The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1888-09-08


with prayer-books uader their arms,
and long, massive wax candles of
domestic manufacture III their hands.
1t was evident that these people were
on their way to the place o, worship,
where they We're prepared to speed the
night in prayer aud devotion. Tue
custom of illuminating the synagogue
upon such occasions with numerous
wax candles presented by the worship
ers obtains throughout Russia and Po-
land. These candles are put up in
honor and memory OF the dead, who,
according to the popular belief, dwell
among the living during "Ynm Kip
pnr" eve.
The day drew 10 its close. Evening
darkened. Not soul could be seer
or heard in the streets. All we've
gathered at the place of worship. l
awaited myself of the ops. :'''r''y and
entered the synagogue. The spectacle
Ut the numerous worsh;pers of all ages
and stations engaged in earnest and
fervent prayers, the bitter and heart
rendtng tears shed by many, especially
the women, who seemed perfectly
powerless to restrain their grief; the
grave, almost stern faces Of the grey
headed, patriarchal looking Hebrews,
who have witnessed many sad scene
and have seen many sad day in their
lives; the sight OF the little ones being
initiated by their elders into the great
mission of Israel, and being taught
their duties to God man,-all this,
as have said before, made a very
deep impression upon my mind.
The aged, venerable looking rabbi
who stood facing the alter was bitterly
lamenting over the tortures Of Rabbi
Akiba, who, according to the assertion
fthe Talnud, had heroicaliy sacrificed
his life for the sake of preserving his
faith. Three old men, with their
talises [tallithoth over their heads, at
tracted my special attention. They
We're reading aloud from their prayer
books the lines sAl chet sAechOto,lv
[shechata,u], [Forgive US, 0 God, for
such and such sin, etc.) accompany
ing each line with groans and tears. l
had scarcely directed my observation
from this scene, when another one
presented itself to my sight. Within
a short distance from the main en-
trance Of the synagogue 1 beheld a
middled-aged, pious-iooking Hebrew
Frustrated upon the floor, while anoth-
or Hebrew, armed with 4 leather strap,
administered to him thirty-nine makes
[Da0lQMthl, or lashes; this was the
punishment which he received voluE-
tarily for the sins he bad committed
during the year. This custom, how.
ever, is gradually losing ground, and
the day is not far off when it will be
come thing OF tho past.
| R,,kt oil nt 4 ~,
women in the other apartment, vino
seemed least able to suppress their tears
gave devoted attention. In solemn
sad, and impressive voice, calculated &c
engage the interest Of those present, the
chasan (singer,) accompanied by two
youngsters, uttered k01 ni0Te. This
was repeated thrice amid profound 81
llence. Whatever Aol nit1te may signify
for the more civilized Jews of this
country or those OF the Western Euro
pean continent, am scarcely able tr
, define. For the Russian or Polish Jew
however, kol ntlre means a great deal
1t means that all the oaths aud pledg
es taken during the year with imprope,
motives may be cancelled, forgiven. and
forever erased from the record of the
almighty Creator. kol nidre being
over, the rabbi is honored with the
privilege of taking out tue Holy Scrip.
ture, which, after reading a few appro
, pirate lines from it, he puts back intt
its place; say honored with the priv
lege, because many synagoeuos sell thi:
privilege at auction, and only he Sc
cures this honor who bids the highes
price for it. AS ii general thing, how
ever, the rabbi, or any other promi.
nent member Q; the synagogue, is &C
corded this honor by the congregation
Solemn hymns, impressive pray ers
and psalms, keep the worshipers in the
., synagogue till q very late hour in thu
night. Many stay in the synagogue al
, night and the whole following day
, without partaking of u crumh of brea(
or a mouthful of water.
=, The most interesting and impressive
= prayer, which, it is said, can touch ;
> lions heart and move a rock. is caliet
from its beginning Insane toAef T T-ne
/, tha,0ae toqef1. The position OF The hui
:, man being in this world, as we'll as The
, unknown fate-such as life or death
wealth or poverty, happiness or misery
that awaits US, is very touchipgly
presented in this prayer. Many d teal
:, has been shed while reading thCs
. words, and many man and woman
has been quickoned to fuller realiza
ton of mans dependence upon thu
mercy of God.
Supposed Solution Of the Rasging
RI Question.