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We
have much pleasure in announcing that there is at length probability, or
rather certainty, that the above office, vacated about two years ago by
the death of the Rev. Mr. Hirschell, will soon be filled by a man every
way qualified for so important a trust. The candidates selected are such
as would confer honour on any congregation, and two of them, Hirschfeld
and Hirsch, are distinguished by their contributions to our religious
literature. Dr. Hirschfeld is now only thirty-three years old, and his
“Halachishe Exegese,” written four years ago would have done honour
to a man of much greater experience once than he could then have had.
Rabbi Hirsch, who before his transfer to Emden was for about eleven
years Rabbi at Oldenburg, is now thirty-six years old, and is celebrated
as the author of Ben Uziel’s Letters and “Horeb” or an “Attempt
to explain the duties of Israel in the Dispersion.” Both the works are
characteristic of deep thought and being in the spirit of the old
orthodox school, they cannot fail of having a strong influence on the
mind of our German brethren, in whose vernacular they are composed. Both
Hirschfeld and Hirsch are continuing their literacy labours, the one
with his Hagadische Exegese, the other with his “Letters,” neither
of which continuations has yet reached us. Drs. Adler and Auerbach are
less known to us; but this does not tell any thing against them, as the
distance which we are placed at from Germany prevents us from becoming
as familiar with our great names as we could wish.—As we said, England
might well be proud of either of the candidates; still we are inclined
to think that Dr. Adler will be elected, owing to many powerful
influences at work for him.—We call the attention of our readers to
the subjoined extract from the Voice of Jacob, of August 16:
“The
Committee appointed for the selection of candidates having, on the 15th
of Ab, (31st July) proceeded to the consideration of the various
applications for the vacant office, then made a report, which was
confirmed by the general Committee on Monday, 5th of August; the
substance of it is as follows:
“The
applicants were thirteen in number, of these nine not not having
complied in various particulars with the published requisitions, were
deemed ineligible for selection. The names of the selected candidates
are,
“Rev.
Dr. Nathan Adler, Chief Rabbi of Hanover.
“Rev. Dr. Benj. Auerbach, Chief Rabbi of Darmstadt.
“Rev. Dr. Hirsch Hirschfeld, Chief Rabbi of Wollstein.
“Rev. Samson Raphael Hirsch, Chief Rabbi of Emden.
“The
testimonials and other documents belonging to these reverend gentlemen
have been epitomized, and will, in that form, be printed and transmitted
to every elector; the original documents remaining for inspection at the
vestry chambers of the Great Synagogue, for one month prior to the
election.
“The
election is to take place, throughout Great Britain, on Sunday, 13th of
October (next after the coming Festivals); it is to be by ballot, and no
proxies are to be allowed.
“The
election return of each Synagogue is to be duly attested by the
presiding officer and secretary, and transmitted under seal, by post, to
the President of the Central Committee in London, not later than the day
next following the election.
“The
Central Committee is to meet on Wednesday, the 16th of October, then to
declare the result.
“
‘ In conclusion, the Committee feel pleasure in observing, that so
highly satisfactory are the testimonials of the selected candidates, and
so high a reputation do these gentlemen respectively enjoy for religion,
morality and learning, that on whomsoever the election may fall, there
can be no doubt as to the competency of the successful applicant
adequately to fulfil his sacral and important functions.’
“It
will be remembered that, according to the code of rules adopted by the
representatives of the several metropolitan and provincial
congregations, assembled in London, in Adar Reshon, 5603, (Feb. 1843,)
and published at length on page 121, of the 2d vol. of The Voice of
Jacob, each Synagogue is separately to proceed to the election of
one of the selected candidates, in a manner agreeably to its own
regulations, subject only to the stipulations given above. We understand
the mode of proceeding to be the following. Suppose a Synagogue to be
entitled to twenty votes on the aggregate returns to be made up in
London; the members of such Synagogue will ballot for the four selected
candidates in their own vestry; and for whichsoever of them a simple
majority shall appear, it is the name of that gentleman only which is to
be returned to the central committee, as the Rabbi for whom the whole
twenty votes of that congregation are to be estimated on the aggregate
returns.
“We
have received the following list of the number of votes to be estimated
on the aggregate returns, on account of the respective synagogues.
“London—Great
(Duke’s Place) Synagogue 50, New (St. Helen’s) 25, Hambro’
(Fenchurch St.) 20, Western (St. Alban’s) 5, Maiden Land 3;
Provincial—Liverpool (Seel St.) 8, Liverpool (Hardman St.) 2,
Birmingham 4, Manchester 4, Bristol 2, Dublin 2, Edinburgh 2, Portsmouth
2, Plymouth 2, Brighton 1, Chatham 1, Falmouth 1, Glasgow (Old) 1,
Glasgow (New) 1, Ipswich 1, Jersey 1, Newcastle 1, Southampton (High
St.) 1, Swansea 1, Penzance 1.
“The
period at which the above information reaches us, requires a
postponement of further comment until a future number; but in order that
there may be no misapprehension of the disposition of certain other
British Synagogues to submit to the general religious direction and
superintendence of the future Chief Rabbi, we have pleasure in
explaining that most of the colonial congregations adopting the German
and Polish ritual, have already signified their intention to give in
their adherence, and to vote an annual contribution proportionate to
their extent and resources. This is no less due to their own standing,
than necessary to the dignity and efficiency of the sacred office; the
requirements of which are but inadequately provided for by the present
amount of stipend attached thereto,—so much less than originally
declared necessary. Some of the smaller Provincial Synagogues are only
apparently unrepresented, in consequence of theie pecuniary inability to
subscribe annually to the extent which entitles to a vote. |
