Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-21
OUTLINES LEADERS, DUTIES
Work in Congregation, School and
Home Obligatory.
MAN OF RELIGION AND FAITH
influence of Two Kinds-Active and
Voluntary and That Which
Is Unconscious.

| THE Work Of the Rabbi in the Com
munity.' was the subject Of the first
sermon by Rev. Louis Egelson. the new
rabbi of the Adas Israel Congregation. at
the services held. In the synagogue of
that congregation. 9Th and 1 streets
northwest, this morning.
1T is particularly appropriate to take
as my subject today one that is of deep
interest to all of us-namely. the work Of
! the rabbi in the community" said DR..
Egelson In his opening remarks. What
the priest Of olden times was in ancient
Israel, so is the religious leader and
| teacher today.
I'm early times the priest was the
servant Of the Lord, acting as the medi-
| ator between the people and God. The
| rabbi Of today should be. If he Is not.
the servant Of God, bringing Him nearer
to man and bringing man nearer to God
Our sages in their profound foresight
have very we'll said. The leader is to
be In harmony with his generation. and
the generation Is to be In accord with
| its leader.
THE first requisite is that the spiritual
head must be according to his period.
He must not be in conflict with the
standards Of his generation. He must
! speak their language. thing their thoughts
and must be able to reason with the peo-
pie of his time along the lines they are
familiar with. II he be a modern man
in a modern community. possessing ideals
TO attain, he can educate the people to
his way of thinking He can work with
them and influence them to take path
which will lead them up to his stand
ards. and which viii cause them to
strive for the goal he has in view.
Then the people become a generation
following their leader and living in the
spirit with which he inspires them. To
accomplish that it is necessary for him
who is at the helm to be a man Of re-
ligion, a man of faith. He must be a
firm believer himself. and by his exam
pie must show the way which is to be
Of the Almighty. The influence which
be exerts may be said to be of two
sorts-that which is active or voluntary
and that which Is unconscious: that which
ne endeavors to impart to others by
teaching. by argument and by persuasion
and that which radiates from him un-
consciously.
AS to the first, his words will have no
erect unless that which is spoken is felt
ny him. unless the. words of his mouth
nave their source In his heart Words
coming from the heart will find the hearts
OF the hearers open and ready to receive
them. What are the most beautiful of
expressions are but empty and vain words
- AiSS SNpPOt tcu ny butterfly IN tQOuRnt
and in purpose. The demands Of the
human heart and soul must be his com
pass to guide him upon the ocean Of
thought. And his beneficent influence,
insenslbly felt. will result mainly from
his example, from his actions In every
day life
Unconscious influence.
If he be good this unconscious influence
Will have a wonderful effect for good
upon those who come in contact with
him. Just as the great silent powers of
nature are Of more consequence than her
little turnults. 80 oftimes Is this unaffect-
ed. unprecedented influence Of greater
potency than the strongest argument
And these influences. intentional and unin-
territorial. find their outlet in the work of
the rabbi. in the three directions in which
his activity is consecrated-in the syna-
gogue, in the school and in the home.
The synagogue in Jewish life today
| takes the place Of the temple Of old. Just
as the priest kept the light burning con-
tinually in the temple. so must the rabbi
| today keep watch over the light of God S
holy law, guard 1t as the apple of his eye
and not permit 1t to flicker and burn low
even for a moment. From the synagogue
must the law go forth into the heart Of
every Israelite. Here Is 1t to be taught
Hence it is to be infused into the heart
and soul of the people, an intense love for
Iou. Hence are the principles OF our re-
ligion, it's ceremonies customs and tradi.
lions to be instilled into this community
In the materialistic age i'll which we
live, when men are interested in deals
rather than in ideals. 1t Is highly inn
portant that from the house of God shall
phasis that there is something of greater
worth in life than gold; that man was
created for higher and nobler activity
than the mere accumulation of wealth.
- I,
the life on this sphere is not the end;
that it Is only a means to an end; that
| it is only a vestibule- leading to an ex-
allied, spiritual life in the light and pres
ence Of the Most High. God is to be
brought nearer to man. Man is to re-
gard Him in the proper light as the God
Of mercy and of justice. His religion,
which is a religion of life and which calls
upon us for obedience to His WILL is not
to be considered as a severe taskmaster
asking the impossible. but a loving
friend who will console us in our troubles
and who will give us strength in our sor-
rows.
In the School and Home.
Next to the synagogue is to be the
work Of the rabbi in the school. There
the youth Of the community come to have
their mind and hearts filled with Jewish
ness. to be instructed in the knowledge of
the Lord There is to be laid the basis
for a. new generation of faithful adherents
to our faith. There the children. the
foundation of the future of our faith, in
this country are to be taught our religion.
the glorious history Of our people and
our language. In them is to be planted
the seed of religion which will fructify
and grow into beautiful tree whose buds
and blossoms and leaves will act for them
as a shelter under which they can live at
peace with God and with men. They are
to learn the language which has been our
possession for Vulnerable years, the
language of our holy book and our Htera-
ture and the language of our prayer book.
THE tendency has been of late to elm
mate the Hebrew tongue. especially from
the prayers, because many do not under
stand it. But surely there is another and
better solution Of the difficulty, the study
of the language.
And lastly" said Rev. Mr.. Egelson.
''in the home can the work of the rabbi
have. an influence for the good OF the
community and for the betterment of
Judaism. If he can inspire his people
with a feeling Of confidence and trust
in him; If each and every person can
feel that in their leader they have at
the same time a sincere friend. then,
truly, is his labor to be blessing.
"1f family circles are open to him and
he is accepted with friendship. then by
word and deed he can leave an imprint
of religious feeling and spirit. These are
the duties Of him called upon to act as
leader Of community. These shall be
my duties as rabbi Of this congregation
in the synagogue, in the school and in the
home. This shall be my goal to be q
loyal and faithful servant of God. and
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