ### [LXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lxviii) Present during Deronda's visit; later comforted by Mirah and Deronda after the theft. ### [LXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lxx) Attends the wedding feast with a cherishing benignancy and later dies peacefully, breathing his soul into Deronda. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/mordecai_cohen - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters