THE EPIDEMIC OF THE PERSIAN JEWS
BY A. J. WIENBERG
The following article was published in the Jewish paper, Canadian Adler, of Montreal, Canada. Translated from the Jewish by Ethel Moss Murray.
DR. A. FISHEL, Jewish Professor of the Oriental Institute, Hebrew University,1 on his return from Persia, ‘Iráq and Kurdistán, stated to the Ita (Jewish News Agency) that a mass conversion is predominating among the Persian Jews. Whole communities turn to Bahá’ísm, the religion of Persia. What is the Bahá’í belief?
The Bahá’í Movement originated in Persia in 1844 and then spread in the Near East and also in European and American countries. The main centers of the Bahá’í religion today are ‘Akká and Haifa, Palestine, where its Founders are buried in specially erected Shrines. Few in our generation know of this modern religion. It really sounds like a paradox, that religion and reformation, spirituality and social progress, Prophet and revolutionary, could get together and actually unite without conflict.
Many European historians have delved into this religion, and with great enthusiasm express their opinion about the Asiatic thinker2 who was far from the influence of European philosophy. His religion is a calm and tranquil philosophy of life, but, a very active religion which requires the translation of the teachings into deeds.
Historians have written about Bahá’u’lláh, the Founder of Bahá’ísm. His religion carries the promise of a great progress, and is international in scope. This revelation from the East which offers a solution to the problems of the West, is in the form of an international or universal religion.
In 1844 appeared in Persia before a multitude an enthusiastic young man, twenty-five years of age, who called Himself the
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1In Palestine. 2Refers to the Founder of the Bahá’í Movement.
Báb [which means Gate or Door]. He began to preach a doctrine designed to create new conditions for humanity. The masses immediately accepted the teachings, which had a great effect on account of His divine name. In 1850 the Báb was killed at the instigation of Muslim clergy who saw in this Movement a great danger for Islám.
After the martyrdom of the Báb, His followers turned to the One whom He prophesied would come after Him and who would be the Law-giver for this dispensation, namely, Bahá’u’lláh [which means the Glory of God].
In 1852 the Muslims started an inquisition against the followers of this religion. Every day many thousands were put to death and thrown into dungeons.
In 1863 Bahá’u’lláh, with his family and some seventy-two of His followers, were exiled to Constantinople and then later to Adrianople where they remained about five years. Then they were exiled to Haifa in Palestine, and were put in heavy chains and committed to the prison of ‘Akká.
Bahá’u’lláh, while in prison, was occupied in giving out His teachings. He proclaimed twelve great basic principles of the Bahá’í Movement, namely:
(1) The oneness of mankind. (2) Independent investigation of truth. (3) The foundation of all religions is one. (4) Religion must be the cause of unity. (5) Religion must be in accord with science and reason. (6) Equality between men and women. (7) Prejudice of all kinds must be forgotten. (8) Universal peace. (9) Universal education. (10) Spiritual solution of the economic problem. (11) A universal language. (12) An international tribunal.
[Page 482]
In
1892 Bahá’u’lláh died in the prison
city of ‘Akká. In His will and testament
He had appointed His son, ‘Abbás Effendi,
as His successor.
After the revolution in Turkey, perfect freedom was given to the Bahá’ís, and ‘Akká became for the believers a second Mecca.
‘Abbás Effendi called Himself ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Servant of God. In 1912 He visited Europe and America, and the Bahá’í teachings were widely proclaimed. The Bahá’í Cause has spread around the world.
On November 28, 1921, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá died in Haifa, Palestine. His body rests in a tomb on Mt. Carmel, where also rests the body of the Báb.
The Bahá’ís are spiritual but not emotional. They are good and refined people. They love each other and are ready to sacrifice for each other. All are equal in spirit—rich or poor.
The Bahá’í Temples are open to every one. There are no clergy or officials in them. In the Temple there is worship, and in the future as the Bahá’í Cause grows, the plan is to have all kinds of accessory buildings surrounding the Temple which will be used for definite services to humanity.1
Bahá’ís can have but one wife. Divorce is granted under certain conditions. Bahá’ís
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1Bahá’ís believe that divine and material civilization must go together.
must not gamble, or drink intoxicating beverages, and must not use drugs. The true believer loves every one irrespective of belief, race or nationality. Baha’ism also advocates love for animals.
The Bahá’í Teachings resemble in many instances a Kabala (mysticism) Movement. The creation of the world in accordance with the Bahá’í teachings is God’s creation where God alone manifests His supremacy. All mountains, hills, flowers and grass, oceans and lakes, fields and other creations of nature, are all created so that God’s attributes may be manifested. The sun and the moon are God’s servants. Humanity is the highest type of creation, and man must strive, with all his marvelous endowments, to attain his birthright.
A person must be free from oppression. A slave cannot serve his Creator because the Lord loves freedom and justice. Slavery is against truth and freedom.
This Bahá’í religion is now predominating in Persia, and the Jews of Persia follow it because the Movement teaches love and respect for other beliefs, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explained that people have to love and respect other religions and beliefs. All are worshiping God in their own way no matter by what Name—Jews, Buddhist, Muḥammadan, Christian, and others. The main thing is to live a life of righteousness, love and good deeds.
