Louis Finkelstein quotes

Pharisaism became Talmudism...But the spirit of the Ancient Pharisee survives unaltered. When the Jew...studies the Talmud, he is actually repeating the arguments used in the Palestinian academies. From Palestine to Babylonia; from Babylonia to North Africa, Italy, Spain, France and Germany; from these to Poland, Russia and eastern Europe generally, ancient Pharisaism has wandered.
-- Louis Finkelstein

#Russia #Europe #France

The Talmud derives its authority from the position held by the ancient (Pharisee) academies. The teachers of those academies, both of Babylonia and of Palestine, were considered the rightful successors of the older Sanhedrin...At the present time, the Jewish people have no living central authority comparable in status to the ancient Sanhedrins or the later academies. Therefore, any decision regarding the Jewish religion must be based on the Talmud as the final resume of the teaching of those authorities when they existed.
-- Louis Finkelstein

#Teacher #Teaching #People

We realize that Judaism as a faith can survive only in an atmosphere of general faith.
-- Louis Finkelstein

#Atmosphere #Realizing #Judaism

It therefore become essential for the future of Judaism itself that its advancement should be correlated with a similar effort to advance the cause of religion generally.
-- Louis Finkelstein

#Aquariums #Effort #Essentials

Wisdom begins with sacrifice of immediate pleasures for long-range purposes.
-- Louis Finkelstein

#Sacrifice #Long #Purpose

It is a grave matter to enter a war, without adequate military preparation; it may prove fatal to come into peace, without moral and religious preparation.
-- Louis Finkelstein

#Religious #Military #War

He considered the Rvolution a victroy for the Jews, which opinion, he said, prevailed on the East Side where rejoicing knew no bounds. We felt, added Mr. Cahan, that this is a great triumph for the Jews' cause. The anti-Jewish element in Russia has always been identified with the anti-revolutionary party. Jews having always sat high in the Councils of the revolutionists, all of our race became inseparably linked with the opponents of the government in the official mind.

The streets of our country are in turmoil. The universities are filled with students rebelling and rioting. Communists are seeking to destroy our country. Russia is threatening us with her might, and the Republic is in danger. Yes - danger from within and without. We need law and order! Without it our nation cannot survive.

I am probably the biggest equity investor in the history of modern Russia.

You know, it's no accident that the great painters came from areas like Europe where there is a lot of clouds and rain, which begets color and subtle washes of tone. Most great graphic artists come from areas with prevalent sun, where line and shadow are paramount.

By a steady adherence to the Union we may hope, erelong, to become the arbiter of Europe in America, and to be able to incline the balance of European competitions in this part of the world as our interest may dictate.

We will do whatever we could do to keep Greece inside the euro and inside Europe.

I don't ever want to stop learning. And I really want to learn French fluently. It would be great to go and live in France.

It's funny because I think that both France and Britain are known for their distinctive styles, and everyone says that France is so chic and elegant but I think, more than that, French women are renowned for dressing in what suits them.

Mme. Deluzy has said that indifference is a woman's guardian angel,--a remark not only applicable in France, but all over the world.

People in France are very intrusive when they recognize you. In New York, they are very polite, with quick words, so it's great.