The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-03
THE pASCHAL FEAST.
The Passover ms a National, n Family
and an Individual FestivaI-DiscOurss
nv MIR. A. s. Isaacs.

Passover q n
and an Individual Festival-Discourss
by MI. A. s. Isaacs.
The evening and the morning constitute the
original creative day, and the evening and the
morning constitute still the Jewish ecclesiastical
day. Hence their Paschll Day, or Passover, festival
commenced on Wednesday evening at shutdown,
and yesterday it was pretty strictly observed In
all the synagogues OF the city and oil the land.
Unleavened cakes, bitter herbs-not now, however,
so bitter as those which their loretatners ate on
the memorable night when they marched triumph.
anriy Gut OF Egypt-the unfermented Juice OF the
grape and various sweets adOrn the tables o.
those who are able and willing TO keep this least
in its grandest and most significant style. Before
paraxing OF their meals 1t Is customary for every
wealthy or welto do Israelite to inquire whether
MS poor neghbor has been properly
provided for. Ana If he should not be. the
former must supply the want ere he touches that
watch his own industry has provided for himself
and family. There are not many pauper Israelites
in New York, though there are some who live, 90
to speak, 'lrom hand to mouth" All who desired
to keep this feast to the Lord have been furnished
not only with halls and places to observe the feast,
but also with the necessary for Its proper
observance. 1t is Estimated that not less than
TWENTY THOUSAND POUNDS OF PASSOVER CAKES,
eX cIusiye Of other essential food, have been this
week thus gratpitously distributed among the
most important and solemn In the Jewish calen-
dar. 1t lasts eight days, and IS observed by ortho-
dox Jews in its completeness and entirety II Is
white cloth during the festival. The officiating
priest also covers his head with his phylac terio
when he confesses the SINS OF the people and asks
divine forgiveness therefor. The music is OF Q
somewhat suDdued character also; and. SO far
II the the Service and
with degree OF suppressed Joy at the thought Of
escaping from bondage as the ancient lsraelltes
pofn hn
ever, and Immediately upon Its ending, the signs
oil rejoicing will become more marked and mani.
and the last days OF the festival and leave their
orthodox brethren to take cure OF the intervening
Yesterday the congregation 'Darech Amuno."
which for the last three or more years has wor-
shipped in the University chapel on washington
young theological student and son OF the Rev. s.
N. Isaacs, OF the Forty-iourth street synagogue.
The discourse was reasonably successful, though
the young preacher evidently felt greatly embaE
raised under the circumstances. With greater
practice in public speaking ne will doubtless, lose
much OF the style oil the scno0iboy debater which
THE MATTER OF HIS DISCOURSE
was unexceptlonably good. 1t treated OF the Pass
over festival In It's relations TO the Jewish nation,
the family and the individual. 1t was not neces.
thus festival to find illustrations OF Gods favor.
His mercy Is as rich to-day as 1t ever was II We
only had the eyes OF ain 70 see y t
festival to bring the fact more prominently before
our minds This festival comes TO US ike 5n0
thunder cloud, telling us that there 10 voice
which must be heard and must be oDeyed. AND
such festival is not merely thing OF the past.
We stand appalled, before that power winch gave
law to a nation and liberty to the oppressed.
when we look at Niagara we are awed, why NOT
much more when we look at the commentator
OF nation set lree7 1t Dehooves us as Jews TO
rise above the mere past-the ecno, meaningless
and absurd Of TO day.
The Passover Is a NATIONAL social ana family
festival ana in this threelod aspect the young
preacher expounded Its significance israel lefs
Epypt no more race OF nonads, Dut now con-
scious OF their divine mission.
WHILE THE PASSOVER EXISTS
tho Jew,sh nation cannot be SAID to be dead In
day IKE this we feel how strong IS the tie Of
nationality what care we for the rise or fall OF
nations We rise above them anu above mere
territorial bounds. And, YET, II a man wants ms
nr,de brought low let HIM step into any OF Natures
ryra.t workshops and see how God works. And
s,ae nv side with this idea OF our nsignidcanco
rnns Also the idea OF responsibility. Our
iathers had some excuse for their inhdellty, but
we nave none. 49,,
Toast mon the family. The household Is the scene
ri love wnere the loved ones 1--we and never die.
Iyen the air of cleanliness winch prevails In the
bonsehoid at this season Is refreshing, But sentl-
ment is one thing; action Is another. He there
fore urged upon his hearers the duty OF Iaith IN
and obedlence to Gods law and commandments a
strict adherence to Jewish morality, and earnest.
ness and devotion to truth and liberty.
The synagogue service was continued thereafter
until long past the midday hour. The congrega-
ton is one OF the most orthodox In the city. and
has vet refused to feel the influence of REFORM
except in so lar as TO admit English preaching
frtn ITO nj