The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-29
MACCABEUS
A Jewish Festival in His
Honor.
I" The Jew as Citizen of the
World" and Theism" Dis
cussed Last Evening.

Rather milder weather favored the rabbis
last evening and the attendance at The syna-
gOgues was nOticeaDy better.
AT the Temple Emanuel DR.. Jacob Voor-
sanger continued his series of lectures on The
Jew as a CitIzen OF the World" He took for
The period Of his address the second century,
an era fraught with much that is of interest
to Jews and judaism. He remarked that 1t
was possible 10 describe Judaism during that
age IN d similar manner 10 that In which The
Hindoos describe Brahma-with three faces,
embUdving three char acteristics
Continuing, the rabbi described the attitude
OF Mohammedanism toward the Jew. Moham-
med. he said, was the founder of The church
militant. He established his religion at
the point of the sword. His generals
followed out his policy. They Travelled east
ana west and laid under tribute The whole of
the Aslatic continent, and converted three
fonrths OF The WOrld to the MOhammeLaD faith.
There never has been in the world Sucn a sud
den conversion as that wrought by the sword
of the Arabian prophet. The reason that Mo-
manned succeeded III his design well was
because he was the author OF what may be
called a ''SensuouS monotheSm." Judaism is
not so, being as II Is a spiritual monOtheISm."
The advocates of the new creed found many
followers and supporters, and even Jews re
10 be numbered victims OF The alluring
philosophy of the MOhammedan.
Yet The Mohalnmedan mated the Jew, for the
latter could NOT follow him in the material spec
ulatons which he attached TO his monotheism.
so arose a hatred which was stimulated ana
foslered by the Datural fanaticism of the
Arablans
Rabbi Voorsanger then gave an account of
the condition OF the jew Under Babylonian gov
erument He stated that at his epoch were
founded the schools of ethics aud philosophy
which have since been Characteristic OF the
Jewish nation.
DIR. Nieto's address at the Sheriff. Israel
Synagogue last evening consisted OF DISGUISE
ton on "Theism" The choir rendered the
a Awake - Sir Staiu
under the direction OF Mr. Bessemer, who con-
Quoted at the organ ill lieu of Mrs. ii. j. Stew
arr, who is temporarily iudispoSed.
Ih- Geary-sIreet Temple held a splendid mu-
sicai service IN celebration OF tile feast of
Chanuka, minor festival only observed by
the orthodox section OF the community. The
time bonored custom OF lighting six lights
10 commemorate the heroic actions of Judas
Maccabeus in posI-blblical times was gone
through with due ceremony.
The choir, under the able direction of I'll. j.
Stewart, acquiit ted itself with great credit, and
among the numbers rendered by them may be
mentioned: See the Conquering Hero Comes"
chorus; Father OF Heaven" ALTO solo; 20
Lovely Peace" duet. soprano and alto.
All these were appropriately selected from
Handlers OTatorio, Judas Maccabeus.''
Rabbi NJ. 5. Levy then assembled the pulpit
and delivered an able address on The Life and
Times Of Judas Maccabeus." In the course of
his remarks he said:
more than two thousand years have elapsed
since small band of resoiute and religious
men left their naive city of Modin TO give bat
tlr for freedo Of thought and OF worship. The
spectacle which they presented was d lasting
one and has had no equal before or since that
period.
THE spirit Of this festival is not 10 be traced
TO the mere martial character of its hero, but
rather to the bravery and indomIta bic heroism
of those VINO fought for the consecration of the
temple at er the saeriege of their Greek foes
The result of The wars OF the Maccabean was
10 give Israel, and through Israeli mankind In
general. freedom of worship and of thought;
and the rising generation OF this ilIustrions
race would be false to The sacred mission con-
tided 10 their saf--keeping il this spirit should
be warped by indifference.
Let the Maccabean spirit be preserved and
renewed among The descendants of those brave
and loyal defenders of their faith, and instead
OF creating new and useless associations, 10
crafty the wbim aud pleasure OF the votaries
OF society. let us establish branches Of the true
Maccabean, whose motto shall be God and
Freedom II this be done, aud IL can he. we
will not be panied in witnessing gradual de-
cline i'll our religious ranks. Instead there viii
be rededicalion OF spirit which will do much
TO conserve better observance of everything
Jewish"