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Morais, Sabato : PRIESTS AND PROPHETS: A DISCOURSE DELIVERED AT THE MICKVE´H ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE ON SABBATH EMOR; IYAR 20TH, 5653. MAY 6TH, 1893

No Place [Philadelphia?]: Published by special request [Congregation Mikveh Israel?], 1893

1st edition. Original printed paper wrappers, 8vo, 8 pages; 20 cm. Singerman2 4565. Rabbi Sabato Morais (1823 – 1897) “was an Italian-American rabbi, leader of Mikveh Israel Synagogue in Philadelphia, pioneer of Italian Jewish Studies in America, and founder of the Jewish Theological Seminary, which initially acted as an center of education for Orthodox Rabbis. Morais was born in Livorno, Italy….In 1850, owing to the withdrawal of Isaac Leeser, the pulpit of the Mikveh Israel Synagogue congregation at Philadelphia, became vacant, and Morais was an applicant for the post. He arrived in Philadelphia on March 17, 1851, and was elected April 13 following, the synagogue services in the interval being conducted by him….Though his ministry covered the period of greatest activity in the adaptation of Judaism in America to changed conditions, he, as the advocate of Orthodox Judaism, withstood every appeal in behalf of ritualistic innovations and departures from traditional practice, winning the esteem of his opponents by his consistency and integrity. His sermons covered a wide scope of thought and action, and he showed the loftiness of his spirit when, in spite of congregational opposition to the expression of his views during the American Civil War, he continued, both in prayer and in his discourses, to show his warm sympathy with the cause of the slave. In appreciation of his attitude during these trying times the Union League Club of Philadelphia placed him on the roll of its honorary members. When, in 1867, Maimonides College was established in Philadelphia, Morais was made professor of the Bible and of Biblical literature….After a considerable agitation of the subject he succeeded, in conjunction with a few others, in establishing (January, 1886) the Jewish Theological Seminary at New York. He was at once made president of the faculty and professor of Bible, holding both posts until his death. Unquestionably the establishment of the seminary constitutes Morais' most lasting influence upon Judaism in America. The directors of that body have fittingly recognized his memory by naming the chair of Biblical literature and exegesis "the Sabato Morais professorship." In 1887 the University of Pennsylvania conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, he being the first Jew so honored by that institution. Many of his papers are evidently held in that institution's library…..The strong conservatism of the Jews of Philadelphia and the warm interest in the higher things of Judaism evinced by the younger men of that city may be in a large measure directly traced to the influence of Sabato Morais. He was greatly interested in the Alliance Israélite Universelle, and was in constant correspondence with rabbis and scholars in Europe and the Orient. Through his friend Chevalier Emanuel Felice Veneziani, the almoner of Baron de Hirsch, he was enabled to secure timely aid for the agricultural colonies in New Jersey and was the representative of Baron de Hirsch in the Carmel Colony….In all his life, Morais maintained close (cultural, religious and political) ties with his motherland, Italy. His translations and essays in Italian Jewry made him the founding father of Italian Jewish Studies in America” (JE). SUBJECT(S): Jewish sermons, American. Judaism -- Customs and practices -- Liturgy. OCLC: 21968721. OCLC lists 7 copies worldwide (NYPL, YU, HUC, Penn, AJHS, UCLA, Princeton). Heavy staining to text, some edgewear to wrappers, old Jewish stamp on front cover, worn but solid. Good Condition Thus. Scarce (AMR-57-16-BDR-lqq)

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