|
Some of our readers may perhaps recollect a project
which we assisted in originating rather more than three years ago, to
form a union, and an assembly of lay delegates, in connexion with an
ecclesiastical authority for American Israelites. Though the project
failed of obtaining public support, we have every reason for believing
that it was more its novelty than its impractibility which prevented its
being carried into effect. We will, if spared, republish the whole
proceedings with the plan, at some future day, as we cannot allow
ourself to think that the subject has been laid to rest permanently, and
since we believe that there is, or will be hereafter, sufficient
religious patriotism, if we may coin a phrase, to carry out the project
to an actual accomplishment.
We were reminded of the subject, by seeing the
subjoined in the last received number of the Voice of Jacob, wherein
similar measures are recommended for the Hungarian Jews, as our readers
will acknowledge, when they compare them with the project spoken of
above. We therefore ask their candid attention to this short article, in
the hope that it may induce them to reflect upon their own want of
spiritual guidance and general union.—Ed.
Oc.
A correspondent of the A. Z. d. J., gives an
outline of certain points said to have been proposed for deliberation by
the Chief Rabbi of Pesth, to the Hungarian Synod, mentioned in one of
our recent numbers. These points bear so strongly on the wants of our
own communities, and are so applicable generally to our own
circumstances, that we are induced to transfer them to these columns.
I. Object of the Assembly.
The object of the Rabbinical Assembly is, to confer
and deliberate on the public religious wants of Israel—as
called for by the age, and also, on the means to satisfy them.
II. Wants.
- In adults; the awakening and reviving of pious Jewish sentiments,
and of attachment and love to the paternal religion.
- In youth; the training into pious Israelites, moral men, and good
and useful members of society.
- Guarding the honour and dignity of our holy religion against
attacks from without; and checking that hostility, or derogation, which
proceeds from misconstruction and ignorance, by representing publicly
its real essence and spirit.
- Reinstating the dignity and edification of public worship, by
removing abuses, and all that is unseemly, from the house of God; and
introducing such regulations as would be consonant with good and sound
taste.
III. Remedial Measures.
- Appointing a religious authority, to consist of Rabbis and
laymen, for the whole country, in order to guide all religious affairs,
and especially to test the qualifications of, and to appoint, Rabbis; to
superintend schools, to settle differences which might arise between
Rabbis and their congregations, and also to be charged with various
other functions.
- Establishing a good and proper school in every congregation; one
in which youth should be instructed in religion, morality, and in other
branches useful and interesting to the man and the citizen.
- Forming an association in every congregation, or canton, for the
promotion of handicraft and agriculture, whereby to wean the rising
generation from those pursuits for a livelihood hitherto resorted to.
- Publishing a class-book for religious instruction, which is to
contain the fundamental doctrines and principal duties of Judaism, and
to be approved by all Rabbis. This book is to form as it were a public
confession, and an authenticated source, from which the non-Israelite
may derive a true knowledge of the spirit and essence of our holy
religion.
|
