Vayikra. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. Undated
- Title
- Vayikra. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. Undated
- Author
- Morais, Sabato
- Format
- 9 pages on 3 sheets
- Language(s)
- English
- Source
- Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies
- Sabato Morais Collection, Box 9, Folder 19
- Has Format
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3st7fh1n/manifest.json
- Link to Colenda
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3st7fh1n
- Provenance
- Transfer of Custody from the Hebrew Education Society, 10 March 1913.
- Is Format Of
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/judaicadh/morais/main/TEI/SMBx9FF19_3.xml
- content
-
For Vayekra
on charity before Pesach
Brethren! Every one knows that an organization to suppress mendicancy, and to aid the deserving poor systematic--ally and effectually, is busy at work in Philadelphia. About its operations and prospective success, popular opinion varies. Some think it correct that all applications for assistance should be closely questioned or their antecedents and present condition, and that an inspection of the premises they occupy be made by a committee capable of discerning and discriminating. Others object to inquiries and visits, which they call term inquisitorial, fearing they may raise a blush or wound susceptibilities and they foretell a failure of the enterprise. Each Both opinion has strong a basis grounds to rest upon, but the truly sensible and sympathetic must hope that experience will show high wisdom in the undertaking now only in its [?]. For the avowed intention of the designers promoters is very progressive, and some of the managers are noted for their clear keen sightedness and philanthropy. I hold that if the society will it can steer entirely clear of denominationalism, leaving clergymen in the Church back ground, if only naught but a broad religion which hides shame, and brings forth the dormant the instincts of of our better nature--an inherent desire for advancement by means of education and industry--is put into given full
play, it may the society will ultimately prove a blessing to the indigent themselves, and a great relief to the charitable themselves. These will not be denied the spiritual enjoyment of doing good personally, for exceptional occasions will always arise to that effect, but by entrusting committing to charging trustworthy cor--porations with with the distribution of alms they will be spared the annoyance of importunate beggars at their residence and in the streets; They and will receive a moral assurance that their gift is not converted into a the accursed bane, poisoning the spring of life and domestic joy.
Hebrews, however, have in all ages and in all countries, taken a noble pride in contributing to state and civic associations of beneficence, without drawing upon their funds. They have looked well that the indigent needy among the people of God of Abraham, may not become a burden to the community at large. Travel wherever you choose--and scarcely a place exists under the sun in which Jews do not congregate-- and the same fact will strike the mind. The descendants of the patriarchs make special provisions to prevent their coreligionists applying to institutions of a general character. They voluntarily waive their
right so to do, and mark it an offence in any, who under on the plea of destitution, stand as petitioners mendicants at the doors of non-Israelites. Occasionally, I have been addressed by kind-hearted Christians who, under the impression that individuals or families of my people had been cup culpably neglected, sought my interposition. But with scarcely any exception, I discovered on in--quiry, that our neighbors of another creed had al--lowed their feelings to warp their judgment. The sub--jects of their generous thoughts had repeatedly received from us a large share of assistance. I cannot suf- -ficiently denounce in sufficiently strong language the conduct of such as disgrace the name inherited, by traf--ficking with their children's souls, by sending the young to mission schools, that their elders may malign Israel, and thus gain clothing, and fuel and money. And If there be any--I trust not--within reach of my voice hearers who act so impiously, let them understand that they are placing themselves beyond the reach of Jewish charities. Still, the latter which do a vast deal of good,--whatever croakers may say to the contrary, must be kept
in a condition equal to all emergencies and those who have accepted the direction must exercise perform their very onerous arduous but merciful task with a proper regard to times and circumstances. It is a cause of unfeigned satisfaction to know that notwithstand--ing the p depression of trade and the universal falling off of income derived from any source, the treasury of our combined organization, depleted at the end of the fiscal year, was replenished. Nothing can better illustrate the verity that benevolence is an ornament of which we will not become divested, how--ever stripped we may be of other religious qualities; that the cry of humanity sounds louder in our breasts ears than self-[?] promotion the dictates of selfishness. But now the capacity of our treasury to meet the demand will be put to the severest test. Therefore has my heart urged me to speak. My ministerial official recollection goes far back. I can remember that on the approaching of Passover some who do not regularly ask relief, advised with me about obtain--ing the means to celebrate the holiday in ac- agreeably -cordance with to the ancient prescriptions. Then either the congregation--differently situated--or its generous head, would comply with
my request, and thus misfortune maintained its respectability. But never did I suffer the pain experienced this week, for I saw modest poverty cast off its veil, so great potent was the pressure from wi--thin which prevented further concealment. Parents who have a numerous households to feed, but who during the last six months, scarcely earned enough to allay their hunger, inquired whether they could be supplied with the bread of the festival. I at once answered affirmatively, but wishing to spare a humiliation, I suggested how to compass the object without calling at the rooms of the society. This My proposition elicited this sad remark "We must make our situation condition known for the sake of wife and our dear children". Now, I beg of the president and through him of the directors of our United Charities to use excuse more than ordinarily, a thoughtful consideration finding on the ensuing week and that which follows it. I am aware of the strain brought about. It is unprecedented. It naturally counsels administrative prudence. Well, economy is a commendable virtue, specially with means entrusted to our care by a confiding public, but the eco--nomy which curtalils the unhappy man's allowance, the economy which creates the alternative either to
stint our little ones food victuals, or disobey the law of God by the introduction of the prohibited leaven, ceases to be a virtue, and enters into the category of vice. I do not underrate the difficulties which surround attending the office. They are indeed serious. To discharge the duties honorable attending their but onerous duties, firmness must blend with gentleness, sagacity caution with promptness. For no doubt imposition is practised, at this season particularly, just by reason of the rigidness with which the coming holiday is should be kept. It may be that Perhaps some who do not scruple setting aside the very day of atonement, play the religious the week of Passover. Yet better to risk the deception of the unprincipled, than expose the worthy and the sincerely observant to suffering. Notably this year, when to judge of the state of the applicant by his appearance or surroundings might be to do him a grievous wrong. How many, alas! who live in seeming comfort have a cheerless foreside; how many neatly dressed, dread the wearing out of garments which cannot perhaps be easily be replaced! Let then our association give liberally for the sacred Pesach we are about to solemnize, and He who has implanted in our
breasts the seeds of compassion will provide hereafter. But let us our our own selves individually supplement what it our organization cannot accomplish alone. Brethren! As much Greatly as I feel interested as a social being --as a human member of the human race--in the right suc--cess of the society to suppress mendicancy, I am nevertheless an--xious, as a Jew, to prevent my fellow-believers becoming its beneficiaries. But indigence is a tempter, whose seductions few can resist. Therefore ought should we to hasten to the rescue of those apt to be overcome. do not rest then con--tented with directing the man or the woman, who pictures to you the distress at home to the rooms of the United Charities room, and closing after the petitioners the door of the your house after the petitioner retire ensconced in your finely tapestried drawing room. Do not fancy that by that act you have thus performed your obli--gation. But stir yourselves and seek farther into the case brought under your notice at junctures like the present; bestow of your own upon the hapless. Now is the time that tries men's souls. The Rabbis tell us that he who grieves over the sorrows of the community, will live to behold its restoration to enlargement and happiness. But our sympathies must assume a practical form. What avail that we shake our heads, and cry "times are very hard," and then but fold our arms?
I hear all cry "times are very bad hard", but we can, in a measure, soften their asperities. We can bring joy where gloom prevails. We all have are constrained to reduce our expenses conformably with the changes undergone, but let us not reduce our charity, because whereas we have lost a little portion, our other creatures have lost their all; whereas our labor yields a small income, other creatures go in quest of work and find none. Let us resolve to devote what we can dispense with to our flesh and blood, that stand fearfully in need there--of. Let us not only give, but consider the poor, as David expresses it, that is the mercy which beatifies the soul, imparadising it in the contemplation of the source of goodness. Oh may He who promised by the mouth of Isaiah, as read today in the Haftarah, that He would invigorate our seed as the soil irrigated by water, and would let His blessing rest on our offspring, as re rain rests on arid ground and fructifies it, may even He, our Universal Parent, verify that declaration, in through our as a reward to our charity beneficence, in our country, in our city, and in our homes. Amen. - Identifier
- p3st7fh1n
- identifier
- SMBx9FF19_3
Part of Vayikra. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. Undated
Morais, Sabato, “Vayikra. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. Undated”, Sabato Morais Digital Repository, accessed September 18, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/morais/item/91339