Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1886-06-10
CONFIRMED.
Large Class of Hebrew
Youths and Maidens.
INTERESTING CEREMONIES.
The Law and the Prophets Incul'
Gated - The Principles OF
Truth and Honor.

lub Law huu thO AAVbhCeS
Gated - The Principles OF
Truth and Honor.
On Tuesday evening at the Fort'street
Synagogue the Hebrew feast of Pente-
cost was ushered in by appropriate cere-
monies, led by Rabbi E. Schneider. The
day according to the reckoning Of the
Israelites begins at sundown and ends at
shutdown. Hence the feasts and fasts
always begin the evening before as it
seems to our way Of computing time.
The day was the sixth Of the month
Swan in the year 5646 according to the
Hebrew era. The name Pentecost is
Greek, not Hebrew, and comes from the
fifty" days that have eiapses from the
Beginning Of the harvest. 1t is also the
anniversary Of the giving Of the Law, OF
Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount
Sinai.
The ceremony Of confirmation 10 per-
formed for each child Of Israel on arriv.
ing at the age Of Is years. At this time
the youth is supposed to have come to
years of discretion and to be prepared to
assume in person the responsibilities Of
life. Candidates pass rigid examination
In the laws and ceremonies Of their
religion, and henoeforth are supposed to
be adults and no longer infants in the
eve of the church. They know right
from wrong and are supposed henceforth
TO guide their feet by the light OF that
IMPORTANT knowledge. AS the feast is
= verv ancient one, and connected with
the In gathering Of the fruits of the
earth the synagogues are usually
trimmed with flowers and other products
Of the ground. The Fort street temple
yesterday was decorated very elaborate
iy and tastefully. The services began
at nine o'clock in the morning. A
special choir for the occasion was organ
lied, comprising Mrs. Beeson, Mrs.
Book, Mr.. F. B. Tanning and Mr.. j.
Lauber, with Mr.. L. Loeb as director
and oraauist. The musical programme
was. solo by Mrs. Beeson, 1.-THE Glory
Of the Lord" solo by Mrs. Book. THE
Feast of Pentecost," by Sullivan; quar-
tette, 1.-THE Holy Feast" from Loeb
and Kaiser.
The services were begun by hymn
10 which the choir was answered by the
congregation in appropriate response.
The Rabbi then standing before the ark
of the covenant said the following
prayer from the regular ritual:
'iBe praised, o Lord of the Universe.
for the priceless treasure of thy law
which Thou has given us. We stand
here before the open ark of Thy govern
ment, as humble and faithful worshipers
ct its sacred shrine. We bow before
Thee and Thy law, which is reflection
of Thy Holy Spirit, and pay homage
only to Thee, for we put not our trust
In many, nor rely on any being TO whom
divinity is asoribed; yea but alone in
Thee alone, gracious Father, do we
place our hopes. We know, o God, that
Thou art truth--that Thy law is truth,
Thy prophets are proclaimers Of truth.
and that Thy every action is founded on
love and truth. Be pleased, o Eternal,
to open our hearts to receive Thy sacred
word, that we may understand its bliss.
full ideas, and with love perform its in
functions, and as we on this day OF rest
and holiness (of our festival OF Redemp.
tion-of the giving OF the Law-of re-
joicing) send up TO Thee our prayers
from the depth of our hearts, o,
hearken unto US, and grant us whatever
will ennoble our lives. what will create
and preserve the peace and serenity OF
our souls. Amen"
This was followed by reading section
from the law as contained in the rolls of
the books Of Moses. This was followed
by reading a lesson from one Of the
Prophets. At the end of this the class,
thirteen in number, were ushered in, the
girls dressed in white appearing from
one side and the boys from the other.
Both parties met in front and stood on q
raised platform. The names Of these
youths and maidens have already ap-
peared in the HERALD. Rabbi Schneider
addressed the class at length, explaining
the meaning OF the rites in progress. and
comparing the first fruits Of the harvest
with the more precious first fruits OF the
youthful heart being offered to Jehovah.
The candidates were then catechized
a. to the faith.
Each one Of the candidates stepped
forward and recited few words express.
ing some sentiment, the last lines Of
whis 4 were repeated by the class in CON
cert.
Miss Laventhal showed in what the
truth Of Judaism is contained" and
spoke of the messiah"
Miss Meyer recited the Blossoms Of the
FIRST Eve commandments, and the EARLY
Prophets."
Miss FIeischman recited the lessons
Of tho last five commandments, aud the
Confession.
Miss Leon explained how God Ia
all-wise," and "What is free atone.
mentf"
Miss Fernsr answered the questions
"What is the providence OF God 7
"How is God . spirit'" and spoke Of the
"Later Prophets"
Miss COIN explained the doctrine Of
Repentance" and ''divine justice"
Miss Behrsndt spoke on ''the long suf
fering Of God, Gods mercy" and the
"Talmud."
Master Kalisher answered the ques
tions: "What do we know about GOO
and prophecy" and "How Is the Bible
Master Norton told 'swho was the
greatest prophet" and Into how many
olasses are duties divided?'
Master Germsin explained "by wha
means God made himself known to ls
rsel," and that lit is net enough to feal
God" MA
Master vieriek explained "What i
love of neighbour" "Why do we cal
mankind brethrsni" and "What are eul
duties to our neighborsf"
Miss Prayer answered the questions
"What is the meaning of God is Eter
pslf'n s'Why should we love eacl
otnerf'' and "wby should we love oul
nsighbors''
PRESERVATION or CERTIFICATES.
After a song by the choir Rabb
Schneider said TO the class; II now de
clare you members Of the jewish com
munity. and as q token thereof l will
present each Of you with certificate Of
confirmation, wherein you will ind
suitable motto for your life."
The certificates with their mottoei
were then presented IS follows;
Miss Marguerite Cohen: Grasp q
little and you may secure 1t; grasp toe
much and you will get nothing"
Edmund Germsin; "Thy own deed
will either commend or repell thee"
Miss F nnie Leon: "Poor Is he only
who hath no knowledge"
Miss Stella Meyer; "What thou dis
likest do not to thy neighbor."
-Wolfstein: Cast no mud into
we'll out OF which thou hast drunk"