Exegetical lectures. Finzi, Ab. Philadelphia, PA. Undated · Sabato Morais Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Exegetical lectures. Finzi, Ab. Philadelphia, PA. Undated

Author

Finzi, Ab.

Location(s)

United States -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia

United States -- Pennsylvania

Format

13 pages on 6 sheets

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http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?

Language(s)

English

Source

Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies

Sabato Morais Collection, Box 12, Folder 2

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https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3vx06n40/manifest.json

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Provenance

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

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content

The prophetic blessing of Jacob

Written by my friend
Ab Finzi

[Hebrew]
"So they read in the Book, in the Law of God distinctly, and they gave the sense and caused them to understand the reading"--(Nehemiah Chap. 8th. V. 8th.)
Dear Brethren.
The veneration in which we hold the sacred writings, would greatly diminish in its value, were it only passive, or the mere effect of an habitual example; for to use a comparison; whom do you believe will be better impressed with awe and admiration for the work of God? he, who raising his eyes to the firmament, sees in the stars so many spark-ling spots, suspended above to illumine his nightly path, or he who has learnt their nature, their system, their various course through the space, and who beholds in them myriads of worlds ready to perform the task imposed on them by their mighty Creator.-- Will not the knowledge of the latter give him a more sublime idea of the Deity and his boundless power, than that which the former possesses? Now we will arrive at the same conclusion with respect to Holy Writ, He who peruses it and admires the purity and loftiness of its diction, without diving into its meaning, cannot certainly be on a par with him who not content with the surface will search into its inward beauty.
To these reflections which now strike our mind, our ancestors must have also been awake, when they requested their generous leader Ezra to expound to them the Law of God.--Seventy years of Babylonian servitude had erased from the mind of the majority the knowledge of the Hebrew language; that of Chaldea had superseded it; They assembled within the walls of the Sanctuary on their Sabbaths and Festivals to hear a portion of the Pentateuch, but few were those who could comprehend it in its original text.--It then became indispensable to resort to some means in order that the people might be

taught the duties contained in the Mosaic code, hence we find that beside Ezra the priest, who was acknowledged as supreme chief of Israel, and best expositor of their Laws, other eminent Jews, like Joshua, Shabbethai, Iszabad, and their colleagues, joined in elucidating the sacred pages to their brethren who had returned from the captivity; and so far they succeeded in their noble vocation, as to excise in many of them respect for their ancient institutions, and love for their Divine Author.-- But this state of things, which under different circumstances would have been but temporary, for a few years settle-ment in the Holy Land might have sufficed to revive the Hebrew tongue among our predecessors, was not the case with them.
It would be unjust however to assert that this evil could be easily obviated, for many impediments militated against it. Companies of a large number of Israelites whose interest or connexions had induced them to remain in Babylon, even after the edict of Cyrus had been promulgated, occasionally returned to the countries of Judea; They were totally ignorant of the vernacular speech, and lest their intercourse with the rest of their Brethren should be impeded by that difficulty, the Chaldaic language was necessarily kept alive amidst our Nation. Again; you all know how eventful was the history of our Fathers during the second Temple: debarred at first by jealousy from rebuilding that structure, they had scarcely begun to re-visit its sacred Halls, when hordes of foreign people invaded their cities, their languages of an entirely different nature, when blended with the hebrews', produced a barbaric jargon which marred the purity of the latter. But another and a stronger obstacle unfortunately intervened against the diffusion of the Holy tongue among our progenitors; I mean their intermarriages with idolatrous women; In vain did their leaders protest; to no purpose they excommunicated the perpetrators, because they foresaw the baneful consequences which would have accrued from that crime; They disobeyed; and their children

under the Tuition of their mothers, were every day more estranged from the lan-guage of their forefathers, Even as early as the time of Nehemiah, we perceive this awful sin predominating among our people, Thus that man of God complains, "In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdot, of Amman and of Moab; and their children spakehalf in the speech of Ashdot, & the Jewish language they knew not, but could speak according to the language of each people." Consequently to preserve against so many obstructions, the law of Sinai amidst Israel, a clear exposition of the same was of paramount necessity. We have no written record of any version of the Bible previous to the last dispersion, but, that there existed several we deduce from sundry passages in the Talmud; It is probable however as a modern Author of great celebrity observes, that these translations ranked under the same law relative to the oral traditions, which were to be learnt only by rote.--But although the exposi-tors of the law had all adopted in their versions the Chaldaic, on account of its popularity, yet it appears that they varied much in their translations, each render-ing the sense of the text, in the manner which he deemed the most explicit, or couching his language in a style that he esteemed the most elegant; That these discrepancies should have existed does not at all surprise us, but that in process of time they might have given rise to confusion as to the right understanding of the Scriptures, we can easily conceive; To prevent it, as well as to supply every teacher with a standard whereby to facilitate the comprehension of the Five Books of Moses. The illustrious proselyte "Onkelos," who flourished some years after the second dispersion, submitted to the judgment of his preceptors R. Joshua & R. Eliezer, a well digested interpretation of those sacred volumes, which they lauded and approved. I do not assume to say that I have scanned the work of this ancient teacher, so as to be able to pronounce an impartial opinion, nor do I feel

myself competent to do so, but this much I can assert that it is so highly reputed by the Israelites in general, that in my native land, each section of it is read every week, together with the original Hebrew.--Thanks to this translation of "Onkelos" our brethren who lacked knowledge in their primitive language, received through it's organ religious instruction touching their line of conduct as Jews. But a still greater advantage they derived from the same work: it's author did not, like the major part of our modern translators, adhere servilely to the Text, he hesitated not to deviate from it, when he with his sagacious mind perceived, that to convey a right sense such a freedom was requisite.
He for instance understood that in the lesson we have been perusing this morning, the forty ninth chapter if rendered according to the letter would be almost incomprehensible, for it is so concise, so full of allegories, and so very peculiar in its expressions, that no one unless deeply versed with our national vicissitudes, could dive into its real signification, wherefore casting off the shackles of servility, he ranged through it without restraint, and thereby shed light on many obscure passages;--This example I have chosen to day to imitate, and humbly will I also submit to your judgment, a paraphrase of the above named chapter, which I trust will facilitate its understanding; It is not original, for who can boast of originality after the gigantic minds of hundreds of authors have been employed in elucidating the Scriptures? yet I can sincerely affirm that I have laboured to select from the best commentaries the sentiments that I conscienciously believe to be the right, and if while I recite it your will compare it with the Hebrew text, and will recall to your mind at the same time the events in which subsequently our nation was involved, and ot which I judge our Father Jacob alluded, I doubt not but many of you will coincide with my opinion.
Beloved Brethren, favor me with your attention.-- The last hour of Jacob's life having come near, he sent for his Sons and thus addressed

them.-- "Gather your household together that I may relate what will happen to you in future times; Be assembled and listen ye children of Jacob and hear-ken to Israel your father."--
Reuben, thou art my first son, to whom the first produce of my labor, and the choice of my wealth appertained, thine would also have been the supremacy in sacerdotal dignity, and thine the pre-eminence in regal power, but when wan-tonness stirred like as foaming waters, impelled thee to an act which my soul abhorreth (Genesis Chap. 35. V. 22nd.) honour & dominion departed from thee, thy right of primogeniture devolved on Joseph, to whom I have given a portion above his Brethren, and Judah the fourth of my Sons shall be invested with sovereign authority (1st Chroni-cles Chap. 5th V. 1st & 2nd)
Simeon and Levi are allied in work of cruelty, their weapons are the ministers of their vengeance. Wherefore I pray O God! let not my Soul be defiled by joining in their subtle devices, nor my glory be lowered by uniting with them, when they design to perpetrate iniquities; for it was in their irrepress--ible fury that they spilt the blood of men whom they enticed to enter the cove-nant: and to gratify their selfwill they devastated a populous city (Genesis Chap. 35th V. 25th 28th & 29th) May they never speed in their evil schemes, may their violent im-pulses fail their directions, and when the time shall be arrived for them to share inheritance in the land of promise, may their lot be totally seperated; Let the territories of Simeon be intersected by Judah's possessions (Joshua Chap. 19th V. 1st.) and let Levi dwell in forty eight cities interspersed among the tribes of Israel.--(Joshua Chap. 21st V. 8th & 41st)--
But as for Judah, his Brothers shall pay him a tribute of honour, the first to follow the Ark of the testimony, his standard shall rank foremost amongst the Banners of Israel, (Numbers Chap. 2nd V. 9th) Him also shall the Almighty choose to humiliate the arrogance of the Cananitish tribes, in the day that his

sword shall mow down ten thousand of the enemies of the Lord in the city of Bezek (Judges Chap. 1st V. 2nd & 4th) and when the Royal Diadem shall be placed on the head of the 1st king of his lineage (2nd Samuel Chap. 5th V. 3rd) and with the Lord at his right hand he shall soar aloft.--and when after repeated victories he shall sheath his weapon and lie at rest, like a lion returning from prey, who shall rouse him up? No human power will deprive him of the sceptre which he wields, he shall bequeath it to Shiloh (from the root [Hebrew] to be tranquil) the king of peace, whom the Lord will vouchsafe to call Shelomok, for Shalom will reign in his days (1st Chronicles Chap. 22nd V. 9th) and to him people from remote regions shall come to bow (1st Kings Chap. 10th V. 21st) and Judah shall happily abide under his vine and under his fig-tree all the days of Solomon (1st Kings Chap. 4th V. 25th).--
The inheritance of Zebulun shall fall unto Jared, at the uttermost border of the land of Judea (Joshua Chap. 19th V. 10th V 11th) bounded by the great Sea, he shall enrich himself by commercial intercourse with the Syrians and Phoenicians, who dwell at the foot of Lebanon in Sidon, and whose laden ships shall convey to him the treasures hid in the sand (Deuteronomy Chap. 33rd V. 18th V. 19th).--
Not so with Issachar: averse to mercantile pursuits, for his soil will bring forth abundance of good: unskilful in battle, for the knowledge of the Law alone is his desire (1st Chronicles Chap. 12th V. 32nd) willingly will he pay a tribute to remain at his fire-side; and even at the glorious epoch of the coronation of David, when thousands of his brethren arrayed in armour, shall flock to Hebron to salute their Sovereign and offer their aid, two hundred only, of his tribe will repair thither unarmed (1st Chronicles Chap 12th. V. 32nd.).--
Dan, though he be the Son of a handmaid will be charged with a highly

important mission, placed as the rereward of the whole Army of Israel, he is to avenge their cause on those who would fain impede their progress (Numbers Chap 2nd. V. 31st) he will not allow the enemies to pursue their route, but as the serpent twirls round the body of his victim till vitality ceases, and as the sting of the adder envenoms man's channels of life, in like manner will Dan twist his scourge round the hoof of the courser, that the rider may fall transfixed by his sword.-- In so perilous a task for the aid of his brethren, may Heavenly help be at his side: It is in God that I trust for the salvation of Dan. [Hebrew] (is to be understood as an apostrophe).-- Gad's location will be in the east beyond the Jordan (Numbers Chap. 32nd. V. 33rd.) but from thence will he come with numerous troops to place himself at the head of the tribes who shall divide heritage on the other side of the River, (Joshua Chap. 4th. V. 12th.) He will not abandon them but faithful in his love for his brethren, he shall be the last to re-visit his homestead after the entire conquest of Palestine shall be accomplished (Joshua Chap. 22nd V. 9th.)
Luxuriantly will the olive-trees grow in the country of Asher, distant people shall wend their way to that fertile land in quest of its sweet product, On the delicacies of his soil Kings and princes will fare, and they shall pour their gold into his Treasuries (Talmud, Treatise Menahot Solis 85).
I behold Naphtali like a speedy hind, ready to fly to battle at the first summons of the Prophetess, and on the summit of Mount Tabor he jeopardises his life to dart his shafts against the redoubtable host of Jabin (Judges Chap. 4th. V. 14.) He has routed it! freedom is restored to Israel! and joyfully he joins Deborah in the language of the Poets to celebrate the wondrous deeds of the Lord (Judges Chap. 5th. V. 1st.).-- How beautiful is Joseph, my beloved Son! like the branch of a fruit-bearing tree incessantly watered; like the shoot of a Tree widely spread, whose boughs extend along the wall.- And though Slavery em--bittered his life, though perfidious calumny pierced his heart like Arrows, though

the unjust hatred of his brethren aimed at his destruction, yet he desponded not, assured of God's protection, his moral courage remained unflagged [inserted above: unshaken]; and by this faith in the Divine mercy he acquired new power, for the hands of the mighty one of Jacob were Mended to him, they raised him high in the land of his bondage, where he became the nourisher, the corner-stone of the House of Israel, (Genesis Chap 45th v. 7th) O may the same God of thy Father never withdraw his help from thee O my Joseph! may the Almighty bless thee with propitious rains, and fertile irrigations; May thou never shed tears over the unripe death of thy children, nor lament the premature birth of thy offspring. Grant O God! that the blessings which thou didst vouchsafe to confer on me, when I was made confident of thy perpetual aid, when it was declared to me that I should spread abroad to the west and to the East, to the North and to the South, which promise exceeded all those conferred on my progenitors (Genesis Chap. 28th. V. 14th) Grant O God! that these valuable blessings may be realized on Joseph, and rest on the crown of the head of him whom his Brothers recognized as their superior.
The morning dawn of independence from foreign yoke shall break forth over the hills of Benjamin, for out of his tribe the first monarch of Israel shall spring; (1st. Samuel Chap. 9th. V. 1st. & 2nd) he like a ravenous wolf shall spread terror abroad, he will also share the booty of the inveterate foes of the Hebrews, and with his might will consolidate his people into a compact Nation (1st Saml. Chap. 14th V. 46th 47th & 48th) But even when the Sun shall set in the horizon of Israel, and on the willows of Babylon the exiles of Judea shall hang their harps; a man out of Benjamin shall rise to their help: he will rescue them from the foul machinations of a wily minister, whose property he shall inherit; then tran-quility shall ensue, for Mordecai the Benjamite when elevated to power will seek the welfare of his people and promote the peace of all his seed (Esther Chap. 10th V. 3rd)

The following 6 verses which complete the Chapter, are too obvious to require any further comment.
But ere I dismiss this subject, from which, though inadequately treated, you may have derived some useful information, I will even at the risk of being taxed with presumption, boldly put to you a question. Brethren! do you believe that the perusal of the English or any other modern version of the Bible, could have enlightened you on this obscure chapter of Genesis, or that they are able to unfold to you the recondite sense of many other pages of the inspired writings? You will answer that it is not your province to employ your time to that effect; Let them you will say whose mind is entirely devoted to literary researches, pursue that study, enough for us if we can recite and comprehend our habitual prayers.-- But, dear friends will it be through a knowledge so scanty that you shall learn the truths of God's holy word as revealed to his Servants the Prophets? will it be through so poor a knowledge that your faith shall become enlightened? You know, and it would be useless to conceal it, that the very predictions on which we base our future destination, have become weapons in the hands of our opponents, they strive to convince us that all those consoling promises that have cheered the heart of Israel amidst a gloomy thraldom, have long since been fulfilled, that we can hope for redemption by only flinging aside (to use their language) the veil which dims our sight. And how shall we be able to produce arguments against arguments, how can we prove the fallacy of their reasonings, unless endowed with a deeper knowledge than that which they possess? And whence shall we draw this knowledge, if we have not recourse to those vene-rated volumes of our pious predecessors, whose profound learning has thrown a new and lovelier brilliancy upon the sacred pages? The productions of

Abarbanel, of Kimhi, of Maimonides, who have emphatically and suc-cessfully defended the cause of Judaism, are unknown to us, and yet although a blush will mount to our face when we have to acknowledge it to our Brethren of different creeds, nevertheless we cannot summon energy to amend our past heedless course, to remove this ignorance from among us by providing betimes for the religious instruction of a future generation.
Our hearts did glow with joy when we heard that a hebrew school was about to be established, and when we saw at its directions men of indefatigable zeal, we with sanguine hope watched its progress, antici-pating a continual concourse of scholars, and a liberal pecuniary aid from our public.-- But alas! that our expectations have hitherto been frustrated! the efforts of few are crippled by the inertness of many; and whereas a compa-ratively small contribution by the whole community, would have enabled this school in a short period to keep pace with other institutions of this en-lightened metropolis, and encouraged its directors to take measures for a superior education in the hebrew department;--we now apprehend quite a contrary result, yes we fear our children will have also to reproach their parents for their want of knowledge in the language of their ancestors; Let it not be so beloved hearers; It is, believe me for a very sacred cause that I wish to enlist your sympathies; nay, this dwelling of God where we worship, these scrolls of the Law which we revere, are held by our Sages in a minor degree of sanctity than religious schools erected for the promotion of the word of God among the faithful.--Let me then entreat you with all the power of my soul, give us heartily a helping-hand tow'rds the attainment of so great, so holy an end, skew to our fellow-men of different belief that we alive to this

essential object of rearing our children as it behoves the descendants of our pious Father Jacob: Let our united labour prove to our brethren in distant lands that we also like them cherish the memorial of our Prophets and of our Teachers; not only by adhesion to their directions, but by disseminating their learning among all classes of our people, then, and then alone, we may consider ourselves the true worshippers of God, for we shall have learnt to obey his immutable word in spirit as well as in outward form; then we shall be Israelites without guile for we shall have taught our offspring to glorify the blessed name name of the Lord; we shall have kindled in their soul the inextinguishable light of truth; it will guide their path, it will save them from external temptations; it will render them dutiful children, loving husbands, faithful citizens & zealous Jews; then the Almighty God will pour his spirit upon our seed, and his blessing upon our offspring; "And they shall spring up as among grass, and as willows by the water courses." [Hebrew]
Almighty God! Blessed be thou when thou benefitted us, blessed be thou when thou inflictest punishment; Teach us only our Father to appreciate the former, and receive the latter as a condign retribution of our deeds:--but when we have humbled our spirit and come to thee for mercy--do not O Lord! withhold it from us.--

Truly distressed are we now heavenly Creator! for the cry of many has rent our hearts, we have beheld Sons mourning for their cherished mothers, Parents bewailing over the loss of their dear children, beloved wives that of their loving husbands: we have viewed the fruit of honest labor suddenly devoured, and the work of industry blighted by calamities.
Gracious God! let this our fervent prayer reach thy Throne, and accept Thou it according to thy endless goodness. Bid the messenger of thy wrath slay his hand, bind up the wounds which death has opened, and they shall speedily heal--Remove from us sadness and sorrow: guard us from pestilence, from indigence, and from fatal occurrences. Let the light of thy countenance shine on the mourners and on the sick, and grief will disappear. O grant us our petition thou fountain of blessing, and we shall sing thy praises in the land of the living for a length of days. Amen.

Identifier

p3vx06n40

identifier

SMBx12FF2_10