Letter from Unknown Author to Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA; Oct 1894
- Title
- Letter from Unknown Author to Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA; Oct 1894
- Author
- Morais, Sabato
- Date Created
- 1 October 1894
- Format
- 8 pages on 5 sheets
- Language(s)
- English
- Source
- Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies
- Sabato Morais Collection, Box 7, Folder 6
- Has Format
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3988369v/manifest.json
- Link to Colenda
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3988369v
- Provenance
- Transfer of Custody from the Hebrew Education Society, 10 March 1913.
- Is Format Of
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/judaicadh/morais/main/TEI/SMBx7FF6_22.xml
- content
-
219 South Seventeenth Street,
18th and Chestnut Station,
Philadelphia.
Rev. S. Morais LLD
546 N 5
Philada
To the Honorable Council of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.
Your Committee, appointed by the Council assembled at the City of Philadelphia, to conduct the annual examination of the students of the Hebrew Union College have the honor to submit the following report.
Your Committee are highly pleased with the general result of the examin-ation made. The answers given in the various branches of learning pursued, exhibited a degree of proficiency on the part of the Students, which in many instances exceeded expectations.
Taking into consideration that the Students
were engaged during the best hours of the day in secular studies in the Public Schools of Cincinnati, the progress they have made in the various branches of Rabbinical knowledge was found to be eminently satisfactory.
Bible Study.
The students in this branch have obtained a comprehensive knowledge of the Holy Scriptures and evinced a steady progress in the more advanced scriptural text, while they have very creditably mastered the difficult linguist--ic and grammatical construction. A few instances of awkwardness in the translation from the Hebrew text were noticed, but found due more perhaps from linguistic difficulties, than from a want of proper knowledge or gram--matical construction, and which from the zeal manifested by the students
will no doubt be timely overcome.
The greatest excellence however in this department should be waged as a most valuable attainment in the Hebrew scholar and future Minister.
Your Committee is of opinion that a few hours each week might be spared from the "Mishnah" and "Talmud--ical Exercises," and be profitably sub--stituted and employed with the special view of improving this deficiency; and encouraging such other exercises as may lead to a thorough acquaintance with the contents and diction of all the books in the sacred canon, and would therefore recommend that at least two hours ad--ditional, weekly, be devoted to these ends, and that some of the notable com--mentaries of the Medieval period be included in this branch, such as "Rashi"
"Ezra" "David Rimche" and "Nachman--ides" and of the modern epoch "Luzzatto," the "Buirim" of the Mendelssohn school, and those contained in the Vienna and Prague Editions of the Scriptures.
"Hebrew Language."
The method adopted in the study of this branch is best calculated for efficient instruction in the sacred tongue, and the results attained therein reflect credit alike on the Professor and the student. To complete however this course and to facilitate the acquirement of a fluent Hebrew style, it is recommended that regular written versions from English into Hebrew should be included in the exercises.
"Modern Hebrew Literature."
The readings selected in the examination were choice and were rendered with remarkable ability and no improvement
can be suggested on this topic, except perhaps a greater variety from the works of eminent Hebrew writers would be useful, particularly the [Hebrew]
"Mishnah and Gemara."
The merits of the examination in these sources of Rabbinical lore cannot be too greatly commended.
The students have by the successful use of the Hebrew and Chaldaic Grammars considerably overcome the natural linguistic difficulties, and have acquired a thorough understand--ing of the technicalities of the Talmud--ical discussion, and many of them have most ably interpreted the text.
Jewish History.
The examination in this important and interesting subject was very
satisfactory, and the chronological order seemed to have been thoroughly studied and mastered, and having embraced extended historical periods, evidenced most praiseworthy research.
"Mechilta."
The students in this course acquitted themselves with great credit, although your Committee believe these lessons are premature and unimportant notwithstanding the study has many merits.
It is recommended that further instruction under this head be discontinued and the time thus employed, more profitably devoted to the subjects already alluded to.
Your Committee finally can with pleasure commend the untiring zeal and disinterested devotion of the honored President and Faculty of the noble institution, and the excellent discipline and efficient management which characterizes its government, reflected in the educ--ational improvement and splend--id deportment of the students.
The Hebrew Union College may justly be pronounced a success, with prospects of influencing the early realization of its generous founders and patrons and crown--ing American Israel with interestim--able glory. Respectfully submitted. - Identifier
- p3988369v
- identifier
- SMBx7FF6_22
Part of Letter from Unknown Author to Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA; Oct 1894
Morais, Sabato, “Letter from Unknown Author to Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA; Oct 1894”, Sabato Morais Digital Repository, accessed October 18, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/morais/item/90544