The New York herald., 1875-09-26
ROSH HASHANAH.
THE JEWISH NEW YEAR-TTs ORIGIN ANI
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES BY REV. 8. M

THE JEWISH NEW YEAR-ITs ORIGIN AND
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES BY REV. 8. M
IsAAcs.
Next Wednesday evening, the seventh month in the
Jewish ecclesiastical year QishrD, will begin a new
year $3.50 since the creation, according Jewish
chronology. On that evening and the following day
the shoer cornet will be sounded in tho synagogues
to proclaim solemn assembly to tho Lord and to call
the people to repentance and examination
of themselves, in view of the Day Of Atonement
that is to follow. Two days are generally observed
by the orthodox Jews to commemorate this event.
The first day. originally Instituted a day of alarm
sound and remembrance, has been gradually invested
with the character Of the beginning of the year.
the day from which tradition dates the creation of man
On that day the of devotion rises higher than on
any other throughout the year; is the link 1t
were, which combines the past with the present
and future, the tolls sufferngs and joys of the period
closed with the hope and fear the expectation and
Of the coming Not of the vast multitude who
shall gather in the synagogues that day but
call incident TO pain, and feel how much
dependent the great God OF Israel who does all
things for good and wise purpose. The clarion
notes of the "Shofer," reminding all Of repentance
herads the approach of time for general conrition
'Forgive, If ye would be forgiven"
ORIGIN FESTIVAL
The authority for commemorating this day and oc-
cason is found in Levitt xxxii a. and other scattered
passages of Scripture Its annual coming has tempo
rary influence for good Jewish minds but when the
holidays are over season of mirth and revery ensues
and the good impressions made by this memorial season
disappear like the wasted fabric OF a dream Happy'
says the Je,Cish Messenger commenting on this subject
happy those Iraeites who the morning of the New
Year. will resolve to lead better life to determine
to look at the Decaogue adorning their religious
shrnes not as an ornament connected with the edi-
1ce but as monition to them to observe the words
written with the finger OF God" But happier they
who shall put such resolves and determinations into
daily practice. Yesterday, being the last Jewish Sab
bath of the old year 5635, the Rev. s. NJ Isaacs dev-
cred what he called valedicory the declining year
He took his text very appropriately from Psalm
xL, 9:-"Our years are consumed as tale
that is told" Experience, he said, teaches
this fact had not the inspired writer
penned 1t at ALL We closing the year. and nothing
is left Of 1t but its troubles and sorrrws as memorial
Let US trace in minds the results of the past and
take look at accomplished facts The sprngtme has
come and gone; tho summer, too, with its fruits and
flowers has passed away, and the autumn is here
and winter is not far away. We are year older; but
are we year betterY Let remember how
we have employed the year now closing. All
things around US have fulfilled their appointed
task. The sun and the moon have lighted the earth,
and the earth has performed her annual around
the great lumnary; fields and gardens have given
their fruits and flowers but we-what have we done2
Three hundred and sixty five times during the year we
have had the opportunity to do good or evil. Which
have we done2 Have we served God as we have
served ourseves9 allowed the days to pass
away as tale that is todp Have taught the law Of
God ought2 Have remembered that this law
is our light and our salvation Have we sown in our
pathway tears smiles2
HOW MANY HAVE WE RESCUED
from lives OF abominaon and vice9 Have we dis
charged our duty to the young committed to carer
Have taught them to be good and to shun vice. and
avoid evil associates, ana TO obey their Heavenly
FatherY Would to heaven that could answer these
questions satisfactorily then should be enabled to
say to the old year, Blessed art thou ut thy depart
ure. Our children have right to ask and to
expect us to teach them the law of our
God, and If have failed in this our
years are as a tale that is told. This occa-
sion appeals to every Jew and Jewess and In tho
words OF Moses all Of them stand before the Lord our
God alive and happy to-day. Some among us may be
full OF fashionable life that they adopt such
measures we do and, alas how many there are
who forget that they mortal and who try to Danish
all ideas Of religion from their mndsl But let who
here give better tone to our feelings
This has been year Of trial TO many CONNER
oialy. IL has shown how frail Is the structure on
which our hopes built. Every head s SICK and
every heart faint and sorrowfu Socially IL has proved
that have lived too extravaganty and the year has
taught us that we ought to be prepared for tho better
the worse Religously IL has been year for null
ing down the stronghods of faith Mr. Isaacs here
referred indirectly to the movement toward reform in
the Thrty-fourt street synagogue (which edince was
crowded with worshppers yesterday and added his
own people, that while others were violating
Jewish law and custom by introducing organs
female singers, family pews, &C, they should
their religion He regretted however that they we're
ma M Drompt their niaeea ON Friday evaninua