The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-27
HEBREW BURIAL RITES.
Ancient Ceremonies Always Observed
at the Death of orthodox Jews.
From the st. James Gazette.

From the ST. James Gazette.
The Jews rigidly exclude all relatives
| from the chamber of dying co-religionist.
! Only strangers should be present when the
| soul leaves the body. AS soon as death
occurs, all the vessels in tho house contain
ing water are emptied. In Europe, in cities
where Jews reside the emptying of the
water vessels in the public roadway is the
usual mode of notifying that death has
occurred. The practice had its origin in an
Old World superstition that standing water
in such circumstances became the abiding
place of certain evil spirits, whose presence
in the house was prejudicial both to the
dead and to the living. In the interval
between death and interment the Jews lay
the corpse upon the bare ground, with the
feet toward the door. The body is covered,
but nothing-save occasionally a little
straw-may be placed under IL. Then the
two big toes are tied together. On Sab
baths it Is not, however, permitted to re-
move a body on to the floor; it would be
work But as it is sometimes necessary that
this should nevertheless be DONE rabbinical
| ingenuity has contrived means of accom-
| plishing it without violating the sanctity
| of the day A loaf of bread is placed upon
| the corpse, and the two together are lifted
to the ground. 1t is held that only the
bread has been moved, and this is permitted
on the Sabbath.
Two or three hours before the interment
takes place the ceremonial publication of
the body known as the tohdrd take place.
1t consists merely in pouring seven definite
measures of warm water over the body,
while repeating the words: II will pJur
upon you cleansing waters, aGd ye shall
be ceansed OF your unceanlineSs; for of all
your iniquities will purify you" The
body is then placed in the coffin, attired in
a white cotton gown know as a hittet. This
kittel is, in Northern Europe, presented to
a bridegroom by his bride on the day of
their wedding, and is worn by him on GER
tain occasions, such as the day of Atone
ment and the Passover eve celebration.
1t is made by the female relations of the
BRIDE but she herself must not take part in
the sewing of ii. In Poland, Cali
cia and in Russia the bridegroom always
wears the death garment under the wedding
canopy during tue performance of the mar
riage ceremony.
Besides the kittel the body is enveloped in
the praying scarf or talith used by the
deceased during life. When this is done
the relatives are summoned. One by one
they draw near and bend over the coffin; a
friend takes arp knife and makes slit
in one of the outer garments of the mourner
ON the right side If the deceased be a
parent, on tue left if child. The mourner
himself then rends the garment, according
to the custom of the country. In tho east
the Jews tear the vestment clean across in
England it is only torn couple of fingers
breadth. The rent must not be sewn for
month, and the mourning garment must be
worn, for a parent, fully eleven months.
TIE Spanish and Portuguese Jews rend
! their undergarments as we'll Except
among the German Jews-as they are called
in this country, tho last offices of the
dead are performed by the members of
what are termed "Chevrah Kadishah," or
Holy Brotherhood" an Organization
formed in every orthodox congregation only
for this purpose. No hired hands are suf-
fered to perform for pay the last service
needfu IN the case of a departed co relig
ionist. The kindness in this way shown to
the dead is regarded as an act Of the highest
merit, since from its very nature it is such
as the recipient can never return.