Page:The old paths, or The Talmud tested by Scripture.djvu/40

 Lord Jesus was right in opposing them. Yea, and where they taught error He and his disciples taught the truth. The Rabbies have taught constraint. Jesus of Nazareth and his disciples have taught that fire is not to be called down from heaven on those who differ from us; that "the servant of God must not strive; but be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themslves; if God will peradventure give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth." (2 Tim. ii. 25.)

No. IV.

RABBINIC INTOLERANCE TOWARDS OTHER NATIONS.

The Jewish deputies, when asked by Napoleon whether they considered Frenchmen as their brethren, replied in the affirmative, and after quoting the Mosaic laws respecting the stranger said, "To these sentiments of benevolence towards the stranger, Moses has added the precept of general love for mankind: 'Love thy fellow-creature as thyself.'" And in the authorized Jewish Catechism used in Bavaria, after the explanation of the moral duties, we find the following question:—"Are these laws and duties, affirmative and negative commandments, binding with respect to a non-Israelite?" —"By all means, for the fundamental law of all these duties, 'Love thy neighbour as thyself,' is expressly laid down by the Holy Scriptures in reference to the non-Israelite, yea, to the heathen, as it is written, 'And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born amongst you, and thou shalt love him as thyself: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.'" (Levit. xix. 33-35.) These declarations are very explicit, and, as forming part of public documents, highly satisfactory. The representatives of the Jewish people in France, and the teachers of the Jewish youth in Bavaria, declare, that in the scriptural command, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," neighbour means fellow-man, without distinction of nation or religion. Where then did they learn this interpretation? From the