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

Title

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

Author

Morais, Sabato

Location(s)

United States -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia

United States -- Pennsylvania

Format

10 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 1

Has Format

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3js9hs76/manifest.json

Link to Colenda

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3js9hs76

Provenance

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

Is Format Of

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/judaicadh/morais/main/TEI/SMBx11FF1_2.xml

content

16

An address on Parashat [Hebrew]
for
Two Bar Mitzvah.

[Hebrew] "The rich and the poor have met together, the Lord hath made them all." Brethren! It is my wish and my prayer, that the occurrence of this day, may be intended as an acknowledgment of that Biblical truth. Two youths have presented them--selves in this holy house, and have in the same language offered thanks to God. But their station in life is not alike. He who first blessed the name of the Lord, is lowly, deficient in earthly goods, and bereft of a fathers' tender care and love. The one who followed him is, on the contrary, the inmate of a luxurious home, the child of wealth, and the object of parental endearments. Yet both asserted that they are the joint-heirs of an inestimable treasure. Both declared that to possess the means which will secure equally to each of them endurable happiness. Is it really so? Have the rich and the poor in Israel a common heritage? A par patrimony, which supplies all with an unfeeling support? What say ye, my young hearers? I fully agree with the two Bar Mitzvah in their open declaration. Do you also assent to it?

Is the law which Moses commanded us, valued as an inheri--tance by you, who will soon form a congregation in Jacob? Let me rejoice in the assurance that your warm hearts beat high still for your religion and your people. Not many years have elapsed, since you first ascended this pulpit, and publicly avowed that the word of God is the sole guide to human felicity. Is that your present conviction? You must pardon me, if my expression betrays any mistrust in your firmness of purpose. Sad experience has taught me caution. Too often have I seen the professions of youth, be lied ere manhood had even been reached. Some whom I imagine would have grown to do Judaism honor, evince by their daily actions, utter contempt for its ordinances. While others that I prepared for the day on which they attained religious majority, now disdain to be reckoned as members of the Synagogue.
This is indeed a gloomy picture, but not one which has been designedly a overdrawn. I have simply delineated what every one that has eyes to see, can testify to be a palpable fact. Yes, I am deeply grieved at so great a defection among the rising generation, but thank God I have not lost

all faith in my Brethren. The cause of religion will triumph, though, like among the army of Gideon, only three hundred could be found that did not bend the knee to Baal. To you, my young friends! do I look--if not with the san--guine expectation of former years--with anxious hope at least. To you I look for the success of that holy cause. Your minds are open to healthful impression. You feelings strike a sympathetic chord at the appeals of the forsaken religion of Sinai. Let not, I pray you, let not the dictates of self-interest change your noble enthusiasm into chilling indifference. Keep its flame vivid and bright. Suffer not ambition or avarice to extinguish it from within your breasts. I [?], my beloved friends! the day on which I see the increase of your number, for despite many disappointments, I delight in thinking, that the disaffection of some, will be counteracted by your staunch adherence to the belief of our fathers. This sabbath especially, has inspired me with fresh hope, for, as I said, on it a biblical truth has been clearly illustrated. [Hebrew]. "The rich and the poor have met together (to acknowledge that) the Lord hath made all of them."

The religion of Israel does not--like that of heathens, admit of different castes entrusted with a partial knowledge of human duties. No, universal enlightenment is its ruling principle. Hence it is that the humblest among our brethren, not less than the highest, is expected to perform the commandments of the Lord. None needs plead ignorance, for the light that shone or the summit of Horeb--illumined all, ab and by all can Judaism be faithfully and intelligently f represented. Raise then your head with manly dignity, my young Brother, who are humbly situated. The religion you have acknowledged this day has exalted your existence. It has conferred upon you the right of equality. Morally and spiritually you are inferior to none. Your future exertions, and not the worldly good your parents have gathered, will enhance your position on earth. They will glorify your Creator, and give your soul immortality. Only be sincere and steadfast in your declarations. You should consider the event you have celebrated, as the first step to a career of usefulness and honor. You are now lacking what others possess in abundance, but the Father of the fatherless did not forsake you.

He did prepare for you the requisite comforts of life. A home where you met sympathy, consideration and timely aid was open to receive you. I can appreciate the loss you have early sustained. It was severe and irreparable. But friends and relatives most affectionate and kind are still with you. Their arms are stretched forth to help; and they they will, under Providence, lead you to a path, where industry obtains its reward. Let this thought animate you; let it inspire you with gratitude to God, and with a powerful desire to mount high up on the social ladder. You may yet acquire influence and wealth, for, it has been authoritatively written [Hebrew] [Hebrew] "The hand of the diligent shall bear rule," and in the same volume [Hebrew] "The hand of the diligent maketh rich." But remember this day, forget not, nor be ever ashamed of your lowly extraction. The portion you have read, affords you instruction. We find recorded therein a circumstance worthy of your notice. It is the following: Eliezer saw that his undertaking was about to be crowned with success. The family of Rebecca

had offered him a generous hospitality. Their demeanour towards him denoted respect. He might then have repre--sented himself as a great personage. He might have said, that he was the confidential friend, the messenger charged by Abraham with an errand which he would entrust to no inferior man. He might have exhibited a pardonable pride at his being deemed of so much consequence. But what were the words with which Eliezer opened his speech? [Hebrew] "I am the servant of Abraham. His humility equalled his fidelity. In all the walks of life, let it be your endeavours, to exem--plify those noble trials of human character; humility and fidelity to God and man.
And you, my young brother! you whom the Almighty has so greatly blessed. You the only surviving son of fond parents. You who are being reared with the tenderest care, and surrounded with joys; what sentiments, but those of gratitude ought now to fill your breast? The exertion you made to overcome you made a natural timidity, in order to perform a religious practice is laudable. You have gratified thereby those you owe a debt that can never be paid, and shown some disposition to righteousness. But much greater exertions than

that will be necessary, to fulfil what the law of our God commands. The best manner in which you can express gratitude for the favors enjoyed, will be by your future efforts to conquer sin. Your happy condition of life exposes you to enticements, which are not held out to youths in needy circumstances. The love of pleasure may lead you astray. The facility you will have to overreach others in the pursuit of gaiety and fashion, may lay a snare to your feet. Be on your guard. Beware of false friends. Avoid those that advise a departure from the religion you have openly avowed this day, in order to satisfy the cravings of the flesh. Restrain your appetites and the lust of gain. Give to God what is God's, even, the days He has set apart for His worship. You may by so doing discover perhaps that the heap of gold which will so much gratify your eye-sight, has grown a little lower, but you will then stand higher before your heavenly Creator, before your fellow-men, and in your estima--tion. Thus you will show a thankful heart for the benefits enjoyed in early years. Thus you will prove the sincerity of your utterance before the G Lord, and before this Congregation of your Brethren.

And now I conclude with a prayer that your future may be as joyous as your past, but also with an exhortation to follow the example pointed out to you in the section you have rehearsed. The relatives of Rebecca were loth to part with her so unexpectedly, and they asked of Eliezer that she might remain with them a short space of time. But the faithful servant could not consent, lest he break the promise made to his mother. "Do not delay me." [Hebrew he exclaimed. [Hebrew] Since the Lord hath prospered my way." The Lord, and not his well-matured plans, or his sagacity. The Lord, and not his foresight or wisdom. Him alone he recognized as the Author of his success, and in Him he confided for the speedy realization of Abraham's dearest wish. My young brother! Keep this scriptural incident fresh in your memory, and let it be the standard of your conduct. When prosperous in your undertakings, see always the hand of the Lord that showers down blessings upon you. Attribute to the Director of human events the affluence you may enjoy, and the honors which may be in store for you. Then humility will beautify your existence. You will be religious and virtuous. You will be charitable and kind to all.

You will obviously illustrate by your actions, what you have tacitly avowed this day namely [Hebrew] "The Rich and the poor have met together, the Lord hath made them all.".

Identifier

p3js9hs76

identifier

SMBx11FF1_2