Page:Selections. Translated by H. St. J. Thackeray (1919).djvu/176

 IX. JEWISH THEOLOGY, SCRIPTURES AND CUSTOMS

(61) ''Some Aspects of Jewish Theology. Moses as Religious Educator''

Our Polity a Theocracy

There is endless variety in the details of the customs and laws which prevail in the world at large. [To give but a summary enumeration:] some peoples have entrusted the supreme power of government to monarchies, others to oligarchies, yet others to the masses. Our lawgiver, however, was attracted by none of these forms of polity, but gave to his constitution the form of what—if a forced expression be permitted—may be termed a "theocracy," ascribing the sovereignty and majesty to God. To Him he persuaded all to look, as the Author of all blessings, both those which are common to all mankind, and those which they had won for themselves by prayer in their utmost adversities. He convinced them that no single action, no secret thought, could be hid from Him. He represented Him as One, uncreated and immutable to all eternity; in beauty surpassing all mortal comeliness, made known to us by His power, although the nature of His real being passes knowledge.