Bar mitsvahs. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. 1893 · Sabato Morais Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Bar mitsvahs. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. 1893

Author

Morais, Sabato

Date Created

1893

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 1

Has Format

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3h12vs4b/manifest.json

Link to Colenda

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3h12vs4b

Provenance

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

Is Format Of

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/judaicadh/morais/main/TEI/SMBx11FF1_19.xml

content

For a Bar Mitzvah.

In the beginning of summer, the first month of which is now expiring, I promised that my brothers and sisters in faith, who wish to keep up the public worship at all seasons, but still not to be detained incon--veniently to their health in Synagogue, should be dismissed on the Sabbath-morning after a short prayer in the vernacular instead of a discourse. With one exception, I have been unable to adhere to what I intended fulfilling: each week occasions having arisen, which de--manded some remarks of greater or lesser length. Today also, I must ask that you will bear with me awhile, for, I would not let our young confirmant, to use a modern term, borrowed from our gentile neighbors--think that his application to our religious body is not valued as much as that of others, whom we have lately greeted. I am anxious, on the contrary, that he shall be really confirmed in the opinion of the importance in which every accession to our number is held, and the glad anticipations formed, when such as he become qualified to be reckoned in the Congregation. For, I believe that the natural dispositions of the ancestors are inoculated in the blood running into the veins of their descendants. So I interpret the Biblical recommendation to parents to lead a virtuous and religious life, that God may show mercy to the thousandth ge--neration after them.

Now: the grand-sire of that lad was indisputably inclined to piety, and while he lived he felt it a pride to lead the yet unsteady steps of his daughter's first-born to the house of prayer. To train the child daily to bless the Lord for what he ate, and for the sleep he enjoyed, was also the aged man's pleasure. Well the recollection of those earliest teachings, always ineffaceable, combined with the qualities inherited, produce no beneficial results?... But I rely mostly on home influence, the means given us by the Almighty to be directed to a righteous end. I am aware of the lamentable circumstance which acts everywhere like a canker-worm in the field of Judaism and threatens to devour the branches and roots of the trees that should grow healthy in the courts of our Lord. I shall not allude to it this day, that I may avoid causing heart-burnings, while I desire to promote joyfulness; but I trust, notwithstanding a draw-back infinitely to be deprecated, that the influence of a parental abode where harmony, based on a sense of duty to one's children, will continue undisturbed, where satisfaction with one's lot, and gratitude to Divine Providence shall be exhibited, where, I say, the mother will incessantly exemplify the principles of our faith by industry and sobriety, and the father by honesty and kind--ness, will produce effects for which we may hereafter congratulate the son of believing Israelites.

I, on my part, am disposed to anticipate that issue, and therefore I address to you, my young brother, words of felicita--tion and encouragement. When I say that you are fortunate in possessing parents, who spare not expense to have you in--structed in the way you should go, I utter a truth, which you ought to feel, and try to avail yourself of by seconding the efforts made in your behalf. But I must likewise urge you to it, and I would be remiss in my duty, if I did not advise you to bestow your whole thought upon what is imparted to you, so that it may be stamped on the mind. By some lads of your age, studies are pursued as a mere compliance with pa--rental request, as rather a favor conferred on their superiors, and not with a high purpose ever present and ever ennobling. I would that you study all things, but specially the He--brew, with the view of understanding how to live righteous--ly, how to benefit others, and as a Jew to be one among the many, through whom a revival, or to speak more correctly, a foundation of a knowledge of our literature be established in this country of your birth. All cannot be gifted with the same abilities; you may, perhaps, have noticed with regret that others have quicker parts. But let me assure you, that it is not always the brightest, who make the finest scholars;

they who labor with a determination to acquire knowledge for a good object will surely succeed. The Rabbis preach patience and perseverance, as the all-conquering agencies, fully compensating for the ant of brilliant talents. They write [Hebrew] "If a pupil exists to whom learning is as difficult as the bend--ing of iron, let him still go on steadily." May you gain this steadfastness of purpose, and grow wise, but may you be noted in your manhood for the practice of virtue more than for your acquirements, more loved for the qualities of the heart than admired for the achievements of the mind. And let me pray that hose who have set their hopes on your future may realize the sentence of Solomon, that the instruction of the father, and the law of the mother, became an ornament of grace around your head, and a precious chain around your th neck. So may it be. Amen.

Identifier

p3h12vs4b

identifier

SMBx11FF1_19