Fast Day Sermon at |
| This sermon, given at "National Fast Day" services at the Lloyd Street Synagogue in AND he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him, the man of G-d, today, it is neither new moon nor Sabbath? and she said, Shalom, peace; Peace I want, and peace I am seeking." 2 Kings iv.26. The same question I direct to you my friends. Wherefore are you come today to the house of the merciful Father? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath? What is it that brought you hither at a time generally devoted to business and labor? What is it that caused you to check the great wheel of activity in its rapid course? What made you close today so early the temples of mammon and hasten to a place where there is no earthly gain to be acquired? What impelled you to leave the temples of joy and pleasure to repair to the lonely house of devotion and prayer, where no earthly enjoyments can cheer up your mind depressed by earthly cares? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath. No, my friends, it is neither new moon nor Sabbath, but it is a day designated by the Chief Magistrate of the It presents an event that happened in the days of yore, when a ship was going to Tarshish, and a dreadful storm arose, while heavy, dusky clouds were brooding in thick darkness over the sea, and the raging tempest flung the staggering vessel now up and then down again on the storm-tossed billows. The mariners, aware of the great danger which threatened the ship with wreck, and their lives with being devoured by the wild, voracious waves, were afraid; their hearts were filled with terror, and they called every one unto his god. In this tempestuous and dreadful night, when every heart was terror-struck, a man was lying in the hold of the ship carelessly indulging himself in a sound sleep, until the ship master rushed down unto him, waking him with the thundering clamor of despondency, "Sinful sleeper, why dost thou sleep? Arise from thy slumber, danger is nigh! Arise and call upon thy G-d--Perhaps it be that G-d will mercifully think of us, that we may not be lost." Do you not recognize, my friends, in this event, a mirror in which all our untoward circumstances of the present day are strikingly reflected? -- Heavy, storm-foreboding clouds are spreading, and lowering darkly over our country. The splendid vessel of our glorious Union, exposed to the pernicious discharge of their destructive contents, is in danger of being wrecked; and whilst the people in the vessel are vainly disputing about where the first cloud arose, in the North or in the South, those who sit at the helm, being aware of the approaching danger, are terror-struck, and with anguish and fear, they expect every moment the dreaded crash of the staggering ship; but with paternal care the faithful shipmaster rushes down to us, waking us up with the loud clamor of despondency, --"Arise, thoughtless sleepers, from your careless torpor, danger is nigh; arise, and call unto G-d, perhaps it be that He will mercifully think of us, that we may not be lost." Let us, my brethren, hear the paternal warning of the faithful ship-master, and fervently pray to the G-d of our fathers that He may send us relief in the hour of calamity and peril, that He may remove from us the danger which has thrown all our citizens, rich and poor, in a state of general dismay and confusion. Let us pray unto Him that peace and harmony may return again unto our gates, and keep us far from polluting out hands with the blood of our brothers and fellow-citizens. Listen, my brethren, to a prayer which the pious King David, with the sacred zeal of his heart, offered unto the Lord for the prosperity of his country: "Pray for the peace of Such was the short, but fervent prayer of the pious King, whose soul was burning and whose heart was glowing for the welfare of his Jerusalem; and such should be our earnest prayer for the peace and prosperity of our Jerusalem, I say our Jerusalem, for until the time that it will be pleasing in the sight of the Lord to protract the fulfillment of his promises, this country will be our Jerusalem. O may it also forever continue to be the holy land, the land of liberty, the house of peace, and the asylum of oppressed and persecuted humanity. It was customary among the ancient Israelites, whenever danger was nigh, whenever a hard time of trouble was approaching, to go to the tombs of their ancestors, praying there, that the spirits of the departed might plead for their cause before the mercy seat of the Almighty. Let us, my brethren, do the same today. Let us, then, with hearts warm with pious devotion, walk among the tombs of the illustrious fathers of this country, who bought with their precious heart's blood the many blessings which they faithfully transmitted to unborn generations. Let us today commune with the spirits of the glorious dead, who will forever live in the hearts of their countrymen. Let us enter the sepulcher of the past, and with awe and deference, put forth our hands to wipe off the dust and mould of forgetfulness from the coffin-lids of the wise and brave; with hot tears to let us moisten the sod where their ashes repose, and exclaim, "Illustrious fathers, arise from your peaceful slumbers; your children are in danger of being slaughtered, the brother by the hand of his brother; the hallowed fire of universal love and harmony which you once kindled is in danger of being extinguished by the destructive flames of civil war; the paradise which you have bequeathed to us is in danger of being devastated by the seductive serpent that has already impregnated many hearts with its deadly poison of ambition, selfishness, and cupidity. O arise, illustrious fathers, and pray unto the Lord for the peace of our Now, my brethren, let me direct your attention to another topic, not less important than the last. It is an incontestable truth that our republic stands among the governments of the earth like an ancient oak in the forest, which, after having overcome many a blast, overtops the other trees and commands respect and veneration; and as we may hope G-d will be with us, answer our prayers, heal the breach between our sister states, and the dissension will soon be peaceably settled, our Republic will again, as heretofore, be admired by Emperors and Kings, and the nations will again look at it with envy as the happiest system that was ever devised for uniting dignity in the magistrate and liberty in the nation, with protection and security to all. Yes, we may boast there has never yet existed a happier and mightier government than ours. There was already political liberty in the days of old. All this is true, incontestably true, and we feel that we are exalted to the very gates of heaven in respect to our advantages and national excellencies; but let us take heed that we incur not the reproach with which our divine teacher Moses once rebuked our people, -- "Jeshurun waxed fat and kicked," -- let us take heed that we grow not dizzy with the height of prosperity to which we have attained, that we reel not and stagger not on the summits of freedom, that the very loftiness of our happy state be not the means of giving impulse to our downfall, by which we might lose forever our honor and our privileges. The vastness of our government, which is extended over an immense, large territory, and over numerous inhabitants, coming from many different regions of the world, forms a fruitful field of danger to the quiet and permanence of our institutions. It has ever proved unachievable in a commonwealth to make laws which could meet with the general approval of all its citizens, especially in a Republic like ours, composed of many different nationalities, coming from different countries, differing from each other more or less in customs, manners, habits, languages, creeds, and political views. In addition to all this, there must be brought into consideration the large extension of our territory; the law that provides for the benefit of the North, may operate with blighting effect upon the interests of the South, whilst that which promotes the immediate welfare of the South, may be injurious to that of the North. The contrariety of interests, the principal source from which all dissatisfaction flows, gives rise to party spirit, to a perpetual contest between the different states and the government, and between the different popular leaders who aspire to the chief influence, and the violence of a turbulent multitude. The ends for which men unite in society and submit to government, are to enjoy security for their property and freedom for their persons from all injustice or violence. the more completely these ends are attained, with the least diminution of personal liberty, the nearer such government approaches to perfection. -- But who, for example, can blame our brethren of the South for their being inclined to secede from a society, under whose government those ends cannot be attained, and whose union is kept together, not by the good sense and good feelings of the great masses of the people, but by an ill-regulated balance of power and heavy iron ties of violence and arbitrary force? Who can blame our brethren of the South for seceding from a society whose government can not, or will not, protect the property rights and privileges of a great portion of the Union against the encroachments of a majority misguided by some influential, ambitious aspirants and selfish politicians who, under the color of religion and the disguise of philanthropy, have thrown the country into a general state of confusion, and millions into want and poverty? If these magnanimous philanthropists do not pretend to be more philanthropic than Moses was, let me ask them, "Why did not Moses, who, as it is to be seen from his code, was not in favor of slavery, command the judges in Israel to interfere with the institutions of those nations who lived under their jurisdiction, and make their slaves free, or to take forcibly away a slave from a master as soon as he treads the free soil of their country? Why did he not, when he made a law that no Israelite can become a slave, also prohibit the buying and selling of slaves from and to other nations? Where was ever a greater philanthropist than Abraham, and why did he not set free the slaves which the king of Why did Ezra not command the Babylonian exiles who, when returning to their old country, had in their suit seven thousand three hundred and thirty-seven slaves, to set their slaves free and send them away, as well as he commanded them to send away the strange wives which they had brought along? It is an historical fact, that even the Therepentae and Essenes, two Jewish sects, who with a kind of religious frenzy, placed their whole felicity in the contemplation of the divine nature, detaching themselves from all secular affairs, entrusted to their slaves the management of their property. All these are irrefutable proofs that we have no right to exercise violence against the institutions of other states or countries, even if religious feelings and philanthropic sentiments bit us disapprove of them. It proves furthermore, that the authors of the many dangers, which threaten our country with ruin and devastation, are not what they pretend to be, the agents of Religion and Philanthropy. Therefore, my friends, there is only one rampart which can save our country from degradation and ruin, and shield it against all the danger arising within and threatening from without. This is, the good will, the good sense and feelings of the great mass of the people. They must have no other guide than the book of G-d and the virtues which it teaches, and make their hearts inaccessible to the pernicious influence of some individuals who exert all their efforts to mislead them, under the disguise of Religion and Philanthropy, from the TRUE PATH OF TRUE RELIGION. The foundation of all the happiness of a country must be laid in the good conduct of the mass of the people, in their love of industry, sobriety, justice, virtue, and principally in their unfeigned religious feelings. Such virtues are the sinews and strength of a country: they are the supports of its prosperity at home and of its reputation abroad. Righteousness and justice will ever exalt a nation. שמרו משפט ןיעשו צדקה כי קרבה ישעותי לבא וצדקתי להגלות Thus saith the Lord, "Keep ye justice and do equity, for near is my help to come, and my righteousness to be revealed." Keep justice and truth in your gates, and the merciful Father will graciously answer our prayers and save us forever and ever--Amen. |
Thursday, January 22, 2009
LSS Fact of the Day
Friday, January 9, 2009
LSS Fact of the Day
The Baltimore Sun, 1853
Handsome Improvement – The Hebrew Synagogue, situated on Lloyd street, is now undergoing very general improvements, which, when completed, will greatly beautify the house, and advance the conveniences of worship. A new roof of slate has been put on by William Bayley, whilst the entire building, inside and out, has been finely painted by Job Wilks. The ceiling has been frescoed in a modest yet very becoming style of work, and the aisles laid with superior Brussells [sic] carpeting. Not the least attractive feature is the redecoration of the Tabernacle, which contains the ten commandments. The upholstery work was done in a superior manner by Messrs. Holland & Bro. whilst the curtain, of rich scarlet velvet, is elaborately embroidered by Mr. John H. Wilson, of the Temperance Temple, in solid gold characters, and is an admirable specimen of work. It presents in Hebrew characters the following words: “Presented by the Hebrew Ladies of the Lloyd Street Synagogue to the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation.” Immediately above the Tabernacle is a superb circular window, filled with stained glass, and executed by Messrs. Jemhardt. The various rosettes form a brilliant star of many colors, which enliven the interior admirably.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
LSS Fact of the Day
The changing sanctuary of the
We have no pictures of the sanctuary of the Lloyd Street Synagogue until 1958, but the building changed many times in the 113 years before that. The congregations responded to changing fashion by decorating and redecorating, and they responded to changing needs by expanding and rearranging. At the dedication in 1845 a reporter for the Baltimore American and Commercial Advertiser, described the building in this way:
“The main floor of the church it fitted up with pews, and has a gallery extending on three sides of the church appropriated entirely to the female portion of the congregation. The eastern wall has a round window filled with stained glass directly over the ark [cabinet containing the Torah]. The ark… is a semi-circular temple with Corinthian pillars and ribs, and carved ornaments on the roof and the tables of the law in front. The doors are enriched with carvings and slide on rollers around the curve of the sides. On each side of the ark is an elevated platform with rich finished arm chairs for the President and Vice President of the congregation. In front is the reading desk and seats for the readers, of solid walnut. The window over the ark bears [sic.] the shape of a double star, of the most beautiful variegated colors, illustrating the shield of David, in the centre of which is a representation of a Greecian [sic.] Corinthian Acanthus. The spaces between the points of the star are filled with Grecian leaves, the whole surrounded by a circle to correspond….The windows are tinted of a golden color and diffuse a warm glow of light in the interior. The interior wood work is painted of a warm drab color, and the walls and ceilings when dry are going to be finished in fresco.” (Baltimore American and Commercial Advertiser, September, 1845)
The Occident also described the new synagogue in detail, admiring its beauty and only finding fault with the fact that the smallness of the space didn’t allow for a central bimah (raised platform from which the service is conducted).
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
LSS Fact of the Day
From the
“Agreeably to announcement, the new synagogue erected by the Hebrew congregation of
“The Rev. Mr. Leeser then rose and delivered a lengthy address from a portion of Scripture commencing with, 'And not to you alone do I make this covenant,' &c. We cannot pretend to follow the Reverend gentleman in his discourse. He spoke of the covenant given by God to the fathers in Israel, which had been handed down; the law, although called the law of Moses, was the law of God, and Moses but the means used to deliver the law to mankind – in it God speaks, not Moses. He gave a history of the Jews, their persecutions, &c., and exalted that the law was still preserved, and alluded to the preservation of the law as one evidence of their being peculiarly under the keeping of God; Israel has been ever true, will be ever true, to follow their God – the one God. The brethren present, by raising this structure, had entered into the covenant anew. They had no new mode pointed out to them, but faith in the law and obedience were still the means to be used for propitiating the mercy of God. The address, of which the above is the merest sketch, was an eloquent one, and was listened to with the most profound attention.
“The Rev. Mr. Isaacs next followed in an able discourse from the text, 'How awful is this place; this is no other than the house of God; the gate of Heaven.' The general object of this discourse was to demonstrate that the church just erected was God’s house – a miniature temple erected to his service. The address was quite a lengthy one, and at the conclusion, he made an appropriate prayer. Prayers were then chaunted [sic], in Hebrew, led by the Rev. Mr. Ansell, and the congregation was dismissed. And thus has been dedicated, the first synagogue ever built in
*Please note that "Rev." does not indictae that a person was of Christian faith but a title for someone who was deemed to deserve respect. In this case, "awful" is something full of awe, not something horrible. Additionally, spelling and grammar have not been edited.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Front Doors Faux Graining
(see top part of the door)Next, the doors receive a layer of glaze that is combed to resemble the pore structure of oak. (see bottom part of the door).
The doors are then hand-painted to resemble figure graining. The paint is waterbased oil paint mixed with glazing liquid. The work is combed to break up the lines.
Next is the toning layer. Subtle nuances are given to each board to create variation.
Finally, the doors are clear coated with spar varnish, which protects them from the sun and elements. This is the same kind of varnish used on boats and other outside objects.
The Void is Drained!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
What's with all this scaffolding?
“The Jewish Museum of Maryland formally requests [Maryland Historic] Trust approval to restore the c. 1864 exterior color scheme and finishes of the historic Lloyd Street Synagogue (LSS). The structure that we see today from the outside of the building dates to 1860; the present exterior colors and finishes, however, date mostly to 1963-65, when the building was restored by the Jewish Historical Society of Maryland.” –
-------
Through extensive archaeological and archival research, we have discovered that appearance of the LSS has gone through extensive changes – almost from the very moment it was completed. “Throughout its history of occupancy and use by three successive immigrant congregations, 1845-1963, all or portions of the LSS’s brick exterior was painted; color schemes on the portico and stationary woodwork varied tremendously; the main (west) doors were grained repeatedly; and the stone foundation walls were at one point covered in stucco, colored and scored to resemble ashlar. In short, the LSS exterior as we see it today is neither accurate nor authentic to any of this landmark’s periods of historical or architectural significance!” (Decter).
During the restoration of the 1960s, the building was stripped of paint, sand blasted, cleaned, and repainted to what was assumed to be the original appearance. Very little of the original paintwork remained, but through the work of many professionals, including Garry Wheeler Stone, architectural historian, John Srygley, preservation architect, and Matthew Mosca, historic paint consultant, we have discovered many traces of the congregations that once occupied the LSS.
Since beginning archaeological investigations in the late 1990s, we have discovered many heretofore unknown attributes of the building, including the original mikveh, beautiful frescos, a matzah oven, and the base of what was probably a steeple. With the generous help from the City of
The LSS was the first synagogue to be built in
Monday, August 11, 2008
Pre-Restoration Lloyd Street Synagogue
Image courtesy of Caruso Studios.This is how Lloyd Street Synagogue appeared in 1864. This is the oldest known image of the building, when it was still operated by Baltimore Hebrew Congregation.
"Carte-de-visite" of the Lloyd Street Synagogue, circa 1864.Photo courtesy of the Ross J. Kelbaugh Collection.
JMM1997.071.001
This is the interior of LSS as it appears currently.
Posts
