The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-30
THE FALL OF JERUSALEM.
0REfT AND SAD EVENT IN THE
HISTORY OF THEJEWS.


A GREAT AND SAD EVENT IN THE
HISTORY OFTHEJEWS.
An Ancient TRAGEDY that will To-Day he Com-
memorntcd Over the Whole WorId-Whss
Jewish Papers Have to say About IL.
To-day is the eighteen hundred and sixth
anniversary OF the fall OF Jerusalum which was
captured by the Romans under Titus 10 the year
10 Of the Christian era, after four years siege.
at the close Of which 1t was completely Destroy
ed and nearly all its people put to the sword.
The Jews have always mourned over this great
calamity, which resulted In the breaking up OF
their nationality and their dispersion all over
the globe. Its commemoration, accompanied
by fasting and prayer, was commenced at dark
last night by the Jews Of this city and Of every
part of this country, and In all the countries OF
the world, and will be continued Till dark to-
night Mournful services arc held I'm their places
OF worship
THE NINTH OF AB.
From me Independeni He6rtto, Ne,o York
The faithful Of Israel will assemble in their
places OF worship. aud with PRAYER and fasting
commemorate the anniversary Of the downfall
Of Hebrew Independence. 1t may Justly be
asked why this national mourning In these
bright days Of PROSPERITY and liberty for Israeli
Is sure to be addressed, tactly il not t aSdbiy 70
all conservative OF Hebrew customs. To wbat
END end keep alive the history Of monrnfSl days TO
what purpose Derpetuate by self-inhction the
sorrows OF times that are happily gone2
Apart from the eraiincation felt in rocallins
ones past, whether Of we u or OF woe, n gratih-
cation felt surely by every one. and a sentiment
which Is at the bottom OF all true patriotism. we
Hebrews are taught especial lesson by this fast
Of Iishnga Beab.
Il is lesson OF bitter correction Of faults that
stained our ancestors fair fame but at the same
time a lesson OF Justice ana confidence. Jeru-
salem's sad fate. Judah's mourniul captivity
and UNPARALLELED DISPERSION, were the results OF
her own deep crime and traDsgresson, but 40
the same time a fulnlment OF prophecy Tie
former we mourn; by our fasting we show peni-
tence and shame for Israels ingratitude, and
pray for strength to be kept from similar error.
But the certainty Of prophecy Affords us at the
same time glorious hope Just as surely as those
dark days OF Tamuz and Alb were foresoen aud
foretod by Gods inspiration In the mouths Of
the prophets, so surely shall other great predio-
lions come TO pass.
From ne JectA Messenger.
The fast commemorative Of the destruction
OF Israers fair city, and In memory 81 various
other calamities which ed on the ninth
day OF the Hebrew month, An commences Il
dark OF saturday and VIII continue to be SOL
emnized by prayer and fasting until dark OF sum
DAY evening. Dark indeed, was the time when.
through the sins OF our ancestors, Israel lost
temple and nationality, and sad the reelection
that those who were In possession OF heavens
choicest boon should so far forget the gratitude
they owed to that Good Being, who had for 50
many centuries protected them &C inst all
enemies from without aud within, and VINO
vainly Imagined that He would not Withhold
HIS protection from them, nor permit the tcr-
pie which had been sanctined py prayer. ana IN
which priests ana levltes had performed IL 70
ministration. which had excited the envy nnf.
In some Instances, the admiration OF the woiid.
to be destroyed and HIS people TO be scattered
over the face OF the globe. In their s0lf-
conceit they considered thut, no matter
how they neglected their duty, OF how
| name OF One God, the temple would remiin.
Jerusalem would continue the spot tn holiness
by the words OF Sacred Writ that. when Israei
| provoked Gods anger: lie would destroy them
| from the land which He had given them for a
| possession, that they would be scattered among
the nations OF the earth, and be lett few IN
| number; although they had been exhorted ~
Isaiah. Jeremiah, and others. to renoInce iao'a-
try, and renew their allegi ince to tner God, Nst
! they remained ohdurate, determining to pursue
their ways OF evil, ana shunnlhR ne Deter PAIN
| Their crimes evoked the DIVINE punishment,
aud Titus carried roun mt into ca tvty, de-
| struying their towns and strOns holds, and burn
ing the holy temple on the 9th day OF Alb, OK
actly the same day on which the first had been
destroyed and since that period we, ~ Jews,
| have lost our existence a. nation.
| such Is our condition now. We are scattered
arises, will IL always continue so, or will the time
| arrive when Israel will once more return to the
| promised land?
from the Rbreo Rsuiew.
Every nation records In its annals seasons OF
great public calamity and suffering, times wheo
the scourge Of afctiou weighed heavily on the
land, and days when the DIVINE justice exactod
the penalty OF crime and misconduct. Hut
these unfortunate events live but ia histor, /,
the generation by whom they are witnessed
gone; but their children, and still more Their
grand dren have no sense OF sunerings which
they themselves have not experienced. tiOu-
al pride fOrDids to keep alive the recollection Ok
national humiliation; while the anniversaries
glorious victories, and other hapoy events, 70
| celebrated with Joyous pOmp; while vanity dos
li-hts In the splendid com nemoration OF events
which bear testimony to a nations prOwess and
success, no attention Is paid to the anniversary
OF a humiliating defeat. No one thinks Of cons
memorating events which wound the pride and
humble the vanity OF an entire people.
such Is generallythe case with every nation.
The only exception to the rule Is formed 10y the
Jews, Singular In all things distingut he'd from
those among whom they dwell by their religious
tenets and observances, thew alone perpetuats
volying year, mourn their defeat and the loss Of
tseir national independence, as ferveutly and as
sincerely the survivors Of that dreadful catas-
trophe-who had endured all the horrors Of wal
, % famine which preceded the destruction OF
Jerusa,,.n. and all the sunerings OF slavery ~
when that lamenrru,, event was followed
could possibly have done
should the reason be asked, why the jews
alone keep alive the memory Of events which
must be Illuminating TO their nstiunal pride
why they renew the painful and dehasing recol'
lection OF their defeat and subJugation-
they are not "a listed, like other nations, with
consisnng tho narrowing tale Of their disaster
10 the guardianship OF history, tut mark the
anniversary OF such fatal occurrences In IA man.
ner which must renew the impression ON Lhs
minds Of every succeeding generation should
these questions be asked, we answer, " The reaf
son Is founded on the particular character and
situation OF The Jewish people"