Anniversaries. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. 1876 · Sabato Morais Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Anniversaries. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. 1876

Author

Morais, Sabato

Date Created

1876

Location(s)

United States -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia

United States -- Pennsylvania

Format

4 pages on 1 sheet

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/p39g5gz58/manifest.json

Link to Colenda

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p39g5gz58

Provenance

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

Is Format Of

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/judaicadh/morais/main/TEI/SMBx11FF2_20.xml

content

For the 1st anniversary of the young men's
Hebrew association of Philadelphia.
Ladies and Gentlemen! Ordinarily Generally, the farce concludes the performance. This evening a freak of our manager has made it first in order. I guess it was done on purpose. That head-piece of his is brimful of shrewdness. "Let us put the company in good humor. They will be more willing to lend their ears to the serious portion of the exer--cises." So must have reasoned to himself that man Wise the Steine, I mean, the Stone, on which whereon our insti--tution was founded about a year ago. I am sure he didn't mean any offense. But as he was once a child,--and he knows who we are all children of an older growth--he thought he would coax us into learning. I remember well,--though nearly two score years and ten have rolled away since--, I remember well when a Hebrew Alphabet was put into my hands. It contained large and small letters printed on paste-board, upon the top part of which the picture of an angel figured conspicuously. My little eyes being in sympathy with that spiritual babe, caught something rolling out of the outstretched wings. I had not been mistaken. They were sugar-plumbs.

That signet quickened my reflective organs. I soon gained an acquaintance with our twenty two letters. I say thus merely by way of illustration, believing that our manager by so oddly arranging the programme wished to give those who will render our entertainment instruction, a chance to be attentively heard. I only regret that with all his reputation for sagacity, our friend fell into a huge error. He chose the wrong person for the play. I am so accustomed to public speaking on grave subjects, that my attempt to excite a dispo--sition to risibility must needs a dead failure. I shall not try my hand at it. But as I am up, and some--thing has preliminarily to be said, according to promise, I will relate a short story. There was once a Rabbi who held a high position. But notwithstanding his acknowledged abilities and good character, he did not enjoy popularity. The community thought him too austere, too jealous of his authority, and too unyeilding to measures which others proposed. The charges were not unfounded. The olden Sage asserted that his conduct sprang simply from a consciousness of his religious duties. But whether that was so or not, his brethren who judged him by the result consequences of his exceeding strictness,

could not well suppress the antipathy entertained against a teacher, who drove away the people repelled scholars from the seat of learning, rather than impel them to seek it. On one occasion, when he used his power with undue severity, public feelings were wrought up to such a pitch, that a younger, but more genial Rabbi was selected to supercede the stern preceptor. The utility of that measure decision strike of jealousy revolutionary movement became at once evident. Whereas formerly many had kept aloof from the college, now so large became grew the attendance that an extraordinary number of benches had to be provided. The day upon which the new ecclesiastical chief was installed into office, formed quite an epoch in the annals of traditional Judaism. Ladies & Gentlemen! It is the hope of a similar result which suggested the literary entertainment to which you have been invited. I emphatically disclaim the idea of drawing a compari--son between my insignificant self and Rabbi Gamliel, the second. But I have during the last twelve months, as a presiding officer, and as a member spoken so repeatedly before this association, and always to very little purpose--owing perhaps to a lack of social ame--nities and of tact on my part--, that aware of my

incapacity to lengthen its life and give it strength, I heartily commend a change in the base of our operations. All look confidently to other men for the concocting of useful plans and for a wise direction. My colleagues celebrated for their discernment and persuasive eloquence can offer them, and they may moreover bring the popularity enjoyed to bear upon the furtherance of a worthy object, which has been left hitherto to lag behind. Why shall there not be among amidst a Jewish population of at least ten thousand an institution, to which our youths may be drawn for mutual improvement? A central point whence kindly influences may proceed and become visible in a closer intercourse among the co-heirs of the same Divine Law, and the possessors of the same rich literature? Where, I say, Israelites irrespective of laying aside ritual differences, will learn to appreciate and respect one another?....But I am admonished to cease. The sharp eye of our manager is on me. Our understanding was that I would make a few intro--ductory remarks and retire. I beg his and your pardon, and draw quickly back, but not without extending a cordial greet--ing to the assemblage that has honored us with their presence, and wishing sincerely that the Hebrew Association of Philadelphia may by the exertions of prominent individuals, add lustre to our city, and cement the bond of union among our people.

Identifier

p39g5gz58

identifier

SMBx11FF2_20