The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-06
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS.
Jewish Discussion Concerning Their
General Observance.

General observance.
From the Chicago Times Herald.
Can the Jews consistently observe such
festivals as Christmas and other days of
the Christian year? is a question whica
has been discussed recently in prominent
Jewish circles and answered in various
ways. Dr. Emil Hirsch is quoted as in
favor of the observance of Christmas,
not because it commentaries the birth of
Christ, but because it has become uni
versal holiday and is neither Jewish nor
Christian" But DR.. Hirsch says further:
Suppose this is the birthday of Jesus.
There never lived better Jew than Jesus.
So we may celebrate His birth
day." In a sermon published in the Amer
lean Hebrew on THE Attitude of the Jew
Toward the Festivals of Christendom,"
the Rev. Maurice A. Harris of New York
takes a different view. DR.. Harris regards
Christmas practically commemorative OF
the birth of Christianity itself, and there
fore concludes that the Jews cannot recog-
nize the day without surrendering our
most cherished principles" Referring to
the argument that Christmas is nothing
more that a confirmation of the old pagan
festival of Yule and that its observance
is not, therefore. necessarily recognition
of Christianity, DR.. Harris says:
ITO this sort of reasoning we would
reply: This argument On origin proves too
much. Little is observed to-day but may
have originated in something else. Gus
toms grow and are idealzed With cur
advancing needs. Whatever might have
been the origin of Christmas, it is not
Y ule to-day, but distinctly religious fes-
tival, as testified by the Christmas carols,
the Christmas services and the three
masses in the Catholic church, The Sec-
ond syllable of the word, mas shows its
distinct association with the mass-the
sacrifice of the Eucharist in the sacra-
ment."
After some further consideration of the
subject DR.. Harris concludes as follows:
what, then, should be our attitude to-
ward the Christian on this his festive day.
An attitude certainly of hearty and Of
cordial congratulation. In this land,
where the Christmas bells no longer ring
out Hep! Hep!' ACROSS the SHOWS on
Christmas morn, but are beginning to hail
in reality their official message of peace
and goodwill to all mankind gladly can
the Jew grasp the hand of the Christian
on this day of his celebration and not only
wish him cheer, but also wish lasting
sway and growth in truth, in sweetness
and in light to the Christian faith. For
it's success is ours. The Jew will never
wish to forget that Christianity has pre-
pared the pagan world for the message Of
the Hebrew prophets. May our Gentle
ncighbors, our Christian friends, learn on
each returning Christmas to draw new
inspiration from the sweet and pure teach
er whom they rightly reverence. May the
life of this great man, like the lives Of all
great men, teach them and us to make our
lives sublime"
In an editorial in the same issue In which
DR. Harris sermon appears the American
Hebrew gives its own view Of the matter.
After speaking Of the Importance of main
tanning relations OF peace and goodwill
toward members of the Christian faith Il
says:
But in our enthusiasm to strengthen
the good feeling between ourselves and
our neighbors we must beware that we do
not compromise our convictions. All fes-
rivals are, as their name indicates, sea-
SONS Of JOY, but the Christian Christmas.
like the Jewish Purim, IL particularly a
time Of good cheer. Both are chosen as Op-
portunities for cending presents TO friends
and gifts TO the poor, Though similar in
their Observance, their respective com
memorations are as distinct as the queen 8
birthday. and the Fourth Of July, equally
famous for pyrotechnic displays. Shall the
jew make merry with the Christian on
Christmas because II Is q particularly jol-
L. season? What degree Of jolity justnes
participance?
THE pleasant features Of the day are
Duly the means OF celtDfdtlon, not the
cause. All nations use pretty much the
same means Of concentrating the great
days of their past.
There Is no harm IN a Christmas tree,
surely one will say. That depends. There
Is no harm IN crucifix for that matter
1t Is one Of the symbols of "A faith. A
creed - only formula Of words have ar
gued those who lacked their souls to save
their skin. SO argue apostates frcm Ju-
daism who are Christians for revenue
only