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Sabbath Readings of the Law
Pentateuchal portion—Ex. 27:20-30:10. Deut.
25:17-19.
Prophetical portion—I Sam. 15:2-34.
Fast of Esther Readings of the Law
Wednesday, Feb. 24
Pentateuchal portion—Ex. 32:11-14; 34:1-10.
Prophetical portion—Is. 55:6-56:8.
Portion of the Law to be read on
Purim Thursday, Feb. 25
Ex. 17:8-16.
February 19, 1937
Adar 8, 5697
Hadassah's Birthday
This year's Purim observance marks an
important anniversary for Jewish women.
It was on Purim of 1912-26 years ago—
that the great woman, Henrietta Szold,
laid the foundation for the movement
which has since become the dominating
factor for Jewish womanhood in America.
During the quarter of a century of serv-
ice Hadassah created a chain of health
centers in Palestine, guaranteed the health
of the pioneers in the Jewish settlements
and made the Jewish Homeland an oasis
of health and cleanliness in the midst•of
peoples for whom sanitation was hitherto
an abomination.
It is no longer necessary to resort to
statistics in describing the work of Ha-
dassah. The Zionist women's achieve-
ments are well known by this time, and
repetition of what has already been re-
viewed is unnecessary. It is important,
however, on the occasion of the organiza-
tion's 26th anniversary, to make mention
of the growth of the movement which to-
day has a membership of 55,000. This
is in itself a tribute to the cause and its
leaders, and particularly to the founder
of Hadassah, Henrietta Szold, who is now
rendering yeoman service in Palestine to
the Jewish National Home.
The Battle for Justice in Poland
How is the problem of the pauperiza-
tion and tragic plight of the Jews in Po-
land to be solved?,
The Poles insist that it is emigration.
Jews, if they are not blind to reality,
must insist that the serious issue can only
be solved within Poland. And they DO
insist on this right.
Every struggle for equality by Jews
fades into insignificance compared with
the grave situation in Poland. For more
than 900 years our people have lived
there, and in the past century Jews were
in the front ranks of the army that battled
for the independence of Poland. Noverthe-
less Polish spokesmen, and included among
them are leaders of the Poles in this coun-
try, Insist that only the evacuation of Jews
from Poland will end the present struggle.
Because they insist that their proposals are
made in good faith and that their gov-
ernment is not anti-Semitic, but at the same
time demand the sacrificing by Jews of
their human rights, it is difficult to accept
Polish affirmations of faith without a grain
of salt.
We do not Say that ALL Poles are hypo-
crites and anti-Semites. On the contrary,
we are encouraged by the fact that the
Socialist and liberal elements in Poland
have let themselves be heard against the
outrages perpetrated by hooligans and
gangsters upon the defenseless Jewish
population. The statement that was cabl-
ed to the Polish government and press by
70 Polish-American newspapermen urging
their compatriots not to besmirch the good
name of Poland and to prevent the recur-
rence of massacres which have horrified
and humiliated the Jewish population, is
in itself an omen of better tidings.
But in the attempt to find a solution to
the problem of the Jew in Poland the
Polish spokesmen must be tolerant and
reasonable. We have before us a release
from the Polish Information Service, under
date of Feb.. 15, in which we are warned'.
•"Vituperative speeches of professional
Jewish leaders, protest meetings in New
York, inflammatory articles in the press
will never accomplish the end for which,
it is said, they are intended."
In more than one sense, this daring
statement, which comes from the newly-
acquired offices of the Polish Informa-
tion Service in Washington, D. C., can be
interpreted only as pouring salt on our
wounds and adding insult to injury. The
statement we refer to admits the pauper-
ization of the Jewish masses in Poland;
it ignores completely the mass of facts
which has been compiled to show the ex-
tent of the outrages in Poland against the
Jews; it says not a word about the hun-
dreds who were killed and wounded—fig-
urea which were admitted to be true by the
Polish premier on the floor of the sejm.
But the Polish spokesmen in this country
would nevertheless have us remain mute
in the face of tragedy; they would silence
our plea for justice; they would label
spokesmen for Jewry as "politicians" and
as "professional Jewish leaders," and
through such an appeal to prejudice ap-
parently aim to belittle our case.
A solution to the Polish-Jewish prob-
lem can be found provided Jews and Poles
will sit amicably at a round table confer-
ence and will recognize the validity of
grievances. But if the Poles will in ad-
vance label anyone who dares to speak in
protest against massacre and in defense
of Jewish rights as "professional," "poli-
tician," or as men who seek to arouse pas-
sions, then such a solution may regrettably
be postponed.
The gatherings which were held during
the past few weeks in New York, Detroit,
St. Louis and other cities merely set forth
the grievances of the Jews against Po-
land and called for a revision of tactics
on the part of Polish officialdom, for the
defense of Jewish rights and property and
for an honest approach to the issues in-
volved.
The seriousness of the Polish-Jewish
situation was described at great length
in a series of articles cabled to the New
York Times from Warsaw by Otto D. Tolls-
chus. In one of the articles in this series
Mr. Tolischus outlined the proposals for
a solution advanced by the Jews. Jewish
spokesmen are quoted as follows in a de-
mand for land reform which is suggested
as a means of solving the problem of the
peasant:
Jewish spokesmen argue that the Polish
peasant has not only no knack for trading,
but no inclination either, and what he really
wants is land. Land reform, entailing had
liquidation of the big estates created under
the old Polish aristocratic republic, which,
having been, both anti-city and anti-peasant,
fostered a Jewish-and German urban middle
class, has alwaya been a paramount issue in
Poland. But thus far only about one-fourth of
the big estates have been divided. It is
pointed out that more than 1,000,000 peasants
have less than five acres' apiece, another
1,000,000 have less than 12 acres apiece and
6,000 families owning big estates possess some
20,000,000 acres, or much more than the 2,-
000,000 small peasant families.
In consequence the rising and land-hungry
peasant population looks menacingly toward
the big estates, to cave which, Jewish spokes.
men charge, their owners are now seeking to
divert the peasants to the cities by inciting
them against the Jews. So important does
the land reform question loom in Jewish eyes
that one Jewish spokesman said:
"Either the big estates will go or the
Jews will perish."
TALMUDIC TALES
By DAVID MORANTZ
THE PURIM SPIRIT
Based upon the ancient legends
and philosophy found in the
Talmud and folklore of the
Frivolity Has Its Day
(Copyright
Even if a way should be found to re-
store their rights to Jews in Poland, relief
will be needed for many years to come in
order to assist in the reconstruction of
Jewish life there. In addition to political
activities in behalf of Jewish rights, re-
lief efforts will have to be carried on with
redoubled zeal. The funds remitted here-
tofore have been inadequate to meet the
needs of even a small proportion of Pol-
ish Jewry. Furthermore, the number of
contributors in this country to the J. D.
C. relief efforts has similarly been shame-
fully small. Rabbi Jonah B. Wise, in a
recent statement, properly pointed out
that of the 2,000,000 Jews in New York
City only 11,000 contribute to the Joint.
Detroit and other communities have bet-
ter records to their credit, but the amounts
contributed throughout the country are so
insignificant that they ought to put us to
shame. It is to be hoped that the needs
of the hour will not find us deaf to the
cries of the oppressed and pauperized mil-
lions in European lands of reaction.
Presenting the Truth
The Labor Chest for the Relief and
Liberation of Workers of Europe has ren•
dered yeoman service to the cause of de-
mocracy during the past three years.
Especially since the subjection of Germany
to the dictatorship of Adolf Hitler, the
Labor Cheat has been an important fac-
tor in revealing the truth about existing
conditions abroad, and has released its
findings in the form of articles, pictures,
stories and maps.
A description of Germany's network of
concentration camps, on a specially pre-
pared map, is of particular interest to
those who desire to have the exact facts
on the spread of the Nazi terror. Those
who believe that Hitler has benefited the
German people have much to learn from
this pictorial refutation of the Nazi claims.
Another excellent presentation of exist-
ing facts is to be found in a pamphlet is-
sued by the Labor Chest under the title
"The Truth." This pamphlet contains a
set of illustrations and cartoons showing
the reaction of the democratically-minded
people throughout the world to Nazism.
We urge financial support for the Labor
Chest. whose offices are at 3 W. 16th St,
New York. We recommend the publications
of the Chest to those who desire the facts
for themselves LS well as for their ac-
quaintances who may be misled by Nazi
propaganda.
Strictly
Confidential
Tidbits fronsEverywher e
By PHINEAS J. BIROS
(Copyright, 1137. B. A. F. B I
Jewish people.
k Al S vH ilIl N
ZION
FredleN ricW
iaG
niTOIN vyie, the
by [avid Atorents)
By RABBI ABRAHAM H. ISRAELITAN
SOLOMON AND THE BEES
The Queen of Sheba, having
heard such glowing stories of the
wisdom of Solomon, decided to
visit him and see for herself
whether the king was as wise as
the reports pictured him.
She called at his palace carry-
ing two bouquets, one of natural
flowers and the other, the artifi-
cial, was so skillfully made up
that it was well nigh Impossible
to distinguish between the two.
"If thou canat tell me from this
distance," she said, "which of these
flowers are natural, I shall then
believe these reports I hear of thy
supreme wisdom."
Happening to hear a buzzing
sound at the window, he turned
his attention briefly in that direc-
tion and saw a swarm of been flut-
tering about the closed window.
Ordering an attendant to open
the window, in flew the bees and
they alighted upon the natural
flowers. Thus did King Solomon
prove his wisdom to the Queen of
Sheba.
One sage, with 'a sense of humor ,
observed that a good conclusion
can be arrived at from this story
if applied in general to ladies and
that is that the bee selects only
the pure and natural beauties,
avoiding the painted and artificial
ones.
Due to the mitensive interest In "Tal-
mudic Talcs," Its of the legends and
me, 500 pearls of ulmlom hare been
collec), In an eltracthe book of 195
LT.7',.1=17.2
trNdtord..tamped
title. Antomsphed . by author. Null/Min
for gift. end prixeo. Price $1.50 post-
paid. Addrms orders to David Ilorsnia.
Mama non Mtg., Kansas City, Maniac
If the Poles are sincere in their asser-
OFF MY CHEST
tions that they desire peacefully to find
a solution to this painful problem, then Britain Leads the Dance of
they must consider all claims dispassion-
Death
ately, and must, above all, put an immed-
iate stop to the terrorism which is ruling
By PIERRE VAN PAASSEN
the land.
(Copyright, 11 , 7. 11. A. F. a.)
In the meantime the Jewish population
The
outcome of that magnifi-
is heroically carrying on its struggle for
struggle which the Spanish
existence. Mr. Tolischus pays a tribute cent
are putting up against
to the work of the Joint Distribution Com- people
Franco, Juan March and the rest
mittee in behalf of poverty-stricken Polish of the big-time gangsters who
setratie write TO NEXT PAGE/
Jews when he writes:
In this situation Jewish charity and Jew-
ish talent for organization are fighting a val-
iant, it almost hopeless, struggle against hu-
man misery. In this struggle the American
Joint Distribution Committee, known every-
where in Poland simply as "Joint," is taking
I leading part.
From the end of the war to the present
the committee has expended approximately
130,000,000 in Poland, not so much in the
form of charity as in helping Polish Jews to
help themselves and keep up their spirits. It
has been active in the organization of every-
thing from summer colonies for Jewish chil-
dren to the creation of free loan "kassas,"
which, during the fiscal year, advanced free
of interest, 152,933 loans, averaging less than
$20 each to the poorest of the poor in an
effort to put them on theie feet. The story
of the Jewish pauperization is told by the fact
that no less than one-fifth of the settled Jew-
ish population of Poland availed itself of
these loans.
Now the "Joint" is especially active in
providing first aid to Jews ruined by boycott
or pogrom or chased out of towns—some-
times by groups . led by the local Catholic
priest—after which it seeks to provide work.
Under the circumstances most of the work
must be home work; which, to meet the better
situated competition, is badly paid.
February 19, 1937
THE LEGAL CHRONICLE
(Copyright,
1117, Seven Art. Feature Syndicate)
JEWISH REVENGE
If any of our readers are anxious to revenge
themselves on certain individuals, we have en
excellent suggestion to make. To be honest, it's
really not our own suggestion; it cornea from one
of our medieval authors. We like it very
much because it makes this nasty business of
revenge as humane as possible.
Here is the advice of Gedaliah Ibn Yachya,
16th century writer of an interesting Jewish
history: If one desires to overcome his enemy,
let him mention the name of Haman's mother
seven time, and his desire shall be fulfilled.
Valuable advice, you will agree! And in
case any of you want to know the name of
Haman's mother, we can inform you that the
Babylonian Talmud fortunately gives us the prec-
ious information: It is Amathlai bath Urvitha.
A RABBI IN LOVE
The following story is told concerning Rabbi
Solomon Alkabetz the Levite, that famous mys-
tic who wrote the beautiful Sabbath Eve hymn
"Lecha Dodi."
In his time it was customary for the young
men to send gifts of jewelry to their sweet-
hearts on Purim. But what do you suppose our
poet sent to his beloved? Why, he sent his new
commentary on the Book of Esther, appropriate-
ly entitled "The Gifts of the Levite,"
You ask what the young lady thought of this
strange gift? Well, tradition relates that in her
eyes—and also in her father's—this literary gift
of Alkabetz was far more precious than the usual
costly gifts of jewelry.
CONCERNING TURKEYS
• Last year we informed our readers , that
certain extremely Orthodox Jews eat Turkey on
Purim in memory of King Ahasuerus. But how
does the turkey remind these pious Jews of
Ahasuerus? What connection is there between
the turkey and the famous Persian monarch?
Well, last Purim we gave the following ans-
wer: The turkey is called "Tarnegol Ilodu"
(rooster of India) in Hebrew, and therefore
serves to remind us of Ahasuerus, "who reigned
from India even unto Ethiopia," as we are told
at the beginning of the Book of Esther. But
this year we have come across a better explana-
tion. At least, we enjoyed it more than last
year's—and here it is:
The turkey is the symbol of stupidity, and
therefore is a fitting reminder of stupid old
Ahasuerus.
IF ESTHER COULD ONLY HEAR THIS
How old was Esther when she first appeared
before the Persian king?
According to the rabbis of the Talmud she
was not a young woman at that time. The Baby-
lonian sage Ray believes that she was 40 years
old. His great colleague Samuel says she was
70 years old.
And don't think that no sage went beyond
the three score and ten mark. The ancient Rab-
binic sources clearly show that there were schol-
ars who dared to say that she was all of 75
when Ahasuerus first gazed upon her.
FOR OUR YOUNGSTERS
And of course we mustn't by any means
neglect the children. Here are a few facts which
will give the youngsters some new ideas as to
how to celebrate this jolly festival of ours: In
medieval Italy, on Purim, the children used to
arrange themselves in rows and pelt one another
with nuts . . . From a 14th century Spanish
rabbi we learn that the children of his time used
to make wooden and stone Images of Haman,
write his name upon them and then, when the
villain's name was mentioned during the reading
of the Megillah, they would vigorously knock
these images against each other . . . And today,
in Persia—the land of the Purim story—we find
the children shooting fireworks on this holiday
and burning an effigy of Haman, around which
they dance, shouting: "llamas, Haman, the
wicked Haman!"
We know the youngsters are very grateful
to us for these excellent suggestions for a Purim
celebration. As to how grateful the mothers are
—well, we can just imagine!
veteran newspaperman, was an in -
terested observer at the opening
session of the National Confer.
ence on Palestine .. . Some dele-
gates insisted they saw Henry
Morgenthau, Jr., occupying an ob-
scure corner in the rear of the
hall . . , Jacob Fishman, most
modest and witty and sincere of
American Jewish journalists, was
deluged with cigars by men who
hoped to get a break in the col-
umns of the Jewish Morning Jour-
nal ... Chonah, official mascot of
the Zionist movement, invaded the
press table, puffing a long cigar
and trying hard to look like an
eight-column streamer ... Visitor
Eliezer, Kaplan made his first
speech to American Jewry over
the radio in Washington . , . It
was his debut as a broadcaster
and as a speaker in English, mak-
ing an excellent impression in
both ... Mrs. Kaplan, sitting in
the reception room of the broad-
casting studio, didn't recognize
her husband's voice as it came
over the air ... Over the Wiener-
achnitzel at the Mayflower after
fter
he
the broadcast, Kaplan admitted
was a bit nervous . In private
life he is charming, reticent, mild-
mannered , . Ile has the bearing
of Weirmann, the physique of
Mussolini. .. Morris Rothenberg,
who presided at the afternoon ses-
sion, rose to introduce Dr Wise
so that he might read messages
from the President and Weizmann
. . Rothenberg heaped great
praise upon the man who suc-
ceeded him as ZOA chief .
When M. R. finished, Dr. Wise
said that when he runs for re-
election next June as head of the
Zionist organization, he would
quote from Mr. Rothenberg's
laudatory remarks to bring about
a unanimous vote ... Meyer
Steinglass, the scribe, was seen
escorting petite Reba Flax of
Brooklyn, Washington, and Social
Security , . Lobby of the May-
flower 3 a. m. Rabbis Feuer and
Regner of Toledo and Scranton
letting their hair down, recalling
student days at Hebrew Union
College, giving unvarnished vig-
nettes of distinguished Jewish
gentlemen of the cloth .. Car-
( PLEASE TURN To NEXT PAGE )
When Assimilation Failed
Jews and Christians
George Washington Speaks
Reflections on the Book of Esther
An Important Message on
the Occasion of Broth-
erhood Day
What He Said About Religious Liberty
By BERNARD HELLER
Terticularly timely because of the current diurnal. of *A-
olmllallo• no • mune to be followed by Anteder Jewry Is thle article
EDITOR'S NOTE.
by the director of the I:alien-11y of NichlaMt halal Foundation of anal
Dell% who sees lo the Forint story an account of an attempt at
4.1t11110,
lion.
(Copyright, 11)7,
seven
Mt., Feature Syndicate)
By DR. MAUDE ROYDEN
EDITORN NOTE: Dr.
Boyden, of L..
()OM to retarded cm the world'. most
distinguished woman preacher. She
at present mating tour of the
Foiled State. In the Interests of
Foiled
the Entergoory Peat. Campaign.
leoPfritht. IS37, N. C. J. C.)
Whether the Book of Esther
depicts fact or fiction is a question
on which biblical scholars are
divided. Some believe it to be a
tale with a purely imaginative
setting; at best they characterize
it as a historical romance. Others
aver that the book records definite
historical happenings. Leaving
aside the question of the actuality
of the data presented in the book,
however, I gee it as revealing
psychological and sociological
facts which in themselves are true.
Between the lines one can detect
tendencies of Jewish behavior
which history has shown to be
characteristic.
The Book of Esther presents a
picture of the fate that befalls a
Jewish group which deliberately
veers its course to avoid Jewish
Identification. Before the advent
of Haman the Jews seem to have
fared well in Persia. There is no
hint in the story of their being
subjected to any discrimination.
Even after Haman came into
power Jews were permitted to live
in the capital, Shushan. Ahasuerus,
though not very keen of intellect,
seems to have been a tolerant
monarch. Mordecai " sat in the
king's gate," the Bible tells us—
a phrase usually identified with
a judiciary institution and office.
All in all, the indications are that
the Jews enjoyed economic, civic,
political and even social equality
with the Persians. When the king's
officers are sent out to search for
• maiden to becomt the queen they
are not instructed to avoid the
maidens of any group; when Es-
ther in brought before Ahasuerus
he doesn't even inquire as to her
race or religion.
How did- the Jews of Persia
demean themselves in this atmos-
phere of freedom? What effect
did it have upon their national,
cultural and religious loyalty?
Jews Were Assimilationists
I see an answer to this question
in the fact that the name of God
is not mentioned even once in the
entire story, a phenomenon that
cannot be duplicated in any other
biblical book. The name of its out-
standing Jew, Mordecai, is a de-
rivative of a Babylonia deity, Mar-
duk. The heroine seems to have
preferred to change her Jewish
name, Hadaaaah, to one linked to
the Persian goddess Astarte. Es-
ther needed little persuasion to
marry Ahasuerus, who not only
was a non-Jew but • weakling, •
puppet in the hand, of every
courtier who caught his fancy.
The story does not even suggest
that she entertained any deep af-
fection for Ahasuerus. Yet she be-
came his concoct, and. at the com-
mand of Mordecai, deliberately hid
her Jewish origin.
The Misdrash seems to confirm
this view of the Persian Jews of
that time as usimilationists, One
Rabbi informs us that Haman was
sure of the success of his plan be-
cause he observed that the Jew'
were utterly indifferent to and
neglectful of the dictates of their
faith. Haman and Ahasuerus, the
Rabbi remarks, were conversant
with Jewish history. Jehovah foils
the plans of Israel's enemies only
when Israel remains true to the
Torah. This, they perceived, was
not the can with the Jews of
Persia.
We must not be too harsh with
the assimilationista of that and
succeeding periods. True, many
may have succumbed to ignoble
I think there is not one re-
motives. The lure of position and
power must have prompted many ligious person who approves of
to give up the customs dear to the provocation and brutality
their fathers. Many may have that has been used against Jew-
thoughtlessly allowed themselves
to drift along with the current. ish people; but there are many
To others this may have seemed who do not understand what lies
the wise course to pursue, It Is behind it, and who perhaps find
not different to imagine the Israel- some difficulty in meeting the
ite of Shushan ruminating on this
arguments that are brought in
que stion.
support of anti-Semitism.
Haman's Plot
"We are now living in a land
I should like to suggest a
which grants us civic and political way in which one can meet
equality," he may have said to
himself. "We are not restricted in these arguments, which are so
economic opportunities. The cul- superficial, which show such
tural and social advantages of strange ignorance of the hu-
Persian life have been made ac- man heart That is probably
cessible to us as to any other citi-
zens. We must not jeopardize the all that we can do, and the
privilege by cleaving to the best thing we can do—to keep
strange ideas and outlandish our fellow Christians in mind,
modes of our forefathers. We must both of the suffering of the
not let ourselves appear as a peo-
ple alien in spirit and bizarre in Jewish people in the past and
at the present, of the enormous
mien."
Some individuals, Indeed, rosy debt — I cannot use another
have gone further: "The millen- word than that—that Chris-
nial era has dawned in the blessed
land of Persia. Good will prevails. tiana owe to them.
Superstition is on the wane. Shall
A very great Jew, who was
we stigmatize the vast majority of also a very great Englishman,
our fellow Persians as benighted
heathens? Do they not include cul- Benjamin Disraeli, spoke thus
tured and philosophically minded of the history of his people.
The noses to estinin• nom
people to whom the images are but
has been made ander the meet fa.
visible symbols of eternal verities?
auspices, aad en the targets
voreble
Do they not conceive their cult and
ritual as pedagogic devices to valet the .04 comidembie means
meld command have bent
OW
man
make vivid ideas that are cher-
toning...toady •pplied to this eh-
ished by all men? In such an age
of progress and enlightenment is feet for Om looted period of re-
it not the height of folly and ar- corded time. IttyptIon pharaohs,
rogance on the part of the Jews Amyrian Woes, Roma emperors,
to remain exclusive and maitnain Scandinavian d e r a, Gothic
that they have a mission? Will not Princes. and holy Iroaleltors have
such an attitude and such af- alike devoted thek mentor to the
ISIAllawat of thi. (MONO W-
firmations tend to arouse the ire
of our Persian neighbors and en- V... X,11101611.04, eslta, spew
Ity, manmade% teeters of the mod
danger the liberties and rights we
prize so highly? Do we not by terminus OA. lOsasserte It the
mK extotelve mote, • melees en-
Imperil
the
very
a
course
such
term et detracting meteor sag de-
positions which we have achieved
in the economic, political, cultural bris( her whkh weeld have brok-
en the bout et try ether people,
and social life of the Empire?"
rye been tried In note
The invalidity of this reasoning
was revealed by a not uncommon
The Jews by their almost un-
incident. A Jew, Mordecai, emi- believable devotion to their
nent in the political life of Persia
met an ambitious rival, Haman, own laws and customs have
who came of different racial stock. been able to survive all these
Th$ latter captured the fancy of things. To speak of all the
his weak and capricious monarch, persecutions and cruelties that
who elevated him to the highest
post within the gift of the king. have been practiced against
Feeling himself insecure in the them would take too long; let
face of his Jewish—and perhaps me tell you a few of them.
more clever — antagonist, or
For centuries Jews were forc-
prompted by the vain desire to
Command the obeisance of all, Ha- ed to live In the "Ghetto," that
man plotted for the destruction of is, in one district in the towns
not merely bin rival, but of the in which they dwelt. They
entire group to which he belonged. were disgracefully housed and
The supposedly liberal king ac-
cepted his cruel plan with astound- so overcrowded that they were
ing readiness. No scruple arose to always in • dangerous posi-
halt his sanction. All memory of tion when the periodical pesti-
invaluable service which Mordecai lence* of that unhygienic time
had rendered even to thejeerson of
the king was completely forgotten. broke out And yet, because
The scales fell from the eyes of of their wonderful system
Mordecai, the erstwhile assimila- of diet and hygien e, the
tient/it, and from the eyes of his Jews have been able to survive
fellow Jews. They were blind Do
more. They few that the vaunted through the ages conditions
enlightenment and progressiveness which many Christians were
of the age was spurious. King, not able to survive: which
vizier and people were prepared would, had they been of the
to assassinate an entire people.
The Jews realized that despite the small numbers that Jews have
Persian pretense to judge each always been, have caused them
(PLEASE TM)e TO
.,air
PACIR)
1FLIAti TVIIN TO MC? FADE)
In these excerpts from the writings of George Washington we see
that he hi rightfully regarded not only as the father of our
country, bet as its first guarantor of religious liberty.
T h e citizens of the United
States of America have the right
to applaud themselves for having
given to mankind examples of an
enlarged and liberal policy of
citizenship. It is now no more that
toleration is spoken of as if It
were by the indulgence of one
class of people that another en-
joyed the exercise of their inher-
ent natural rights, for happily the
Government of the United States,
which gives to bigotry no 'sanc-
tion, to persecution no assistance,
requires only that they who live
under its protection should demean
themselves as good citizens in giv-
ing it on all occasions their effec-
tual support
• • •
T h e liberality of sentiment
toward each other, which marks
every political and religious de-
nomination of men in this country,
stands unparalleled in the history
of nations. The affection of such
a people is a treasure beyond the
reach of calculation, and the re-
peated proofs which my fellow-
citizens have given of their attach-
ment to me and approbation of
my doings form the purest source
of my temporal felicity.
Government being, among other
purposes, instituted to protect the
persons and consciences of men
from oppression, it certainly is
the duty of the rulers not only to
abstain from it themselves, but,
according to their stations, to pre-
vent it in others. The liberty en-
joyed by the people of these states
worshipping Almighty God, agree-
able to their consciences, is not
only among the choicest of their
blessings, but also of their rights.
While men perform their social
duties faithfully, they do all that
society or the state can with pro-
priety demand or expect; and re-
main responsible only to their
Maker for the religion, or modes
of faith, which they may prefer
or profess.
If I could have entertained the
slightest apprehension that the
Constitution framed in the conven-
tion, where I had the honor to pre-
side, might possibly endanger the
religious rights of any ecclesiasti-
cal society, certainly I would never
have placed my signature to it;
and if I could now conceive that
the general government might
ever be so administered as to
render the liberty of conscience
insecure, I beg you will be per-
suaded that no one would be more
zealous than myself to establish
effectual barriers against the hor-
ror of spiritual tyranny, and
every species of religious persecu-
tion.
• • •
May the children of the stock
of Abraham who dwell in this
land, continue to merit and en-
joy the goodwill of the other in-
habitants—while everyone shall sit
in safety under his own vine and
fig tree and there shall be none
to make him afraid.
• • •
Of all the animosities which
have existed among mankind,
those which are caused by a dif-
ference of sentiments in religion
appear to be the most inveterate
and distressing, and ought most
to be deprecated. I was in hopes
that the enlightened and liberal
policy, which has marked the pres-
ent age, would at least have re-
conciled Christians of every de-
nomination, no far, that we should
never again see their religious
disputes carried to such a pitch,
as to endanger the peace of so-
ciety.
•
•
•
As mankind becomes more lib-
eral, they will be more apt to allow
that all those who conduct them-
selves as worthy members of the
community are equally entitled to
the protection of civil government
I hope ever to see America among
the foremost nations in examples
of justice and liberality.
DIETARY LAWS
THE ROYAL TABLE. As Malt*, of the
Dietary Laws et ihred By Rabbi
Jeer Crow PIMA Publialeng Co..
hew Tech. Olin).
For the very many who are
anxious to be completely informed
regarding the laws of Kaehruth,
"The Royal Table" will be a most
welcome book.
Rabbi Cohn has rendered a real
service by writing this volume
which includes all the desired in-
formation about dietary laws.
Theoretically se well as prac-
tically this volume covers this im-
portant subject and in "The
Royal Table" it is interestingly
told for the student, man or worn-
an, as well as the housewife.
The first—or theoretical—part
of the book describes the hygienic
reasons for dietary laws. Ritual,
national, moral, mystic and aesthe-
tic reasons for Kashruth are given
in this section as the bases for
the Jewish laws.
The second—or practical—part
of the book describes what Is con-
sidered clean food, how animals
are slaughtered and when an ani-
mal is trefah.
This section deals with laws
concerning mixing of meat and
milk, the salting of meat, the Laws
regarding the preparation of food
by Gentiles, various dietary pro-
hibitions and the way of purify-
ing, or making "kosher," dishes
that have been misused.
Rabbi Cohn quotes extensively
from authorities and the rabbis.
He has compiled the most impor-
tant book available in English on
the subject of "Kashrutb."
Oriental Calendars
James H. Lowe is the compiler
and editor of an interesting pamph-
let which contains Oriental calen-
dars. This work is published by
the Hebrew Compendium Publish-
ing Company, Settlement Bldg., 83,
Berner Street, London, E. 1., Eng-
land.
Mr. Ltwe's work shows at a
glance the corresponding British,
Moslem, Iranian, Chinese, Coptic,
Hebrew, Turkish, Sambat, Falsi
and Bengali dates for the years
1936.
Appended to these calendars is
a literary supplement which in-
eludes tables oe the conversion of
Oriental moneys. welgbes and
measures, and also shows open-
mess of Oriental Firmans. The
author reprints a translation of
the charter granted to the Israel-
ites by the Shah of Iran assuring
them protection.