The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-10-07
THE DAY OF ITONEMI.NT.
The Real Significance Of the Observance. that
JeMs Rersn Inst ExcnInn.

Yom Kippur the Day OF Atoncmcnt, the
most important day in the jewish calendar be-
gan at sunset yesterday and lasts until sunset
to-day. Like all the Hebrew days Of Observance.
to be understood in its full significance II should
be- viewed in the domestic circle. Atruer insight
into the spirit Of Judaism ia to be had bv the
contemplation OF such genre pictures as George
Eliot presents in " Daniel Doronda" than by
constant attendance at Hebrew places OF public
worship; for the religion Of Moses is much
more Of tho home than OF the synagogue.
AT sunset yesterday every jew and Jewcss in
New York not physically incnpactatcd was
supposed to be in some one of the twenty -cight
synagogucs in this city. Yom Kippur ia the
last link TINT binds the Indifferent jew 10 the
fnith Of his forcfathers. and though he observe
nothing else on this day. he will not absent
himself from the synagogue. Throughout tho
world. wherever the jew Is to be found to-
day he will put aside all business occupation
and give himself up wholly to prayer. fasting
and sclf-ahasemcnt. Tho ten days succeeding
the Hebrew New lear arc known as the pcni-
| tcntial days. which arc in some respects ike
those Of the Christian Lent. and aro preparatory
TO ia" awful Day Of Atonemcnt." ms IL Is called.
Yesterday afternoon tho jewish family took
Its lust meal until after sunset to-day. For
twenty four hours rigid fast is Observed tho
only one commanded hy Moses. Neither food
ordrink IL taken 10y man or woman. pNcputiuE
the sick and children under thirteen years ~
father gathered his household together. lie
embraced his wife and asked her forgiveness
furnny unutoucd for offence he may have COM
mlted against her during H." yenr. She re-
turned the embrace, aud asked for the forgive
ness Of her husband. The children kissed their
parents ANA "tch other, and promised To strive
10 hc more forbearing and considerable in the
coming yoar than they have bocu in the past.
Ihen ono after the other according To senior
ity, they r"verently bowed their heads while the
father plncrd his hands upon them and silently
ll'S~rd th'n. Iuo scene IL always a most
tUuNIluK one and there is a sol
many tear before 1t Is over.
A. then repaired to the synagogue. saying 90
oach other | wish YOU we'll over your fast d"
and they meet no more TO converse until after
sunset to-day. when they return To- their homes.
new year in the belief that their sins have been
forgiven. md that they start new with clean
record. They are solcmnly warned, however
~ the priest IN the synagogue that their fast Is
nothing, their prayers OF ahascmcnt nothing
@Iylr.s lurlng w ten days Of grace preceding
ton was in thor power for the wrongs they
nave done their ncighburs. and harbor no
Thought oi unjust proni in the future. 1t Is
customary before the fast begins to seek out
any enemy AMI offer To- forgive and forgot and
no jew darcs refus" at su "a time. forto DO 80
Won! mas worthless his own atonement.
lom kippur' is spont wholly In the syna-
gogue. Among the orthodox Jews the services
ing prayers O>taci,ii'l Inst -iN hours those II
The afternoon service NwdI'l until o'clock
he great conclilns prayer iV'" WV AZ vi TRc
Day 81 Atonomcnt IL wildly pictured hy the
preacher M III" Day of Death mi tho congrc-
CATION are impl0rri o. regard themselves A.
dying men ard women, nni a. AJAX Themselves
Mhoiher hey ara prepared 10 mcc, their God.
among Tie most orthodox Il is cu.t,r.., f'r
ih' Iruitrn's 10 pray ~ iheir shroul- So as o.
.~" n.thing of the awful suggcs iyen,-- II tho
day. Tho diving Tsraclito's dcclprniiGn Il faith
j. Hear q, Israel The Lord our God IL one
1G.od and one 92nIy" THIS IS repeated again
AMI again with impress I'VE emphasis rs tue
wn ]" ''ngr cation, alternating with the cry
~ Alona,' A." Lord 4. Is col; Adguai N IS