Penitential Sabbath (Shabat shubah). Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. Undated
- Title
- Penitential Sabbath (Shabat shubah). Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. Undated
- Author
- Morais, Sabato
- Format
- 12 pages on 4 sheets
- Language(s)
- English
- Source
- Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies
- Sabato Morais Collection, Box 10, Folder 2
- Has Format
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3ht2gx8f/manifest.json
- Link to Colenda
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3ht2gx8f
- Provenance
- Transfer of Custody from the Hebrew Education Society, 10 March 1913.
- Is Format Of
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/judaicadh/morais/main/TEI/SMBx10FF2_14.xml
- content
-
For Penitential Sabbath [Hebrew]
[Hebrew] "I raised over you watchmen, (saying) "Listen to the sound of the cornet, but they said "We will not listen." In this language, Jeremiah expressed the recklessness shown by the Hebrews of his time. The divine light, which illumined his mind, made him see in the com--mission of barefaced crimes, a sure downfall, and to avert it, he exercised all the powers of his soul, and that touching eloquence, by for which he was so distinguished. But when those he urged to hearken to exhortations, answered without any sense of shame "will We will not listen", then, he thundered forth, and declared such beyond the reach of heavenly grace.
Dear Brethren! The sound of prophetic warning has last long ceased to be heard. The righteous men, to whom God imparted His will, instruct us no more, im--mediately, with the lessons of their inspired wisdom. But let no one imagine that because the celestial direction has been withdrawn, we have therefore been left without a guide. An angel now
accompanies Israel throughout their earthly journey write the Rabbis in their figures of speech. It is conscience. When after having neglected duty, or after having become guilty of some misdeeds, we experience an inward agitation, the "still small voice" which reproves us, is that of the angel conscience. And if awakened by it to the necessity of regulating our lives after the rules laid down by sainted men, we may properly assert that conscience has held us up, and prevented our ruin. That accompanying angel assures therefore a twofold character. It is admonitory and corrective. To a the once wicked Menasseh, humbled to the dust, and of broken spirit, it promises a renewal of strength. But how does it happen, that we, having at our side, one an object mentor that gives constant good counsel, proceed never--theless disordelry, like a ship without rudder, tossed about by contrary winds? Attend, and hear my explanation.
Among the strange rites practised by olden nations, one exceeded all in brutality. It was the homage paid to Molock. That horrid idol, shaped
in human form (except his head) was set up highly. It extended its brazen arms, as if inviting its followers to receive a lasting ent embrace. But a blazing fire hidden underneath, heated its hollow breast. Shocking sight! Tender mothers, deposited in it, as a token of reverence, their darling babes. Meanwhile all the neighborhood, echoed with the sound of a thousand instru--ments. They drowned the shrieks of the agonizing victims, and rendered the offering less harrowing to maternal feelings. Now, I fear that the con--duct of many of us, professing Judaism, may bear some cop comparison with that heathen worship. Self-interest uncontrolled, is the idol to which we sacrifice much which is dear and lovely. I have said "uncontrolled", because self-interest, like self-love, when within correct bounds, is a blessing feeling stirring us up to activity, and capable of working out our happiness. It is only when it overpowers all other sentiments, that it turns a blessing into a curse. Then it proves the Moloch at whose unholy altar we worship.
The spirit within, which is God's most precious gift, cries aloud piercingly, but we say [Hebrew] "We will not listen," and to make those cries inaudible, we raise a deafening noise around us. Business and pleasure create that tumult. Incessant affairs, the devising of new schemes, the excitement of attending the prospect of success; then, the indulging in diversions, which vary with each season, and each circle of acquaintances, all this din which we raise set up, drowns the lamentations of our conscience. To listen to them, might be to lose in the opinion of our associates, to lessen the number of our admirers; that gorgeous parlor might be shut against us, that carriage and four might no longer be placed at our disposal. Aye: self-interest uncontrolled is the Molock to which many sacrifice the offspring of their intellects of and of their hearts. Its open arms seduce us, and we lay in its hollow breast, what is good and ennobling to our nature. That sentiment of kindly consideration we should cherish for one another, the wish that all may labor, like ourselves, for their future welfare, that every human beings may receive from us help to rise and shine in the community, all our best instincts are consumed in that idol's hidden fire.
Even the affection esteem we had conceived for a fellow-creature is at times withered therein. Let an undertaking from which we anticipated to derive the exclusive advantage, be bring another also some profit, and not unfrequently the hearts which mutual affections love regard had knit together will be sundered apart. Peaceably dwelt Isaac among the people of Gerar. The amicable feelings, which circumstances appeared to have cemented between himself and the ruler of that country, promised him the unmo--lested enjoyment of his hard-earned possessions. But the sight of those riches, converted amity into enmity. The same king who had singled out the patriarch, as an object of his peculiar regard, bid him leave his territories, when he fancied that to allow him to sojourn there, would injure his interest. But that which above all, cannot be sufficiently deplored, is the discord which a sentiment so baneful sows among the members of the same household. Uncontrolled self-interest will tear asunder the holiest family ties. Brothers have been heard reviling brothers, fathers and
sons have been seen most unnaturally set against each other. Yes: the revolting manner in which self-interest can dry up the sources of inborn affection, has been witnessed, as an illustration of the gloomy picture left by the prophet, in which "a son vilifies his father, a daughter rises against her own mother,...and a man's enemies are the inmates of his dwelling-place." Conscience outraged, will would occasionally lift up its voice and utter reproaches, but we will try to suppress it by the commotion which worldly objects raise about us was set up. But can we always succeed in hushing our internal monster? Will that undaunted its upbraidings monster remain ab for ever unheard? Ask it, my friends! of those brothers whom jo jealousy stirred up to commit an unnatural crime. See them, who knew not fear, quake at the recollection recalling recollection of an even perhaps long-forgotten "We are guilty, because of our brother," they exclaim; "for we saw the distress of his soul when he entreated us, and we would not listen, therefore has this trouble come upon us". Aye: when some startling event happens, then every attempt to keep hush the upbraiding silence conscience is useless. Then our misdoings are arrayed pictured brought back to us in their naked hideousness. The fall faults which we would ordinarily gloss over
or look upon with indifference, assume their true character, and we would fain recall the past, so that instead of having said to the remonstrances of our inward angel [Hebrew] "We will not listen," we might say [Hebrew] "We will do and obey". It cannot be denied, however, that men are very inventive in finding extenuating circumstances for their transgressions, specially so, if these related to the neglect of duty as children of the covenant made with Israel's God. Self-interest will, again, hasten to their assistance. The extensiveness of their commercial enterprises, the constant desire and on their time, the great large number of their dependents, all these and more pretexts besides, will be brought forth, as precluding altogether the discharge of religious observances. Frequently also they have recourse to a still speedier method, to justify their disregard for the commands. They have discovered, so they presume, the true objects origin of Mosaic prescriptions. This, was ordained for a to promote a certain end, which is no longer attainable. Another had its origin in emanation from circumstances, which have ceased to exist. A third, was a sanitary regulation suitable to different other climates and countries. A fourth, agreed only
with a different state of society, and so thus is every ordinance of a book, whose acceptance gives us the name we bear, explained away. So true is the maxim, that the way which a man chooses, is right in his own eyes," [Hebrew] but the u conclusion of that sentence is not less true [Hebrew], "but the Lord searches the hearts." To men, like ourselves, we may offer so such reasons in defence of our conduct; to men who look with carnal eyes, but we cannot so deceive Him who penetrates every recondite thought. He will detect that it is not because of our legitimate callings that we spurn the Torah; it is not because we are so exceedingly wise, that we give each precept and statutes an aim and a purport; but because self-interest, which promises material gain, or wanton pleasures, has a higher value in our estimation than all the rec ordinances of religion. God will detect also the insincerity of many of us in appearing before Him at this season, burdened with all the imperfections, from which we do not intend to be relieved. He will detect that if we could not summon courage a few days ago to
answer to the demands of conscience "We will not hearken listen" [Hebrew], we were ready to let them go un--heeded very soon after, without compunction. But, dear Israelites! to join in holy communion on Rosh Hashanah and voluntary plunge in sin the following Sabbath is false repentance. It will not be accepted. To abstain from any food on the day of Atonement, and pollute ourselves immediately after with things called by the Divine Legislator loathsome to a child of Israel is false repentance. It will not be accepted. To listen with seeming reverence to the word of God at the most solemn time of our year and incite our children by our example to reject it, is false repentance. It will not be accepted. No, let me say it. So long as the day of the Lord is profaned, the dietary laws are trespassed against, and our offspring cast away Holy Writ [Hebrew] as a valueless object, we cannot stand purified in the presence of our forgiving Parent. Hebrews! Brethren! Let the voice of the internal monitor given for our escort, be heard. It will point t out how by seeking an imaginary interest we lost that which our im--mortal souls long after. The How by looking for the gratification of the senses, we let the spirit hunger for that demanded by its high nature
This duty we owe to ourselves, to our sons and daughters; we owe it to our brethren at large more than any com--munity among the outcasts of Judah. See[?] the enemies of freedom, boastingly cite us as an exemplification of their erroneous belief. They assert that liberty and piety are incompatible. That to keep Israel within the bounds of the law, they must be weighed down with oppression. It rests with us, to refute that fallacious reasoning. To prove that the religion of Sinai is a religion of light, that when it inhales the exhilarating air of freedom it thrives, it expands; that its banner is raised aloft, when the hands that carry it are unfettered.
What glory you will then shed upon our sacred faith! The gentile world that now marvels at our [?] will acknowledge surely this is a wise and understanding people". But how beneficial to ourselves the result flowing from that righteous determination. We will be at peace with our own conscience. We will experience the unnut--terable delight of having bequeathed to our children what is more valuable, than the corn, or the love of
pleasure--even a pious example that will lead them securely through the devious paths of life. We will, above all, dispel the mist which our sins have raised between ourselves and the sin that vivifies our existence. His refulgent light will again irradiate our souls, and we shall enjoy a foretaste of the unalloyed happiness reserved for those who love the Lord and observe His precepts [Hebrew] Amen. - Identifier
- p3ht2gx8f
- identifier
- SMBx10FF2_14
Part of Penitential Sabbath (Shabat shubah). Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. Undated
Morais, Sabato, “Penitential Sabbath (Shabat shubah). Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. Undated”, Sabato Morais Digital Repository, accessed September 19, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/morais/item/91096