Anniversaries marking Morais' ministry (25-26th, 37-39th, 43-46th years). Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. 1888
- Title
- Anniversaries marking Morais' ministry (25-26th, 37-39th, 43-46th years). Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. 1888
- Author
- Morais, Sabato
- Date Created
- 1888
- Format
- 10 pages on 4 sheets
- Language(s)
- English
- Source
- Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies
- Sabato Morais Collection, Box 11, Folder 3
- Has Format
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3gb1z214/manifest.json
- Link to Colenda
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3gb1z214
- Provenance
- Transfer of Custody from the Hebrew Education Society, 10 March 1913.
- Is Format Of
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/judaicadh/morais/main/TEI/SMBx11FF3_2.xml
- content
-
On the 26th anniversary
of the 7th st Synagogue
Brethren B An estimable lady-friend said to me last year about this season, that I committed a grievous error. (It was not the first, nor can I hope it will be the last) She believed that had I followed then an almost uni--versal practice, a great end would have been accom--plished. It was then the 25th anniversary of the dedication of this Synagogue. Its celebration with festive ceremonies on a week day, would have drawn here a throng, and free-will offerings would have poured in sufficient to redeem, partly at least, our congre--gational indebtedness. So my friend believed. I confess that the idea of holding a celebration did oc--cur to me. But after having revolved in my mind the pros and cons I dismissed it. Not that my in--terest in the welfare of this sacred building had at all lessened. Nay: to have been able to tell, as a sister congregation in New York told last week to an editor of a city paper "Our Synagogue is entirely unencumbered," would have afforded me veritable pleasure. But I asked myself: ought I to use a means-legitimate enough yet intended as a subterfuge, in order to induce the
wealthy among my constituents, to perform a duty which I have set before them with repeated emphasis countless times? And if I fail, even despite the addition of that means, adopted, will I not suffer the deepest mortification? These reflections disturbed me, and I let the occasion pass by unnoticed. But the During twenty sixth year has arrived, and with it an--xious thoughts have crowded my mind. You will pardon me for making allusions to events which occasion will cause pains. During the last twelve months we have met with irreparable losses, more numerous, I judge, than we have sustained in the same space of time, since the erection of this minor sanctuary. I call those losses "irreparable," because in too many instances the absence of the departed has not been replaced supplied by their survivors, and because some of the survivors Is after having joined us, withdrew for having grown indifferent to the religion of their deceased fathers. We should fervently pray that the coming fiscal year may prove more prosperous, but our supplications must be supported by personal and most earnest efforts.
In proportion as the difficulties to obtain success increase, so must our exertions become stronger. When Israelites, married ones, at all events, would never have conceived the idea of remaining unconnected with a congregation, it might have been comparatively easy to obtain secure an accession to our number. But now sentiments have undergone a lamentable stupendous change. With the creation of pseudo Jewish orders; of independent burial grounds cemeteries; of public hall worship at the lowest rate twice a year, and kindred indecorous institutions, the impediments to our material progress augments constantly. I will illustrate my point. Not long ago, I was prompt--ed by sympathy to attend a funeral. While at the house of the bereaved, I looked but saw no one who was likely to officiate and either a word of consolation or supplication of prayer. I made inquires, about it, and learnt that the head of the family belonged to a wide-extended society which, by the payment of a small quarterly assess--ment, furnishes money relief in case of sickness, hearse and carriages at death, ground for burial, and a stipulated sum, if the seven days of mourning are rigidly kept. Of course, the services of a minister are not engaged, that part is left to every one's free will and option.
In the case which I have quoted cited, the action might have had extenuating causes circumstances in the humble position of the party, but how many who allow some of their earnings to vanish into smoke with great ease, as if they money were valueless, prefer that cheap society method of showing their Judaism, to contributing to the maintenance of a house of God? It is owing to that fact that our Rab--bis in America have seriously discussed the question, whe--ther measures should not be taken, with the view to protect the interest of established places of worship. It was proposed that an agreement be entered into among ministerial officials to refuse any religious ceremony to persons of our faith unattached to a Synagogue. I thought the proposition irreligious, and dissented. But I do recognize the hardship. I cannot deny that the pre--sent state of affairs militates against the welfare of congregations. And ours more than others is exposed to dangers, which we must avert by strenuously strenuously endeavouring to fill our seats with occupants, even by waving rules, and welcoming him that can give only little, as him who is able to give much I will explain.
We have never had a school directly connected with our congregation. Though the Education Society ema--nated from our midst, was largely supported by our members, and to this day its leading spral spirit proceeds from among us; though the same may be precisely be said of the Sunday Schools, still we do not offer the supporters of attendants at this sanctuary the inducement, real or ima-ginary, of having their children taught Hebrew and the Bible gratuitously. This festive is circumstance acts greatly to our injury. It is not enough that--without daring to make a boast of it--I have personally contributed to the spread, or, rather if you will, to the preservation of a little knowledge of Hebrew in Phi--ladelphia, more than all my colleagues. It is not enough that I have always placed my time at the disposal of young and old, who chose to learn our sacred literature, and have supplied schools with teachers of my own train--ing. It is not enough that I have invited to my Sunday and other days class all, irrespective of congregational bias ties and af- -forded asked no question ritual question in affording general instruction. It is not enough that noise--lessly I have facilitated the acquirement of a familiarity with Holy Writ in its ethical as well as well as its historical contents, by explanations conversationally given, by lectures & exhortations and in no instance with the expectation or desire for a compensation.
No: people must be assured that their sons and daugh--ters will gain such proficiency as it will enable them to be confirmed with high honors. For that is the sum and substance of the instruction imparted in most of the congregational schools. Hebrew is not the main object, so true it is that its total abolition in Temples is urgently advocated in the pulpit & the press, by reason of the dis--qualification of the young to join in the prayers re--cited in the language of the scriptures. Ought we then to try a new similar plan, in order to draw adherents, ought we to open a daily school that we may rival sister con--gregations? Let me predict the effect of such a resolve. We would centralize an existing good, for fewer children would be likely to attend our classes, after public school hours in this locality, than those who frequent those in the afternoon the town town Hebrew free school. I say nothing of the expenditure that resolve determination would entail, and which we are ill-prepared to assume. But in my mind the adoption of such a system would prove damaging to ano--ther institution. Now under the influence, which this congregation has actively or indirectly exercised, the Sunday
Schools have grown immensely. I am not given to flattery, but my hearers will bear me out, when I assert that the prestige lent by the women of this religious body and of an similar religious body offshoot of our thereof, has been largely effectively at work in widening the sphere of our weekly institution. Should it be proclaimed that we have set up a separate one on Sunday morning, the continuance of that which has remained very nigh a half a century, would be imperilled, it would perhaps cease altogether. But then it is con--tended that such an event would be is rather desirable. Boys and girls whose parents belong are affiliated to a congregation would be sent there for a better instruction. Admit it for the sake of argument. Yet, I appeal to persons within reach of my voice, who are better qualified to answer the question. They must honestly say, whether even in the up town Sunday School, a large number of the attendants are not the offspring of coreligionists, attached to no Jewish congre--gation, whose homes have no distinguishing Jewish features, whose outdoor example is not calculated to benefit advance the Jewish cause? You cry "shame" and so do I, but will you deprive those little ones of the benefit they derive from some wholesome impressions in early life at a school,
where Biblical history is taught impartially and the Mosaic ordinances are expounded and recommended? Have I ever asserted that the course of studies is comprehensive, or that the present system is faultless? No: I would that the living word, more than the catechism should in every instance be the medium of religious tuition. I would that all who sit at the head of the classes be conscientious followers of the tenets they impart. I would that we had fewer instructors and better capacity employed in the working of the institution, so as to secure ensure progress, punctuality and perfect disci--pline. But happy as I shall be to devote hereafter the whole morning of Sunday to either of the two schools, or to both as formerly, aiding, advising, lecturing, I will never so offend the belief in which I was raised, and which I am bound to preach, never will I consent to limit my instruction to the ethics of Holy Writ, excluding the ceremonial precepts and the testimonies of the Lord. Do not rail at mock me by saying that any how those precepts and testimonies will go unheeded in the turmoil of a busy life, or through the ruling spirit of the time.
Shall I forswear my trust, or counsel my colabours to disgrace the memory of the pious ones who have directed the Sunday School, by turning it into an ethical culture, or an agnostic school? The though is im--piety. Let Radicalism or materialism do their worst. We shall instill obedience to the Lord and to Moses His servant agreeably to conservatism. Understand, not once have I so demeaned myself as to ask any of the Sunday School my pupils to attend worship here rather than elsewhere, but if poor parents re--quested that their children who go there be privileged to be first called to the Law in our Synagogue, I have unhesitatingly consented. Would that all who received that favor had remembered it. We might now be stronger numerically and financially. But it behooves all who belong to it us, to seek our increase by pleading in behalf of this holy house with friend and acquaintances. I beg for it in the name of conservatism, on this twenty sixth anniversary. I hopefully look to the directors of this ancient and respectable congregation in Israel to infuse into it a fresher life, energy and consistency. Oh may it last for ever! May it show stand high as a beacon to the erring, rescuing many from sin, causing multitudes to find the path of salvation and eternal joy [Hebrew] [Hebrew] "Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and they who bring [?] bring many to righteousness like the stars for ever & ever Amen. - Identifier
- p3gb1z214
- identifier
- SMBx11FF3_2
Morais, Sabato, “Anniversaries marking Morais' ministry (25-26th, 37-39th, 43-46th years). Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. 1888”, Sabato Morais Digital Repository, accessed September 19, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/morais/item/83346