The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-11-15
JOHN W. woLTz, News and city Editor.
LOCAL MArETERS.


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OLD AND NEW JUDAIsM-Lecture by
EW. Dr.. ISadore KaliSh.-Last evening
there was a most instructive, enlightened
and liberal lecture delivered at the Eleventh
Street Synagogue, by the above named
eminent Jewish divine--whose views and
doctrines are entirely based upon morality,
humanity and truth, a love for the advance
ment and welfare of the whole human
family, irrespective Of the difference as TO
the mode Of worshiping the One great
on,nipotem Jehordh but, unfortunately for
this eminent and learned gentleman, as well
as our citizens, the inclement weather,
together with the indifference existing
among some classes, the attendance was
indeed very slim one, and it is to be re-
gretted that the Doctor will leave the city
to-day, and cannot make arrangements to
obtain such an audience as his ability and
the subject he treats of deserves, and no
doubt would receive.
The illustration Of the distinction he
draws between the old and new Judaism is
sublime and liberal. The lecturer argued
that much embraced in the Mosaic law was
intended to be local and applicable to the
state of civilization and national habits of
the people to whom it was delivered, show
ing also the various changes and measures
adopted from time to time to suit the pro-
gress of civilization and human culture
lie drew beautiful picture between the an
cent sacrifices and the Jewish worship of
the present day. Also Illustrating
THE ANCIENT TREE g8rT
from. its incipiency TO the fruit-that the
Mosaic dispensation produced three wonder
ful fruits-Judaism, Christianity and Ma
hometanism-w which are at present nourish-
ing the civilized world remarking that
such a powerful tree, may yet succeed in
its mission to bring forth still ripper and
more delicious fruit Of enlightenng all man
kind, and lead them in their doctrines to ac-
knowledge the One Am.
DR.. Kalish's technical distinctions be-
tween the Mosaic dispcnsaton and Juda-
ism, show plainly that they differ rom the
expoundcrs OF the mistaken orthodox ideas.
Judaism is a progressive Mosaic system,
and, notwithstanding the new doctrines,
differs from the old; yet they are not in
opposition to the fundamental law The
learned gentleman quoted largely from the
Pentateuch, the Prophets, Psalms, and the
Testament, showing that the whole
Mosaic dispensation aims at conduct
through which good, moral, and virtuous
character, and a happy civic law is marked
out, that no mystery is contained in the
system, that everything taught therein is
easy of comprehension, and will serve
to promote the welfare Of the soul and
body. It teaches that God is one, un-
divided, invincible, omnipotcnt, just, and
all powerful Being, and that besides Him
there is no God; that He can only be seen
by His works i'll the nature of everything
surrounding us, and that there is no media
ton between Him and us. After great
many citations from the authorities, too
numerous to mention here, he showed
sufficiently that many things contained in
the doctrines of judaism Of the old world
were adopted for the time being. He even
cited that during the sojourn Of the jews
in the wilderness, circumcision was dis
pensed with. Moses taught that Mono
deism shall not be altered, but that the
rules, regulations and workings of the
same may be improved to suit the progress
of the age in which we live.
He cited authority that the Israelites
were not the only people that were to bow
the knee to Jehovah, but that He was to
be 'King over all the eartho: GAN the
ends of the world shall remember and re-
turn unto Jehovah, and all families Of the
Gentiles shall worship before Thee"
Some of the poets were of the opinion and
hope of universal religion. The most in
teresting portions of his lecture are pas
sages from the writings of the Scribes, (not
found in the Bible,) to show that much
which we regard as modern, liberal, and
progressive, comes from this school Of re-
ligious reformers. They seemed to have
indulged the same speculatons, and sought
to solve the same problems, that have puz-
zlcd the minds Of the best thinkers of the
present age. A hundred years before the
Christian era, Rabbi Hllel laid down the
golden rule in the words $50 unto others
as you wish to be done by"; and the same
teacher said: Judge not thy neighbor
until thou be in his situation"
He alluded to the many prosecutions sul-
fered from the captivity of the Jews by the
Romans, when they became exiles in that
vast empire, and that owing to this, many
false impressions as well as wrong doc
trlnes prevailed. They were restricted by
narrow-minded rabbis to absurd and innu-
mcrable false and foolish ceremonies,
and owing to these restrictions and
cruel prosecutions, they were sub
jected to by blind fanatacism, they were
prevented from everything that tended to
elevate mankind and the development of the
mind, and not until the year l776, when
the Saviour of civil and religious liberty
was born, were the eyes of Europe opened,
and they were emancipated IN France, Hol-
land, Belgium and some German States,
and from that time the great light in Juda-
ism appeared on the arena, in theology,
philosophy, literature, art and sciences.
Jewish conferences were held from time to
time in Europe and America, and the follow
ing
NEW DECALOGUE
was laid down as the second decalogue of
new Judaism:
/ lst. They believe in an eternal, indivsi-
bic and immuta5le unity of God who is
the source Of all, the Father of all man
kind, hearing the prayers Of all His child
rem without any mediator.
I'd. Man is gifted with an immortal soul
to be good and to do good, to love men and
God, and thus to be contented in the present
state of life as well as in the next world.
Sd. The Mosaic religion is capable OF an
! inf,