Literary Production. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. May 1886 · Sabato Morais Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Literary Production. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. May 1886

Author

Morais, Sabato

Date Created

9 May 1886

Location(s)

United States -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia

United States -- Pennsylvania

Format

10 pages on 4 sheets

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?

Language(s)

English

Source

Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies

Sabato Morais Collection, Box 10, Folder 7

Has Format

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3w08x154/manifest.json

Link to Colenda

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3w08x154

Provenance

Transfer of Custody from the Hebrew Education Society, 10 March 1913.

Is Format Of

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/judaicadh/morais/main/TEI/SMBx10FF7_5.xml

content

On the strike, on the ministerial conference
of May 3rd, & on the meeting for the seminary May 9th 86

Brethren. To let events, that stir up communities, go unnoticed by the pulpit, is impossible. The labor question presents difficulties not to be underesti--mated, and it ill becomes inexperienced persons to discuss a subject extremely intricate and perplexing. But Religion must necessarily deplore the evils that flow from the unsettlement of the vexatious question. While my feelings lean towards the side of the working classes, which form the bones and sinews of the body politic, my mind tells me that ca--pitalists also have rights which the laborers must are bound to respect. I conceive, however, that if the laws of Moses, as beautifully illustrated in the portion section which we have just read about the rights duties of the land--owner and the rights privileges of the needy were carried out in spirit, if not to the letter; if the rich wealthy em--ployer always evinced a kind and considerate be--haviour, and the employée were not prone to follow demagogues, matters would might be amicably ad--justed to an incalculable advantage.

But whatever views persons may hold on the causes of the unfortunate strikes now still prevailing and on the method of their removal, all who possess a sound correct judgment, will look with horror upon anarchy. The heart sick--ens at the report of riotous seditions, of blood--shed and incendiarism, that have no other pur--pose save that of giving vent to a spirit of revenge, because the poor are not rich and the rich are not poor. We should blush for Europe, whose refuse-gathered in cities of this free land, hospitably open to all--stirs up mu--tiny, and incites the unwary to initiate in America, a French reign of terror. Chicago--the hotbed of fanatical radicalism in politics and in religion--has become the centre of that execrable work. There mad communism is let loose, there humanity has been trampled down by a hideous monster, miscalled "Socialism". But to me the confession, which one of the ring leaders of mischief made, was a sad revelation. You may have read that when closely questioned,

the arch arnachist said: "I don't believe in God". Many centuries ago we were shown the inevi--table issue of Atheism [Hebrew] "The vile man says in his heart 'there is no God,'" then the terrible consequences of that avowal are pictured [Hebrew] [Hebrew] "They have become corrupt, they act abominably, none does any good". It was so when the Psalmist penned those sentences, and it will manifestly continue so on every spot of the earth, while the world lasts.
But this subject, suggestive of serious thoughts, both from a national and a religious stand-point, is not that in reference to which I intend to detain you briefly. Two objects more im--mediately connected with us in our character as Israelites, have recently engaged my mind. First, a general conference of Hebrew Ministers, which I partly attended in New York; secondly, a private conference in the same city preliminary to a meeting which took place also there last Sunday.

My action towards the former may not unjustly be termed an olive branch, indi--cative of a wish on my part to let a flood of theological disputes cease. Would I could honestly say that a like desire pervades the hearts of all my colleagues. But a casual visitor at the ministerial conference must have perceived from the heat of discussion, that the opponents of Mosaics-traditional Judaism try with might and main to compel the acceptance of their subversive views. They loudly plead for union, but only for such a union as they have conceived, as they almost imperative--ly demand. No concession will they make in behalf of a Union which may restore har--mony in the distracted congregations of Israel. All concessions must emanate from those who avow their allegiance to ancestral practices, who believe that time-honored observances should not recklessly be cast aside.
When it is asked: "how shall our children be trained, that they may remain within the fold?

"Must they be left in ignorance of laws connected with the history of their people, or shall they be told that time has rendered such laws null and void?", when that vital query is put, we are answered: "Every Rabbi shall follow a plan of his own on the tuition of ceremonialism." But will that course promote Union? I let those who have a mind to think, decide.
I admit. We are all a unit on one point. There can never be a disparity of opinions among Jews about the ethics of the Bible. The most un-compromising orthodox dares not have a standard of morals differing form that of the most radical reformer. "Righteous balances, righteous measures," righteous judging and righteous speaking, indeed all the statutes surpassingly admirable embodied in the nineteenth chapter of Leviticus lie at the basis of the social edifice. An Israelite who acts in contravention thereof, is guilty of a heinous offence. But are the ordinances in last sabbath's portion the twenty third chapter of Leviticus of so little account, that instruction on them, and the enforcing thereof, may be left to every one's option?

Has the 23rd chapter of Leviticus that great summary of Hebrew ceremonialism, lost its value in the eyes of persons born of Hebrew parents, persons still claiming the name of Israelites? Aye: here lies the difficulty. For Chicago, a Sy--nagogue has been definitely closed on the day placed foremost in that chapter among the holidays of the Lord--the Sabbath. From Chicago comes likewise the proposition to defer or anticipate festivals, whose sanctity is registered in that chapter, in order that they may always be celebrated at the most convenient time--Sunday. They who lightly treat that injunc--tion of fasting on the tenth of the seventh month, or sitting in tabernacles on the fifteenth of Tishri, would consider the tuition of such behests in our schools,as recorded in the 23rd chap. of Levit, a reflection on their unjewish conduct. "We will not staltify ourselves." say they in their hearts. "We will let each superinten--dent follow the bent of his or her mind, concerning those tenets. The pupils shall not have a text book containing rules about the celebration of certain of certain days, or the abstaining from certain meats."

"Enough if they learn and understand ethical rules." But Yet these genuine disciples of St Paul--the apostatized Saul of Tarsus, who gave precisely nearly the same directions about the conversion of the gentiles of his time, ask of a ministerial conference--reckon--ing men of orthodox principles,--that a delegation be sent to the adjourned convention of Pittsburg about to meet in Cincinnati. That delegation should act in concert with persons pronouncedly heretical, re--garding the adoption of a uniform plan of Sabbath School teaching. The request met with the decided antagonism it deserved. It was not complied with. No: in sorrow I say it, not in anger. There can never be a coalition between individuals who legalize the abrogation of statutes binding on Israelites of all generations, and the lover of historical Judaism. But there is a means to strengthen the hands of the latter, so that the banner unfurled at Sinai belifted high, and not suffered to trail the ground. To direct that means judiciously, was the object of a private conference held last week in New York. I naturally felt anxious about the result of the

meeting in the interest of the contemplated seminary in that city. Upon it, I judged, would largely depend the haste--ning or retarding of a scheme, which I have deeply at heart. A holy enthusiasm should be aroused. The choice of wide-hearted trustees, would lead to the choice of influential canvassing committees,and these would pledge themselves to labor without delay for the creation of a fund indispensable to the perpetuity of the projected institution. I confess that the mating did not fulfil my anticipations. Too much eagerness was displayed by some to gain posts of honor, and too little in sacrificing self personal or congregational jealousies for the sake of the cause. Thus time was frittered away, whereas it ought to have been seized upon and utilized to a great to a righteous purpose. But what was lost can be recovered. No more [?]; energy and an unselfish determination must urge on the work. Vast means are absolutely necessary. They must be procured, not by promises, which, for a variety reasons of motives, may be broken go unperformed, but by tangible, actual gifts of fifties, hundreds and thousands. Then and then only, with God's blessing, will the theological seminary have a permanent realization.

No gloomy apprehension of failure should deter hold back my generous brothers and sisters in faith, who yearn for the deliverance of the Torah, now fearfully imperilled. from acting munificently Without predicting that the germs we shall implant will, in every instance, produce the fruits looked for, we may reasonably hope that precept and example will often strike deep root and yield satisfaction. It is our solemn duty at all events to try to hand down the religion of Israel, as our ancestors transmitted it, at greater sacri--fices than we are demanded to make. With gold at our command, we shall through God's blessing, erect such a monument to Ju--daism in America, as will outlast ages. "Fealty" shall be its name; fealty to Abraham--the founder of our race, the friend of God; fealty to Moses, the deliverer of the oppressed slaves, the inspired lawgiver, the benefactor of our people; fealty to our prophets, to our sages, to our martyrs, to the history past checkered past of forty centuries that has made us eternal upon earth. "Oh! may the gracious favor of the Lord our God be with us; the work of our hands establish Thou through us, yea: the work of our hands establish Thou it." [Hebrew] [Hebrew]

Identifier

p3w08x154

identifier

SMBx10FF7_5