THE OLD PATHS
Nine years have now elapsed since “The Old Paths”appeared as a volume. They have been translated, in themeantime, into Hebrew, German, and French; and theirmerits discussed by the learned and unlearned of theJewish people, in all the countries of their dispersion. Thereception has in general been favourable, and the effectupon the Jewish mind perceptible. Since their first appearance,the West London Synagogue and the Liturgiesof the British Jews, both renouncing that which “The OldPaths” pronounced objectionable, have started into existence.The assembled rabbies at Brunswick and Frankforthave discussed topics similar to some treated in “TheOld Paths,” and in some cases come to similar conclusionsrespecting the value of Rabbinic Traditions. The ReformSocieties of Germany have commenced a formidable attackupon the Oral Law, and a free discussion is now carried onin the numerous Jewish periodicals of that country, ofwhich the results are easily foretold. The promised Germantranslation of the Talmud, if ever completed, must,without any discussion, overthrow Talmudism. Its exhibitionin any European language is the most fatal attackthat can be made on its authority. It needs only to beseen as it is, in order to be rejected. The reader is againwarned against mistaking this discussion of the merits ofRabbinism for an attack upon the Jewish people, or therabbies of the present day. The reproach attaches not tothe victims, but to the authors of tradition. The Jews area great and a noble people, and the majority ignorant ofthe details of the system,