The Jewish outlook., 1908-07-03


homes. "A symbol of the souls of de-
parted parents, memories. sadly and
sweetly intermingled, will recall again
former happy scenes of home and
gratitude will again fill the heart for
dear ones who had set them such good
examples and who taught them the
Orchas Chayim the ways of life.
1t will be there that they will in
wardly renew the vow to keep sure
and steadfast to the principles and
ccremonials of their faith and thus
will the home influence of the past
strengthen those of the present and
give surest promise of the preserva-
ton of Judaism in the future.
1t may be objected. that the illustra
ton of the good influences of home
life upon the preservation of Juda-
ism. which | have given is. to glowing
in color to belong to the actual. well.
| am not here to dispute: nor from the
fact of my own shortcomings to lay
down law to my kind and patient
audience. but it is II beautiful ideal.
yet practical of attainment and am
satisfied that | have only described
what in my mind S eye have inferred
from the both personal knowledge and
reading of good children of good par
ents. But. even in the case of bad
and Indifferent children but of good
and pious parents. the lapse from the
faith and from good examples may
only be temporary. for the impress
- Ag ale. fn
doubtedly strong and many son who
had left a home which had been con-
secrated to Judaism, and who may be
hundreds. nay. thousands of miles
away. and who being besct with vari-
Gus temptations. may yet be saved
from utter moral destruction. by some
sudden impulse arising from CLEANS
of oldcn scenes fitting across his men,
ory recalling old associations. mem
cries of the dear old home when he
sat among the family gathering at the
Friday eve table glittering with the
Sabbath lights. blessed by paternai
hands on the Sabbath. made joyous
with the Sabbath hymns sated with
the time honorcd Sabbath dishes and
recollection of the forms of those dear
ones gathered together who may now
have left the earthly sphere. will not
all these rccollcctions awaken the con-
science from its sleep and will not re-
ligiOus emotion assert its way and
Judaism again live!
When young man. and woman.
perchance. forget for a while the faith
of their fathers or from long associa-
ton among non-Jews. be tempted to
strange alliance. when. swayed by
mean or mercenary gain to transgress
all the institutions of Judaism: when
moved from motives of social adj
vancement to sell the glorious birth
right of their race. for the mess of
pottagc of non-Jewish favor: when
from fear of prosecuting creeds and
nations they are bent upon saving
their bodies at the cost of their souls:
when from the despair of long wait
ing. they would deny their glorious
future and forget their glorious past
and wish to merge themselves amid
the throng of peoples: when for some
present advantage they would fain as
simulate among the nations: then
might tender memories of home-scenes
come to avert their racial suicide OF
religious apostacy. Memories of low
ing parents laying their hands in
blessing on their head: memories of
the intonation of the weekly Sedrah.
which told of Abraham. Isaac and
Toool, onI ,v6icb n 1oyipo fotbpr oy-