The New York herald., 1879-11-16
NINETEENTH STREET SYNAGOGUE.


REIRA MENDEs.
Rev. II. P. Mendes continued his remarks upon
the important topic of Jewish Education before
his congregation in the Nineteenth Street Syna-
gogue yesterday Having traced the subject from
patrarchal to rabbinical ages the reverend gentle
man stated that the rabbins regarded ten years
as the age at which Mishns should be treated. at
thirteen years boy should be vcrsod in his religious
responsibilities. at fifteen he should study
Gucmara. You see by this. said Mr.. Mendcs.
that the Bar-Mitzva celebration of the thir.
tecnth ycar) meant a proper religious edu-
cation. and not the miserable farce to which
IT has in some synagogues degepcrated. Eighty
wears before the Christian era education was com.
pusory. Oral instruction was the me, hod in vogue.
and had to be .achers and not mere lesson
hearers. study continued in youth. manhood
and old age questions were proposed Mt the lectures
or classes. answers given. counter question met
counter answer: all was animation: the subject
tossed like ball. as IL were, from one to another;
seeming contradictions were pointed out and recon-
the latter continually exercised, and he stood
the best chance for eminence who had the keerest
intellect ana the most command of logic. Answers
sometimes couched in hidden meaning. which
the student had to work out by deep
truths conveyed concealed in fantastic hyper.
boein incredible stories, which, taken seriously by
that great work. when the fault lies. not with tho
Tamud. but with their own want OF skill to dis
the rabbits hidden lesson. And let be added
here that the education of girls was not neglected
is commonly declared. Examples of learned
ladies' well known. such Beruria, wife of the
eruditc Rabbi Mcir. ana when the study of Greek
time forbidden, because opening the
doors to an anti-Jcwish system OF philosophy, tho
daughters of nearly all the great families were versed
in that language.
NECESSITY ron EARLY RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
"rhe foundation OF the happiness OF mankind
rests on the early religious education of youth"
How true this is we need not pause to inquire.
Without religious instincts to curb the promptings
of sin the laws of the land prevention to
him who could by cunning infringe them with inn.
puuity. The reverend gentleman observed that by
showing those present how in all ages the greatest
education he might perhaps induce in them
desire to repair whatever was wanting In
their own individual cases. In addressing you
for the first time in n tenure OF Office, said Mr..
Mendes. feel I cannot hnd better and more ap-
propriate subject than the upon whose import
ance have cmphatically and often insisted.
and which have constantly cssayed to Impress
upon you being worthy OF far consideration
than any ritual ceremonial matter. tho only surc
method of perpctuating our holy religion the only
means we have of insuring future generation %.
| upright men and women. living examples
! OF intcectuality. models of that true nobility
best described IN the short phrase, ''ideel
/ Jews and Jewesses." Unless YOU wish
your to be more Christian zed jews unless Won
desire your daughters To become mere ornaments ia
that vapid institution called society instead thuir
each deserving that proud title beyond all price
true Jewish woman,' iusist upon religious instrur
Jewish language, less ot history and nothing q
our traditions. 30 that Christian asking the ai,np
lest question must needs he left unanswered n
| wonder at our astounding Ignorance, is a sham
| upon our manhood. and dtscracN 10 efiace viii.
no effort should be spared