The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-10-17
So Said Joseph cohn, Christian Jew,
Who Talked at the Second
Presbyterian Church
Last Night.
HE SPOKE OF CUSTOMS
The Social and Religious Side of the
Hebrews Life Was Dealt
With in Interesting
Terms.

Occupying the pulpit of the Second
Presbyterian church last night, Joseph
Cohn, Christian Jew of Brooklyn,
New York, mention of whom was
made in a recent issue of this paper
gave a very interesting talk on the
social and religious life of the Ortho-
dox Jew dealing with the ones now
wing in Europe although some OF
their traits are also born out by those
of this country. In commencing his
address Mr.. Cohn said that the ignor-
ance pertaining to the life of the
Hebrews as appalling and bewailing
the fact that so much of the tradition
connected with them IS believed The
speaker will address the congregation
three times today having something
to say at all three of the services and
II these prove as interesting as his
talk of last night 1t would surely re-
pay any one interested to attend.
Concerning the social life the speak
er said that the Jewish children are
sent to school at the age of three
years old and study until they reach
the age of thirteen. During this time
their chief text is the Bible which is
divided into fifty-two portions making
portion for each week. BY the time
they are through with school, or con-
frmed they know all the books well
and most OF them can quote seventy
.e psalms from memory.
After reaching the graduating age.
the student or man, as he then Is,
must choose his occupation and it is
up to him to be either rabbi that is
to enter the ministry or else be bus
mess man. To be doctor is not
thought right as Jehovah is supposed
to heal all ills while it is considered
a sin to become lawyer as the rabbi
acts in this capacity in connection
with his clerical duties
Most of the poor parents send their
son to the Rabinnicall school while
the rich see that their sons enter bust
ness. This causes a great equaliza-
ton. 1t is the policy for all the rich
parents to seek husband for their
daughter who is Rabbi and thus he
becomes wealthy by marriage. No
matter how poor he NAV be he Is pre-
ferred to all others The rich man
/ having plenty of money does not have
to marry his sons to daughters of a
wealthy family and thus ne Is content
with having hiue in business although
/ he has the less chance of marrying
we'll
The Rabbi is an important person,
age and is highly honored. He acts
as minister, Judge and physician
showing that he Is very versatile.
81 All marriages are arranged by the
narents of the bride who when their
Aanghter reaches the marriageable
kge, cast about looking for
Suitable husband The Jews figure
that all marriages are arranged
IA heaven and that the man whom
6he parents choose for their daugh-
Frs husband is the one heaven
lis directed. In their daily pray
IS the daughters mention this.
b such an extent has this choos
of husbands sending them to
e parents of the girls who are
oking for husband and If
he choice is suitable they usu-
lily get a good commission for
heir work Mr. Cohn empha-
yes particularly the fact that the
hebrews are very moral race and
bat there are very few divorces and
bat love is of secondary Importance
IA all matrimonial affairs.
|Sz In referring to the intellectual life
|yE3 be speaker gave the fouI. doctrines of
Ae particular race with which his talk
lld to do with, the Sabbath being the
Principal one. A Jew will never break
lle Sabbath, this being the founda
Ion of his religion. He will not take
honey on this day nor will he cause
my fire, not even lighting match fol
he purposes of lighting cigarette. Fol