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בס"ד

Mr. C. Nussbaum.

 

Those who are acquainted with the Israelites of New York must have observed among the most unobtrusive attendants of Rev. Mr. <<161>> Isaacs’ Synagogue, the gentleman whose name we have placed at the head of this article. He is one of those who have the reputation of erudite Talmudists, of whom there are several at present in America; but who prefer to seek an honest livelihood in the various pursuits of life, to depending on the fickle tenure of office which the various congregations have prescribed in their laws or adopted in their customs. Mr. N., not being furnished with a large capital, has for years supported himself by Hebrew bookselling and attending to other matters which are within his reach, without even, to our knowledge, troubling the public or individuals for any gift or favours. An honourable independence was all he sought, and we are pleased to state that he has found it. Being, however, as we learn, one who left the schools with a proper diploma, he has been at times called upon to officiate at various religious ceremonies, and, among others, to pronounce the marriage blessings for parties, if we understood him right, generally of those who were attached to no particular congregation. But, in so doing, Mr. N. transgressed no law, human or divine; hence it was with extreme regret that we saw him assailed without measure, by a correspondent, in a late number of the New York Asmonean, for having celebrated a marriage on parties not named in that article, on the 32d day of the Omer. Following our usual customs, we should judge, without wishing to obtrude our opinion, that it would have been better to have waited till the next day; but surely this anticipation was not such a deed as to call for the expulsion of Mr. N. from the rights of the Synagogue, as was recommended by S[imeon]. A[brahams]., the above correspondent; there is evidently some other feeling at the bottom of the whole matter, and S. A. thought it, perhaps, safe to vent his spleen on the least able to resist, to wit, Mr. N., as he is not very ready to express himself in the English language.

An effort is to be made, at all hazards, to render the few officials in New York the sole actors in all religious matters north, at least, of Manhattan Bay. Now we have no objection to all this, if the congregations are satisfied; it is for them to decide whether they will be so governed. But, in bringing matters to such an issue, we trust that no one will, for the future, attack and insult those who are above reproach and suspicion; for it is surely unjust to denounce, as has been lately done, all who do not agree in opinion with a few self-constituted leaders. For the present, these few hints must be enough; and we trust that Mr. N. will not reply to the attacks which have been made on him, though we should be pleased if he would explain the motive which induced him to perform the marriage ceremony <<162>> on the 32d day of the Omer.

But should the offence be repeated, and abuse be employed instead of argument, we may then be driven to pursue a different course, and use well-deserved castigation in place of mild reproof. We are amply able to retort, but we forbear; and trust, in conclusion, that peace may reign among Israel, and those who have the ability may at length resolve to act together for the general welfare, instead of as now rendering each other suspected, and thus destroying their usefulness in the estimation of the people.