The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-20
THE TIMESRICHMOND VA; SATURDAY: FEBRUARY d. 1897.
THE BOOK OF JONAH
RABBI CdLISCH GIVEs A JEWISH
yIEW or IT.
IL May BE Accepted as an Historical Incl.
dent or as an Allegory ~ the Individ-
uaI believer May Determine.

Rabbi l.. " Calisch spoke on the Book
OF Jonah" last night. taking as his text
the last two verses OF the last chapter
lie said, in part. that an involuntary
smile comes at the mention OF the book.
for, as Professor Cornill says, "the popu-
lar conception sees nothing In II but a
silly tale, exciting US to derislon Whenever
shallow wit wishes to hold the Bible up
to ridicule the Incidents Of Balaam's ass
and Jonah's whale. infalibly take prece-
ucnce.- such seemed TO have been the
/ cahe when DR.. Lyman Abbot the sue
cessor Of Henry Ward Bcecher, spoke on
| inc book recently. Ills treatment OF Il
/ aroused storm OF discussion. some pro
ana others con. The discussion aroused
could not pass the Jewish readers. and
Z leave them uncOncerncd. for by force OK
conviction. or by a mere sense Of religious
devotion, the Jew considers himself the
custodian and rightful Interpreter OF the
Bible.
The speaker here gave an argument OF
tho story Of Jonah, sag NJ that while he
presumed his congregation TO be familiar
with II. yet IL was good TO have their
minds refreshed on its salient points.
TWO VIEWS.
Continuing. be said: The question now
naturally presents Itself. "Ilow are we
TO accept this book" As an actual his
tOrical fact. or as n mere allegOry, a pic
ture Of conditions impossible ia actual
life. but conveying a profound moral
truth2 The editor Of the New York sun.
in commenting IN its issue OF February
Eth. On the discussion taking place I'm his
paper, said that the consistent Christian
had no alternative. but IT'S literal accept
aucc His religion as the revealed viii
Of God. stood or fell with the Book
of Jonah. III the Biblical story OF Jonah
and the whale IS 20 be regarded purely
0s "a parable. an aleeory. whose actual
occurrence was Impossible. and. there
fore. unbelievable. Christianity must de-
scond from ITS elevation IS religion OF
divine authority. and drop 20 the level
Of q system OF religious philosophy. or
speculation Of human authorship. If the
story ~ Jonah is merely allcgorical IA
bile. every other Biblical story from the
creation Of Adam and Eve mp 20 the SUI
peruatural birth and resurrection Of Jesus
is likewise ancgor cal for they conflict
equally with the possibilities under mere
lv natural law" To this might be added
that the book is especially Of value 20
the Christian. for tho reason that Jesus
himself refers 10 49, and makes Use OF
il TO prognostcafe and symbolic his adj
vent and resurrection Matt. sill, Gill
Luke ST.. 2e-32)
A JEWISH VIEW.
But leaving the Christian 70 solve TINS
difficulty for himself. Jet rs turn 10 % |
Jewish vieN Of the book 10 car hc /
stated definitely and EXPLICITLY. that un- |
der mo- circumstances does Judaism stand |
or fall with this book. 10 may be ace
copted as am historical incident or as an |
allcgory as the individual believer may /
determine. For ne 10 is a prophetic /
parable. so sublime in thought so lofty |
in its ideal. so undertaking in It's teach
ing as 10 rank among the first and best /
of the Nabastic writings. There Us no 1
more need for an historical basis for b. /
than there is for the Book Of Job. TO teach /
its philosophy OF life and of suffering. or
for an historical basis for the Sons OF
solomon 10 Yiudicate the beauty and
purity of the coniugau passion.
The Book Of Jonah was lavOrite theme /
with Kabbalistic writers, for with 10
their mysticism could take 20 itself wings
and soar through the endless realms of
phantasy, rcvelling with transccndental
doctrines till tho mind reeled and tho
brain grew dizzy. Among the Rabhni-
cal writer's also IL was esteemed TO such
am extent, that 10 was made part of tho
ritual for the hoiiest of days, the Atone
ment Day.
The value-of the Book Of Jonah lies in
It's doctrine Of the universality Of God.
Jonah is sent TO warn "a heather city.
Though geeking 90 escape the service. =
way is made for him TO fulhll the COM
mand Of God. The city is warned. The
people repent OF their wickedness and.
n the clemcncy of God. are saved Jo-
nah is displCascd at this. Hc knew u
would be the case. for God was gracious. |
mcrciful and abundant in