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PIEVETROIKAWISII gRONICLE
Published Weekly by The Jewish Chreakle Publish's, Ge e lee.
JOSEPH J. CUMMINS
JACOB H. SCHAKNE
PHILIP SLOMOV112 ...... - ...... - ......
MAURICE M. SAFIR
President
Secretary and Treasurer
Editor
Managing
....
g Manager
Adve
Entered ae Second-class matter March S. 1916, at the PostoM. et Detroit.
Mich., under the At of klatch L 1679.
M
General Offices and Publication Building
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Cable Address' Chronicle
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oft). by Tuesday event. of each week. When melting notices, •
kindly use one side of the paper only.
The Detroit Jewish Chronicle invites correspondene• on subjects of interest to
the Jewish peoples but disclaims responsibility for an indorsement of the vie.
expressed by the write..
Sabbath and Rods Chodesh Readings of the Torah.
Pentateuchal portions—Ex. 6:2-9:35; Num. 28:9-15.
Prophetical portion—Is. 66.
Tebeth 23, 5689
January 11, 1929
Tel Aviv's Thirteen Parties.
Tel Aviv's election last week was a colorful affair,
and the citizen of the all-Jewish Palestinian city who
desired to vote intelligently, and for the "best men,"
as the saying goes for independents who cast their bal-
lots regardless of parties, had to solve the equivalent
of a Chinese puzzle.
Not only did 13 different parties contend for posi-
tions in the city government, but the voter's were
called upon to decide' between four different labor
lists. Furthermore, the Orthodox Mizrachi group was
not alone in the field as the representative of the
religious element. A group of Mizrachim competed
for political places on the ticket of the Hapoel ha-
MiZnichi, the Mizrachi workers, actually increasing the
labor tickets to five.
This abundance of political life in the New Zion
is far from being the least interesting symbol of the
development of Jewish life in the ancient homeland.
As a matter of fact it is the barometer of a great oc-
curence in the history of our people. In an earlier issue,
speaking of the divergence of political thought among
the Jews, and of the Jewish "knack" for diplomacy,
the present writer pointed out that
Indicting the Missionaries.
Over the signature of "Cha's Wiesenberg" and under
the heading "Christian Witness to Israel, Inc., 521
West 179th street, New York City," an effort is made
to convert the editor to the belief that "Christ is not
in the synagogue, and the synagogue is disintegrating."
Placing the question, "What is causing the indifference
that is undermining Judaism in the United States," this
fellow Wiesenfeld claims to know the truth, when he
says: "The truth is that the synagogue has no power.
Most of the Jews know it, and keep away from its
doors, with saddened hearts." In his self-evident at-
tempt to convert us, or, as he would most probably put
it, "save us," he suggests a "remedy" to offset the "un-
dermining of Judaism:" "Ile (Christ) alone is the power
for the individual Jew's and the nation's salvation."
Ordinarily we would ignore this "foolish mouth that
blabbeth out foolishness," and this false witness who
makes an effort to preach to us in one form of
religious propaganda or another. But the same mail
that brought us the missionary leaflet also brought the
current number of the Jewish Tribune of New York, to
which the Rev. D. Edward L. Hunt, former pastor of
the Washington Memorial Church, a member of the
Committee on Friendship Between Jews and Christians
of the Federal Council of Churches, and director of
America's Good-Will Union, contributes an article
pleading that an end be put to "missionary" efforts
among Jews by Christians. In four "indictments" of
Christian missionary efforts, Dr. Hunt deals a severe
blow to the false "Christian witnesses to Israel." So
effective are his indictments that they deserve reprint-
ing and comparison with a statement of the "Christian
Witness to Israel:
every Jew is a diplomat, trained in the Intimate councils
which me•stround the fireplaces of the Ghetto synagogues
to decide wars, create and destroy governments. It is no
wonder that these imaginary diplomats, when they meet
with factual conditions, should be found in the ranks of
all parties, regardless how divergent. .
This is now best illustrated in the first all-Jewish
city in the world since Israel was dispersed from the
Land of Promise. Having acquired autonomy as Jewish
citizens in a Jewish municipality, these Jewish voters
give vent to their sentiments by creating political par-
ties, and by their insistence on being heard in their
political opinions
The number "13" of Tel Aviv's contending parties,
may, by some, be accepted as an omen of political Bar
Mitzvah and maturity. The more realistic among our
people will reject all guarantees that we are not to have
an even larger number of parties at the next election.
For the serious student of the new chapter of Jewish
history that is now being written in Palestine, however,
the differences in political opinions among the new
Judeans is one of the symbols of the moulding of the
New Jew. Out of the many elements now settling in
Palestine there is being moulded a physically and men-
tally strong Palestinian; out of the political sieve
we may hope to witness the emerging of a doctrine
which will help bring us a step further to a new order
of events, dominated by a sense of social justice.
I
xv
Two Child Prodigies.
30
$D
170
Yehudi Menuhin was less than a year old when he
began to be taken to symphony concerts. At 3 he was
able to handle the violin and play selections on it. At
6 he was soloist in one of San Francisco's largest audi-
toriums, playing Mendelssohn's Concerto. At 10, ap-
pearing at his first concert in New York, he was ac-
claimed by the country's most noted critics as a genius.
On Dec. 27 last, at the age of 11, Yehudi was able to
draw a capacity audience to Carnegie Hall, New York,
as soloist with the Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra.
So enthusiastic was the audience for young Yehudi,
that the music critic for the New York Times concluded
that "the concert, for the audience assembled, was
Yehudi Menuhin."
Yehudi is not the only Menuhin to attract attention
in the musical world. IIis 8-year-old sister Hephzibah
is also astounding the musical world with her piano
playing, and only two months ago thrilled a crowd that
packed the Scottish Rite Auditorium in San Francisco.
The abilities of these two child prodigies are being
ascribed directly to the love for music displayed by the
Menuhin parents and the care and attention with
which the activites of the two youngsters are being
guided speak for deep-rooted devotion of Jewish par-
ents to their children and to their children's art.
There will be cause for deepest regret, however,
if the abilities of Yehudi and Hephzibah continue to be
publicly displayed, because such display is almost cer-
tain to prove detrimental to the children. Youngsters
should be given their due share of play and study. They
should be guarded against too much attention, and
should be kept from the limelight. In the case of Ye-
hudi there is some fear that the limelight has done its
damage. The New York Times reviewer of his most
recent concert describes the "edifying" demonstration
for the youngster, but passes the judgment that "the
playing of Menuhin was considerably less admir-
able than his performance of the season previous."
This reviewer makes a serious criticism:
This smells either of poor judgment on the part of
parents, or of an attempt at a publicity stunt, and in
either case the boy's genius may be harmed. And in
order to prevent the possible loss of a truly great genius
in music, the parents should tolerate this bit of warning
against spoiling a boy who is already a genius at 11.
.
Ot.f91-1T5
...I
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1+. c.1 sEPii-
It isn't very often that we hear of prominent (or for
that matter any other kind) of Jewish women goin'
huntin' in Central Africa. Yet that is just what Mrs.
Oscar Straus, aged 70, widow of the late distinguished
statesman, intends to do, and she is starting this month.
Mrs. Straus centainly has great courage to undertake
such a journey. She will use a camera and not a gun
in collecting photographs and data for the American
Museum of Natural History.
The mention of Mrs. Oscar Straus reminds me of
the splendid service her son Roger is rendering Judaism
by his unselfish and devoted service in promoting interest
in Jewish congregational life in this country. We find
tiny number of wealthy young men engaged in philan-
thropic work, but it is rare to find any interesting them-
selves in the spiritual side of Jewish life. Mr. Straus
has been a vital force in the development of a National
Federation of Temple Brotherhoods. It seems that no
personal sacrifice is too great in behalf of the cause.
American Jewry could spare some of its young men
from other tasks if they could be induced to follow Roger
Straus.
e,'
Palestine Greets Its Third High
Commissioner with New Hopes
1Y-
= GiAS.
DR. HUNT INDICTS:
THE MISSIONARY SAYS:
Can a cleaf-cut reason be ad-
I indict missionary work
yarned for the decay of Juda- among the Jews on the score of
ism? This question seemed to Its futility. One must search
occupy the conference of the
United Synagogue of America, far and wide to find a bona fide
held in New York City (11-25- convert. Those that we have
28). The speakers "deplored are usually mere social climb-
en 'increasing indifference to ors—religious burglars trying
the faith." Dr. Levinthal said
We have developed a talking to break into the second stories
Judaism." Rabbi Morris Silber- of houses whose doors are not
man stated, "The Jews were so opened to welcome them. The
ignorant of their religion that it true Christian shares with his
had become necessary
to con-
.
The Jewish neighbor only contempt
verb Jews to Judaism.
condition of present-day Juda- for the vanity which will sell
ism was likened to a leaky ship the birthright of Israel for such
by Dr. Louis Finkelstein (N. Y.
a mess of pottage or a cup of
Times, Nov. 26, 1928).
The disintegration and life- afternoon tea.
I indict Christian missionary
less formalism of Judaism is
conceded by other leaders also. work among the Jews on the
Yet energy, time, and money is score of its costliness and waste.
spent in trying to restore the
synagogue. A true analysis of Let the Christian church use
the synagogue shows it lacks the funds which are being
power. It fails to meet the thrown away for this purpose
greatest need of mankind, sal- and devote them to bringing
vation from sin. And the Jews
are permitting the synagogues Christianity to the many nomi-
to decay because it does not nal Christians who are living
meet their utmost need. How without God today.
then can a Jew procure salva-
I indict it because it is un-
tion?
Christian. Any one who be-
Only in Jesus Christ, the
Jewish Saviour. His blood, the lieves in the hand of God in his-
blood of the Deity Himself, is tory must glimpse His purpose
the perfect sacrifice for your to preserve Israel and once
sin. Christ meets mankind's
more establish them in the land
greatest need in His power and
teachings. Today many Jews which their fathers made the
and Gentiles in all lands have Holy Land for Jews and Chris-
experienced His saving power. tians alike.
Don't allow the false opposi-
I indict it because it is un-
tion of the ages of darkness and
tradition, or of present-day American in that it ignores the
skeptics and doubters to keep value of the synagogue in mak-
you from seeking to know the
ing godly citizens and in the
truth. The revelation of truth
furthering of many good causes
will assuredly come to you when
you desire to know the reality for the betterment of the corn-
and power of Christ. Because munity.
of that infantile fear that has
been planted in so many Jewish
hearts, many will not read the
New Testament. Exert your
courage and make your own ap-
praisal of Christ, after your
search through the Scriptures.
It may be asked why it is necessary to dress a child of
11 as if he were a child of 7 and in a way not particularly
appropriate to a concert at night time -in a metropolitan
auditorium. Such dress is not necessary to advertise the
wholly exceptional gifts of the executant and does not add
a jott or little to the artistic value of his playing.
• ). sC 7.0 ' A
- I,
.1
i
News Letter from Jerusalem.
By S. SCHWARTZ
This is the week of the new
High - Commissioner, Sir John
Chancellor, who has just arrived
in Palestine to take up his official
duties. Never before has there
been so much enthusasin and so
much ceremony on the arrival of
a new High Commissioner. When
Sir Herbert Samuel arrived in
June, 1920, the atmosphere was
still very tense. It was not long
after the first big pogrom in Je-
rusalem. No one was in the mood
to arrange public demonstrations
and ceremonies. Lord Plumes,
who came three years ago, at the
end of August, 1525, despised
ceremony, particularly civic cere-
mony, and sonic say even military
ceremony. Sir John Chancellor, on
the other hand, is said to be fond
of ceremony, and Lady Chancellor
is a society lady, who likes this
sort of thing.
So when the government au-
thorities arranged a big reception
for them, everyone was pleased. It
enabled Sir John to see at once,
immediately he set foot in the
capital, the leading people in Je-
rusalem, and also the population
whom they represent, for tens of
thousands of inhabitants, practi-
cally the whole of Jerusalem,
turned out on Thursday morning
to welcome the new High Commis-
sioner. In spite of the bad
weather, old and young, women
and children, Jews and non-Jews,
stood for hours in the streets to
see the new High Commissioner
drive past and to cheer him as he
went. Never before has a new
High Commissioner been given
such a warm welcome on his ors
rival.
which is just what the new High
Ile is
Commissioner wanted.
anxious to exercise his influence
through personal contact, through
mutual sympathy, and he started
his speech very simply and unaf-
fectedly. lie said that he had gov-
erned in a number of countries,
but in none had he felt the bur-
den of responsibility so much as
in Palestine. It was not merely a
phrase. One could see that he
meant it seriously, and his very
next sentence was in the same
strain. "I am a new man in your
land," he said. "I must weigh and
consider everything very carefully.
I have to learn to know Palestine
and its peoples."
cIe,
h
`. 1 4
}ts,
ets
'e. g .
ry
Select. a Middle Path.
Then he proceeded to lay down
the program of his administration.
It is stated that Ann Nichols, author of that modern
The new lligh Connessioner has
selected the middle path between
classic, "Abie's Irish Rose," has earned for herself a
the policy of his two predecessors.
profit of some six million dollars! Well, the Cohens and
Sir Herbert Samuel, as a politician
the Kellys have done well by Ann. And the world is still
accustomed to speech-making, de-
livered a long address on his ar-
groping about the answer.
rival, in which lie enumerated .t
long list of reforms whch he in-
"Collier's" on the cover of its Christmas issue has a
tended to carry into effect. Lord
picture of North and South America with Uncle Sant
Plumer, an old soldier, who floes
holding forth with a Christmas smile, covering the area
not speak much, contented him-
that belongs to the United States, and circled about are
self with a few brief words, that
an the nationalities that are to be found in this country.
he would endeavor• to maintain
These nationalities are represented by distinctive types
peace and order in the country.
of individuals that are easily identified, and each is say-
Sir John Chancellor was briefer
ing "Merry Christmas" in his own language. One of
than Sir Herbert Samuel, and he
them is pictures as a sort of Solomon Levi Jew, with his
spoke at greaWr length thin Lord
expressive gesture. On another page, "Collier's" gives
Planter. He stressed—and this
a key to the various nationalities and the one of the Jew
was the crux of his speech—that
is named "Christian Hebrew." I have puzzled my head
he would govern in accordance with
trying to find a sane reason for such a libel, but I con-
the mandate and in the interests
fess myself beaten. Maybe the artist that drew the
of every section of the population.
cartoon, which in itself is rather offensive, can explain
The first reference was to the
why he uses the term "Christian Hebrew."
Jewish National Home, and the
---
second to assure this Arabs. In
I have called attention to some unusual bequests, but
London, Sir John in his interviews
one of the most interesting that has come to my notice is
with various Zionist delegations,
Everything Became Hopeful.
that of the late Charles Henderson, of Toronto, Canada.
Another thing: no other high always dwelt on the mandate. It
He left an estate of some $56,000; and he leaves a third
as gratifying to us to hear him
of it to the bishop of the archdiocese of the Roman Cath-
Commssioner has had so good a speak here, too, of the mandate;
olic Church, Toronto; one-third to the rabbi of the Holy
press on arriving in Palestine. On it convinced us when he repeated
Blossom Jewish conirregatibn of Toronto, and the remain-
the day when Sir Juhn arrived, all his London declaration publicly in
ing third to the Salvation Army of Toronto, to be used
newspapers—which the streets of Jerusalem, where
daily
the
in each case for religious purposes. The rabbi of the
means the Hebrew papers, because not only Jews, but also Arabs,
Jewish congregation is Ferdinand Isserman, and he writes
there are no Arabic dailies in Pal- Moslems and Christians, all the op-
site that Mr. Henderson used to attend his services occa-
estine—published articles praising ponents of Zionism and all the
sionally. lie surely has shown himself to have been a
Sir John as an administrator, and government officials, should hear.
man of broad sympathies and tolerant in his attitude
because he had in all his state- It is a good thing that all these
was,
as
I
understand,
born
of
He
ments in London declared that he groups of the Palestine population
towards all faiths.
Presbyterian parents, but later became a Catholic.
would govern in Palestine in ac- heard it from Sir John hmself.
cordance with the spirit and the
Without mentioning the Jews by
letter of the mandate. In spite of
George Jean Nathan cleverly hits off the weakness
all the disappointments of recent name, Sir John paid them, how-
that finds a place in the soul of every snob in this coun-
years,
a
profound
faith
suddenly
ever, a very high compliment in-
try, Jew or Christian. We find it emphasized in those
sprang up in the hearts of l'ales-
hotels and apartments that do not accept Jews, where
tine Jewry. Everything became deed. Ile mentioned the economic
those with an inferior complex, in order to make them-
more hopeful and a light seemed crisis of past years and praised
selves feel they are somebodies, must exclude other some-
to kindle in our souls. They are the courage with which the popu-
bodies, therefore, automatically putting them in the class
not exaggerated hopes, or Mes- lation had endured it.
of nobodies:
sianic sentiments, such as were in-
What are Sir John's plans in
dulged in eight and one-half years
Says Mr. Nathan:
Palestine?
ago when Sir Herbert Samuel
Another form that this itch for bogus purple
He delivered himself quite plain-
came to take up his office. It is a
takes in the American is his passion for so-called
clear and commonsense hope of ly on this question. Ile would
exclusive places of residence, cleverly encouraged
better
times
coaling,
on
a
scale
concentrate
all his attention, he
by wily real estate agents. As a consequence
which is now seen to be from the said, on the development of the
there is hardly a fifth-rate apartment house that
resources of the country, both
practical
point
of
view
feasible.
isn't advertised into his favor as being "exclu-
This is the feeling which pre- through the work of the govern-
sive," or hardly a suburban sand-lot development
ment and by supporting private
vailed in the streets, and to some
that isn't held out as bait to hint under a restricted
extent
also in the marquee, which initative. In other words, no poli-
label. All that a real estate agent has to do to
ties,
but economics. No Palestine
had been put up at the Jaffa gate,
lease flats in a building that has been a white ele-
in which for a couple of hours the parliament, or any other political
phant on his hands is to make an elaborate show
activities.
And the promise to
formal reception to the new High
of investigating Mr. Goldfarb's or Mr. Mullaly's
promote private initiatives, also
Commissioner took place. The
genealogical tree. The circumstance that Mr.
affects
mostly
the Jews, for who
Jaffa gate is situated just between
Goldfarb, once he persuades the agent that he is
the old and the new Jerusalem. It but the Jewish industrialist, the
one of the Knickerbocker Foldfarbs and moves
is at the end of the central Jaffa Jewish farmer, the Jewish mer-
in, discovers that his next door neighbor is Mr.
chant and the Jewish peasant is
road, which divides the new city
Finkelstein no more disconcerts Mr. Goldfarb than
in two. The Jaffa gate is a fine striving to upbuild Palestine by
Mr. Mullaly is disconcerted by the discovery that
symbol. It is the center, between private initiative?
the great aristocrat and social leader who has
the old and the new in the Holy
When he came to speak of immi-
bought the lot next door to him is his brother Elk
Land, where Jews, Christians and gration Sir John was openly Zion-
and Knight of Columbus, Mr. McCarthy. For
Moslems
meet.
All
high
govern-
ist
or pro-Zionist. Economic de-
both gentlemen the M. Goldfarb and the M. Mul-
ment officials, all religious leaders velopment, he said, was essential
laly immediately proceed to convince themselves
and
secular
nobles,
all
consuls
and
for
two reasons—so that the
that the M. Finkelstein and the M. McCarthy
pressmen, about 400 people, men
country should be able to maintain
must, by virtue of their having got in too, be even
and
women,
were
present
in
the
a
larger
population and that the
bigger swells than they themselves are.
marquee. It was a very happy present population should become
gathering. The streets hummed more prosperous. Therefore Pal-
That was an interesting selection of Nathan Straus'
with people. Thousands of school estine must have a bigger popula-
in sending Dr. John Ilaynes Holmes, the liberal minister
children were marching under tion, which means immigration.
of the Community Church, New York, to dedicate the
their banners. Police and scout
On the second day Sir John
Nathan and Linda Straus Health Center in Jerusalem, to
bands were playing. When Sir Chancellor again had a good
take place on January 31. It is characteristic of the
John took his stand on the high,
press. The Hebrew newspapers
broad-gauged make-up of Mr. Straus to select a Christian,
improvised tribune erected in the praised his speech, finding it a very
and just such a Christian as Dr. Holmes. And Dr.
marquee, we saw a typical English- hopeful beginning. But the Arabs
Holmes fits in the picture admirably. He is just as much
man, a tall, slim man, strong and
are not to pleased about it. They
at home in a synagogue as he is in a church. Ile is
healthy-looking, although he is are already making arrangements
probably the most radical of all the ministers in the
well past middle age, and his hair to stage a protest. They demand
Christian pulpit in this country. When I say "radical," I
is gray. Ile has a friendly smile, a Palestine parliament. They
mean one who has completely nationalized his fath as
and a great deal of natural sim- want politics.
much as is within his power. Ile is for social justice first,
plicity. Ile immediately won the
last and all the time. He does not preach the religion
(Copyright, 1929.J 7 A.)
affection of everybody present,
of Jesus, but he tries as far as possible to live it. That
is what usually gets him into trouble.
For once, an attack upon the missionary efforts of
Christians comes from the right source: from a Chris-
tian. From a Jewish viewpoint, the missionaries de-
serve only pity. Those who attempt to proselytize
Jews being, as a rule, former Jews who have been con-
verted to Christianity, they have, by their false and
misrepresenting methods, been "a sight for pity to
peruse." But in the hearts of genuine Christians they
must, inevitably, arouse feelings of contempt for the
manner in which they would belittle not only a great
sister religion, but the mother religion, and, in the pro-
cess of their missionary efforts, be responsible for such
a waste of funds.
But there is something even more pathetic in the
attitude of the Christian-Jewish missionaries when they
continue to class themselves as "Jews." They become so
ridiculous, that it is amazing how sensible Christians
can continue to finance their proselyting endeavors.
Mr. Wiesenfeld of the "Christian Witness to Israel,"
in one of his missiles first expresses faith that "God has
a purpose for Israel," and that "were it not that God
has His hand upon the Jewish race, it would have dis-
appeared long ago." (Note how he hides himself
under the cloak of the Jewish race!) By enticing us
with such poorly coated candy. this "witness to Israel"
would have us believe that "God sent the Christ es-
pecially for us Jews. We first rejected, then admitted
a little. and then a little more. And now some of our
rabbis are getting up more courage, giving a half-
hearted acknowledgement, slowly feeling their way,
hopeful, yet fearful as to how far their brother Jew
will allow them to talk and write about the Lord Jesus."
Dr. Hunt has hit hard and, we hope, effectively,
when he pleaded with the Christian church in America
to cease missionary activities. Ilis eagerness to see the
new year "write a new and more glorious page in the
story of Christian-Jewish relations in America," should
strike a sympathetic chord among Christians. His
charge that "there is one stumbling block which we
must first of all remove. and that is missionary activ-
ity," should help bring those who finance the mission-
ary activities to the realization of the foolishness and
wastefulness of their efforts.
Dr. Holmes is usually discovered among the leaders
in the fight for justice for the laboring man; his name is
always signed to appeals for aid in sofoe liberal move-
ment looking to the help of the unfortunate and the
oppressed. During the war he was arrested because he
chose to hold open air meetings and to present pacifist,
and, what he deemed were. Christian views on the war.
When you see the name Holmes in print M connection
with some liberal movement, you will find generally it is
keeping company with Dr. Stephen Wise and Norman
Thomas and frequently Bishop McConnell of the Metho-
dist church, another great liberal soul who has a real
understanding of the meaning of the brotherhood of man.
There is one thing sure, you will never find the names
of Dr. John Haynes Holmes and Dr. John Roach Stratton
bracketed in the same cause. They are at far apart as
the poles. With his usual generosity, Mr. Straus has
given the Community Church a gift large enough to cover
the expense of obtaining the services of a supply pastor
during Mr. Holmes' absence. Yes, Nathan Straus and
John Haynes Holmes are servants of God, knowing no
creed, no race, no color, in their endeavors to make this
world of ours a decent place to live in.
A few hours after having written the paragraph about
Dr. Holmes' trip to Palestine, Judge Josiah Cohen of
Pittsburgh, who is a lively young man of some 80 yea rs ,
telephoned me about an item that appeared in the news-
papers. in which Dr. Holmes created a great deal of
excitemept among his Christian friends. The worthy
pastor said that there was more real religion of Jesus to
be found in the synagogue than in the Protestant
churches. Ile said a great deal more, too, that would be
bitterly resented by the average churchman. Ile depre-
cates the emphasis that have been placed upon the mira-
cles which he evidently does not believe, and he also
takes the Jewish position that Jesus wen not the son of
Cod, but as he himself said, the "son of man." But the
most significant statement was his reference to the fact
that Christians worship Jesus for things he never said,
and they seem interested only in those things that have
to do with his divinity. The real teachings of Jesus have
to do with loving your enemies, iespising luxury, loving
all men of all countries and races. It takes courage.
friends, to make assertions like these, when one sees on
every hand more and more of a tendency to revert to
superstitions, and narrowness in the interpretations of
the teachings of all religions. Dr. Holmes is a Christian
who seems to understand something of the religion of
Jesus of Nazareth.
•
a.
Gems From Jewish Literature
•
Selected by Rabbi Leon Fram.
"THE DEATILKISS"
"The Prophet dies as he has
lived, in his faith. All the evil that
he has seen has been powerless to
quench his hope for the future, or
dim the brightness of the ideal that
illumined his path from afar. Ile
dies with gladness on his face, and
with words of comfort for the lat-
ter days on his lips; dies, as tra-
dition says, "in a kiss," embracing,
as it were, the ideal to which he
has consecrated his life, and for
which he has toiled and suffered
till his last breath.
"When Heine wanted to describe
the greatness of the prince of He-
brew poets, Jehudah Halevi, he
said that 'he was born with a kiss.'
But that idea is foreign to the Jew-
ish spirit. When the national tradi-
tion wishes to describe the great-
ness of the prince of Prophets, it
makes him die, not to come to life,
with a kiss. That death-kiss is the
crown of a work completed and a
duty fulfilled to the uttermost. of
a life whose burden has been borne
from first to last with the stead-
fastness of a sea-girt rock, which
flinches not nor bows, but beats
unmoved the onset of the devour-
ing waves."
—From Ached Ha-'Am's Essay on
"Moses."
-
A SEA SONG"
A water ware the sinful world has
grown.
With no dry spot whereon the eye
rain rest.
No ma, no bevt, no bird to sere upon.
Can ell he dved. with silent sleep pos.
seocl?
.
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Oh, hto. 1 lona the hills and vales to Pr.
To find myself tin barren stePttei were
bliss!
I peer about, but nothing greeleth me,
Netcht save the ship, the clouds, the
wave,' abyss.
The crocodile which rushes from th
deeps:
The flood foams gr.: the whirling
reel,
Now like B its prey whereon at lest it
• weeps,
The one. swallow. up the vessel's
keel,
The hill ws rage—exalt,oh soul of min e.
Soon shalt thou enter the Lord's sac re d
shrine'
JEIIIIDA11 11ALEVI.
A SABBATH SONG
DODI
("COME MY FRIEND")
Conte forth. /11Y friend. the bride to meet,
Come. 0 my friend. the Sabbath greet.
Groot we the Sabbath at our door ,
Well. piing of blessing evermore
With everlasting
fraught,
Of old ordained. divinely twitch,.
Last in creation, first in thought.
Come forth, my friend, the bride to
eet,
Come, 0 my friend, the Sahbath greet.
Arise thyself. awake and •hine.
For to! it comes, the light divine;
Give forth • song and over thee
Th. Kin?, of the Lord shall be
Revealed in beauty speedily.
Coyne forth, my frknd, the bride to
meet.
Come. 0 my friend. the Sabbath
Crest.
•
Como or shy husband. come in peace.
Come. bidding to and trouble
With Joy and cheerfulness abide
Among the people true and toed.
Thy faithful people--come. 0 bride.
Conte forth, or friend, the bride to
meet,
Com.. 0 my friend, the Sabbath
greet.
—SOLOMON ALKAREZ
e
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