Task of the Ages, a hymn by Felix Adler (1888)

Source Link: https://opensiddur.org/?p=45872

Date: 2022-07-28

Last Updated: 2022-07-29

Categories: Learning, Study, and School

Tags: 19th century C.E., 57th century A.M., children's prayers, English vernacular prayer, Ethical Humanism, hymns, universalist

Excerpt: "Task of the Ages" is a short hymn by Felix Adler, first published in The Ethical Record vol. 1, no. 1. (April 1888), sheet music pages 2-3. . . .

Content:

Contribute a translation	Source (English)
	Task of the Ages
	Task of the ages To thee our lives we give, Pledged to the highest, its servants we would live, May we be strong and true When darkness round us draws, dauntless to dare and do in that great cause.[1] Cf. the maxim of Rabbi Tarfon in the Pirkei Avot 2.16, albeit without any expression of life after death.

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“Task of the Ages” is a short hymn by Felix Adler, first published in The Ethical Record vol. 1, no. 1. (April 1888), sheet music pages 2-3.

Source(s)

 

Notes[+]

Notes

1	Cf. the maxim of Rabbi Tarfon in the Pirkei Avot 2.16, albeit without any expression of life after death.

Contributor: Aharon N. Varady (editing/transcription)

Co-authors:

• 
  Name: Aharon N. Varady (editing/transcription)
  Bio: Aharon Varady (M.A.J.Ed./JTSA Davidson) is a volunteer transcriber for the Open Siddur Project. If you find any mistakes in his transcriptions, please let him know. Shgiyot mi yavin; Ministarot naqeni שְׁגִיאוֹת מִי־יָבִין; מִנִּסְתָּרוֹת נַקֵּנִי "Who can know all one's flaws? From hidden errors, correct me" (Psalms 19:13). If you'd like to directly support his work, please consider donating via his Patreon account. (Varady also translates prayers and contributes his own original work besides serving as the primary shammes of the Open Siddur Project and its website, opensiddur.org.)
  Website: https://aharon.varady.net
  Profile Link: https://opensiddur.org/profile/aharon-varady
• 
  Name: Felix Adler
  Bio: Felix Adler (August 13, 1851 – April 24, 1933) was a German-Jewish American professor of political and social ethics, rationalist, influential lecturer on euthanasia, religious leader, and social reformer who, in 1876, founded the Ethical Culture movement. Felix Adler was the son of Rabbi Samuel Adler of Temple Emanu-El, the most prominent reform synagogue in New York City.
  Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felix_Adler_(professor)
  Profile Link: https://opensiddur.org/profile/felix-adler

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Title: “Thoughts and Prayers Don’t Save Lives, student lie-in at the White House to protest gun laws” (Lorie Shaull CC BY)
Caption: “Thoughts and Prayers Don’t Save Lives, student lie-in at the White House to protest gun laws” (credit: Lorie Shaull, license: CC BY)