No. XXVII.
SABBATIC LAWS.
How little the oral law has hitherto done to promote the
peace and happiness of Israel, we considered in our last number.
It may, however, be replied, that it has not had a fair trial,
and that the failure is to be attributed rather to the people
than to the law. This possible reply naturally leads us to
think, what then would be the state of Israel and of the world
at large, if the oral law were universally and exactly observed,
and its disciples had supreme dominion in the world? Suppose
that all the kingdoms of the world were melted into one vast
and universal monarchy, and the sceptre swayed by a devout
and learned rabbi, and all the magisterial offices filled by able
and zealous Talmudists, would the world be happy? This is a
fair question, and well deserves consideration, for there can be
no doubt that true religion was intended by its Divine Author
to promote the happiness of his creatures:—
(
Hebrew characters)
"Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." (Prov. iii. 17.) And that not of a few, but of all without exception.
(Hebrew characters)
"Have we not all one father? Hath not one God created us?" (Mal. ii. 10.) That religion, therefore, cannot be of God, which would make the greatest portion of his creatures miserable, and confer happiness on a very limited number. The religion that came from heaven, wherever it exists, must contain the elements of happiness for all nations, and include all the families of man. It must exclude none but the wilfully and obstinately wicked, who carry the torments of hell in their own bosom, and would be necessarily unhappy even in heaven itself. A religion, whose principles, if triumphant, would effect so desirable a consummation, must be true. The question is, whether modern Judaism, if it had full and free scope for the realization of all its principles, would bear such blessed fruit? Our late inquiries about amulets and magic led us to consider some of the laws about the Sabbath-day, and as when true religion prevails, this ought to be the happiest day of the week, the laws respecting it shall furnish materials for our answer. That a rabbinical Sabbath would be the happiest day in the week we much doubt, for, in the first place, to keep the rabbinical Sabbath aright, it is necessary to be perfectly acquainted with all the laws relating to it, which are very
