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We are pleased to learn that active
operations are on foot by the German congregations of England, to supply
the vacancy occasioned by the death of the late Dr. S. Hirschell. We
consider it a happy feature, betokening a spirit of union and mutual
co-operation for the effecting of a general good, that the great
Synagogue of London, instead of, as formerly, electing a rabbi by
itself, has invited all the other metropolitan and country congregations
to send delegates to meet in general conference in London. At two
preliminary meetings of this body, held on the 19th and 21st of Adar
Rishon (February), it was resolved, among other matters, as to the
qualifications of the Chief Rabbi:
"That each candidate shall present to the committee testimonials
of abilities from chief rabbis and others, and shall be expected to be
swell acquainted with ancient classical and modern general literature,
and to have a competent knowledge of some of the modern European
languages.
"That he shall deliver discourses when required; and the
successful candidate will be expected to qualify himself to deliver such
discourses in English within two years from the date of his
appointment."
We fervently hope that the choice of the Israelites of England may
fall upon one in whom "there is a spirit," a man, who, whilst
filling a station the highest within the gift of Jews, may feel that he
has duties to discharge which, if exercised in the spirit of humility,
may have an important bearing on the whole household of Jacob. For,
though in this country we have no chief ecclesiastical authority, it may
be confidently predicted that one will be instituted, as soon as our
people can be convinced, by the example of an enlightened ecclesiastic
in England, that a spiritual chief is truly a blessing to a community
over which he presides.
On the 27th of February last
"The Montefiore Testimonial," a magnificent piece of plate
prepared for Sir Moses Montefiore, as a token of the respect of his
brethren for his humane and successful exertions on behalf of the
Damascus sufferers, was presented to him by the committee charged with
this pleasing duty, through their chairman, Hananel de Castro, Esq. We
would gladly transcribe his speeches made by Mr. De Castro and Sir Moses
upon this interesting occasion, but our space is too limited for this
purpose; we therefore refer our readers to the Voice of Jacob, Nos. 41
and 42, which contain a full account of the whole ceremonial.
The Damascus Jews have
followed the example set by the brothers Harari, and emancipated their
slaves.
The President of Mexico, Santa
Anna, has repealed the laws hitherto existing, according to which
Roman Catholics only could become Mexican citizens, and a Mexican woman
was not permitted to marry any but a member of the Catholic Church. This
repeal, which henceforward opens the country to Jews, will doubtless
soon be turned to account by them.
Rome. The daily journals contain
intelligence from Rome of a serious overflow of the Tiber. The principal
sufferers were the Jews, who, confined to the Ghetto or Jewry,
(the lowest ground in the vicinity,) were compelled to take refuge in
the upper stories of their houses, and have supplies of food brought to
them in boats for several days. Much commiseration is expressed for
them;--will any useful result follow?--will our poor brethren cease to
be huddled together by law, in the most exposed part of the imperial
city?
Galicia, (Austrian
Poland.)--The A. Z. d. J. gives an interesting
account of the Jews in these districts, from which we borrow the
following particulars:
"The influence of the Jews on trade and commerce, is most to be
recognized on Sabbaths and Jewish Festivals. For then there prevails,
(not only in small but in many large places,) a deep and solemn
stillness, a truly Sabbath rest, scarcely visible even in protestant and
religious England. The streets are almost deserted; and it is only from
time to time that groups may be seen, consisting of whole families going
to pay their Sabbath visits. In small towns, the men are seen returning
from the Synagogue, wrapped in their Tallethim (garments of
fringes) and the women with their large prayer books. The husband-man,
aware of all this, does not bring his produce to market on such days.
The nobleman, who lives in the country, postpones his intended purchase
to a working day; and even the travelling gentleman must, for that day,
share the Sabbath meal of some Jew, who is not allowed to prepare fresh
food.* It is a singular phenomenon, that in Galicia the native Christian
prefers dealing with a Jew, to trafficking with his co-religionist. Thus
the Polish nobleman frequently alights at the Jewish inn, although the
hotel of the Christian would in some respects promise him more comfort.
Jewish shoemakers, and especially tailors, of whom there are great
numbers, are for the most part engaged by the nobility. Thus are the
Jewish shops more frequented by Christian customers than those kept by
Christians; nay, even the government prefers to negotiate with Jews, and
generally fares the better for so doing. From all this it is evident,
that the trade of this country is in the hands of the Jews. Their
remarkable position in this respect cannot be ascribed, as some would
have it, to their numerical strength, (though in some places they really
form a majority of the inhabitants) but rather to their activity (Gewandtheit)
and liveliness of temperament, which, in many points, the Polanders
share with them; while the simple and somewhat stiff manners of the
German are not liked; with this must also be taken into account, the
incredibly low state of civilization which the Polish peasant
occupies."
Moravia.--No. 5,
of the Orient gives a report of the state of the Moravian Jews,
which affords a heartrending account of their position. The reporter
contrasts their present state in many respects, with that of their
ancestors under Egyptian bondage; and, melancholy to say, the balance
may in some particulars be found to incline towards Egypt! |
