The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-12-03
RABBI DELIVERS
INITIAL SERMON
Rev. c. J. Freund Speaks at
Temple B'nai Israel
AND is WARMLY WELCOMED
CHANNECCAH, FEAST OF LIGHTS,
IS HIS THEME.

appointed raDDl OF Iemple b mai Israel
/ preached his initial sermon at the Jew
ish synagogue last night. He was ia
vorably received and met many of the
congregation at the conclusion of the
service. Last night was Channeccan.
the feast of lights and many Salt Lake
Hebrews listened to Rabbi Freund's
sermon. He said:
over 1000 years ago the temple i'm
Jerusalem was rededicated. The de-
hlements of a hostile foe were removed
! and in their place the purer Worship of
God was reinstated. To accomplish
TINS desired result was no easy task.
A strong enemy had temporarily sue
ceeded in disseminating the Jewish
worship. Led on by the valiant band
Of heroic Maccabees the Syrians were
in the course of a few years driven
Iorth. The temple service which had
been interrupted was again resumed.
We see the priests seeking for the Oil
pure and undefled, which had not been
desecrated at the hands of the hostile
Hellenists.
Origin of the Feast of Lights.
Legend informs us that only one lit
tie cruise OF consecrated oil was found.
ana by seeming miracle it lasted during
the eight days Of dedicatory service.
we look again and we see the high
priest lighting the eternal lamn once
more 10 keep it lit until the dav when
the sacTifciaI service came to its pro
posed end. And as we review the pages
OF trlumphal exercises we listen 10 the
voices of trained Levite choirs who
10 the accompaniment Of instruments
OF brass and strig lend added spIendor
to the service
Above the din Of the burning. smok-
ing sacrifices, more distinct than the
musical instruments, we distinguish the
words OF the joyous song. And truly
ana lhey have occasion for song and re-
Jolcing. Tor had not the people. a mere
handtui of GOd-intoxicated men.
against the trained and more numerous
troops Of the enemy succeeded i'm driv-
ing out their prosecutors? The song
OF triumph is not vicious with self
praise. but keen and proper recogpi-
uon that one other than human helps
10 shape their destiny. We DO not mar
vel then as we discern the words: This
Is the day which God has made. Let
US rejoice and be glad on it.
II IS a telling sentence from the
eNer-applcable collection of the songs
composed by the sweet singer of Israel
Their grand universally sees them
ready for use on al occasions Of life.
In JOY or sorrow. in gladuess of affic-
tion-be the occasion ordinary or other
wise, the. psalm can readily be applied.
ana II is not 10 be wondered al il Judah
ana his brothers and all the people
joined in the joyous singing thar this
was an especial day which God has
made, let us rejoice ana be glad on il.
Jewish Religion Lives.
Greece Snd Rome have passed away.
Babylon and Assyria are names men
toned in recent time with special rev
efence by fame-seeking archeologists.
Judea also has, as land Of active inn
POI lance, long since ceased TO play a
part III universal history Not 50.
however, with Its after-time inbab-
itants who cherish the religion which
rested in its sacred soil. Among the
practices which have survived the buf-
tets which the Jew received since he
left his erstwhiie original home, is this.
on present feast Of the Channeccah.
winch We begin 30 celebrate this even
ing.
We call it a survival Rightly 50,
That one Jew mas survived 10 greet The
dawn of this day of grace is to be ac-
counted more q Il miracle than the
continuous burning OF the cruise of oil
as told in the legend which partially
explains the origin of the celebration OF
this as The feast of lights, The stained
ana darkened pages 0f history tell their
awful tale, We thank God that mis-
providence watched over and guided
MS people so that in their unhindered
worship they could ever see and recog-
nize his guiding hand Then may We
also eXclaim with the psalter This
Isl the day which God has made Let
US rejoice and ne glad OF H.
Significance of Day.
This day has a double significance
Tor all Of US here assembled. 1t is the /,
day marking the commencement OF the 4
commemOration season OF the hard
earned victory OF the Maccabees and 1
heir bands Of faithful followers. we /
certainly honor their memories as we !
annually recall their glorious deeds. I
Not that We glory 50 much in the blood
hat they spilled So much as in the
spirit that they manifested 10 brook no I
Interference with their Civine Worship.
II were well indeed if men Of moaern |
INES could be az readily imbued with
ne idea that nothing should binder
heir sincere WORSHIP.
AS a result Of their fervent ardor
hey succeeded in iede0icating their
emplc on this the 18TH day OF Keisler. T
AnQ as you and stand together en- this /
ielt-sane day Ee go through q cere-
nouN OF dedication. tOi ye are dedi- 1
'ating our lives collectively and indi-