The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-04-07

The feast of Pesah or Passover (Numb. XVIII
l6) commenced Yesterday evening, the l4tt
day of Nissan, corresponding this year VIII
April G. On the Cay preceding the feast OF the
Passover, i. e. yesterday. all the first born last
in commemoration of the de!iverance OF the
first born of the Israelites when God smote al
the first born of the Egyptians. The JeWlsh
ladies are proverbial for their cleanliness IL
housekeeping, and whether IL Is needed OF hot
on all festivals the houses are cleansed anu
vhitewashed from cellar to attic, but on tnis
festival the most scrupulous attention Is paio to
the cleansing of everything, not alone In the
dwelling house, but i'll the kitchen also ) the
day before Passover commences, every uEensll
in which foods prepared OF from when IL Is
eaten is laid aside and others put in their pla'
ees this law is imperative and generally coz
scientiously observed. This rule applies to the
utensils in the kitchen and also in the dining
room that come in contact with the food which
is prepared at other times.
On the first and second nights OF the feas'
the history of the Jewish captivity and thelr
proyidential and miraculous delivery from
Egyptian bondage is recited in every jewish
house to every member of the family slttins
around the festive board.
To-day and tomorrow and Monday anu
Tuesday next are observed sacred. Inc iour
intermediate DAYS are only half holidays, anu
permit of the doing of secular work.
The eating OF Mazoth, or unleavened Bread
is strictly observed by all Israelites' wnetner
old or Young, rich or poor, and so necessary Is
il considered that every family of Israehtes
should have full supply, that it is bounthully
distributed to those families who are TOO poor
to nav for it. Taspreparation for it is as fol-
lows: Before going to the Synagogue IN the
evening, the table is decorated with large
plate containing the 'Matzas," or unleaVeneo
bread. covered with beautiful cloth. Upon
the cloth are placed piece Of lamb, in memo
~ of the Paschal lamb; an egg, for the offer
ing in honor Of the festival; cup, with grated
horse-radish and bitter herbs, and cup OF
vinegar or salt water, to commemorate the
lives of their ancestors, made bitter; and last-
". q cup containing mixture OF apples' al
monds and cinnamon, termed chrosis, inmem-
ory of the brick and mortar. On returning
home from the Synagogue the whole family
take a seat around the table. The master
of the house having filed the "Arbah
Kanses" with wine, presents one to every one
.of the company and then chants the Alusn'
or ssuctifcation; at the conclusion OF which
every one drinks the cup Of wine. During the
ceremonies four cups are drank-"Arbah Ken
ses" sguifyine: the four expressions used by
the Lord when he renewed the promise OF re-
deeming the children of Israel from bondage.
When the cups are filed for the second time,
one Of the Youngest of the family is made to in
ouire in q certain form lla the reason OF this
nights being in 80 many respects different trom
others, &C., upon whic -Lrise and Lift up the
plate with matzas, saying: "This is the poor
bread which our fathers ate; and they then give
the history of their ancestors from the time wnen
Abraham was called away from the idolatrous
worship of his kinsmen to the time OF redemp-
ton of the Isrs.elites by Moses, intermlngled
with prayers OF promise and gratitude. This
part concluded, the second cup is drunk; after
which the hands are washed, and then they cut
a piece Of matzas, with some bitter herbs, &c
Supper is served, and after grace is said, the
third cup is 6runk. Then follows the chant
ing Of Psalms 1918, called the Hauel. Those
are followed by the singing of hymns. Every
one now raises his cup, and joins in solemnly
uttering the following sentence 'The coming
wear we hope 10 be in Jerusalem" After this
they drink tho last cup, and finish the service
and ceremony by singing beautiful songs and
sllegories.
On the second day Of Passover, the 18th Of
Nissan, commenced the counting OF the Omar
for seven weeks. (See Leviticus, 11iii.)