New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-07-04
THE CINCINNATI RABBLNICAL CONFER
FNCE.
ITS ACTION AS STATED BY A MEMBER.

m the body OF Jewish doctrine is not correctly repre-
eortod Az IN the statement that "They Uhe rabbs in
also avOwed their disbelief in any personal
Cod which was idea they protested belonged TO
Christianity il should be said that member OF the
Conference discussing another topic remarked that he
did not belong to those who believed in personal God
This creating sensation" in and outside the Con-
ference another member the next day, proposed the
following thesis for debae The expression Personal
Cod a technical term in theology is based upon the
idea Of incarnation Israes God is Jehovah. the In
finite and Absolute, who cannot be limited within the
idea of personality" The thesis, however, was not de-
bated 1t was referred to a committee, which did not
report The Conference had nothing to do with TINS
matter.
Precisely similar is the with the statements The
Rabbns last week cut the GOrdian knot by rejecting All
prophecy or faith in miracles" Will not discuss s
"or" although cannot see the necessary connection
OF the belief in prophecy and the faith in miracles
viii merely state that the question OF Dee IN Iropno0y
was neither discussed even proposed IN that CONFER
ence Faith i'm miracles discussed by one member
who has maintained the last quarter OF century,
and Is stin Of the opinion that miracles prove
nothing useless TO and fertile cause OF mid
ity. This one member was the same who proposed the
above thesis and ready to debate these questions with
any far-minded scholar but the Conference had moth
ing TO do with them No vote debate either ques
ton made 1t part Of that bodys proceedings do not
TO say that the members OF the Conference II the
matter had been pressed to ISSUE would have ser-
ousy defended Faith in miracles" because Hebrew
theology has relied upon the evidence of mira
ces 1t is the consent Of all civilized nations
both ancient and MODERN the drgumentun consensu
genhuB the universal Of man, which supports
the main doctrines of Judaism The evidence Of mira
Giles is superfuous.
These expressions also appear in that article The
time allotted by prophesy for his 1.-THE Messahs appear
ance is now altogether past and "The present Confer
t1,a ~
Of the prediction than TO be found in the coming OF
Jesus" 1t is not prudent state this though it was
acknowledged fact as it does not exist otherwise
tns IN t tbete run bod f ne Jews would accept The
Christian faith" Where and when was that what
were these indcatOnsl To the best OF my knowledge,
can state that no has the remotest idea that such
onId he fond equally difficult 10 substantate the ale
CATION that the immigration of the Jews TO Palestine
was confidently looked for about ten years ago. when
one Of the ROhschd offered 10 defray the expenses OF
all his people who unable TO remove themselves
The facts in the case are these: ....,.o.,o,,. ~,
prophecies, grew out Of the common desire 10 form
closer union among the Hebrew congregations OF the
United states order enable them 10 establish public
Institutions which require the support OF many; such
the rabbnical seminary the publication OF necessary
books and Bibles, the organization OF schoos 0p re-
Hgious instruction, DC The Jew looks upon his Bible
the book containing the best moral and religious
lessons the best laws to govern mans CONDUCT ana 10
lead him happiness here and hereafter The Jew has
grsteatioh Of his idle curiosity to things
which might happen In future The Mystics and Cabal-
some e Bible texts the date the Messiah would
orthodox Jews Of all ages denounced d1at practice as an
position the masses. No jew Of this country
thinks of Specializing on Scriptures to when
the Messiah must come. iConeerning the Conference
having made a new Prayer Book from which all
illusions the personal Messiah, the political rest0ra-
ton of Israel and reintrOducOn of bloody sacrifices
are omitted-the Conference only revised an eXlsung
prayerbook. 1t has not advanced these doctrines as
they have been common TO all Jews of the progressive
school Twenty five years ago the Emanuel CongTega,
ton OF NewYOrk the Har SINAI Of Baltimore, ana the
Reformed COngre cations OF Charleston S. c. and Albany
n V held the doctrines precisely Nor were they
with them they had only ad0pteG tneih Iip p ,
man congregations like those Of Hamburg Bcrhn ana
sn in the fewis periodicals and books
The Conference simply declared MS adherence 10 the
no less As long as the Jew oppressed and eXcom
muncated in society, not giving up MS hope Tor the nal
and personal Messiah for salvation The naturallzed
jew Of America, Holland. France Germany or Italy
docs not wish 10 go Palestine, does he stand in
need OF Rodeemer. II Is the final triumph OF truth JUS
ce liberty, virtue goodness, ana pure humanity Nhch
he discovers in the prophecies which are BIS nope ana
aspirations OF his prayers III Is tne redemption ana
elevation of the human family which claim MS mead
heart and hand The coming Of personal Messiah never
acknowledged necessary dogma OF JUDAISM az al
ready Joseph Abo and Isaac A9arbanel maintained cor
ira Mamonides. Confidence aud belief III the final tri-
umph Of truth is the great faith OF Israel Ii was this
power which "has kept the Jews one as people, Tor
In regard to reading the law in the synagogue, the Con
ference merely passed the resolution that II shall be the
minister's duty select weekly from the section OF the
Pentateuch read in every synagogue the passage best
calculated for public reading. That is all The Hebrew
not TO be entirely excluded from the synagogue ser
vice; portions remain in Hebrew and others III the
The Jew thinks the principles of Judaism universal
and eternal nobody secede from them without deny
ing the axoms OF his own reason @ oS S
the outer world and these must change as ages tastes
nronensties and opinions change. That IL the very
tombstone OF the truth and power Of regiOn IT must
able march onward with the progress OF the ages
without any modification Of principle. No Jew ana no
OV Ti,e 81 JeT June 2s, 1s7i ONE OF THEM
THE CONFERENCE REPUDIATED.
From The Jerish TINES, June 90
In the beginning OF the present month
meeting took place in Cincinnati, OHIO. Of number OF
individuals whO although for the greater part devoid OF
incompeent to represent Judaism, assumed the style
and title of "The Conference of American RaDbs The
records of their proceedings published to the world
Things which nobody deemed credible or even possible
took place then and there The originator of that
ference positively repudiated the personal God and
EN- atically denied that the belief in personal
Coo was taught by biblical Judaism. He, fur.
thermOre designated the God Of the Bible being
placable melting punishment, but showing mercy
aud forgvng sin, under the plea that the idea OF
personal and pardonng God had It's origin in Christian
ity. Another member OF the Conference avOwing the
same sentiments, deduced from the denial Of personal
God the logical conclusion, which he distinctly uttered
that prayer 10 God was an absurdty. Scarcely voice
heard in opposition All the fellow members silent
ly acquiesced. More than THIS: the conference went
far as 70 appoint the very member that repu
dated God aud renowned prayer the Committee for
the preparation OF the contemplated new PrayerbOok,
and selected him to deliver lecture on the biblical idea
of God at the next meeting
IL Is not 10 be wondered al, that not only jewish hut
also Christian readers and Journals OF all shades of op
ion and belief could not suppress their surprise and
moral Indignation at such proceedings. And should pe
remain silent to such fragrant blasphemie such unheard
Of impous dissertation of sanctuary the part Of
those very men, who profess 10 be its guardians and
seryatOrsi If these gentlemen bad proclaimed their
heather doctrines simply their individual notions,
should have noted their alterations in silent sorrow but
would have deferred 10 the good Of the respective
congregations whose head they figure teachers Of
the Jewish religion TO declare whether they will be will
ing 10 remain within the pale OF Judaism or not. But
when, happens in this instance, Judaism is fasted
its purity deled by the admxtuTe OF heather elements
shamefuy reviled before the eyes Of the wOrdt would
be PROCLAMATION sacred calling, were 20 abstain
from Publishing unqualified aud most solemn pro-
test against those false and nOnJewish declarations.
We the undersi gned, therefore declare:
That the God OF the Bible Is not the substance Of
nature" not identical with nature but - PERSONAL
-. ~. NJ he tuiy in