New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-02-03
HEEDS MOSAIC LAWS CALL
Aged TaImudiC Teacher HurrIeS
from Court to Keep "Shabboth."
CASE KEEPS HIM TOO LONG
When Justice Learns That He Is
"Frum" (Pious) He Takes
Another's Place on Stand.

When Israel zangwin wrote The Melt
ing Pot" setting forth his ideas about the
absorption Of the alien element and their
religious and patriotic beliefs by the ono
common American nationality, of course
he did not know one Aaron Kalb The
latter has long been one in the maelstrom
OF New Yorks foreign population but thus
far ne has escaped the melting pot.
lie still has his own ideas-or, at least,
those of his forefathers. whom he traces
clear back to Moses-and his laws are the
laws OF Mr. Kalb. The common law or
the land Of his adoption must not interfere
with the Mosaic code Such contravention
occurred yesterday. and never did the law
seem more hardhearted than It did to Mr..
Kalb and those who witnessed his suffering
under it's exaction
Mr. Kalb Is a Talmudc teacher Also. ne
adheres strictly to its every tenet. lie sat
in the Supreme Court Yesterday YEARLY
waiting to be called In case, His long,
gray, almost white, beard and the little
,curl at either side of his head affected
by the orthodox of his race were in great
contrast TO the other surroundings of the
courtroom. a contrast which was further
heightened by the fact that the old man
was the only one in the room who wore his
hat, usually considered high misde-
meanor in the Supreme Court. But his hat
really was skull cap of velvet. such as
the orthodox always wears
Loses Vacation to Hear Case.
The case on trial involved about 800.
and grew out of a misunderstanding or a
series Of MISUNDERSTANDING, among mem
hers of an East Side congregation. For
week or more. on and of, Justice Giegerich
hes been sitting on the case. his EFFORTS
10 have II settled peaceably out of court
having failed. So there was nothing Tor
the Justice to do but sit through the month
end recess of the court and hear the case.
And he remarked, too, that he needed
vacation as much as any one.
Persons who have fondness for mathe-
nnatics can figure out for themselves how
much the 800 case cost the county by put
ting down the justice at 1880 year, the
clerk at $500. the stenographer at S,oOO'
the interpreter at $500 and the court ofil-
Ger at $500.
However, this is aside of the part that
Mr. Kalb played in this congregational
controversy He was witness for the de-
PENDANT. who was charged with irregulari-
ties and, il was also hinted. had struck
some one else on the head with hammer.
used 10 live on the East Side and he under
stands it's people and knows their customs.
As a rule he delights to sit on what he
likes to call "schule case" for he knows
all about "chevras" Opposing counsel
had been hurting questions to much
scared witness for half an hour when MI
Kalb. with look at the sky, stepped over
10 the lawyer for the defendant and
III Then
WHISPERED in his ear. The attorney stopped
the proceedings. saying to Justice Giege-
rich. This witness says that he must 90.
The court understood and smiled Are
YOU 'frum'?" he asked meaning was he
pious. and Mr.. Kalb nodded.
II was then nearly o'clock and being
Friday it marked the approach of a most
sacred day for the Talmudist, for the sun
was 20 set at 5:l4, and with Mr.. Kalo
"Shabboth" is "Shabhoth" and Sunday Is
,ust another day. Not since he was thirteen
Years old and was confirmed I'm the faith
had he failed TO observe the day beginning
with lighting Of the "Shabboth lichte,' or
candles His eyes filled with tears as he
thought Of his children and grandchildren
sitting around the table awaiting his home
coming and no kept in court by inexorable
laws about which he knew nothing.
Makes Way for "Frum" Man.
Justice Giegerich saw and understood his
'rredicament and had the witness who was
testifvIng leave the chair so that Mr.. Kslh
could give his testimony at once. The old
man took the witness stand. When he said
that he was only ffty-eight years old the
tustice looked a. him incredulousy and
said. What only ftty-eisht?' for ME- halo
seems at least seventy.
The direct examination was long and the
cross-exanination was longer. After every
answer Mr.. Kalb would look out on the
fast growing darkness and sadly shake his
head Sometimes he would point at the
sky But he was martyr and never com
nIained Every one sympathized with nm
Justice Giegerich frequently took furuVe
glance out of the window He was deter
mined to end the case yesterday, and so
car as he was concerned few minutes
made no difference. but he showed his irri-
tation at the delay which Mr.. Kalb had to
suffer through the long examination.
please hurry" said the Justice, this
'fruu,' man must go nome" Justice Giege-
rich finally became so irritated that he ad-
vised counsel for the plaintiff 20 read MT
Welman on Characterization
-s; n was twenty-five minutes TO six when
Mr. Kalb left the stand with final de-
,recating wave OF the hand toward the
%. darkened windows and hurried home to his
N.,o.nd ..gba hhoth" ceremonies.