Mendelssohn was a prolific writer who published works in both German and Hebrew. He achieved unprecedented fame in Jewish and Christian literary circles, while remaining steadfast in his commitment to halakhic observance and fighting tirelessly for Jewish civil rights. He also aroused opposition. Many Christians could not understand how someone so generous and learned could remain a Jew and called on him to convert to Christianity. Some traditionalist Rabbis opposed his German Bible translation because they saw it as leading Jews to embrace German culture and abandon Judaism.