The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-12
THE JEWISH PASSOVER.

Customs and Ceremonies of the Hebrew
Lent-Its Observance i'm This CITY.
One OF the most ancient OF festivals celebrated by
any portion OF mankind is that the commemora
ton OF which will be begun by our Jewish citizens
this evening-the Passover. This event has many
stirring and pathetic associations, and not least
among them is that OF its celebration by Jesus OF
Nazareth and His disciples on the solemn evening
when the treacherous soul OF Judas Iscariot was
uncovered. This viii always lend to it an indie
scrbably touching and tender sadness in the
thoughts Of Christians, who indeed, observe the
festival at different date. But in jewish
households this is always gladstone season.
IL was marked out by the Prophet Moses
in commemoration Of the favor shown the Israel
ties by the Lord Of Hosts when He shielded their
first-born from the general slaughter that was in
1icted by Pharoah Immediately preceding their
exodus from Egypt. The derivation OF the word
passover is variously explained. Ii, however,
Is clearly traced TO the Hebrew word pgsdb, to
leap over or pass by ana hence the festival is
called by the Jews pesdb.
THE ORIGINAL OBSERVANCE OF TIE FESTIVAL
was performed by the sacrifice OF passover or
paschal lambs, on the fourteenth day OF the first
Hebrew month OF Spring, called Nissan. The cere-
monies are fully described in the twelfth chapter
OF the second book OF Noses The warm blood OF
the freshly slain lamb was sprinkled prousey
upon the door-post OF the dwelling in which
the sacrifice was made.i The flesh was then pre-
pared with bitter herbs, and was TO be eaten only
with uneavened bread on the following night and
no eaven was eaten for week afterwards. The
rule also was that the meal should De hasty one,
for ii the Passover oil the Lord, and the Scrip
lures state that on this night the Lord would pass
through the land OF Egypt, STAY the frst-born OF
the Egyptians, but spare the children OF the
lsraelites.
regarding the celebration or this event are now
however, not so strictly observed by all Jews as in
former times. The more liberal of them use cere-
monies OF much simpler character than the
"ConfOrmists," and have long ceased the use of
those which are the more difficult to fulfill. The
latter do not touch leaven during the interdicted
period, and substitute for it kind OF cracker
called Matzoth, which is made only OF flour
and water. They are manufactured largely in this
city at this season. and other parts OF the country
are supplied by the Jewish bakers here. About iour
thogsan9 barrels OF this food are consumed yearly
The closing ceremonies Of the Passover are very
peculiar and interesting. After the services at the
in other services during which the ritual pray
ers and hymns are sung. The family then sit at the
board. On this evening they endeavor to go back
mentally $500 years. and to picture in their minds
the
MIRACULOUS EVENTS
which occurred, and by which their forefathers
were delivered from bondage. The table is deco
rated in peculiar manner which is provided for
IN the service. 1t is covered with new or clean
white cloth III the usual manner, and three plates
are placed on it, In enc OF these plates three
matzoth are placed as memorial OF their iIee-
and the shank-bone OF the shoulder OF lamb and an
egg, both roasted on Goals, representative of the
Lords Passover, are laid upon it; the third dish
contains mixture formed OF raisins, almonds,
Igs, apples, &c, chopped up into compound
representing mortar. Besides these there is
cup OF vinegar or salt water, In which there are
some horse-radlsh tops or parsley, symbocal
OF the bitter herbs. When the table is set
the whole family and the Jewish domestlcs
sit around the table. 1t being customary to allow
even the most mental servant of the Hebrew
faith to sit at the table during the ceremonial; in
stead, however, OF sitting upright, each one leans
with one arm on the table, and continues to do so
during the service. glass or cup OF wine, COM
Inemorative OF the four expressions made use of
on their redemption from Egypt is placed before
pected TO drink four glasses OF wine The service
is then recied by the head OF the family; the beau
thu Biblical story Of the deliverance OF the chill
dren oil Israel out OF the land OF Egypt and out OF
the house OF bondage is told, the for eat
Ing the bitter herb, the pascha lamb, and the I'M
leayened cakes are chanted; the Hallel Is then
said and prayers and hymns close the services
IL usually takes two hours. from seven until nine
O'Clock, to complete the services. The portion OF
the Jewish community known as the Reformers
celebrate seven days as the festival, and observe
the first and last days only holidays, and the
ceremony prescribed for the first and second
nights OF the festival, and known the Sdar has
been allowed TO fall into disuse among them.
AS the number Of Jews In New York Is very large
and rapidly increasing, IL Is not Improbable that
the observance OF Passover thus year will be much
more brilliant than ever before. Crowds will
tlrong the various synagogues, and the services
viii he well worth attending, even to the non
believer.