Attitude of the Hebrew on the Sunday Bill

Julius T. Loeb, “Attitude of the Hebrew on the Sunday Bill,” Evening Times (Washington, DC), May 29, 1902. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84024441/1902-05-29/ed-1/seq-6/ 

ATTITUDE OF THE HEBREW ON THE SUNDAY BILL

By Rabbi Julius T. Loeb

    Allow me to correct a misapprehension now current in the local newspapers with regard to orthodox Hebrew residents of the District toward the pending Sunday bill.

    Please note that orthodox Jews cannot be and are not opposed to the bill.

    Those who would insist upon keeping open their business places on both Saturday and Sunday are neither orthodox nor Jews. But the truly religious would be elated to see the bill passed if at the same time provision be made for those who observe the seventh day as a day of rest, that they be not compelled to keep another day’s rest each week. 

    Under such conditions they would be secured against the competition of reckless characters who believe not in a day of rest, and there could be no disadvantage to all those who keep their Sabbath on either Saturday or Sunday. 

    I reiterate my statement that the truly orthodox are decidedly for the bill; for inasmuch as they know how to appreciate the holiness of Sabbath as ordained by a Divine Power, they would likewise bear a respect for the ethical nature of others.