The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-09-14
ideal RABBIT.
DIR. David Klein's First Sermon
to Congregation Sinai.

Rev. DR.. David Klein, who arrived
IN the city a few days ago to assume
charge of Congregation Sinai. deliver
ed his first sermon in the Synagogue
Friday evening before a largo CON-
gregation. The subject of his ad-
dress was, THE Ideal Rabbi" He
said in part:
ut has been truly said tha, tho
worth OF man in relation to his
fellowman depends upon the ideals
he cherishes." Entering upon an in
innate and sacred relationship with
you, permit me to point out to you
what L have conceived to be the Ideal
OF Rabbi in Israel, an ideal which
I shall ever strive to pursue. though
may never be able to attain. This
ideal is set forth in Holy Writ in the
injunction given to Aaron when he
was consecrated High Priest to min
lister in the Temple of God: And
Aaron shall bear the names of the
children Of Israel*****upon his heart
as a memorial before the Lord con-
tlnually." This command addressed
to the high priest of old applies with
equal. if not greater force to the
preacher ftoday. The High priest
bore upon his heart a golden breast
plate, studded with the rarest gems
upon which the names of the tribes
of Israel were engraved. as he enter
ed the Holy place to minister at the
altar of God. and it is equally incum-
bent on the preacher of today to
bear the name and the cause OF
Israel upon his heart continually. The
glory of Israel, the noble beauty of his
past, the high duty of his present and
the promised destiny of his great
future, these shall be uppermost in
the heart Of the Rabbi continually.
The name of the Jew and the
cause of Judaism must be precious
to him, for more than those rare
gems on the golden breast-plate of
the High priest. Jew and Judaism
must be deeply and indelibly engray-
ed on the tablets of his heart; and
with all the strength of affection he
is to love and lift up that name be-
fore all the world. Verify to preach
er of today as to the priest of old, is
the divine command: He shall bear
the names of the children Of Israel
upon his heart continually. Phe fair
name of each individual Jew, the
lowliest as the lofty in statue. like
the honor of the whole Jewish COM
munity must burden to his heart.
II he is to be indeed Rabbi in
israel, worthy of this honored title.
and mt to fill an office so holy. ITO
bear the name Of Israel upon his
heart continually, to represent the
sacred cause Of Judaism faithfully
and efficiently will necessarily bring
the Rabbi in contact with Israeps
neighbors and friends. There in the
larger sphere lies the largest duty of
the Rabbi: To bring about a better
understanding between Jew and
Gentle, to expand and disseminate
the noble truth of Judaism, to show
forth the transcendent beauty Of our
faith and the sublimity of Jewish
doctrine, whereby the name of the
Jew will Ne more honored and the
1alth of Judaism more revered. such
is the duty Of the Rabbi. This is
the ideal / set before me to attain to.
This is the work I propose to do in
the community. To bring into closer
Fellowship the people Of this city, ir-
respective Of class or creed, to unite
all good men and women in the srea.
good work of furthering the intellec-
tual and moral wellbeing Of the COM
munity, to intensity the love of faith
In the souls Of men, yet to extensify
on broader plane the brotherhood
of man.
TO do this good work need, and
crave your hearty corporation: 10
do this great and needed work 7 hog
70 solicit the assistance Of all good
men In the city, Jew and Christian
alike. If we will work together as
we ought; If we will unite heart and
hand to do the tasks assigned to us.
even as we should, then our work
will rebound to the glory of God and
the blessing of man"