New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-07-20
JEWISH SERVICES on SUNDAY.
TIE POSITION OF DIR. KOHLER.

THE POSITION OF DIR. KOHLER
HIS OBJECT IN GIVING SUNDAY LECTUREs-vIEws
ATTRIBUTED TO HIM HAT HE DOES NOT HOLD
TIE POWER OF THE JEWISH CONVENTION.
There has been considerable discussion of
late as to the attitude the supposed attitude. of Dr.
Kohler, rabbi of the Temple Bethel, in this city, upon
the subject of Sunday services. The Jewish press
commented freely on the matter and i'll part rather
bitterly, and the secuiar press have interpreted Dr.
Kohlers position pointing toward "progress eism.,
DIR. kohler stated his position to TRIBUNE reporter
day or two and also spoke OF the powers of the
Hebrew Convention, held in Chicago He said
my position has been entirely misapprehended
by the press. and | have been represented
holding views entirely gnant to There seemed
to to be need for sunday services, but have never
entertained the idea of substituting those services
those of the sabbath. Ny orr anal intention
range for sunday lectures for the young, when / could
give religious instruction. dwelling upon subjects similar
TO those lecture upon before my congregations then
desired 20 these lectures also to those who could
be present the sabbath owing to business aud other
engagements. wished young and Old to take part in IA
ew short prayers without giving this the character of
sabbath service. misunderstanding arose the part
Of portion OF the CATION my purpose this
led 10 controversy, and some Jewish paper made
OF sondn to meuhcrs OF the congregation copies
a As said, have no intention of giving mp
sabbath services on saturday shall have the Young
up TIA temple and take part in the singing every
saturday. have mold sunday services here alternate
weeks In Chicago had regular sunday serviccs. There
the ,Nc part of my congregation wished the sat
urday service transferred to sunday but this opposed
as desired much possible TO avoid achisn do
not believe il schi'm or any thing OF the sort"
"Wil you please ssate your object in holding sunday
services /"
" 1t was in part as I said, for those prevented by
business from being present Saturday. 1t was
further a fight against indifference. which scriously
threatens Jewish and other congregations few Of the
congregation started the idea that saturday is not prop
crly kept and that the fourth commandment not
ing observed hy the orthodox who. after service 20 to
TIA r Offices, and during service have their sons and
Gle. ks, their servants and maid servants doin,
work Tor them 50, III the meeting hcd few weeks ago.
many felt that tho sabbath as now observed by the
Jews il no sabbath at all, aud they wished day when
it could hc kept in spirit. instead of being sham Others
opposed the idca ground Of being ion
to Christianity, ana said that 1t princi-
pie, ~ sunday for fifteen sixteen centuries had
been the Sabbath of the Docalosue"
VIII the Hebrew Convention Chicago consider this
mattcrT
"Thc Union OF American Congregations ia not mt all
FOR the discussion 81 rituai-c dognatic questions
those only D. reached by each conEro tion whout
any outside Interference. Judaism has thus far got
along very well without amy authority, without any
syuod similar ccclcsiatic.d body ucddc in con
rrogttlonal al irs. 40 congregation would submit to
the dicttiou Of body OF laymon among whom a few
ra'bs ait happen to sit in counsel In fact, con
grcsation, in appointing delegates expressly stipu-
lated that should any question Of Sunday lcctrcs or
similar topics come mp, protest should be entered
against it. because We cannot afford to have other
grcg;itious interfere in affairs and views"
cit has been stated that you did attend the con
ycn!lon because YOU feared might Dee unpleasant for
you Icncr OF your on sunday ,cryicc p
"Thclc j. no truth In that. Ny original intention was
60 90 Chicago aud read paper sunday lectures
services before the Rahhiuical Library A~-orinton
vented me. c"uli not 90 th' before the couNcntlon
Let say here that The that The main iuc,
don before the convention viii lc concerning General
synod is mo- correct The main business win be the
Jewish c"lomlai non OF immigrants nom En@. la. The
plan proposed Is to bay tract at land i'm thr West and
of the question Viii be turned over to cNpci.ncr law,
mon. Ii ~a matter of doubt whether special .cY, Sh
and mag, in bn rs, ana t.ns oo'n 0. y,, for r,r
grants Themselves would accept the plan"
speaking further q" the proposal for synod DR.. Koh
Ter said " II rs failure from the bcenung attempt
t@ rttular thr rt"2i ad custom &" he jewish turch
ihiouEh Il 0Nnu' me dNCiT,tl 81 opinions among lay
men aud ministers Is too grcat 40 permit Oft. ~ would
'i IN tI 7r. r ;,iir ' % lSm i'il' T. g.
i"ii or ~ lenGTtrS ir ,, mp ns ' @ 10
snch question would come up ora discussion Of sun
and have gone to C6icaso A. il is Coroner Tn"grr
one OF oar two delegates. Is the proper man Tor
place ne rpI's nls my views prcccl But the Qnes-
ton Of Sunday service cannot come up directly it may
incidentally. have 80 desire to avoid thc Gght. MN
'hlc'so CON Ilon' ~ sad represent the foremost
view, ON sunday service, My brothornlaW, who holds
.u1u,sr tic ,,i, ti ''''v ms nl,t.'
The sensational press has distorted public opinion
that good many people, young and old. believe that il
IL opposed 10 judah to hold sclN SUNDAY whereas
the old law 10 hold cN lee every day. Tn only
parturc from the law WOu be in giving up sabbath ser
vice.
You are not then, as has been stated, heading a
movement toward Adcrisl :"
" NOl nj all ol course, FraWs show the direction of
the Wlnt and ic tact that people 10 G!ck Hall
Shove the need 81 sunday service for the Noung
those VINO cannot on Saturday for Substantial nouriS:
lcn to mind and heart. 1t shows, also. how hmcnta-
bile l. the Indifference on the OF cid youg W no
prefer 10 sleep until 10 or IL in The morning. or to pis
their time IN amy hu noble pursuits sunday and thcn
claim To be orthodox or better Jews
attend service which happens to nc held thS Chris
tlAn sabbath"