The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-29
JEWISH pArRIorrsm AWAKENED.
Commemorative the Deeds OF Heroic Anees-
tors BIZ Tnhleaus nnd Meditation.


The stylish and wealthy Jews Of New
York were represented in the Terrace Garden
Opera House last evening by en- audience that
filed every seat and overnowed at the doors.
The festival Of Chamecka. commemorative Of
tho triumphs OF the Hebrews under the Macca-
bees over their Syrian oppressors. never received
such celebration hero before. "Judea De-
lvcred." composition consisting partly OF
tableaus and partly Of recitation and music.
and arranged under the supervision OF DIR.
Gotthei. the rabbi Of the Tomple Emmanuel.
was presented on the stage in aRorReous style.
that pleased tho fancies Of the enthusiastic
spectators immensely.
Tho performance started OF with the overture
to Handel's Judas Maccabaeus." This was
followed by an explanatory address delivered
by Mr.. j. j. Frnnk. young lawyer. in which
the historical situation at the time OF the Mac
cabaean revolt was set forth. The Syrian
monarch. Antiochus Epiphanes. had subdued
Judea and annexed II to his dominlons.
This was about 10 b. @. In tho endeavor
to suppress tho religion OF the conquered
Hebrews. and introduce that OF the Greeks he
perpetrated many acts Of cruelty. and punished
a futile insurrection in Jerusalem by massa-
creing 10000 Of its inhabitants. without regard
TO age or sex. and plundoring the sacred tenn
pie. Religious worship was then pro-
hibited. except according to the hea-
then rites; the ohservancee peculiar to
the jewish religion were Iorbidded; the
people were obliged to eat food which their law
declared to be uncean; they were compelled 10
deseorate the Sabbath their Temple was dedi-
Gated to Jupiter Olymnus and on its altar the
flesh OF swine WAS offered In sacrifice TO the
Greek god the ancient national festivals disnp-
peared beforc the Bacchannlia and kindred fes-
tivals. All the efforts Of which rein" cruelty
was capable, and which mighty desvot could
exert were brought to bear to compel the adop-
tion oi polytheism by Q people who had for
centuries cherished n belief in the unity OF God.
Disobedience 70 the royal edicts was punished
mnssacred. and JudPa was filled with woe.
At this luncture In tho little village OF Modin.
Mattathias. an aged priest. undertook to resist
commanded bv Antiochus. Seeing a traitorous
Jew one day offer sacrifices 10 statue OF Jupi-
under whose directions tho man WINS acting
Then Mattnthias and his five sons fled TO the
mountain Businesses and raised the standard
of revolt. After many hnrdships and heroic
sacrifices. they succeeded in overthrowlnR their
Syrian oppressor.
the first tableau. " The Country in Mourning"
The Jews, In the dress Of TINT period were
seen kneeling in prayer and abasement. That
was followed by the recitation OF an original
poem by the authoress in the dress OF an an
cient, Jewess The poem told the story
her seven young sons slain before her eyes.
rather than acknowledge the Syrian gods.
The tAbleaux thnt followed were: "The Chal-
lenge." The Alarm" Death Of Mattathias. ,,
Triumph" ;" and Dedication Of the Temple"
They represented the career of Mattathias and
his sons. beginning with their onslaught upon
tho worshippsrs before the Greek god In their
native village and ending with the restoration
fthe temple to the true worship by the surviv-
ing victors.
Tie tableau representing a section OF Solo
mons Temple was greeted with great applause.
The sacrincial fires were burning on the altar,
the seven lighted candlestick WINS burning, and
the high priest and his assistants were In their
ancient sacred vestments. Handel's triumphant
music then burst forth. and the audience might
for the moment have dreamed itself transported
to its ancestral capital.
There were come very pretty girllsh faces on
tho stage. taking part in the tableaux: the
ancient Jewish warriors, priests. and women
were well personated. and the unique perform
anco was. IA n whole. highly successful. Many
non-Jews witnessed il. II was followed at IL
o'clock by dancing.