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Mr. Editor:—It has long been a source of deep regret
to many well-wishers of the Jewish religion,—who are convinced that an
intimate acquaintance with the precepts and principles of their
faith—always an imperative duty—is rendered, by reason of the growing
intimacy between the Jewish people and people of other creeds,
particularly requisite—that the very competent individuals who have
engaged in the arduous undertaking <<36>>of conducting institutions for
imparting instruction to Jewish children, as well of a religious as of a
liberal and scientific character, should experience so little
encouragement, that, were they not actuated by a pure and holy love for
the religion they profess, they would have abandoned the attempt as
hopeless. These few remarks by an Israelite, but one whose only interest
in the subject arises from his entire conviction of the truth of his
religion, and an ardent desire for its prosperity,—of which an enlightened
education in its principles is a sure guarantee—it is believed will not be
deemed improper. None will deny the importance of barricading the
religious belief of our people, by affording them an accurate knowledge of
the grounds of that belief; thus, as well fitting them to comprehend the
dignity of their position as Israelites, as awakening in them a just pride
at the honour of being such; contributing to their eternal happiness and
welfare, and enabling them to withstand the tempter, so necessary in this
land, where there is a continual mingling of persons of all creeds, and
where, unhappily, strenuous efforts are unceasingly made to induce
apostacy. Neither will there be found any to deny that the gentile schools
are but ill adapted to the wants of our people: these are institutions,
where, if any principles of religion are inculcated, they are entirely
opposed to those which should be impressed upon the minds of a Jewish
child. The claims of those of our people, who piously devote themselves to
the laborious undertaking of teaching, are certainly superior to those who
profess any other belief, when, as is the fact, they are as competent to
instruct in other branches of learning as other teachers.
But the importance, spiritually, of a full knowledge
of our religion, should decide to whom the care of the education of Hebrew
children should be committed.
Parents are but trustees; and as such, they must
expect to render an account of their trust to a pure Judge, who will
search the secrets of the heart; and how can they justify themselves if
they neglect to afford their children the advantages which are offered for
instruction in “the way which leads to eternal life!” Great care and
attention are bestowed upon the religious culture of their children by the
gentiles;—and why should we do otherwise? We vie with them in affording
excellent scientific education to those committed to our charge, but upon
the most important subject of religious educa<<37>>tion a strange apathy appears
to exist with us. Many Israelites are entirely uninformed concerning the
principles of the religion they profess; and a large majority have but a
very superficial knowledge of them; and were they asked the reason of
their following the Jewish faith, they would be compelled to admit the
humiliating fact,
“I cannot tell how the truth may be,
I say the truth, as ‘twas told to me.”
Abundant opportunities are now possessed to prevent
this disgrace, and Heaven grant that they may be improved.
A.
New York, March 14, 1849. |
