Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-02-08
SENSIBLE SUNDAY,
KRAUSKOPF'SPLEA
Recreation Proper After Sab
bath Obligations Are Met,
Rabbi Tells Mayor
AGAINST ENFORCED plETy

DR.. Joseph Krauskopt, rabbi Of
Temple Keneseth Israel, stands for q
commonsenso Sunday, with wholesome
mental md physical recreation when
religious obligations have been fulfilled.
The piety that Is enforced Is Of
little value to God and man." says DIR.
Krsushopf, In an Opinion on Libar-
slisins the Sunday which he submit.
ted 70 Mayor Moore today.
Rabbi Krauskopf Is one Of several
clergymen who have held recent con.
ferences with the Mayor on the ques.
lions Of Sunday observance and thea.
trical censorship.
In his opinion. Or. Krauskopf ssid !:
''In considering the question as to
whether q more liberal mode Of Sunday
Observance thau the one In vogue at
the present time Ia desirable or per-
missibie, find myself In a delicate
position. 1t Is primarily a question for
Christians to decide. Sunday IL the
Sabbath day Of Christians. Being Of
the Jewish faith. and recognising Sat.
urday a. the Sabbath Of the Bible,
feel that Il Is neither my right nor
privilege to meddle in a Christian con
tro~ersy. ..
"But, my Jewish faith being we'll
known by his honor, the Mayor, and
having been invited by him into con =
ference. and asked to express my views
on the subject, I have come to the con n.
clusion that Il Ia as q citizen rather
than ss a religionist that the invita-. |.
tion has been extended to me.
II am profoundly convinced of the
n ,v.-kf~ IL - -
overwhelming majority Of our citizen.
believing In the sacredness Of Sunday
Il II but natural that every 0ppor
tunity should be sfforded them for
making the first day Of the week thei,
day Of rest.
Up - People 70 Decide
"But ! also recognize that It is the
peoples right to decide for themselves
what constitutes Z proper observance
Of the dsy. The fact that the Puritans
Of England and Of our country cher
ished the orthodox conception of Sab.
bath observance does not, to my mind
constitute n valid reason why the peo
pie Of our day may not cherish a more
liberal manner Of keeping their weekly
day Of rest.
, Most people believe, very properly
that part Of the needed rest may bcs,
of Worship. where, besides rest, they
. may gain also mental and moral and
spiritual uplift. A goodly number be.
Eeve that. while part Of the Sabbath IL
to BE- spent in seeking spiritual nourish
nent within the church, other parts ol
Il may be spent In seeking mental and
, moral recreation outside OF the church
, within libraries, art galleries, museums
! or halls. Yet others there are who. be
! Ing much confined and strained in indoor
occupation every working day, seek re.
taxation In recreative outdoor psort or
thair weekly day Of. rest.
Personally, I fail to see why a Sab
bath day. part Of which is devoted &C
' worship within the church, and Other
parts Of Il TO wholesome mental anC
moral and physical recreation outside
of It, Is not more In keeping with thu
purpose for which the day Of rest wa!
Instituted than Is that mode OF Sab
= bath observance that Keeps but tn
church doors open all day long, ant
keeps tightly shut all other places where
people might seek wholesome instruc
ton and rscuperative relaxation. be
; lfeve that q life heslthlly lived require
: recreation as much az worship. be
y iieve that q healthy body and a health!
:, mind make for a healthy soul, ant
!, that, II there is to be healthy soul
u ample provision must be made that ther
r shalt first be healthy body and ;
healthy mind.
II have failed TO end that the moral
e of the people generally wore any better
n happier, healthier. where the Sabbntl
9 was kept in a rigid, puritanic manner
e than where il was observed In q broa'
{ and liberal spirit, where the forenoon
d hours were entirely given over to IN
!. church. and the afternoon and even;n
n given to wholesome rccreative entertain
Il mcnt.
n Attendance upon instructive lee
lures. upon elevatlng dramas. and sa
cred concerts. during the afternoon o
evenings Of Sundays. Is as much OF
rest and change and upliftment as l
attendance upon divine service durin
= the forenoo. When thus undnrstoo
md used. visiting park OR art gallery
or library, or museum, during some q
=. the arurs on the Sabbath day, is no les
II wholesome way Of spending the Sab
- bath than in visiting " place OF wor
. ship. playing q recreative game o
A baseball ground, NJ on tennis court.
Il on the golf links, exercises no less goo
Is on body soulaand mind than does play
my rue OfHNH, Or hiHBhE Ah Wv .ho'
o 1T does not follow that prrmittin
ID physical and mental rscupsration on III
10 afternoon and evening Of Sunday vi
e debar religious meetings and divin
II services being held in the afternoon
70 evenlnss thatt day.
"Of course, / fully recognize that al
= lowing the people larger liberties on "a
n Sabbath DAY will lead TO abuses. VIII
j. can enumeTatc the abuses In which peo
plp indulge hocause OF too rigid Sab
bath laws inflicted upon themf Abus
has never yet been a synonym Of use
lessness. an strongly Of the opinio
that more harm Is done to religion b
IN imposing upon the people too many re
striCtlons on the Sabbath Day tina
would ever be done BY giving to peopl
e. larger freedom to observe II as the larg
o est number Of law. abiding citizens be
c licve il ought to be observed.
az II believe that the common sense {
=, the American people may be safel
OF trusted, I believe that q sense of fair
ness will lead the great majority OF ii
y. people 10 make Of the forenoon of III
et sunday strictly a holy day In apprec!a
ton Of the privilege extended to the
OF 20 make Of the afternoon and evening
OF il largely q holiday. Joyfulness Is,
y. believe. more pleasing unto God tina
IN sanctimoniousness The piety that
III enforced Is of little value TO God en-