The San Francisco call., 1899-09-06

Jewry. Unrest, apprehension. agitation
and grave doubts are even now possessing
whichever quarter of the globe you direct
your attention the same condition pre-.
walls. There is Zionism, one evidence of
unrest, and the serious opposition OF anti
Zionism, still a greater evidence of unrest.
Fears are being expressed on all sides that
Judaism is dying out. What judaism or
what part of Judaism? There is general
swaying of the popular mind and opin-
ions are oscillating. Give US more cere-
mony, say some. Let US have done with
things do not understand, say others
More Hebrew is the cry on one hand.
while the other the plea is for prayer
in a language that is Ineligible to the
people. One faction declares that the
foundations of faith are being torn
away, while those complained of seem
anxious TO build up a pure religion free
from all meaningless contrivances and ar
chaic formulas. Every section of the COM
munity is the tiptoe of expectation.
All seem to apprehend the advent of some
dire catastrophe. Whence will it come?
From without or within? Will the national
question, under the euphonious title of
Zionism. the ritual and ceremonial vari-
Shall ourselves hurl faction against
faction to profit, will the non-Jew
fasten upon us the responsibility of some
matter outside our consciousness and rem
der us anew martyrs to the cause of JUS
tice?
1t is all very well to take a survey of
the conditions at any particular period
and descant upon them. Discovering popu-
lar diseases prevalent in any era is as old
as the hills The more important duty
should be to SO thoroughly diagnose the
disease that we may decide beyond the
shadow of any reasonable doubt the cause
or causes of the fevered condition. To pre-
scribe palliatives is but to postpone the
fearful ravages Of disease strengthened
our duty is to determine the causes that
have produced this feverish condition in
the Jewish community and remove them,
or, falling their removal, to adopt. such
measures shall nullify their effects and
render them innocuous.
The Synagogue Beth-Israel, on Geary
street, between Octavia and Laguna. was
crowded yesterday morning with men,
bers of that congregation 10 attend the
Rosh Hoshonah services. In the congre-
soldier boys who had served their coun-
try in the Philippines Rabbi Levy's ser
mon was entitled Sayings of the Sages."
He said in part:
blessed art thou, o Lord God. soyer-
eign Of the world, who hast kept US alive
and sustained US to enjoy this day."
This benedlction was always recited by
Israel on the approach of new season.
and IL ever the necessity existed for such
a benediction that occasion is ours to-day.
for Notwithstanding the dark clouds that
occasionally obscure the suns brightness
the fanatical hatred is melting away. toll
erance manifests itself IN religious circles.
and the dawn of better and purer de-
cade is looming up before us
While 1t is an indisputable truth that
much of the misery that exists is beyond
mans control, still it is reasonable that
should congregate to supplicate that hid
den power and pray to the author of ore
alton to continue in unfolding and devel-
oping that which is noblest and best in
the human mind and heart and soul.
II during the past year conditions de-
prived US Of the privilege of more con-
stant communion with the universal Father
it is no degradation to our better natures
to entreat our Father and King TO
grant strength to try to do good.
Oh. may the advent Of this new year
quicken and strengthen within us an
IN
life In the book which God opens to-day
each may write his name; every act of
kindness, every thought OF pity, every dis
position to be merciful, will be claims to
registration. Let US, therefore, try to
live. that If could revise this book we
spiration of the day cause US TO offer with
thankfulness and sincerity this benedic-
ton: Blessed art thou, . Lord God, sover-
eregn Of the world, who hast kept us
At the Bush-sreet synagogue Rabbi
Isidor Myers delivered the Rosh Hos
honah sermon. He said in part:
At this season of the year the Jew is re-
minded by the sound of the trumpet to
muster on his side the three armies and the
banners bearing respectively the words
''Penitence," Prayer and Charity
These and these alone can defend man from
his greatest enemies
Israelites organized at the foot OF
Mount Sinai into an army to fight the bat
ties of the Lord. and for thousands OF years
this great army has been fighting against
idolatry, superstition. immortality, tyranny
ana oppression. On New Years day every
Jew is a member OF that army. He is sum-
moned by the bugle call of the shofar to re-
new his allegiance and loyalty to the Great
King. This army of the Lord must fight
with its spiritual weapons against all the
powers of darkness still existing in the
world until victory shall be manifested by
the universal Acknowledgement Of the unity