Anniversaries marking Morais' ministry (25-26th, 37-39th, 43-46th years). Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. 1896
- Title
- Anniversaries marking Morais' ministry (25-26th, 37-39th, 43-46th years). Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. 1896
- Author
- Morais, Sabato
- Date Created
- 1896
- Format
- 9 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/p3zc7sc9x/manifest.json
- Link to Colenda
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3zc7sc9x
- Provenance
- Transfer of Custody from the Hebrew Education Society, 10 March 1913.
- Is Format Of
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/judaicadh/morais/main/TEI/SMBx11FF3_8.xml
- content
-
S. MORAIS,
546 N. FIFTH STREET,
PHILADELPHIA, PA.
96
Anniversary of my 45th year
with the Cong. M. I.
[Hebrew]
Whatever Philadelphia papers may have written, or represented in connection with in effigy, regarding the completion of the forty fifth year of my services to the Mickve Israel Con--gregation, did not emanate, from was not prompted by the least intimation given by myself received from me. At no time, on no occasion have I considered it of the slightest interest to importance that my constituents, and much less to the Hebrew community at large, to should learn what concerns my and person or my immediate household. If notwithstanding my taciturnity habitual silence on that point, that which I what I would prefer to have concealed, was revealed at different times periods, of my career, the fault must be sought looked for outside of my own self. person. However, It is not an assumed virtue that draws out an open confession this morning day, which may be the last anniversary of my induction into office the ministry My brethren may as well know me once for all. Circumstances have played upon my nature an ungracious trick. From the very earliest days years of my life, which I can recall, I remember myself a shy, easily scared creatures, trem--bling all over at the idea of being brought forward; preferring solitariness to merry company. Perhaps, I learned discovered rather too early soon the narrow range of my capacities, and I mistrusted them very greatly, so
as to prevent their so that they might not attempting the impossible. Yet, contradictory as it surely is, I dared study for a voca--tion, demanding uncommon abilities. But could I set my face directly in opposition to the will of the one, who made the anxious request? In my boyhood, the thought of raising a son to in become a rabbi, was joy to a mo--ther's heart. The merit secured in the other world, would be beyond surpass all measure; such was the hope. Never mind about the weight of the brains. Experience may have taught mothers that it was not singular in my mother mine to imagine our her son equal to any in mental calibre. I have often detected the same weakness elsewhere, and I did not undeceive a parent who saw a prodigy, where only mediocrity existed. However, I fought against odds. I studied under tremendous drawbacks. Filial af--fection on one side; poverty in the other, were the incentives. The anxiety eagerness to be of use, mostly to my mother's children, lent a will with which I had not believed to progress credited myself. When scarcely of age, I allowed myself to be was persuaded into accepting the invitation of an ancient and respectable Sephardic congregation to try for the position of associate Hazan. It was The venture proved a failure, and I returned home, rather crest-fallen. But again, Again the necessity of assisting those whom I deemed entitled to my assistance,
held my timidity under control, and I was seen once more on the banks of the Thames. agreeably to the advice of some Italian Jews in London, who were my advisers. They fancied that I might teach Hebrew in a congre--gational Orphan School. How I could ever act so rashly, is a wonder inexplicable to this very day. Without the knowledge of a word of English, I pre--sumed to instruct English born in the English translation of the Bible. in their own vernacular. Truly; necessity is the mother of inventions. I must earn a livelihood. With the aid of a diction--ary and a grammar, I succeeded in gaining a smat--tering that answered my purpose for sometime, that is, till towards the end of the year 1850. For, then an English Jewess, who had visited her married daughter in Philadelphia, having gone back to London sent for me. She inquired whether I would apply for the situation which I now occupy. I answered nega--tively, but again Italian friends were urged urgent, and I finally submitted. The task undertaken was comparatively easy, as far as the requisites in the contract into which I entered with the Congregation Mickvè Israel. Even if Even the times, when I was expected to ascend this sacred
desk, to lead my brethren in prayer, were fewer than I have made them, and regular t lectures were rarely not delivered expected looked for nor asked for. In fact, my predecessor in office, who, I think, introduced pulpit preaching in America among Israelites, spoke only at intervals; but he was master of the situation, and I in all reality, was unused to public speaking. The frightful question then arose. To continue or discontinue the delivering of a discourse. To abolish what he had been successfully begun, would have been was regarded by me a step backward and a reflection on me and all who such as had seen fit to entrust me with the a holy charge. So I compelled failing courage to hold me up, but though I read word for word from the manuscript, the effort caused a trouble and trepidation. I am not astonished at having been told, that what an attendant at the Cherry Street Synagogue, more candid than generous, had said, that she was of opinion that I ought not to attempt what she on her part could not make out. Perhaps, if she my departed sister in faith were now among the living, she might change her opinion. But I have reasons to surmise, that she was not alone in holding such entertaining unfavorable views of my preaching. But Still, I may make lo bold to say that time has wrought some changes for the better. If I cannot boast like Caesar, that "I came, I saw and conquered" I may say, that I guarded against a retrogressions.
But it may pertinently be asked, what means this rigamarole of mine as she a chosen the address of chosen for the forty fifth anniversary of my ministry. Well; it means that I never overrated my powers, and that therefore to represent me as "a force in the Community," as an "a brilliant intellectual" athlete, as a "a versatile linguist," and I know not what else, is to impose upon people's credulity. It means that, as I would decline post mortem eulogies, --generally fulsome-- I think it unfair to pronounce antemortem exag--gerated laudations. Yet, Nevertheless I do rejoice to be in the loving thought of my brothers and sisters in faith Israel, and especially in the thought of those whom I try to serve conscientiously. I am not indifferent to praise, for, then I would be not be human. The appreciation of my exertions in any direction, is a stimulous to proceed onward and upwards. It is solace amidst disappointments; the removal upraising of depressed spirits, when depressed, either through ministerially and or domestically trials. May I always win that gift from the children of the stock of Abraham, who share with me, creed, history and destiny. It may sound very liberal to advertise to the world, that we embrace in our activity, all human speaking beings, Jews, Christians, Negros Indoos; that we prepare for every one a home of delight,
food for the body, food for the mind, a study of the ethics of human equality & fraternity. During my long stay in this city of my pre--ference, Philadelphians may have had occasions to be consumed ascertain discover that I harbour no prejudice, against re--ligions and races different from Judaism and the Jews; that I honor respect honesty of conviction wherever met; but neither my ability nor my mind physical nor my mental ability is equal to the far reaching task contemplated by a singularly self relying rabbi. If they Were they I even equal to that athletic exploit I would con--sider the undertaking it altogether beyond the line of my duty. I live among my poeple, work for my people, and yearn for the good will of my peo--ple. If more is conceded to me, I value it highly, but I do not seek it. This, how--ever, I do seek, a proof that four decades and a half of steady labor have yeilded some durable fruits. Very many have are they whom I have taught; I could not reckon the number of individuals whom I have endeavoured to cheer in affliction, to heighten home joys in days of gladness, to give counsel of peace and reconciliation, but the reward which I most longed for I have missed. It is to have lend multitudes to the Sanctuary of the Lord, to have inspired multitudes with
unabated attachment, for to the culture of Hebrew, culture, to promote have created a sense of solidarity which is attended with a uni--versal affiliation to every object having promotive of the wel--fare of scattered Israel. Many that I had photo--graphed as it were, on my mental vision as future pillars of the Judaic edifice, withdrew their support. Many, too many, whom I had esteemed as public spirited, have preceded me to the land of silence, but a vast number of their offspring, who could speak and act well, have deserted the cause espoused by the fathers, so that the ances--tral faith faring whilom standing comparatively well in this city of our affection, is allowed to be dis--figured beyond recognition., and Nay, those who have deformed it secure unwonted honors are paid to men who deform it, as enlightened bene- They are extravagantly remunerated as factors of communal progress. -factors Yet, I will not despair, a few are left to champion legitimate Judaism. I pray this day, --which is to me a day of memorial--for their continuance of such as representatives of an intelligent Conservatism. That It is the citadel which we have built. Let us raise on upon it our ensign "the hope of Israel". In letters of fire the words of the prophet shall be emblazoned on its folds [Hebrew] O Adonaï, Thou art the Hope of Israel, all who go astray from Thee, shall be covered with clothed in shame"; but the defenders of the Torah shall wear a the mouth of glory. Amen. - Identifier
- p3zc7sc9x
- identifier
- SMBx11FF3_8
Morais, Sabato, “Anniversaries marking Morais' ministry (25-26th, 37-39th, 43-46th years). Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. 1896”, Sabato Morais Digital Repository, accessed September 19, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/morais/item/83350