The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1895-02-09
A COMPARATIVE STUDY
Of Jewish and Anglo. Saxon law.

Of Jewish and Angle. Saxon law.
CONTINUED from last week.
Written for the Pioneer.)
Such was Abraham, and such the be-
ginning of the Jewish nation. But though
Abraham is called of the Jews their father.
yet it was with Jacob and not with Abra-
ham that the Jews became distinct tribe.
1t was from Jacob that they took the name
Israelites. (See Gen. 32, 2s) and with
Jacob, THAT unity in separation which
marks the line of division from other
tribes. first becomes distinct. With Jacob
we have the first movement of this singu-
lar people. Famine drove them into
Egypt. Being shepherds. an occupation
hated by the Egyptians as reminding them
of former tyrants-the immigrants we're
left alone to enjoy one of the finest prov
inces in Egypt until their numbers be-
came so great they became an object of
suspicion and distrust. continually remind
ing the natives of the Shepherd Kings who
had once conquered Egypt One brilliant
intellect who occupied the throne, con-
ceived the idea of enslaving them before
their power would be fully developed. thus
making the latter years of their sojourn
in Egypt SO bitter that Egyptian bondage
has become synonymous with extreme cru
city in slavery. The question arises. why
was it that during their long stay the two
races did not amalgamate, as they we're
living side by side under the same govern
ment? Modern history furnishes us with
plenty of answers. The Jew today is dis
tinct. His blood is pure. Israelite and
Egyptian were not of the same race. The
Jews occupation was hated by the Egyp-
1ian. Their religions were different
their social standings different and these
same phases would today prevent amalga-
nation even in our boasted, civilization
During the two hundred fifteen years OF
national life (if we may SO term it) which
was spent in Egypt the feeling that ore
day they would return to Canaan inspired
hope in the Jewish heart, which hope was
intensified by the treatment received from
their masters. How far their association
with the Egyptians affected their subse.
quent life is difficult to say, but we will
examine this feature later on. ~-,
In discussing the question of the origin
and growth of Jewish law, we must recog.
nize several conditions that influenced
them. The laws promulgated by Moses
we're for nation not yet possessed of its
land. They were for nation of but one
occupation. They were for a nation
which had religion peculiarly distinc,
from that of any contemporary tribe
These facts have more bearing on this
subject than perhaps we have as yet rec.
ognized bringing out in bold relief the act
ual differences and the particular signs
which have always marked the Jew. and
which today influence him. keeping him
though without country and without a
friend, as separate and as peculiar as he
was in the days OF Moses. As was noticed
before. the fact that they expected event
ually to enter in and possess Canaan. in
fluenced all their actions, and here We
might take hasty survey OF their choser
home
Canaan, or Palestine. is the name giver
to that small tract of land which lies be-
tween Egypt and Syria. about one hun
drei forty miles long and forty mile.
broad, and is bounded on the south ant
east by deserts. II resembles Greece ane
Switzerland-not only in being small ane
famous, but also in its physical features
From its situation it was we'll adapted fol
the home of people desirous Of working
out their own destiny free from interfef
ence and unvexed by powerful rivals Th'
isolating characteristics are remarkable
Palestine is tumble of hills and valleys
and from many points the whole countr,
may be overlooked. Standing on the beau
! tiful Mount Tabor, clothed with vegeta
tion even to the summit. one may see o1
the east the high plateau Of Moab, ant
i Gilead's hills. Snow-capped Hermon j
/ visible In the north, with its chain Of hill
extending away to the northeast. Run
/ ming west Of Hermon is the famous Leb
anon. and at the foot Of Tabor is the his
Istoric valley Of Esdraelon-the battle fiel,
of Iadea- noted for its fertility. On tn
west Of Palestine lies the Mediterranean
sea with Mount Carmel overhanging it
shores. The Sea Of Galilee, FIVE hundre
Ithirty-five feet below the Mediterranean
lis ia the northeast section, and lookiD
south through the deep valley Of the Joi
dan. we see where the Dead Sea is located
The Dead Sea Is thirteen hundred fee
lbe.ow the Mediterranean, with lofty hill
4 beiween The valleys are fertile. III
j mn norll and one eas
1 ssss I'm ~