The New York herald., 1871-09-24

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| Tho Hebrew Day Of Atonement-T Long
Fast-Services In the Synag0gucs-Institu-
tios or the Festival.
The two greatest festivals OF Israel are the New Year
and the Day OF Atonement-Rosh Hashana and YOm
Hakippurim. The former has passed and the latter
casts It's shadows before tomorrow evening Will
present itself with imperial grandeur TO the mind Of
every true and faithful lsraelte. The two festivals
and the ten days interv enlng are known In Hebrew
literature as Yemai Hanovaim-the awful days
when every Israelite is presumed TO feel himself
drawn nearer than ever to the great Source Of ife
the creator and King OF Israel. feeling OF ceep
humility Is supposed to take possession OF their
souls, and In utter unworthiness
THEY BOW BEFORE THE JUDGE
OF oil the earth. acknowledging their failings and
shortcomings and pleading for His mercy. During
those days the lsrselites presumed to and they
90 try to keep Is retired from the world possible
and spend their time In reading and meditation ana
prayer. And then the better to ht them for the
solemn services and feelings Of this Day OF Atone.
ment they seek to heal any differences that may
possibly exist between them as brethren. The pro-
gresslve or as 1t Is termed by some, the materials
TIC tendencies OF the age have diverted the minds
OF the rising generations OF Hebrews especially In
this country from the pure and spiritual idea with
which this festival was originally associated. And
though out or pure respect for the day and lIs
sublime inspirations and conceptions they visit
the synagogucs ana repeat the form OF prayers ap-
prOpated FOR the occasion, they have very little In
terest In IL otherwise. Tshubah T'feia and Tsdu-
kan are the three great words which give direction
on this Day Of AtOnemenL And
REPBNTANCY PRAYER AND RIGHTEOUSNESS
several RaDbis instruct their congregations on this
day.
1-l1
While the lsraeites IN their own land worshIpped
before Gods affairs In the Temple at Jerusalem the
service was exceedingly solemn; for only on this
day in the whole year did the high priest presume
to enter into the hottest Of all. or the inner
tween the Cherubims. And then only Of all
tne days IN the year might he name that, to every
jehovah. According tradition this very period Of
time long before the giving Of the law from Sinai,
was pardoned on this day. Abraham entered into
the covenant Of circumcision on this day, and
ing the law, assembled the mount, and his second
forty days. fast expired with this day, which also
the Lord pardoned His people and revealed His thr
tnis, to him. most important day with mingled feel.
ings Of awe and gratitude The eve is allotted to
hours fast and continued prayers commence.
THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE FAST
pae1 far heter wara IL WCM @ N e ehe Is
evening TOR parents to bestow their benedlcti0n on
their children, and the truly pious Jew prononnces
OF MS dying moments. WhosOever meet on this
day, be they previously acquainted or complete
strangers, salute each other with brOtherlY love
and sincerity and to solicit each others pardon lest
Dv any means and al any time, uncOnsciously even.
tney may have offended. This custom Il observed
also between The most intimate friends.
The law which ordained the observance of the
day likewise commands The Jew to affict his soul,
and this afctng, according to tradition, consists In
sustaining from eating, drinking, bathing per-
tuning. wearing shoes and the like And as the
same law also declares tins to be "a statute for
unto all their generations throughout all their dwell
lngs It's observance most strict BY every one who
THE MORAL INFLUENCE OF SUCH DAY
Is more easily appreciated than described. day
when rich and poor, penetrated alike with the
ttment OF their utter unw0rthiness, bow In the dust
before the Omniscient Judge OF ali; when the wise
man considers not his wisdom as shield, nor the
wealthy his large possessions but all, with one
for themselves and for the stranger that NAV be
among them. There can be no doubt that the feel.
ings OF equality and brOtheriy love which prevail
among any other people are fossered p and FeneWed
by the Observances and services OF thia day, which,
more sternly than sermons, however eloquent, re-
IS the Common lot Of ALL and that tn future % state c Of
bliss which n0rnng but obedience TO God and BROTH
erly love can secure.
on Sunday evening many Of the faithful Will be
garbed In white habllments type OF the dress
worn by the high priest In the days OF old, and
which habiments are also intended to be their
shr0uds when called TO depart from earth. In olden
times those white robes were much more generally
worn than they now are because the people are less
orthodox and have taken greater dislike TO this
perpetual reminder OF the grave. The services in
Thirty.fourth street synagogue will be ushered in
by q sermon BY DR. Vidaver, and on the afternoon
OF the following day Mr. Isaacs VIII preach In his
synagogue In FOrtyfourth street. The services In
the Temple In Fifth avenue will also be very solemn
ana Imposing and sermons will be delivered by the
raDbis at different hours. The day will be gener-
ally observed by Hebrews throughout the city.