The study of the application of the Mosaic code and Talmudic law to Jewish life in modern Palestine is the object set for himself by Dr. Chaim Tchernowitz, leading Russian rabbi and noted scholar, who arrived in New York this week.
Dr. Tehernowitz will spend some months here prior to his departure for Jerusalem to occupy the chair of Jewish Jurisprudence and Talmudic law at the Hebrew University there. His is among the first three departments of the University to open in 1924, the others being Jewish Archaeology which will be occupied by Professor Samuel Kraus, and Jewish History by Prof. Ludwig Blau of Budapest.
Dr. Tchernowitz, formerly nead of the famous Talmudic Seminary of Odessa is the author of numerous works on Jewish jurisprudence, among them the history and Development of the Jewish Code. An Introduction to Talmud, Lectures on Talmudic Civil Rights, and a Compendium of the Talmud.
America and Palestine are the future centers of Jewish culture, Dr. Tchernowitz believes, Palestine because of the international facilities for the establishment of the Jewish homeland, and America because of its large and prosperous Jewish community.
Dr. Tchernowitz hopes the American Government will use its influence over the Soviet Government with a view to having the persecution of ministers of religion stopped. The rabbis are the particular sufferers, he asserts, both “economically and spiritually”.
Asked for his opinion of the aims of the Agudath Israel, Dr. Tchernowitz declared he did not believe in Clericalism and he particularly deprecated the attempts of the extreme orthodox wing to confuse polities with religion.
During his sojourn in the United States. Dr. Tchernowitz, known in Hebrew literature as “Rav Zair”, will lecture at some of the higher seats of Jewish learning, it is understood.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
