The New York herald., 1872-08-11
Rabbinical observation-disclosures Why 1t
Cannot he Had Here.

To THE EDITOR OF The HERALD
am a messenger Of good tidings for you. My
countrymen, the Russian-Posh Israetes OF this
city, have commissioned me to tell you that they
have unanimously declared you one OF "the
righteous Of the nonIsraelites' (Chasside Un1Oth
Haolaon), and you are henceforth entitled to
place in ''the basement Of Paradise" (Gan Eden
Hatdchton) for the interest you have manifested in
behalf Of their religion and beloved ancient tongue.
They moreover instructed me to report their
opinion about the subjects which have been re-
Gently treated in the Sundays editions Of the
HERALD, though they are well aware Of my being
one of the reformed party, praying to God with my
head uncovered, considering 'Rosher" a very
palatable and cleanly prepared eatable, and smok
ing my cigar Qf have any on the Sabbath as well
as on other days. They know all these, and never
theless consider me OF their own. They entrusted
me with the mission, though they knew that l
would fulfil it in my own way
The question about establishing Hebrew
theological seminary In this country has recently
been raised and commented upon. The world Is
wondering why the American Israelites foil In this
point, which Is OF so great Importance to the main.
tenance OF their creed 'MaimOnides College"
which has been established is in state of decay,
and III am correctly informed, Rcvs. Drs. Adler
and Einhorn endeavored some years ago to estab-
lish or sustain such seminary, and fund has been
appropriated BY the congregation "Emanue" OF
this city to that end. But the fund Is accommodating
interest without being used for the purpose.
There is q clcw to all these astonishing facts. A
seminary cannot exist without pupils and without
professors, and there is neither the one nor the
other in this country. The first have been limited
at in the HERALD and there is no use OF speaking
ish theology-have not been mentioned yet, and
propose To give my opinion about 1t at the start
There are pGsye no professors ,nsTS of Jswn @
true doctors of Jewish theology or rabbies here |
know only three OF the last In this city, viz. :-Drs
East Broadway All the others are either doctors Of
philology or German Joctors-"die 1etlIen Rech-
'en"~or even doctors ofiheir own make; in short,
sham and humbug. Such Is the case, anu 1t Is time
that the world should know Oft.
The imposition In this line Is 80 great that none
else hut Il good Jewish scholar can understand IL.
IL arises rom the difference between jewish rabbi
and Jewish lecturer, and which Is almost entirely
unknown. TO the world In general. Anybody can
and may be a lecturer in Israel. II one knows the
Bihle ard has the gift Of explaining what he knows
lie may lecture on tic Bible; II he knows more he
may lecture on what he knows. The best lecturer
is not required to know more than the beleettristic
parts OF the Hebrew literature, for his arguments
may be questioned and abnegated by any one; lie
uurst not decide in any matter OF religious impor-
lance. and his words are OF no authority whatever
Lecturers explanations have always been a by
WORD among lsraetes, so that in common conver-
sation 90 lecturers explana,ionn is the civil sub.
sttute OF "a professional fooishness."
not SO Is tue case with rabbi. rabbi must be
ordained py three OF four raO5es OF established re.
putation he must stand u rigid examination on
some OF The most complicated religious or uris.
dctonal questions, and must he perfect master OF
Talmudical literature. He must know all decisions
from the Tanaic code called 'Mishneh" down to
the last part of the code Of latest authority called
'Choshen Mlshpat.' There are differences In the
opinions OF some Talmudica commentators as well
as among the greatest compilers OF the Talmudica
laws, as Alphas Asher Maimondcs and many
others. The rarbi must be able 70 decide between
these authorities II any question on which they
differ comes up before him. Az models OF such de-
''ShaalQth Utshuboth." or questions aud answers.