Omaha daily bee., 1889-09-09
A Brief Synopsis of His Address at
Temple Israel.

Temple Israel.
The following is brief synopsis of the
inaugural address delivered by Rabbi Will
liam Rosenau, at Temple Israel, on Friday
evening, September 6:
On the 2Sth of June, of the present year,
occurred the fifth graduation of students
from the Hebrew Union college at Cincin.
natl. So large and imposing an audience as
had then assembled Is not often found at a
similar event. Representative men
of the country, flowers in profusiop,
anthems most imposing, all added to the
sacred character Of that occasion. The
learned president of the college invited nine
of us to step upon the pulpit and be ordained
as teachers and leader of our holy faith.
With words of encouragement and his
priestly blessing he pronounced us ordained
rabbis in Israel.
Tonight there are again festivities in many
synagogues throughout the land, as that
class of nine preach for the first time from
their own pulpits to their own congregations.
AS 1 reflect upon the great task that lies
before ME, call to mind the words of the
prophet Malacchi, "F'or the lips Of the priest
are TO guard understanding, and the law are
they to seek from his mouth, tor a messenger
of the Lord of Hosts is he''
The priest, according to the prophet of
old, was not only to be developed morally
and intellectually, but his development IN
the common people so much that they could
regard him as their leader. AS we reflect
upon this it seems that no seer or sage ever
defined more clearly the relation of preacher
and congregation than did the prophet NAL
acchi. The minister is to direct mans
course. He is to, guide him carefully so that
he may not lose his. .footholu. He is to speak
to us of the lofty, doctrines of our holy re-
ligion, relate to us its marvellous history and
call our attention to the duties we owe our
is to rejoice when we rejoice. COM
fort US in sickness, console us when
death comes to- us, and 4inculcate firm
belief in the existence of the life to come.
But is this the extent of his usefulness, or
does his sacred Office impose other RESPONSE
bilities upon himl There is great differ
ence of opinion existing regarding the exact
scope of PASTORS duties. The more liberal
and progressive element of society suppose
the pastor to be engaged in solving the alb
struse questions propounded by the numer-
Gus opponents of religion, and he must fur
nish the devotee with arguments to ward off
the attacks of the enemy.
AS minister Of Jewish congregation,
the rabbi must take it upon himself to dis
cuss the questions that are of vital
import to Judaism. He must impress
upon his congregation the fact that ours lis
not stationary religion, but a religion
of progress. The rabbi must also be iec-
turer. He must treat Of topics of the day,
upon which he may have something to say.
There are questions which come up daily
which must be brought before the people
for serious consideration. In doing this Is
the rabbi inauguratng an innovationl Go
back to the earliest times, when priests,
prophets and sages stood in the van of Israel,
and note how, in addition TO pointing out the
paths of religion, they express their opinion
on the best forms of government. Up to
this day have the preachers and leaders in
Judaism endeavored to spread such knowl-
edge as would elevate and educate man.
kind
Difficult in the extreme is the rabbits po-
sition on account of the variety of
opinions as to his exact duties. The
membership of his congregation are
the ones upon whom he depends for assist
ance IN his work. Every congregation must
manifest yearning to be instructed to have
its minister feel that his efforts are appre-
cnted.
Tonight, Temple Israel. you and form a
bond of union that is most sacred in its
character. 1t is band consecrated to the
cause Of the one and eternal God Duties
devolved upon us both respectively which
we must strive to carry out. With such con-
ditions and relations always existing, the
word of the pulpit will be realized among
US. For this let us hope and pray. AS we
are tonight, let us always Oe that our
congregation may prosper and become a
congregation worthy of imitation IN all re-
spects--a congregation of progress and ad-
vanced thought