Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-11-25

led Rfdnschin, and the nuptial blessings,
and IS no marriage is valid in point of re-
liginn, if the said ceremonies are not per-
formed, it is evident that no such marriage
can take place between two individuals who
should not both consider the said ceremony
sacred in which case they might separate
again without being under the necessity of
applying to their church fordivorce. They
would be considered as civilly, but not re-
Iligiously married. Such is the opinion of
the Rabies, members of the assembly, and
they would in general be not more inclined
TO celebrate the nuptials OF Christian wo-
nan with Jew, or, of a Jcwess, than the
| Roman Catholic priests would be disposed
to Consccratc such Il marriage.
! The Rabies however confess that a
Jew who marries christian woman does
not therefore ce,sc TO be Jew in the Opt
mon Of his co-rehgionists, the same IS he
! who marries a Jewess civillv and not &C
cord.ng to the precepts OF the religion.
CWcs. 4--Do the Jews consider French
men IS brothers, or as Foreigners?
.4ns.-The Jews consider Frcnchmen rs
brothers, and not as foreigners, and which
| mode Of considering them is in conformity
with the principles of the law of Moses.
At the time when the Israelitcs existed
| as nation, their legislator, prescribed to
them, TO I've the stronger as their brother,
remember, said he to them, that YOU have
"becn strangers in Egypt" Respect and
kindness towards strangers, are lot oniy re-
commended by Moses, as mere practical
duty of social morality, but commanded by
God himself. "When getting in your har-
s'vest, said he to them, do not so back to
l"gather the gleanings, leave them for poor
"strangers, and the ". lo.y, do not ;ll-treat
10
Ssand give him bread, supply him with
"cloaths, if he want, l am the Everlasting,
Z "your God, the Everlasting lover Of stran-
"gcrs."
To these sentiments ofbencvolence Me-
ses adds, the love OF mankind in general
sc Love thy equal as thyseif," David also
expresses himself, &c The lord our God is
all goodness, his mercy extends over all his
, works"
| A Talmadist says, owe are obliged to
/ love rs brothers, to visit the sick, to bury
J the dead, and to assist the poor OF the stran-
| ger, The same as If thew were IsraeiiteS,
whatever may be their opinions. There ~
in truth no act which true isrsclite ought
| net TO perform towards stranger" His
! principles, are, TO fnrsakc idoiatry, not 10
! blasphcme, not TO commit sdultry, not TO
kill or wound fellow creature, not to rob,
| nor deceive. and to maintain Justice. Al
our principles therefore make it duty for
las to love the French as brothers.
! A pagan once required of the >tbbi lille,
| information respecting the Jewish religion,
ard 20 he brieay informed Of il. principles
He received the following reply 'sDo not to
| thy fellow creature that which thou would
nor shonid be done unto thee" This IS the
! true religion, the rest is but consequence.
A religion which prescribcs to love the
! stranger, which recommends the practice
of all the social virtues, enioins us to love
a fellow citizen as a brother. How can we
consider them otherwise we inhabit the
same soil, we are ruled and protected by
the same government, enjoy the same pri~
vilcgcs, and fulfil the sane duties.
There is between the Jew and the Chris
tian another tie on the former, effacing the
recollection Of any difference of religion !;
that of gratitude, inspired by free tole-
rance OF our religion, which i'll addition to
other favors, has acquired such force, that
we cannot avoid joining our destiny with
that Of France. Yes, France is our native
Country, and Frenchmen are orr brothers.
This glorious title, while it gives us more
estimation in our owd minds, is pledge
that we shall never cease to deserve it.
! Once. 5.--What are the relations, which
the law prescribes to- those French, who
are not OF tho Jewish creed?
MRs.-The relations are the same as from
one Jew to another. We acknowledge no
other difference, but that Of worshipping
God, each in his own, and we believe this
differing does not disylease the God ofhea-
ven and earth. The answer 10 the prccc-
ding question shows the re alton which the
law of Moses, the Talmud, prescribe to US
with the French who are not of our religi-
on. And now since the Jews are no more
distinct nation, and since they enjoy the
| advantage of being incorporated into the
I great nation, which they consider as a po-
litical redemption, it is impossible that a
Jew can consider Frenchman who is not
Of his religion, different from one of his
religion.
( QaeS. 6.-Do the Jews who are born in
Z France, and who are treated by the law,
as French citizens, consider France as their
native country, and are they obliged TO de-
fend herr
! aHs.---Men who have adopted coun-
/ try in which they have resided during seye-
raj generations, who under the restraints
I Of particular laws which abridged their ci-
vii rights, and who had affection enough
for that country, to prefer the misfortune
! Of not partaking the rights and privileges
/ of the other citizens, to that of leaving her,
cannot now consider themselves in France
| btff a. Efcurbv,.r, TTtc rt,1fer.ktco ,NeJ