The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-11
RELIGIOUS QUESTIONS OF rnB DAP
VlswsS nrsn che Standpoint OF UaIvorsal
Th0O1oUy.


cedlng papers.
We we're led TO touch upon them By the letter
from Toxic which We recently quoted. II
described how difficult II must be for q Japan
csc to make his choice as to which OF the
fishers for his soul he should surrender It to-
The various scots Of Christianity which have
established missions in that city demonstrate
By the mere existence OF those missions the
diversities OF human opinion on what ought to
DO the most settled thought Of humanity.
We pictured an intelligent Japanese trying to
decide which Of the systems In operation
around him should receive his allegiance. We
found him rejecting the Catholic, because he
could not give total submission such as was
required to q foreign potentato who claimed
supreme spiritual and temporal power.
Similarly We found him obliged to reject the
Protestant sects. because 1t was evident they
could not all be correct and nobody could de-
eide which one was.
We then described his visit 10 a merchant
Hebrew OF the neclogue or reform school. 1t
was not satisfactory to him and he determined
TO seek Hebrew OF the orthodox school. to
whom he was directed by the same merchant.
In due time he found the man. When they
met by appointment for conversation as he
desired. he stated frankly all the thoughts that
had disturbed him.
1T depends" said the Japanese, much on
what you say what my next step will be. At
present do not know what shall become"
Il do not know that can answer you as you
WISH" replied the Hebrew. " In the first place.
rs Hebrew deem 1t my duty to say that we
do not seek converts. On the contrary. We
would rather not have them. vs. invariably
put difficulties in the way by showing how
difficult It is TO be Jew In life as well rs in the
name and how unnecessary It is for any moral
man to become a jew in order to enjoy ever
lasting life In futurity. We hold that the right
eous OF all nations have portion in the world
to come. We hold that all that is demanded
from you as q non-Jew in order that you may
be translated to higher life In futurity. is that
you shall live moral lie here. in accordance
with the commands given 10 your and our COM
mon ancestors. the sons Of Noah. These COM
mands, as We understandOthem. include what
is necessary for public and private. for social
and national morality.
In the second place. before you can enable
mo to answer your questions as TO orthodox
Judaism, must know what you mean by the
torn. think that II YOU and my friend the
merchant, the Reform Jew who sent you to me.
had mutually understood what you both
meant by Reform j Judaism your conversation
would have taken different turn. There are
among the Reform Hebrews some who are in
tensely patriotic. may say all are so In con-
necton with Jewish honor. They not so
in connection with the question OF Jewish res
toration to Palestine; or more correctly. the
restoration Of Palestine to the Jews. Some OF
the Reform q ebrews are strict observers of the
Sabbath. Others are not. Some have homo
worship Others do not. Some observe Hebrew
festivals strictly, except perhaps the second
day festival. as 1t Is termed. Others observe
no day sacred some favor transfer OF
Sabbaths and holidays to the next or most con-
venient Sunday. and this matter was discussed
not long since at congregational meeting in
Chicago. Others would not hear OF such
thing. And on. Do not. therefore. run
away with the impression that you have
learned what is and what is not Reform
Judaism. My friend with all respect to him.
cannot define ii. Nor can |. have read many
OF the sermons and heard many OF the
speeches. have read many OF the essays and
heard opinions OF many Of the prominent
form rabbis both OF America and Germany.
and even OF England and France. They object
to forms and ceremonies which the orthodox
still think necessary to maintain. some re-
lect doctrines which the orthodox Hebrews
consider are essential. Others assume the |
right to alter and amend the Bible and decide
which OF its enactments are local or are tenn
porary and which are not. Others reject revela-
ton in the accepted sense. To all OF these the
orthodox make sufficient answers But then.
who is and who is not orthodox? That term
Is similarly assumed by many who in the eyes
OF others have no right to assume it. Those
who are termed orthodox are Ia the immense
majority. The reform ranks are recruited from
the wealthy who find naturally. that observ-
Gnce OF jewish orthodox laws restraints the use
Of their opportunities for pleasure or ease.
The nswer OF the reformers to this charge Is
that what they reject they reject because
it Is not in keeping with modern or
surrounding ideas. The orthodox reJoin,
are mi n m n FeliOiOn Cr
practice to be influenced by time or surround
ing thought We are people OF the Book The
book. tue Bible. is our criterion Of conduct in
its laws and statutes. The ideals set forth in
II must be constantly set up BY us in the ewes
OF the world BY ideals l meHn not only the
ideals OF personal conduct such as to live a
holy life. to actively do right or to be actually
OF practical use in this world. and to try after
perfection OF character. This was commanded
TO Abraham. the founder OF our race. and en-
Joined upon us by the founder OF our nation
Noses 1t is demanded from us. needless TO
say. by all our teachers. from prophets to
rabbis, from the rabbis to their modern enuiva-
lents. the ministers. / mean by ideals also
such as universal peace. We jews are great
advocates for national arbitration instead Of
tho brutal tooth and-claw method OF war.
But We must keep the ideals OF per-
sonal life before us. And we must
keep ourselves constantly quickened 10y the |
thoughts associated with the ideals which af- |
feet all humanity. such as universal peace and
universal brotherhood. 10 maintain these
ideals We Hebrews find our word-duty and
the rnison d'ebe OF our being. They are the |
very essence OF our existence. for we are the !
chosen people only In the sense that we arc |
chosen to be tue guardians and preachers /
OF such ideals. In order. | say TO keep
these ideals OF personal life before u.s. and |
these national ideals, or better lot me call |
them. humanity ideals unmpaired. we or
thodox maintain many ceremonies and forms |
which protect this essence OF our existence lust
as clothing protects the life OF the body. That
Is tho main difference between US and our
brothers. tho relormers. They dispense with
tho clothing. As you may imagine. their sys-
tenn OF Judaism is not uiifreQuently catarrhal
rheumatic. and SO forth; that IS. 1t ia some
times wheezy aud frequently is as II out OF
Joint. We think that all the spiritual