The Maccabæan
EDITORIAL PAGES. J. DE HAAS. EDITOR.
A PERSONAL WORD.
IN assuming the editorship of The Maccabæan I desire to acknowledge the achievements of my predecessors in this chair, especially the work of Mr. Louis Lipsky, whom I directly replace and for whose courtesy and guidance I am obliged. Those best acquainted with Zionistic work can best appreciate the difficulties attending the birth and progress of The Maccabæan ; and it is therefore all t'ıe more pleasing to me that Mr. Lipsky will continue his interest and co-operate in this publication.
For myself, I promise nothing nor will I issue any program beyond stating that it will be my earnest endeavor to enlarge the sphere of influence of this magazine by catering for all classes of Jews, as well as for those who are the needs of interested in the affairs of the Jewish people. As every issue of Jewish life is embraced by the Zionistic movement, I believe that there is no limit to the variety of subjects and topics which may be legitimately dealt with in The Maccabæan. To broaden out, to bring all Jews to a proper understanding of Zionism and what Jewish life really embraces, has been my endeavor both as propagandist and journalist. I trust that in the task I have before me I will have at first the indulgence, and at all times the co-operation of the readers of The Maccabæan.
THE SABBATH QUESTION.
THE discussion at the Convention of the Sabbath question has led to considerable debate, both within and without the Zionist ranks, as to the expediency of ventilating such an issue on the Zionist platform. Far be it from the Zionists to embroil themselves in theological polemics; on the purely religious side we have but little business to speak. The seventh day Sabbath, however, is not only a religious institution but a national, historical and traditional symbol identifying the Jewish people, and setting forth their record at each weekly re-occurrence. The Zionists might ignore the abandonment of certain
religious symbols, but they would be wholly untrue to their cause and illogical in their attitude, if they did not protest to the uttermost against an assimilating proposal, the object of which is to destroy one of the greatest and most important significations of the existence of Israel. The Sunday Sabbath may not be brought into vogue, but we have to do with the ideas as well as with the facts, and the Convention did well to place on record its stern opposition to a proposal, the more dangerous by reason of its far-reaching consequences.
Is IT BETRAYAL?
THIS Sabbath Day issue must be dealt withby Jews with ungloved hands. The argument that the commercial necessities andeconomical conditions of our times drive the Jewto Sabbath desecration, may sound well enoughcoming from the mouth of a business man. Butthe Rabbi holds office for the express purpose ofchecking materialistic tendencies on every hand.His post is not intended to be a sinecure and ifhe has no uphill fight of a spiritual and religiouskind, then his services are practically unneeded.Tupsy-turveydom could go no further than atpresent. when the word for the restraint of materialism comes from the professional and mercantile classes against the vandalistic suggestionsof certain Rabbis. The wish to change the Jewish Sabbath to the first day of the week amountspractically to a willingness to betray Jewish religious, historic, spiritual and national causes.There is a logical, clear and definite position formen who wish to abandon such causes. Menwho claim to guide any Jewish cause must, atwhatever cost, honestly stand for that which isholy and sacred to the Jewish people. Israel isnot in this world to be crushed by the pressure ofmaterialism ; but such results are possible ifthose who are to support the structure of Jewishexistence are the first to bend the knee under theweight of circumstances.
THE FLOWER FEAST.
THE Feast of Weeks will have passed ere this issue is published, but this reminder of it may serve to arouse that consciousness of Jewish existence, of which modern Jewry still stands so much in need. It is a paradox explainable only by the meanderings of our exile and the peculiarities of our modern life, that the Festival of the