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On the 2d Iyar (April 18), 5607.
PRESENT: Chief Rabbi Dr. Lilienthal; Rabbi Dr.
Wise, of Albany; Morenu H. Felsenheld.
- The President opened the meeting with a short
discourse, in which he pointed at the free and hopeful development of
Judaism in the United States; stated the objects for deliberation, and
closed with the expression of the conviction, that the Beth-din, if it
would only work without any hierarchal assumption, and only act as an
advisory council, must be of great and beneficial service to the young
and rising congregations of North America.
- Rabbi Wise then proposed a Minhag-America
for divine service. He had been charged with such a work, because
experience teaches that in most places different congregations are set
up, and the strength of the Israelites is divided, because every
emigrant brings his own Minhag from his home, and the German will not
give way to the Polish, nor he to the English, nor the latter to the
Portuguese Jew. Such a cause for dissension would be obviated by a
Minhag-America, which would promote the harmonious development of
the young congregations. The project of the Minhag as introduced by Dr.
Wise, treats of the Tephillah according to the Din, upon
scientific principles and the demands of the times, and shows plainly,
that the new Minhag must be based on those three pillars, to be entirely
satisfactory. The part was read to the meeting, and a resolution was
passed, to lay the whole question over till next meeting, in order to
give the members time for deliberation, and not to give their opinions
till then, the question being one of paramount magnitude.
- Dr. Lilienthal then laid before the meeting an
English Reader, for the medium classes of the Hebrew Schools. It
contains narratives based on the chief points of the Jewish doctrines,
in order that the youth who read it, may enjoy at the same time
religious instruction, and get no books in his hands, where foreign
doctrines are intermixed. It was committed to the members for
deliberation and examination till next meeting.
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Letters from European Rabbis in regard to
חליצה and
עגונות, were then introduced. The members resolved to study on
those questions ש״ס and
פוסקים, and to prepare their opinion,
founded on the Din, on those questions by next meeting. They also
intend to exchange their views with the most renowned Beth-Dins and
Rabbis of Europe, to devise means to remedy the evils existing in these
regards.
- The questions which had come from American
congregations, were then laid before the meeting, and also the decisions
given already in letters from the members of the Beth-Din, and those
which remained were decided during the meeting.
- On motion of the President it was resolved, That
every member should make a proposition, how the organization of the
young congregations in America could be the best promoted. Although it
is clear that no fixed rules can be made, as the situations under which
the new congregations form themselves are often very different, yet
well-meant counsels, given in accordance with the spirit of our age, it
is hoped will prove of great benefit. The education of the children is
to be chiefly considered, and a plan of education the principal aim in
the plans to be proposed.
- The last resolution adopted was to the effect,
that the next meeting shall be held at Albany, and the day of the
meeting be published in The Occident. Every one interested in the
welfare of Israel is invited to attend, and participate in the
deliberations, as the meetings of the Beth-Din are public.
All the Congregations are especially invited to
send their questions, as usual, to Dr. Lilienthal, No. 21½ Eldridge
Street, whose pleasure it will be to reply always as quickly as
possible.
It was also resolved, that a copy of the
Resolutions shall be sent to Rabbi Dr. Kohlmayer, in New Orleans, as a
member of the Beth-Din.
Chief Rabbi Dr. Lilienthal,
President
Rabbi Wise, D. D.
H. Felsenheld. |
