The Brookhaven leader., 1886-09-30
ROSH HOSHANAH SCAT
To-Day the Je wish New Years Day
How 1t Is Observed by tie Faith
full Hebrews.

To-Day the jewish New Years Day
full Hebrews.
The Jews celebrate their New Years
Day quite unlike other natives. The
first hours of the epoch are not given mp
to bilarity nor to luxuriant enjoyment;
the evening of the sacred day is not spent
in gleeful spirit nor revel feast; but as
soon as the eventful hour is pealed forth
by the chimes of time the devout wor-
shipper, with heart full of sweet hopes,
repairs to his house of worship. There he
mingles his thoughts with those of his
coreligionist, utters songs of praise to his
Maker, and offers his innermOst senti-
ments of gratitdue to his Creator for hav-
ing preserved and guarded him during
the outgoing year, Invoking at the same
time His benignity and grace during the
ensuing year, According to their tradi-
tion New Year is the anniversary of crea-
ton
1t brings back TO their minds the sub
lime Creator of the Universe, who, by
the breath of His mouth, called the vast
globe and all its contents into existence,
They are commanded to blow the shofar
or cornet, on that day. Apart from Mo-
sale injuuctions for numerous reasons is
that symbolic instrument used. Those
mysterious sounds should awaken them
to duty. 1t creates a spirit of self exam
nation. Through its. vibrating sound.they
crst a retrospective view into the past
year, and form noble resolutions for the
future. The greatest reason for the
sounding of the cornet is that New Year
is the birthday of creation, and an old
Jewish custom was the sounding of cor
nets on coronation day. God being the
King of the creation they celebrate His
coronation by proclamations with the
shofsr, saying that He was, He is, and
He ever will be their King.
Another Talmudic tradition claims New
Year is the judgment day of God with His
people, and on that day the royal decree
is issued for all creatures. That day
marks the destiny of the whole year. A
striking and an illustrative metaphor
describes God as judge, seated on His ad-
amantine throne, holding the balance in
one hand and weighing all their good
and evil deeds of the whole year New
Year has always been observed with pro-
found solemnity by every faithful disciple
e -, lcftr oil h N
enter Jewish place of worship OH that
day; to see young and old, men and wo-
men, congregate to welcome the new
arrival. According to the Jewish chro-
nolgy the world reaches to its 5647 birth
day. Thus have the children of Gods
care prospercd, under His especial provi-
dence since the creation. Although scat
tered over the whole surface of the earth,
deprived of nativity and kingdom, al
though the gorgeous Temple Of Zion has
crumbled to dust, the sacerdotal ceremo-
MES no longer observed, everything OF
their ancient grandeur and pride dead,
yet the spirit, the self-sustaining spirit,
is still alive. The clouds of barbarism and
tyranny have rolled away, the sun of
liberty is shedding its golden rays around
their habitatiOns.
The Jew is no longer despised in lands
whose motto is tolerance because of his
adhesion to his religion. We do no
more look upon him as an outcast: nay,
we recognize and appreciate his noble
qualities.
May their new year bring them health,
wealth and prosperity, and to those I'M
fortunate ones who live yet in the land
of barbarity, may the new years rays
pierce the mist of persecution and ditfuse
liberty and unity around them.
Next Thursday will be observed as the
Day of Atonement, the most solemn in all
the Jewish year.