Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-12-18

such heathens exclusively and abso-
lutely, and not tC Christians; if we are
10 believe their declarations, that the
heathens outside of Palestine are not
included IN the law against heathen-
ism, as their beliefs aud observances
are merely customs inherited Of their
iathers;" that the Trinitarian doctrine
is no paganism, il Is imaginary plural
ity in the one God; then we must ad>
nit that the Rabbis Of the past centu-
ries like those of the present, did not
consider Christianity another form Of
heathenism. This question in regard
to intermarriage was raised by Napo-
leon |. 20 the SAnhedrin which he
conYoked, aud the decisions we're
always very unsatisfactory in princi
pie. ~ fsf
Upon the authority Of Moses, the
Rabbis of old applied the law to all
heathens in any place. But those
modern Sanhedrin and conferences
maintain that the Islam is no heath
enism. Christianity is no heathenism,
and yet they regarded the question Of
intermarriage as mere matter OF
discipline and utility, that the few
lsraelites be not lost among the vast
msjorities Of Christians and Moham-
medans. Evidently those gentlemen
have taken very low ground, none JUS
ti6able in law The peace, happiness
and prosperity Of the family, aud the
performance Of its sacred duties to
God and man, is the higher ground
which they might have taken to much
better advantage.
As long as the orthodox Christian
looks upon the Jew as a damned and
doomed soul, OF less worth here and
worthless hereafter. peace and good
will, confidence and genuine affec.
tons can hardly be expected tc
sway a durable scepter in the fam.
lily. The offspring of such fam
lilies are usually the worst sufferers.
Mutual respect is the first condition
10 family, which is not easily posi-
bic IN connection with such prejudices
Again. as long as assertions, abandon.
msnts and divorces, adultery and
concubinsge are of daily occurrence,
end IL. the best classes Of society, the
Jews and JeWesses had better wait
before they marry out Of the pale, till
the morals o. society be improved in
that particular respect.
But then, 1t might be urged there
are tens ofthousands Of individuals in
this country who profess DO religion
at all, hence they are free OF those
prejudices. Why should any Rabbi
refuse to solemnize in behalf of Ju
daism the marriage of such irreligious
parties, whose parents happened to be
Jewish on the one side and Christian
on the other. il no existing law re-
strains him2 1.-THE Rabbi believes,
as he ought TO, that matrimony is a
sacred institution, sanotifed BY the
law Of the Covenant, be will not make
a comedian of himself by invoking
upon them Gods blessing. If one
does not believe in the living God Of
Israel and the Sinaie Revelation h,
has no reason whatever to believe il
the sanetity Of the marriage compact
and hence has no cause to be married
BY Rabbi who acts by that authorit,
only. q
The question Of intermarriagel
should be decided by Synod, aad il
connection with that Of proselytism
A Synod might establish and declar
for the whole American Israel tina
any Rabbi has the right and it is BIZ
duty to unite in lawful marriage sucI
persons who have declared their be
lief in the living God Of Israel an,
the Sinaic Revelation, consequently
also in the divine sanctity Of the mat
rimonial covenant. In this way tn,
| question OF intermarriages may b
solved, according to the law OF Go,
and the satisfaction Of man.
At the close Of the lecture tn
Rabbi was warmly congratulated by
large number of his hearers, who sur
rounded the pulpit.