Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-01
PURlM'S MIRTHFULFEAST
A JOYOUS DAYINTHE HEBREW
RELIGIOUS CALENDAR.

6AA0AOAO &1AAAA4~N AC-AANs
How 1t Will Be Celebrated in Savannah
Services in the SynagOgues, Mask ers
ON the Streets and the Grand Purim
BAH Tomorrow NiGht-History of the
Festival and What it Commentaries.
Last night, the 14th Of the Jewish month
Adar, the Israelites, of this city and
throughout the world ushered in the
festival of Purim amidst the usual re-
joicings and pleasures. The first obserY-
ance of the feast dates from the year of
the world 3404, in the reign of Ahasuerus,
King of Persia. 1t is intended TO cele-
brate the overthrow of the designs of Ha-
man, the Amalekite, against the Jews,
and takes its name from the Hebrew word
"Purim," signifying ''l0ts,' abiding to
the manner in which Hannah sought to
find out the most propItious time for the
total destruction Of his enemies. Through
chain of circumstances wrought by
providential means. Esther, the Jewess,
and Mordecai, her adopted father,
both gained the favor of the
King. whose rage at the discovery of the
plot of Hannah against the people of his
taVOrite wife secured the execution of
the culpTit and his sons, and was the
means OF obtaining for the Jews permits
sion to defend themselves against the
attacks of those who might seek their
lives. Services are held in the synagOgues
on this festival, appropriate prayers be-
ing offered up, the whole concluding with
a rehearsal Of the Book of Esther.
CUSTOMS OF THE DAY.
After the religious duties have been at
tended to hearts are made glad by eX-
change of gifts. The poor are literally
remembered, and in the words of Scrip
ture, "For the Jews. there was light,
with JOY, and gladness, and honor"
The day is altogether joyous in its char
acter, devoted to household pleasures, So
cial visits and interchange of gifts among
friends. The most significant feature of
the festival, however, finds expression in
the custom of distributing charity among
the poor and carrying the JOY of Purim
into the homes of the needy, and there is
no family whose straitened circumstances
are known that is not remembered and
made to rejoice In common with the rich
in the Feast of Mordecai and Esther.
Throughout the world special col
lectlons are made in aid of
the "Alliance Israelte Univer-
selle,'' whose object is the improvement
of the condition Of the INDECENT, and the
emancipation and cultivation OF the Israe-
lites who are oppressed by the weight of eX-
ceptiOnal legislation in foreign countries.
In former years it was the custom to keep
"opeu house" for the entertainment of
merry maskers who went from home to
home, but the practice having been abused
by outsiders it is now nearly abandoned.
In all the large cities, however, the cele-
brated Purim mask balls are given, and
the large receipts received therefrOm are
devoted to charitable and educational OBJ
jects. The services at the synagogue t.
day, conducted by Rev. l. 2. Mendes, will
be of an extremely interesting character.
THE GRAND BALL.
The celebration in Savannah will in
clude, besides the services at the syna-
gOgues. the grand Purim ball by the
Youths Historical Society at Masonic
Temple tomorrow night. The arrange
ments which have been made point to one
of the most brilliant events that have ever
taken place in Savannah.
The grand march will begin promptly
at . o'clock and the sig
nal for unmasking given at
1880 O'Clock. Prizes viii be given to the
most original lady and gentleman char
acters, to be decided by judges to be ap-
pointed during the evening. The supper
is in charge of MIR. HODGES, of the Savan-
nah, Florida and Western Railway res
taurant, and a rich treat is promised.
A good dealt is also being done in charit-
able way for the poor and needy. 1t will
thus be seen that the main object of all
the Purim festivities is the cultivation of
brOtherly friendship and charity between
the rich and poor. In fact, a benevolent
feature attaches to all Jewish festivals.
Assem- bling for worship or for social and
festive JOY they are taught to remember
that "the rich and the poor meet together;
that the Lord is the maker of them ALL