Vayera. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. 1893 · Sabato Morais Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Vayera. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. 1893

Author

Morais, Sabato

Date Created

1893

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 9, Folder 4

Has Format

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3r20sg5q/manifest.json

Link to Colenda

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3r20sg5q

Provenance

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

Is Format Of

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/judaicadh/morais/main/TEI/SMBx9FF4_7.xml

content

A lecture to children on Parashat Vayerá. [Hebrew]

Brethren! The premises of the argument advanced by a clergyman, and reported this week in some of our dailies, are entirely false, but its conclusion accords precisely with the views I hold. He stated that when the founder of his religion said "Suffer little children to come to me," he the first taught how the future of society de--pends on the judicious training of the young. Had he remembered the oft-repeated command of Moses, to render our offspring conversant with the history, the tenets, and cerimonial ordinances of the revealed Law, he would have qualified his assertion. Had he more especially been acquain--ted with the writings of our Sages, in which the following pithy sentence occurs [Hebrew] "The world at large, subsists only through that which is breathed into the minds of school-children", he would have discovered, that in most instances, the parables, maxims and even the phraseology of the book of a new dispensation, are but a reproduction of the lessons anciently taught by Judaism. Nevertheless, all who think rightly, will assent to his reasoning, by which he intended to prove that the pulpit

should be, more frequently, than it is, devoted to the education of children, forming as they do, an essential part of the Congregation. He argued with some force, that unless this be made to feel the importance of their presence, they will continue listless, to their detriment, and that of the community in which they live.
In fact, it has struck me, and it must cannot have escaped your observation, that they do not evince sufficient attention to interest in ordinary sermons, either because the subject treated is above their comprehension, or because the language employed is wanting in simplicity. To correct this defect, almost unavoidable in public pleading, the addressing of a lad who reached his thirte--enth year, may be considered an appropriate, and therefore welcome custom. The practice, though new among us, is by no means, an innovation, and the result ought certainly to commend it to general favor. For, it seems that to enlists the attention both of the party him immediately concerned, and of his coevals. And this, I would say to all of you, my dear young friends, is my principal object. You should think that the words spoken to one separately, are applicable

to all indiscriminately; so that through the Bar Mitzva you should also learn betimes how to perform religious duties. If I, for instance, in my endeavouring to accomplish some good, warn one of your own age against falling into a sin now a days prevalent; If I quote the Bible to show that disrespect to parents, is a crime that cannot go unpunished, you should likewise take the lesson to heart, and feel how wicked it is to repay evil for good, to be unthankful to those who, under God, gave us life and support, watched over the preservation of our health, spent anxious days and sleepless nights when we were stretched on a bed of sickness, and rejoiced above all temporal gain, when the Lord sent healing to our bodies. If I, to offer a bright example of obedience due to parents, relate some event recorded in the Scriptures, you should bear in mind that the volumes to which I have reference, are not the instructors of any one of us especially, but of all, without distinction of age, or sex, or condition in life. Now, my dear little friends, while engaged in this topic, I would like to point out a narrative which we have

read in the section of this Sabbath. You will see in it, how far love for one's parents, when joint with the fear of the Lord, can influence a child's conduct.
You no doubt have heard of the great trial to which the fate of Abraham was put. Never expecting to have a child by his beloved Sarah, he experienced the happiness of embracing a son, that she bore to him, when he had already grown old. Much care was taken that Isaac should from his infancy associate only with the good, for, God had declared that through that seed, all the families of the earth, would finally be blessed. So strict were his parents father and mother in that respect, that they found it necessary to separate him from the company of his step-brother, who showed signs of an unruly disposition. The child of promise grew to be had become a lad. Abraham kept him often by his side, that he might learn the adoration of the true God. Sarah watched his every step. Both bestowed on their son the tenderest affection. But just at that the period that the results of a correct education, begin to be noticed, and the child is endeared still more to the hearts of his parents, just then, a voice, which Abraham well understood, was heard to excla cry out.

"Take now thy son, thine only one, he whom though lovest, Isaac; and get thee to the land of Moriah, and offer him as a burnt-offering upon one of the mountains, which I will tell thee of" You know, how that father left his joyful home. For three long days he journeyed, in search of the place where he would slay his only son, and let his flesh be consumed by a devouring fire. Father and child, travelled together through uninhabited regions. Abraham looking intently for the sacred spot, in which he should perform his great sacrifice to his God. Isaac imagining he had been summoned to witness some extraordinary act of divine worship. At length, a light from above revealed to the patriarch the mountain, whither he should direct his steps. The altar is raised, the word is set in order, the human victim is bound, the knife is raised. Faith could not be tried further. Abraham has won the title of "the friend of God" [Hebrew]; and we may well experience a noble pride in claiming such an ancestor, but while the merits of that sainted man will always stand before the throne of God, and to the end of time, benefit us, his lineal descendants, I fain

would that you learnt properly to value the virtue of his son Isaac. Holy Writ is silent regarding that which transpired during those three days journey. It leaves us to conceive what feelings must have struggled within the breast of that dutiful son, when the suspicion began to rise that he was the intended offering. "And Isaac spoke to Abraham his father, and said "Father," and he said "How am I my son." And he said "Behold the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt-offering?" And Abraham said "God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt-offering, my son, and they both went together". Not a word of murmur is uttered. Not a motion betraying resistance is shown. The father wills it, God has so ordained. Let the steel cut the threads of life. Let the father, so pregnant with happiness be renounced. Let one stroke, extinguish the joyous hopes, with the light of existence. Can such filial love be equalled? Can such religious sentiments be surpassed? Surely he who possessed them, may be chosen as a study for all who have a father and a mother to respect. None will have their fidelity to duty tested so severely as Isaac's, but many may, at times, be called upon to sacrifice their own inclinations

to obey their fathers, they may be required to yield some anticipated pleasure to gratify their mothers. At those moments, let them look upon the scene presented in the twenty second Chapter of Exodus Genesis; and think how trifling is the prah self-denial they are demanded to practice, when contrasted with that exercised by Abraham's son. Let them search further in the good book, and they will perceive that to respect our parents is to obey God. For, the righteous deed of Isaac has been registered in the heavenly pages as a proof of his having kept the fear of God the Lord before his eyes. Therefore it is that at the solemn season of our year, when we ask forgiveness for our sins, we call upon the Almighty as He whom Isaac feared [Hebrew]. You cannot, my dear young friends, you cannot be religious and slight your father and mother. A human king will surely be provoked to anger if those he ap--pointed to distribute his favors meet with contempt. In like manner with the Ruler of the Universe be wrathful if the representatives of his divine good--ness upon earth, are not duly honored and obeyed.

You, O Bar Mitzvah ought most deeply to be impressed with the truth to which I have just given expression. For twice within a short space of time, did your parents believe that God sought at their hands a heart-rend--ing sacrifice. Isaac--like you, their only son, stood on the verge of death. What anguish they experienced, who watched your grappling with a ter--rific disease! What prayers went up to heaven, for your recovery! What heaving of the breast with indescribable emotions, when you gave signs of returning consciousness!.... The trial has come to an end. And if the state of your health has not suffered your being prepared as customary for the celebration of this day, you have been permitted to visit the house of God and thank His holy name, "who hath given us His law." Heed its commands my friend!, none of which is holier than the fifth of the Decalogue. "Honor thy father, and thy mother, that thy days may be lengthened, and that it may be well with thee." It is but little you can as yet do to repay their goodness, but obedience and

and respect you can and must unwaveringly show. May you lif live long to prove that you were spared by Providence for a beneficent purpose. To cheer the declining years and be the support the declining years of your parents, and become exemplary in your social and religious conduct.
And you all, my beloved hearers! who have been pleased to listen to my remarks to the younger branches of of our Congregation, let me exhort you to say like our father Abraham throughout the vicissitude of this terrestrial career. [Hebrew] "The Lord will provide". You may be mentally traversing a way, which seems to lead to trouble, say them, like our father Abraham [Hebrew] "the Lord will provide." You may behold sorrow look looming high at a distance. You may be trembling at the bereaving sword lying in wait at your door, say then [Hebrew] "the Lord will provide". Come well weal, come woe, le take faith as your staff, you will pass unscathed through the devious paths of life, until you reach the royal courts, where trust in God, will receive a crown of peace and unalloyed happiness. Amen.

Identifier

p3r20sg5q

identifier

SMBx9FF4_7