The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-04-09
Interesting Jewish Ceremony.


Tho laws of Moses which governed in the old
Jewish disrensation, and arc comprised in tho PEN
tateIch, or first i've books of tho Old Testament,
preserved by the Jews with the utmost care and
solictude, and are used in their synagogues in a
shape which subjects them to much expense and u
watchful vigilance. They all written out on
parchment, and are preserved in the oriental form of
u scroll, precisely ESQ the Rabbis clain) they were
more than 1000 years ago, if not even $500 years
ago. They are written in Hebrew, and tho most
extraordinary is taken that they perfectly
correct. Every line and word and letter Of the whole
Mosaic Law, as written out upon these sacred
Icohs, is enumerated, in every case, so that no
mistake in the way of diminishment, addition, or
Interpolation, can very well escape the Jealous and
searching scrutiny to which they subjected
and if any such mistake is detected tho entire parch-
ment, however valuable it may be, is destroyed.
This Law is tho corner stene oftho Jewish faith and
wecannot but admire the zeal and pains they splay
in guarding it from all accident 1t is customary
for each synagogue to possess three Of these scrolls,
which are deposited in the Ark, and used by the
Rabhs in conducting worship. Tho Herkimer-st.
Synagogue recently published new scroll, thcy
having but two, and yesterday, tho middle day Of
the groat Jewish festival Of the Passover select
deposit i'll the Ark. Having received invitation
to he present, we attended, and much interest
ed by the Ito us) novel ceremonial which took place.
Tie Synagogue was very beautifully adorned with
eyergreets and vases and festoons Of flowers, tho
shutters closed, the gas was lighted, and it
WAS filed to its utmost capacity Tho thus
presented was quito an impressive The galleries
were appropriated to females and tho body Of tho
house was filled with males, all of whom, including
those who oicsteda at the altar remained with their
Undiscovered. Thsprocesson assembled at o'clock,
in the trustee room and ut 10 clock, with band Of
music, proceeded to tho Synagogue. headed by the
leader, Rev. DIR. Raphael, of New York, arrayed
in Rabbuica robes of black silk. with broad scarf
Of white silk upon his shoulders and followed by an
officer, bearing the Scyhcr Io,uh, (new scrolD sur
mounted by the Ko!e Hakoesh, or crown Of gold and
crimson vovet, and enyslopsd in rich robe Of blue
velvet, having Hebrew letters and symbols embro-
dered upon it III silver Over these carried q
silEen canopy, embazoned with letters of gold
When the procession arrived at the door of the Sy
pagogue, he leader knocked and exclaimed:
Open yc gates and admit people that has just cause,
the guardian Of faith
The Reader, Rabbi Veist Trnub) responded from
within:
This gate bclcnsoth to the Lord tho righteous shall
enter it,
Again the Leader exclaimed:
open unto the gates Of rishteoU that may
enter within them ard thank the Lord
And the Reader responded, as tae doors slowly
opened:
praise be thankful unto linn and bless His nane.p
These quotations delivered in ohaunt not
unlike portions of the English and Catholic service
While the reader shauntng the last quotation,
the procession, with the scroll its head, entered
tho synagogue and walked up the aisle till il reach
ed THO Ark, about midway on the left where it
halted. The reader thon said:-
Blessed he. who ccleth in tho Of the Lord
bless you from the house Of the Lord.
And the Reader responded
The law which Moses commanded US, is an inheritance
to the congregation Of jacob.
The Reader chen walked to the Ark, and it was
opened, while the choir chauntcd Then tho new
scroll was banded to the Reader, who received it,
chanting portions of Scripture, assisted by tho
chor, at the close Of which the scroll was car
ried to the Readers desk, the velvet covering was
removed, and it was partially unrolled. A chapter
WAS read from it, after which it passed through
the hands Of the President and Vice President of tho
Synagogue, and was again rolled up After some
further chanting and ceremonial, the Leader ro-
ceS cd the SCROLL and placed it in the Ark which was
then closed, and velvet curtain drawn across it.
The Reader then chaunted:-
And when thea rk rested he said ascrlbe unto tho
Lord. o yc Of the mighty.
The Rev DR.. Raphael, of New York, one Of tho
mos. learned and celebrated of the Jewish Rabbs in
this country, came forward and devercda discourse
from the Prophet Malachi, which was remarkable
for its eloqucnce, interest and profound learning
The theme Of tho discourse the character of the
law OF Moses what IL had dono for tho Israelites
nld the nature Of their duty towards it, and these
points illustrated and enforced with tho ability
o. master mind and crowded with historical facts
o. the utmost interest. After the discourse, some
additional services for the days OF the Passover
closed the exercises.