Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1892-05-05
THREE DESIGNATIONS
HEBREW, ISRAELlTE, JEW; THEIR
MEANING AND THEIR USE.

Descendants of Abraham-A Rabbi's
Explanation That Is Interesting.
Ii is not an unfrequent occurrence
that am asked which of the three ap-
pellations given to our people, Hebrew,
lsrselite or Jew, be the more correct or
acceptable. have no doubt that one
OF the other among you have had similar
questions to answer, nor that you ex-
perienced some difficulty in shaping
your reply. In books, periodicals and
daily papers, in public meetings and
private conversations. these words are
nsed either Unfortunately or with an
apparent doubt as to whether or not one
or the other would be preferable, or per-
haps Objectionable. In order to form a
correct opinion it would appear neces-
sary TO have some knowledge of the
origin and former usage of
these terms.
Hebrew-in our sacred tongue called
'lbri"-is derived from ''avar' Ito
cross, come over" 1t was first applied
by the ancient inhabitants of Palestine
to the family of our ancestor Abraham,
who. migrating from Mesopotamia to
Palestine, had to cross or pass over the
river Euphrates. 1t was the name by
which the Jews were known to foreign
ers in ancient days. Thus Joseph is
spoken of by the Egyptians, and intro
duced himself to them as an 'Ibri' or
Hebrew" Miriam asks Pharaoh's
daughter whether she should go and call
a Hebrew" woman. Moses speaks to
Pharaoh of the "God Of the Hebrews
and the Prophet Jonah tells the heather
mariners, 81 am Hebrew"
The second term, Israel, "lsraelite, ="
is to be traced to the story of Jacob
wrestling with mysterious being at
"Peniel, when he was told. Thy name
shall be called no more Jacob, but
Israel" that is, striving with God.
in God" or, as Gesendus
soldier Tor champion) of
God"
Thus the term Israel or Israelite points
to the mission Of the children of our
race-to wrestle with or battle against
any forces hostile to their sacred trust.
at the same time foreshadowing their
final trump and victory
The name Israel" became the ma
tiopal name of the twelve tribes collec-
lively. Later, after the division of the
kingdom under Jeroboam, the name ap-
piled only to the ten seeding tribes
forming the northern kingdom, known
IS the kingdom of Israel, in contradis-
tinction to the southern kingdom. con-
sisting chiefly of the tribes Of Judah,
Benjamin and Levi After the destruc-
ion of the ten tribe kingdom we find
The old name Israel again used to desig-
nate the people of the kingdom of Ju-
iah. and the name Israel" collectively,
and 'lsraelite" individually, has to this
lay remained in common usage.
The third appellation, "Jehudi" or
Jew" originates in the name given by
Jacobs wife, Leah, to her fourth son,
Judah" or "Jehudah," meaning praise
or thanks to God. For at his birth the
mother exclaimed, This time will
give thanks unto the Lordr The name
was worthily borne by the noble and
sturdy son of Jacob, whose record
is without stain or blemish.
The tribe of Judah, named after him,
vas the most numerous, enterprising
md valiant among all the tribes of
srael. During the march through the
lesert Judah's place was in the van of
he host.
The traditional standard of the tribe
vas lions whelp, with the words,
Arise. D Lord, and let thine enemies
,e scattered" Later the name "Jehudi.'
" jew" was applied to member of
he kingdom of Judah latter the separa-
ion of the kingdom of Israel). even to
hose not Of the tribe of Judah. proof Of
which we find in the fact that jim the
,ook of Esther Mordecai, though of the
ribe of Benjamin, is called "Ish Jehu-
H. "Jehudi" or jew After the re-
urn from the Babylonian captivity all
he members of the new state were
,alled Jehudim, Jews or Judeans, the
lame being extended to the remnants of
he people scattered throughout the ma
ions.
So much as to the etymology and his
orical significance of the names "He-
,rew," "Israelite" and jew" From it
appears that among the three the
irst, Hebrew" is the most ancient and
emote. And as in ancient days, by it
he jew was distinguished from for
igners, 50 today it would appear that
n order to point out anything distinc-
lively Jewish the word Hebrew is more
applied. Thus we speak Of
Hebrew language, Hebrew literature,
Hebrew melodies, etc. Otherwise the
lsraelite and Jew, or Israel
tish and Jewish, are more frequently
Employed as more expressive and char
cteristic in their meaning and impor-
ant in history.
Of the two the former is name of
honorable distinction, referring to the
ivine calling of Israel, the spiritual
ombat of truth against falsehood, of
ight against darkness, in which our
,eople were enlisted as a nation, in
which they were still engaged when,
With the fall of Jerusalem and the de-
truction of the temple, they ceased to
,e nation, and which will not termi-
late until. in the fullness of time, Gods
ight and truth will finally triumph.
And with the name "Israelite" that of
Jew" the children of our race will ever
,roudly bear and cherish. They trace
is origin to the noble ancestor, and
,rave and distinguished tribe, whose
lame was perpetuated in the kingdom of
Tudah, loyal and true to its ancestral
aith and traditions.
And when the autonomy Of Israel as a
lation was destroyed its fragments
hough scattered broadcast over the
,arth-were still closely united by the
TRANCE spell Of that ancient name Je-
ludi or Jew, by which, individually, we
we're and still are wont to call each
,ther, and by which we arechiefy recog-
lized by the world.-A Rabbi in Wash
ngton Star
Western Snake
From far western regions comes the
ale Of a man who was killed by dead
make. This story is so thrilling that it
8 best not to mention the name of the
place where the incident occurred.
Snake bites from live snakes are bad