Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-10-12
EXCITEMENT AMONG THE JEWS.

The Police Office was yesterday crowded with
Jews. who attended to hear complaint disposed
Of, which was made against some members OF
the Jewish persuasion, for creating a riot IN the
Synagogue in Elm street, on last Saturday week,
whilst the congregation we're engaged IN divine
worship. A part Of the Jewish ceremonies con.
sis,s in the reading Of a certain portion OF the
Pentateuch. The five books Of Moses are di.
vided into fifty two parts. one OF which IS read
aloud every Saturday by person appointed Tor
the purpose. Each Of the ffty.two partsls dl
vided into eight verses. and when the first verse
is about to be read, the president Of the Syna'
sosue calls any member Of the congregation ne
pleases up to the reading desk, to whom the
reading Of the verse is particularly directed, and
on whom it is supposed the circumstance confers
some spiritual advantage, When the seconu
verse 10 about to be read. the president calls an'
other person TO listen to It, and 50 on 10 success
sion while the first six verses are read. lhe no.
nor, as it is technically named, OF being called
up to listen to the two las verses, - SOLD nJ Soc'
ton in the synagogue, and conferred on the IN
dividuals who offer the highest price II seldom
or never happens that person buys the honor
for himself, but gves'it to some other person -
On the day in question, one OF those h"nors had
been conferred on the son Of Mr.. Goslin. the
nor was disposed of, and the person about to be
called 10 listen to it, it turned out that it was
purchased for Mr.. Goslin himself Ii appears
that il is contrary to custom for father to re.
ceiye one of those honors on the same day and
after his son has received one; and when the
presitlent learnt that it had been purchased for
Mr.. Gosin, Sen, he ordered It to be set up again
and disposed Of to another person. Mr.. GOslin
resented this. and made use OF some ooserVa-
tons, which resulted in the congregation forcing
him out Of the house Amongst the persons
complained Of for taking part In the riot, was Mr..
Peter Robinson, IA Jew) who brought jewish
prayer book to the Police Office for the purpose
Of proving that the Jews who complained ct him
should not be credited on their oaths, and refer.
red to the following prayer, which il read in the
Synagogue on the day Of atcnement, in proof
Of his allegation.
An VOWS, prayers. obligations, oaths, anethe
mas, execrat,ons, fines, and assertions, which
we have vowed, sworn, devoted. or which we
may bind ourselves by. from this day OF atone.
ment unto the next ensuing day OF atonement
which may arrive in peace:-We repent OF them
all; they shall be absoIved; they shalt be null
aud void. and Of none effect, without power Or
confirmation. Our VOWS are no more vows: our
obligations shall be no longer binding; and our
oa,hs shall cease to be oaths."
Every individual Of the Jewish persuasion who
was present indignantly secuted the interpreta
ton put upon the prayer by Mr. Robinson, and
he himself was not little puzzled. A person
asked him il he took the prayer in its literal
sense himself. All the parties concerned SEEM
ed 80 much excited on the subject, that the ma.
eistrate thought it more conducive to the ends OF
Justice to postpone the hearing Of the question,
aud adjourned it for a fortnight.
.. NeU Iork Jour. Of Com.