The Opelousas courier., 1888-09-15
Yom Kippur Eve in Russia.
BY s. S. sKIDELSKY.

ally called Yum Kippur eve, is
strictly observed by all the Jews
-orthodox as we'll as reformed
Throughout the world. Both
the conservatives and the liber-
als-those who still cherish the
hope of regaining their lost king
dom, and those who have given
up such hopes, but are striving
to lay the foundation of their
happiness in other countries; in
short, young and old, sinners
and saints, the educated and the
ignorant-all gather upon this
solemn occasion to offer prayer,
and to atone for their sins.
The celebration of the eve of
Atonement, although widely diff
fering from that of the bygone
days, when every pious Hebrew
ALMOST dreaded the thought of
appearing before the almighty
Creator of the universe to ac-
count for his deeds, has, never
theless, retained that solemnity,
impressiveness, and inspiration
which no philosophical or other
argument will ever eradicate.
It has been we'll said by a prom
inent rabbi in Russia, that,
whatsoever civilization may
conquer and efface, it will always
be powerless to efface that de-
votion and belief which is slim
ulated by centuries of saferings
and prosecutions.
The most interesting and i'm
pressive scene that I ever wit
messed, and which / shall never
forget, took place in a Russo
Jewish town situated upon the
bank of the Dnieper.
It was a bright and cheerful
day, one of those days, as Go
gol has said, when nature itself
seems 10 rejoice at the perfect
harmony, contentment, and
peace, that exist between tree
and tree, beast and beast, man
and man; when the rustling of
the trees, the musical murmur
of the rolling river, the merry
song of the lark, remind you of
your childhood aad youth, of all
their sorrows and joys; when
every creature, poor and wretch
ed though he be, is inclined to
entertain bright hopes, and see
a bright future before him.
AS | passed along the little
street that leads to the old syn
agogue, / beheld a number of
men, women, and children, all
clad in spotless white, with
prayer-bookS under their arms,
and long, nrbssive wax candles
of Observation-Disclosures in their
hands. It.. was evident that
these peoppe were on their way
to the place of worship, where
they wereaprepared to spend the
night in prayer and devotion.
The custom of illuminating the
synagogue upon such occasions
with numerous wax candles pre-
sented by the worshipers obtains
throughout Russia and Poland.
These candles are put up in
honor and memory of the dead,
who. according to the popular
belief, dwell among the living
during "Yom Kippur'' eve.
The day drew to it's close.
Evening darkened. Not a soul
could be seen or heard in the
streets. All were gathered at
the place of worship. [ assailed
myself of the opportunity, and
entered the synagogue. The
spectacle of the numerous Wor-
shippers of all ages and stations
engaged i'm earnest and fervent
prayers, the bitter and heart
rending tears shed by many, es-
pecially 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 a sad
scene and have seen many a sad
day in their lives !; the sight Of
the little ones being initiated by
their elders into the great mis-
sion of Israel, and being taught
their duties to God and man
all this, as I have said before.
made a very deep impression up
on my mind.
The aged, venerable-looking
rabbi who stood facing the altar
was bitterly lamenting over the
fortunes of Rabbi Akiba, who.
according to che assertion of the
Talmud, had heroicalIy sacrificed
his life for the sake of preserv-
ing his faith. Three old men
with their tNlises TfNlL6th 9TH over