The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-11-03
VISIT FROM A RABBI or JERU-
SALEM.

VISIT FROM 4 RABBI or JERU-
SALEM
A few weeks ago we were honored
D. visit from Rabbi OF Jerusalem,
whose busincss seems 10 be soliciting
aid fsom his English and American
brethren for the benefit of 1.-THE Jewish
College. and Free School and Hospital
at jerusalem. After the customary
situations. we asked the reverend
Rabbi what he thought Of the religious
condition Of the Jews in Engand and
America. 10 was noticeable that Gu:
question caused him some uneasiness.
lle frankly admitted that the Jews, as
whole. had degenerated. and bitterly
complained of the inidelity Of the
American jews particularly.
~What will be the future Of that
class Of Jew 20 weaskcd.
"Oh. replied the Rabbi with on
thasia,m. they will be converted when
King Messiah comes
.'U1 You indeed believe that the Mes
sah is yet TO come :" we ventured to
ask.
81 could not live. answered the Rab
bi with deep emotion. If | had to re-
iinqiish the hope Of my life. aud the
prayer Of my heart. W
but, honored Rabbi, said We, ia
there not some indication of yielding
that hope, or at least that ferrency Of
hope which characterized the ejacula-
tions of the holy prophets, and that
stern faith Of our fathers shortly before
aud during the siege Of the second
temple. when the pious Jews, IN the
language Of Rabbi Moses ben Mailman.
repeat every morning in their creed, i
believe thoroughly IN the coming of the
Messiah: and although he hcsit0tes, yet
/ do look for his coming day after day.
Now permit US, we continued to
address our distinguished visitor. who
by this time evidently began to coniec-
ture whether or not he was list ,riug to
one who had relincuished the religion
o. rabbinical Judaism permit US,
dear H. hi. TO suggest that the word
'hesifnfe.' IN connection with 50 stup-
en- lous an event as the coming OF the
Messiah is, in nay estimation, TO say the
least. dangerous il not absurd. See.
pray YOU. the advent of great David's
greater Son is not a thing which Is de-
pending ON circumstances. TO be rsgula-
ted by conditions of certain facts. or to
fluid place when favorable opportuui
tics permit IT. on the contrary. is ii
prediction inspired by the Holy
Spirit Ruach Ilskkodeshl which
must Dc fulfilled promptly and at the
exact time appointed. God 10 not a
man that he should lie; neither the Son
of man that he should repent; hath he
said and shall he net do it, OF bath
he spoken and shall he not make It
good =" Numbers xiii, 49,. BE
hold the visible works Of God The
sun knows his appointed time, and the
moon follows its course with exact
pormpntude. summer and winter.
autumnand winter appear and disappear
in perfect obedience to the will OF Je-
hovah Neither OF them comes too
late. nor departs too early. There is no
hesitation with any Of them. How,
then. can it be said of the Messiah,
whose coming should be of such an i'm
POI tance 10 the whole world that no
event in history, protane OF sacred
could be even compared with 1t, that
NE should hesifGicf'
d" The word hesitate, in connection
with the coming OF the Messiah. is !
written in the Bible, replied the Rabbi.
while casting look Of suspicion on us
VIII you be SO kind as to teach us
where we can find the exact place -
80. yes ; it Is not 10 the Thora Pen
taieuch.l but in the Prophets. Look at
iab. ii, 3"
OF course, we took the Bible, the |
Hebrew Bible and. after having read 1
the place mentioned. we answered
" uou0rcd Rabbi. this place is not |
messianic. az the context will plainly |
show but even suppose the vision.
mentioned in this verse. relates 10 the
Messiah even then the argument would |
be rather against you. because il is
written there II ,cW NOT toryy ~
Seeing the pesp'exily Of the aged !
20 ltlemau. we continued and said
There is no doubt that even among the |
Rabbs there were those who came 10 F,
the conclusion that the Messiah had /
come already. one Of them, you will
kindly remember, said all predictions
lof theadvcnt OF the Messiahl have been [
fulfilled, all depends now simply on
conversion.
you believe, then. that The Chris
iiaas are correct and the Jews wfongf'
asked the Rabbi, net without emotion.
Most assuredly - we replied, do we
believe that Rabbi Joshua Hannotsri is
the Messiah promised to the Fathers.
aud the Jews wrong in refusing to ac-
know Wedge him as such"
The most intelligent Jews in Ger
many, England, aud even here in
America believe him TO be prophet
Ike Rabbi Hillel aud others, remai ked
the Rabbi. after few moments silence.
That this is a step in the right direc.
lion no one will deny. 1t proves that
the Jews commence to use their o,cH
mind, aud not that Of the Talmud; to
look through their opa eyes, and not
through those Of the Rtbbs. II further
proves that mission work among them,