Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-03-28


THE JEWISH PAssovER.-The Christian public will
doubtless notice, says the Augusta Constiadionalis
that the Jews have commenced the observance Of
one Of their most interesting and venerated regi.
GUS rites. As every event or incident connected
with the history and religion of the Jews is, mora
or less, matter of concern 20 intelligent and tole>
rant mir !; take occasion to refer to the ceremo-
mics at lsent progressing among this people.
The wish Passover commenced on the night of
the 18th inst At of that day. all lavened food
removed from the houses of Israelites, and ths
use of such food, for the succeeding eight days is
strictly prohibited, The Passover commentaries
the exodus OF the Jewish nation from the land Of
Egypt and its deliverance from bondage of exceed
ing four hundred years.
The head Of each family conducts the prayers
and ceremonies of the first two nights, Zone only
we believe, is celebrated by the Portuguese Jews,)
which are highly interesting and consist of prayers
chAunts. and a full narration Of the bondage of
their forefathers their delverance and exodus from
Egypt.
Upon the table (which is spread with great lux
ury,) is placed a roasted blade bone of lamb, to
represent the Paschal Lamb, dish of bitter her bs
and thick paste made OF almonds and fgs-the
former, to remind them of the bitter sufferings,
and the latter, the straw and mortar which their
ancestors used 10 making bricks for their exacting
task masters.
The unleaVened bread is to commemorate the
hasy exodus of their forefsthers agreeahly to the
twelfth chapter and thirty-ninth verse of Exodus
And when they baked unleevened cakes of the
dough which they brought forth, out Of Egypt, for
it was not leavened because they were thrust out
II IL. A.
prepared themselves any victuals."
The Passover is observed by all Israelites where
soever they may be. 1t matters not how all
other festivals asts with the exception of the
Day Of 4tonement,) may be differently kept or
wholly neglected, this Holiday does not pass I'M
observed, or uncommemorated. 1t is one Of the
strongest and most enduring landmarks, in the re-
Igious obseryances of that people and link which
binds the most Indifferent to those great eyents
which they regard as having the Impress of their
crsstoF.
IL not only calls Up tae shadows of centuries to
that remote period when "there arose new King
over Egypt that knew not JOsEPH," hut each nere-
mony, every prayer, calls forth incidents which
moisten the shrivelled cheek and thrills the sged
heart scared by time, by change, and by sorrow;
the mystic shadows of childhood hover around
the aged head Of the household, and the self same
prayers chants and ceremonies over which his
father had presided many years since-the self.
ssma lessons which his father had taught him, aG
e chle, on this anniversary-have devolved on
him; saS he. BitE trembling voice end mOistened
eve, inculcates to his cilS or children, to be by
them, in years to come, given as an heirloom TO
their progeny.
Such are the feelings which every Jewish father
Ssssss 3SLoa celebrating the Passover, MHenOe its
importance 70, &as the enduring impression it
makes on, the heart of the yoGnS.
We have thus briefly referred to tEs obser>
yances of the Jewish Passover, in order to in-
form thcss Ybo are not aware of the origin Of
she ceremonies, rs val as TO record recurring
saS passing events and theiF attending incidents.
dRsGF ExeIFEKuSF.-Fhat Gne stock Of Chinrv
Jswslry and Fancy Goods at 7. D. MeRTON's, No.
q College street. opposite seEsnee House. is being
rspIdly given away. Call around, ell Who want
the Hrst choice, and get double the worth Of your