The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-10-24
Jewish Charity.
Concluded next week.

It 10 pleasant to turn from these disa-
greeable subjects to one which might prove
an example to US Christian people. This is,
note, respecting Jewish charities. Their
system Of donation is next to perfection:
Before giving pecuniary aid to one of
their own sect, the rabbi does all he can
to put the petitioner in the way of earning
his own living. For this there is loan
fund. The Rothschilds have private loan
funds of their own. The loan consists of
fifty francs (f2). With this the borrower
buys trayfull of cheap handkerchief,
socks, braid, pins, needles, etc. He then
goes to one of the outskirts, and tries to
sell his ware. If he has family he dis
tributes the ware among them. at the
end of the day the profits are count ed.
Generally the loan ia speedily restored.
But if by some unfortunate chance he
should fail, he may return for a second loan,
and third. But if unsuccessful a third
time, he is deemed incompetent for trade,
and he is helped otherwise. The loan
system, however, is mostly efficacious. The
Rothschilds have thus lent, in those little
sums, as much and more than the amo unit
of their whole united fortunes. Then food
is given to poor Jews, and at Easter and
other jewish festivals, the jewish tradi
tioual meals are sent gratis to those Jews
who may be in the army or in prison.
Every year 1000 children are newly clad.
Poor jews are also buried by the COM
Lnunlby. Every JS" "uoGuoE ElCu OF poor
Is buried in one particular garment, made
of linen and cut on the same model as the
garments that the Hebrews wore when
they were dispersed.
Jewish charity, therefore, is always ex-
ercised according to the rites of their relig
ion. And it is the duty of the rich to see
that the poor are enabled to act according
to the laws of Moses. This is why, also,
the magnificent hospital at Picpus was
founded by the Rothschilds, that their
sick might be cared for by their own people
Not only the Rothschilds, however, but
every other wealthy IsEaelite in Paris, con-
tributes towards the wants of the poor.
The Jewish hospital is corsiderated a
model for others to initiate. Another hos
pital had been founded on the eea shore by
two members of the Rothschild family for
the benefit of poor children requiring sea
air. And the ladies do as much on their
side, and for their own sex, as the gentle
man do on theirs. Every lady works in
her own way bnt she is bound to send
her accounts TO the general administrator.
The house of Rothschild alone is exempt
from this rule. The most praiseworthy
part of Jewish charity, however, is that
be who give does not humble him who re-
ceives. The poor take the tithes due to
God according to the laws of Moses, and
the wealthy consider that they are paying a
debt in giving to the poor. The giver and
receiver are alike in the face of man as
we'll as in that of God. 1t is the only relig-
ion where the poor can receive charity
without = flash of shame tinglinG their
cheeks, or n sense of humility hardening
their hearts against the hand that gives.
Christians might take a Lesson from the
jews in this Correspondent Dub
JSR Freeman.