Anniversaries. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. 1867 · Sabato Morais Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Anniversaries. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. 1867

Author

Morais, Sabato

Date Created

1867

Location(s)

United States -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia

United States -- Pennsylvania

Format

12 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 11, Folder 2

Has Format

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p32z1377d/manifest.json

Link to Colenda

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p32z1377d

Provenance

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

Is Format Of

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/judaicadh/morais/main/TEI/SMBx11FF2_7.xml

content

7

Messrs
For the 7th anniversary
of the Synagogue
in 7th st

Brethren! I have an announcement to make, and yet I hesi--tate to deliver it. My feelings are at variance. Duty says: speak fearlessly, for, your intentions are good. Prudence, or, to call it by its own name, expediency, advices silence. I have been therefore debating in my mind what course to follow. Knowing how apt we all are to misjudge, I would spare myself the mortification of having given occasion to a wrong construction of my motives. On the other hand, as I have been entrusted with a religious mission, I conceive that I would be guilty of inexcusable selfishness, if to avoid vexation, I neglected its fulfilment. As you see, I am truly [Hebrew] "halting between two opinions" between that formed by cool reflection, and that which conscience tacitly expresses. But the latter has a much greater weight than the former It I must heed, regardless of consequence. Well then, my hearers! Let it be known unto all of you, that this Synagogue has just completed its seventh year, and it has not yet become the house of God. I do not aim at creating a sensation. I state actual facts. This Synagogue is not yet the house of our God. And I will prove it. I turn to the page sin the book of Exodus, which record the dedication of the Tabernacle, and there I read that

men vied with each other in endowing that edifice with their bountiful gifts. Nay, women gladly parted with the polished steel, which, in those ancient days, served them as a mirror, in order that it might be used for a holy purpose. Spontaneously and with boundless generosity the people offered, with the view that the building in which the Lord was to be worshipped, might lack neither beauty nor support. Therefore was the Tabernacle properly called "the house of the Eternal God" [Hebrew]. I search further into historical events, and I find that the renowned Temple set up on mount Moriah, was the witness of a spirit of unequalled liberality; that king David in his utterance of thanksgivings, acknowledges, that he was not alone in laying aside treasures for the rearing of that long-contemplated struc--ture and its maintenance, but that many, though need--lessly, brought the choicest objects they possessed, as tokens of their devotional sentiments. Therefore was the Temple rightly called "the house of God" [Hebrew]. And even at a still later period, when a remnant of Judah, frew and poor, hailed again the ancestral land, they could gather means to raise the Sanctuary from its ruins, and enrich it with voluntary contributions. Therefore was also the second

Temple fitly called [Hebrew] "the house of God, that is, the God of Israel." Contrast now, my Brethren! the condi--tion of this devoted spot with those, in which our ancestors poured forth their entreaties, and say whether it is likewise entitled to the name they bore. I may be ridiculed, according to prevailing ideas, but I contend that the dwelling in which I reside, is not exclusively my own, so long as any one can exact of me a sum yet left unpaid, or compel the disposing of the premises to meet the demand. Is it then an honor to our God, that such should precisely be the state of this habitation, avowedly hallowed to His service? Is it an honor to you, I will ask, who having the ability, refuse to place this Synagogue above all contingencies? I know your answer, and can anticipate it. "The circumstance you apprehend cannot possibly happen, for the pledge into which the congregation have entered, will ever be faithfully redeemed, and no one shall dislodge us hence. You may therefore dismiss at once those sombre thoughts form your mind." Now, Brethren. I insist that even if the case were--beyond all unforseen and unthought of casualties--, as you have described it still it would be an insult to the Almighty, to allow any human being

to own a portion, however small, of his sacred abode. [Hebrew] says the Sage of the Mishnáh. All we claim as ours, even our own existence, is a gift at His divine hands. Shouldwe then let strangers to our faith, boast of having a title to a mansion, of which we, pro--fessedly, made the Donor of all good a present, because we in all reality will not give Him a little of our superfluities? But in--dependent of this serious consideration: can we be so certain that our moral obligation will always be discharged? It must be in the recollection of all my hearers, that at one time,--and that not many years ago--, the treasury of this congregation was very night exhausted, and great difficulty was experienced in preventing the unfortunate event, which that fact threatened to bring on. What has once come to pass, may occur a second time with a more discreditable issue, and you will have doubly sinned against God, because warned by experience, you scorned its lessons. Indeed, my Brethren! Averse as I am to communicate to you the misgi--vings I entertain, I cannot forbear pointing out some of the causes which depress my spirits. I see a gradual waning of our numerical strength. The void created by the decease of some of our members or by their non-attendance through age, has not been filled of by their offspring. They who weekly worshipped at this shrine

when young, are--with few honorable exceptions, absent at all times, now that they have reached manhood. Some, again, have left our city, and some have, for reasons of their own, become attached to other Synagogues. All this, I acknowledge, may happen elsewhere, as well as among us, but not with the same results. If a hundred quit a community of Ashkena--zim Israelites, a thousand among those who emigrate to this country, will swell up the its ranks. Not so with us. Our ritual and pronunciation of the Hebrew language will not attract many of our fellow-believers, who are unac--customed to the same. They will naturally join those who adhere to a form with which they are most familiar, while scar--cely any, educated in ours, take up their residence in our midst. We cannot therefore depend upon a large accession of number, and through it on our ability to liquidate a debt, offensive to the Lord, by the accumulated surplus of our annual revenue. For my part, I would feel truly happy, if we could but retain those who have long followed the Sephardic Minhag: if we could but induce them to watch at these portals, and evince a lively interest in the welfare of their Synagogue!, now alas! so neglected. [Hebrew]

I was much pained when during last winter every Sabbath exhibited new vacant seats. But the air of genial spring did not breathe into my brothers in faith, a wish to revisit these courts of the Lord; while the summer--I know--will find them far away from a place where the word of God is listened to and obeyed. The autumnal season will see them return, but the days in which they will seek the face of the King who delights in the gathering of His prayful servants [Hebrew] will not equal in number those which they spent in sp seeking pleasure. I was not aware, however, that what I so lament, was aggravated by my own actions. Some attribute it to the absence of a weekly address that stirs up the heart and edifies the mind. Others, to the want of harmonious singing, and there are many also who consider that I unnecessarily prolong the service. Nevertheless, I aver that I am entirely guiltless. The first charge cannot be brought against me, for as I no sooner was I made to feel that my preaching was distaste--ful than I signified my willingness to yeild the position to abler and more acceptable men. Of the second, I stand clear, for, repeatedly I have requested the temporal leaders of this Synagogue to exercise their authority in preventing ill-timed and discordant responses. The third accusation,

can only emanate from persons who perform their devotions as an habitual task [Hebrew], who prefer haste to beco--ming emphasis. I have not the right--and nor will I ever assume it--, to alter the ritual; wherefore until it is abridged by universal consent, and under proper authorities, I must needs detain the attendants at this minor sanctuary, with the recital of its entire form. Still, I am earnestly anxious to draw hither a multitude of worshippers, not for any personal advantage, I solemnly declare before this oracle of our Lord, but for the glory of this house and of the Divine spirit hovering around and above it. Will a choir of male singers, among those, who can read at least our sacred tongue accom--plish it? I offer my gratuitous tuition to qualify them, prior to the ensuing new year, for the discharge of their duty. Will more frequent exhortations, a more frequent expounding of our laws and practices, effect it? I will bring to it unabated zeal, and if I fail, then you will be enabled to engage the services of my superiors in knowledge. The name which this congregation shall have obtained for piety and high-standing, will attract to it ripe scholars and finished orators. But you also, O my Brethren you must show a disposition to second my endeavours. The most glowing enthusiasm

will gradually die away, when instead of favor, it meets with scorn and apathy. It is unreasonable to expect from men, because clothed in a ministerial garment, a complete self-denial. You have a right to demand from them an irreproachable character, learning accompanied with devout habits; but you cannot ask and scarcely anti--cipate that they shall see their labor unappreciated, and wax more active and energetic. They are, like yourselves, but flesh and blood. Heirs to human infirmities, liable to the same weaknesses and the same frailty of nature. Like yourselves, they are sensible of neglect, and exultant at the approval of their fellow-creatures. Brothers! Friends! Let us work together. You plan and I will execute; or, I will devise and you bring it to pass. Only let us continue steadfast to the principles of our religion, and our holy traditions. Let us strive by concerted actions to improve the temporal and spiritual condition of our congregation, but without entrenching on "the ancient land--mark set by the ancient [Hebrew] fathers of our nation [Hebrew] We need a larger assemblage at all occasions, when divine worship is held in this sacred fane. We need a more decorous demeanour when gathered therein. We need a more punctual attendance. We need a more

impressive manner of chaunting the beautiful psalms and hymns of our ritual liturgy. We need, seemingly, pulpit instruction of a higher order. We need more liberal donations, that this holy house be established on im--moveable basis, that the shame resting upon us be rolled away, and our Lord be sanctified among the gentiles. I have already this day, and at other times, presented my views as to the method by which we can compass much of what is needed; and now I will add, that in order to accomplish, that which I last mentioned, free-will of--ferings, of a generous character, should be made or sent on each return of the glorious season of the feast of weeks, until the extinction of a claim on this hallowed edifice is consummated. Let it be a fund specially devoted to that righteous object. This is not, indeed, the most expeditious and noblest way leading to the goal of my desires, but as my efforts towards the adoption of a better course have been unsuccessful, I now resort to this, and bid it God-speed. Brethren! Let the morrow prove that of the abundance wherewith your Maker has blessed you, a slight portion is, with a joyful heart, laid upon His altar. Let the morrow be a vindication of the character of the Mikvé Israel Congregation, showing to the Jewish

world that you are equal to many, but inferior to none of your fellow-believers in acts of devotion, in deeds of liberality, and in ardency of love for your religion and your God.
And Thou who abidest on high, but deignest to look down below, accept the offering that Thy children will bring in honor to thy name. May it be counted to them for righteousness, and may it propitiate Thy fatherly grace. Grant that the merit thus acquired, shall stand as their advocate at the judgment-seat, and obtain for their forgiveness, prosperity and endless bliss. And now O Lord, let the prayer of Thy servant ascend Thy throne, and return not unfulfilled. I beseech Thee to exalt this congregation, to bless it with material and spiritual wealth; to render it the instrument of religious enlightenment and of salvation to many. May it be Thy gracious will that the youths thereof, ever remain attached to it; that they become zealous colaborers in the promotion of its welfare, and faithful adherents of the sublime laws, whose promulgation, we shall,

on the morrow jointly celebrate in this consecrated spot. And upon those, who with hearts flut--tering between hope and fear, have lately stood before Thy holy ark, to vow obedience to Thy will, let Thine eyes be open, O beneficent Creator! Lead them securely through the devious paths of life, uphold their steps that they may not be entangled in the meshes of vice. Grant that they may walk at large on the way that opens to their views a heaven of social and domestic delights. Grant that the lad, who from this day will be numbered among the worshippers of Thy Unity, may, like Samuel at the Sanctuary, be ever awakened by a voice which calls him to Thy service, and be ready to answer "speak O Lord! for thy servant heareth." So may it be; and say ye all. Amen.

Identifier

p32z1377d

identifier

SMBx11FF2_7