Pikkude, Undated. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. Undated
- Title
- Pikkude, Undated. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. Undated
- Author
- Morais, Sabato
- Format
- 10 pages on 4 sheets
- Language(s)
- English
- Source
- Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies
- Sabato Morais Collection, Box 9, Folder 18
- Has Format
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3kk94z36/manifest.json
- Link to Colenda
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3kk94z36
- Provenance
- Transfer of Custody from the Hebrew Education Society, 10 March 1913.
- Is Format Of
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/judaicadh/morais/main/TEI/SMBx9FF18_2.xml
- content
-
A lecture for Pekudé
"Moses saw looked upon all the work and behold they did had done it as the Lord had commanded, even so had they done it, and Moses blessed them."
Brethren! A long time must have been spent in preparing the materials for building in the wilderness the moveable sanctuary, which accompanied the Israelites throughout their journeys. The scene which the workmen presented as they were busily engaged in performing their respective prescribed undertaking task, not for temporal gain, but to serve their people and their God, must have been cheering to the inspired leader. But can any one suppose that labors so varied and so numerous, were finished all at the same time? That the women who wore the scarlet yarn, and the smiths who made gold and silver plates, and they who manufactured utensils for the altar, for the table of the shoe-bread, fastenings, and knobs and hooks and nails; others who tanned leather, and extracted oil for the sacred ointment; in short, that all employed in getting ready the requisites for the Tabernacle and the worship held therein, completed their tasks undertakings together? Is it not more reasonable to suppose believe that different objects were terminated upon at different days periods?
And yet, we do not find that Moses took public notice of the holy work, until it was perfect in its every par. "Moses saw looked upon all the work". No one appears to have received a separate acknowledgment for quickness or industry displayed. Shall we learn from that circumstance, recorded in our section, that we must wait till an enterprise has been brought to a successful issue, before we pronounce a judgment about the merits of those engaged in connected with it? But imagine that one of the workmen had disappointed the prophet's expectations, would it have been just to deny the rest the deserved praise commendation? Let us reflect. In human affairs, we often meet with a failure, because of the many persons engaged in carrying them to a final termination. And as the more extensive is the enterprise, the larger is generally the number of individuals needed to promote its success, so the chances of a failure are proportionately greater. The labor must, of course, be divided. One is entrusted with that part of the undertaking, another with a depart--ment entirely different. Now: we know that all ought conscientiously to work in concert for a common end,
that all should agree to cooperate with singleness of purpose, in order that the main object be reached. But does it always follow? Do most people act so? Do we not frequently perceive, on the contrary, that the work of one will far with that of another? that private views, personal ambitions, greed, pique, passions, make of those who should have been hearty colaborers, jealous competitors, open adversaries? Even if one is not led by unkind motives to stand in another man's way, he still may wish to secure the largest share of praise credit. And to win it, he will permit to himself a latitude, not admit--ted in the original agreement. He will break through go beyond exceed the limits he ought to have respected, trespassing upon a province which was not his won, and thus occasioning a hitch, a break, not easily remedied repaired in the presentation of the joint enterprise. Observe Mark now the wisdom of Moses. He bestows no special laudation. upon any. The general alacrity diligence must have afforded him delight. The daily inspection of the work must have revealed to his mind the sentiments actuating the individuals occupied in it; still yet he wantsed for the final result, for the moment which should prove
beyond a shadow of a doubt that every one has kept to his legitimate task, that no possibility of a failure, by reason of the untrustiness of any man may arise. Then he expresses his full approbation. "Moses saw looked upon all the work and behold they had done it as the Lord had commanded, even so had they done it, and Moses blessed them."
Observe again: The prophet did not note down the artistic finish of the labor, but its exact conformity with the ori--ginal plan. Moses never lost sight of the end of so many generous efforts. The erection of a Sanctuary with objects of significant form was to impress his people with the wholesome idea that a Sovereign Being dwelt in their midst; that He condescended to accept their offerings and listen to their confessions. But that like the Taberna--acle for the service of God, which so many separate parts constituted a magnificent whole, so the diverse members of Israel's family who worshipped in it, formed an entire Union for a purpose designed by the Supreme. They deserved credit so long as they directed their endeavours to one goal, and this was held preeminently in the thoughts of the humblest and of the loftiest, all being coworkers in the grand enterprise.
But what was the nature of the approval which the Arch-prophet bestowed, when he became convinced that perfect harmony had reigned among the laborers in a common cause? Did he eulogize their conduct, lavish encomiums on one for having accomplished what demanded little skill but immense patience, on the perfect another for the style of a delicate workmanship? Let us hear how he expressed himself on the subject. "Moses looked upon all the work, nad behold they had done it as the Lord had commanded, even so had they done it, and Moses blessed them." To such artifices, raised above themselves, caring not for worldly honors, but for the glory of the great Master, the most exalted praises would have sounded vapid, out of time and place. Moses knew the feelings that prompted the completion of each one's task, he highly valued the unanimity which had prevailed, but he deemed silence upon that subject the best token of appreciation. There are, my friends, actions which impress us so deeply with their nobility, that a recognition thereof by spoken words may seem almost an offence. A blessing rises upon our lips, and that we spontaneously give. Moses blessed the workmen. He declared what they had finished, divine.
Or, as the Rabbis explain, the prophet's benediction was that the spirit of the Creator might rest on the work performed. For it was deserving of that visible sign of God's favor, a benediction for which the laborers yearned, and which they prized all above all rewards. Dear brothers and sisters in faith! We have no Taber--nacle to set up, but we have many sanctuaries to strengthen, to support, to enlarge. They need our united efforts without rivalry, without a thought to personal exaltation. Wherever the name of the One God is taught, and the book whose contents had given us eternity is imparted, there a sanctuary raises its spires domes above the clouds. Wherever the Israelites meet to thank the Doer of wonders that they live as testimonies evidences of His word, there a Sanctuary exists in glorious height. Both should command our labor we in any manner we can render it. Some schools demand encouragement, our periodical visits may offer it; others the advantage of experience, our constant attendance may benefit them. But I hear this one say: "Let men and women who enjoy a place of distinction, make it their business to call where children learn the Hebrew Alphabet.
That one will cry: "Can I allow myself to be thrust into a corner with a primer in hand, while my inferior in knowledge impart higher instruction? I have no interest in obliging the president, in pleasing the directors. If I take part in the work, I must have my say. The committees shall not slight me; let them under--stand that I am not destitute of self-respect; I shall not exert myself and remain in obscurity." But is it; so that we can contribute to the completion of righteous undertakings? Say: how many Bezabels and Aholiabs are named in connection with the raising of the Tabernacle? Had our fathers and mothers considered so much their self-respect, as we term it, the house of the Lord would have never been set up. None would have split wood and drawn water, who deemed themselves capable of carving or guilding. He who was assigned carpentering may have been an adept in engraving; the females who [?] goat's hair may have been able to make the ephod with which to robe the high-priest. But one thought was the motive power of that sublime enterprise; to sink one's personality into the natural cause. Who greater than Moses? Yet you must have noticed that,
when all the objects were brought to him in their per--fection, and the day arrived for putting them together, and present to the Congregation a building for the worship in all its magnificence, the prophet did not shrink from the meanest of labors. He performed them all. With the same alacrity that he spread the golden curtain over the ark of the covenant, he filled the basin with water, he lighted the candles, and fastened the boards and the pillars with hooks. Hence our lesson tells us "Moses finished the work." Which his people had accomplished after months of ceaseless and join application, he terminated in a manner by showing the equal value of their efforts in the sight of that God, whose messenger he was, and to whose honor he bent to perform every task. It is so, brothers and sisters, that we must act, if we do wish that our sanctuaries be reared and perpetuated. Judaism says to all of us "You are not expected to complete the work, but you dare not exempt yourself from it." Let me in the language of the Scripture exhort you all, "the weak must say I am powerful." Yes each of us can contribute mightily to the stability of organizations which I call our sanctuaries.
(This lecture was continued at some length, urging the attendants at the Synagogue, but specially the young to joint exertions to spiritually elevate its status, and render it a seat of glory to the Divinity) - Identifier
- p3kk94z36
- identifier
- SMBx9FF18_2
Part of Pikkude, Undated. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. Undated
Morais, Sabato, “Pikkude, Undated. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. Undated”, Sabato Morais Digital Repository, accessed September 19, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/morais/item/91151