The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-10-01

Of Israel are the New Year and the Day
Of Atonement-Roah Hashans and Yon
Hakipppurim. The former passed scnt
ten days ago, and the latter commenced
last evening. The two festivals and TIT
ten days intervening are known in He
brew literature as Yemal Hanoyain-th'
awful days, when every Israelite Is pre-
sumed to feel himself drawn nearer than
ever to the great Source Of Life, tht
Creator and King Of Israel. A feeling o.
deep humility IS supposed to take posses
sion Of their souls, and In utter mwortni
ness they bow before the Judge on lns
earth, acknowledging their fallings anu
shortcomings, and pleading Tor hs me 10y
During these days the lsraehtes ny p'e,
mmed 10 and they DO Try 70 Keep "
retired from the world as possible, ana
a an their time in. reading, med.
its,ion and prayer. And then the
better to fit them for the solemn services
and feelings Of this Day Of Atonement
they seek 10 heal any differences that may
possibly exist between them as brethren.
The progressive, or. as 1t Is termed by
some, the materialistic tendencies Of inc
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 as
sociated. And though out OF pure respect
for the day and It's sublime inspirations
and conceptions they visit the synag ogues
and repeat the form oil prayers appropri-
ated for the occasion, they have very 1T
tie interest il 1t otherwise. Tshubahl
T'ielis and T'sdukah are the three great
words which give direction to the thoughts
and the prayers Of the Jewish people on
this day OF atonement. And repentance,
prayer and righteousness or faith are the
principal topics upon which the several
rabbis instruct their congregations on
this day.
The origin and institution Of the festi.
val may be found in Leyiticus xvi, 29-
"a, and xiii, 26-32. While the Israel.
ties in their own land worshipped before
Gods affairs hi the temple at Jerusalem,
the service was exceedingly solemn; TOR
only on this day in the whole year did the
high priest presume to enter into the ho-
lest OF all, or the inner sanctuary where
the Shekinah dwclt between the cheru'
bins. And then only Of all the days in
the year might he name that, to every
Israelite, great and dreadful name Of the
Lord-Jehovah. According 10 tradition
this very period Of time, long before the
giving Of the law from Sinai, was o day
Of atonement. Adam did penance and
was pardoned on this day. Abraham en-.
tered into the covenant Of circumcision on
this day, and Moses, after he had broken
the first tables containing the law, as
cended the mount, and his second forty
days last expired with this day, on which
also the Lord pardoned His people and
revealed His thirteen attributes. The
Jew, therefore, approaches this, to him,
most important day with mingled
feelings Of awe and gratitude. The
eve 10 allotted to solemn feasting, and a,
sunset the twenty.four hours fast and con
tinued prayers commence. The prepare.
tons Of the last partake Of that solemnity
with which this life Is quilted for a better
world. Il Is customary In the evening
for parents 10 bestow their benediction or
their children, and the truly pious Jew
pronounces this blessing with the fervol
and heartfelt emphasis oil his dying mo-
ments. Whosoever meet on this day, be
they previously acquainted or complete
strangers, salute each other with brotherly
love and sincerity, and 10 solicit each
others pardon, lest BY any means and al
any time, unconsciously even, they may
have offended. The custom Is observed
also among the most intimate friends.
The law which ordained the observance
Of the day likewise commands the Jew "a
afflict his soul; and this affecting, accord
ing to tradition, consists in abstaining
from eating, drinking, bathing, pertaining
wearing shoes, and the like. And as the
law also declares this TO be statute FOL
ever unto all generations throughout all
their dwellings," its observance Is mos,
tstrict by every one who claims the name
Of Jew.
The moral influence Of such day d
more easily appreciated than described
A day when rich and poor, penetrated
alike with tho sentiment Of their uttel
worthlessness, bow in the dust before th'
Omnipo,ent Judge of all when the wist
man considers not his wisdom as shield
nor the wealthy his large possessions; bu
all, with one accord Of heart and voice
pray for pardon and mercy Tor Themselves
and for the stranger that may be among
them. There can be no doubt that the
feelings Of equality and brotherly love
that prevails among the Jews, to great
er or less degree, perhaps, than among
any other people, are iostered and renew
ed by the observances and services OF THU
day, which, more sternly than sermons
however eloquent, recall to their minds
that equality Of the tomb which Is tht
commnn lot o! all, and that future STATE
OF bliss which nothing but obedience t
God and brotherly love can secure.