Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

The foundation stones of the Hebrew University have been laid at Jerusalem. The day was declared a public holiday and six thousand persons witnessed the ceremony, which was a deeply moving one and produced an effect which will long remain with those who witnessed it. The site is said to be the finest available. On the one hand it looks down upon Jerusalem, and on the other to the wilderness of Moab. It is remarkable how the hopes and ambitions of Jewry centre for the time being in the University, which is practically the first constructive effort of Zionism.

Dr. Weymann delivered an address in the course of which he said (we quote from Palestine)

“We have today laid the foundation stones of the Jewish University, which is to be erected on this hill, overlooking Jerusalem. Many of us will have had our thoughts cast back to the great historic scenes associated with Jerusalem, scenes that have become part of the heritage of mankind … A week ago we were keeping the Fast of Ab, reminding us that the Temple had been utterly destroyed and the Jewish national political existence extinguished apparently for ever. But throughout the long centuries we, the stiff-necked people, have refused to acknowledge defeat, and ‘Judea capta’ is once more upon the eve of triumph. Here, out of the misery and desolation of war is being created the first germ of a new life … It seems at first sight paradoxical that in a land with so sparse a population, in a land where everything still remains to be done, in a land crying out for such simple things as ploughs, roads, and harbours, we should begin by creating a centre of spiritual and intellectual development. But it is not paradox for those who know the soul of the Jew. It is true that great social and political problems still face us and will demand their solution from us. We Jews know that when the mind is given fullest play, when we have a centre for the development of Jewish consciousness, then coincidently shall we attain the fulfilment of our material needs. I do not suppose that there is anyone here who can conceive of a university in Jerusalem being other than a Jewish one. The claim that the University should be a Jewish one rests upon the values the Jews have transmitted to the world, from this land. Here in the presence of adherents of three great religions of the world, which amid many diversities build their faith upon the Lord who made Himself known to Moses, before this world which has founded itself on Jewish law, has paid reverence to Hebrew seers, has acknowledged the great mental and spiritual values the Jewish people have given to it, the question is answered. The University is to stimulate the Jewish people to reach further truth. Am I too bold if here today, in this place among the hills of Ephraim and Judah, I state my conviction that the seers of Israel have not utterly perished, that under the aegis of this University there will be a renaissance of the Divine power of prophetic wisdom that once was ours? … Manifold are the preparations yet to be made. Some of them are already in progress; some, like the actual building, must necessarily be postponed until the happy day of peace arrives. But from this day the Jewish University is a reality. Our University, informed by Jewish learning and Jewish energy, will mould itself into an integral part of our national structure which is in process of erection. It will have a centripetal force, attracting all that is noblest in Jewry throughout the world; a unifying centre for our scattered elements. There will go forth, too, inspiration and strength, that shall revivify the powers now latent in our scattered communities. Here the wandering soul of Israel shall reach its haven; its strength no longer consumed in restless and vain wanderings. Israel shall at last remain at peace within itself and with the world. There is a Talmudic legend that tells of the Jewish soul deprived of its body, hovering between heaven and earth. Such is our soul today; tomorrow it shall come to rest, in this our sanctuary. That is our faith.”

This confidence in learning and the learned, these hopes, resting in the University and its professors instead of in the Lord and in His house which has yet to be built, and when built will be the centre of light and wisdom for the world, proves that Israel still has the heart of stone, the old heart of unbelief. They need “the new heart” and “the new spirit.” This no government, however kindly disposed towards them, can give them. It is the Lord alone who can take away the stony heart out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). And when He does this they will walk in His statutes and keep His judgments, and will dwell in the land and be His people, and He will be their God.

To those who know what is the only way by which rest and blessing can come to these people of the weary foot, it is saddening to hear their accepted and gifted leader saying about the University, “Tomorrow our soul shall come to rest in this our sanctuary, that is our faith.” We know well that it is in GOD’S sanctuary alone that they will find rest. How different the faith and hopes and blessed certainty of the Sons of Korah, who, not looking to men and their wisdom, but to God’s altar and His house, could sing, “Yea, the sparrow has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars. O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God, blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.” (Psalm 84:3-4). It is this faith in God that will not be disappointed.

Confidence in the wisdom of men instead of in God is not, however, peculiar to Jews, Gentiles are just as guilty of it, and so Christ crucified, the power of God and the wisdom of God, is to the Jews a stumbling-block and to the Greeks foolishness.

It does but prove the absolute necessity of the new birth that these people, after centuries of sorrow, should still be blind as to whence their blessing and true restoration will come. We quote again from Palestine.

“There is a pregnant story which illustrates the conception Jews have of a great house of learning, and the part it has played, and will play, in Jewish history. When Jerusalem fell the most famous Rabbi of his day, Rabbi Jochanan Ben Zaccai, was asked by Titus where he wanted to go, and what he desired to have. The Rabbi answered: ‘Give me Jabneh and her wise men.’ Jabneh was then the seat of the Jewish Academy, and the illustrious Rabbi, in this memorable phrase, expressed his conviction that when the Jewish State and polity came down in ruins, Israel and Judaism would be saved by Jewish science and Jewish sages. The history of 1900 years is one long testimony to the profound truth and wisdom of the Rabbi’s insight. Judaism and the Jewish people have been saved in exile by Jewish learning and Jewish sages. The Hebrew University in Jerusalem is the first edifice which the Jewish people erects on its return from exile to its home. As in the past a house of learning saved, so a Hebrew University is a guarantee of a renewed and freer life, a life along the great line of Jewish tradition.”

No, it is not by learning that the Jews have been preserved from perishing as a nation, for the Greeks of old had learning as great as theirs and they perished. It is God who has preserved them, to whose word they are still a stiff-necked people, and it is through Christ that He will save them: that same Jesus whom they still number with the transgressors.