The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-09-29
FEAST OF TABBSNACLEs.
4 Symbol OF the Kerthly Pilgrimage
Through Lies Wild erness-

Through LIES Wild erness-
The 18th day of the Hebrew month,
''Tisri,n commenced last evening, and this
Observance OF this Feast of Tabernacles OF
| Booths is a festival of rejoicing and thanks
giving by the children Of Israel. 1t is 20 be
/ found recorded in the book of Leviticus
chapter XIII, 33-43 verses. 1t commem-
/ crates the j0urneyings Of the Israelites in
the wilderness, where they dwelt in booths
as tabernacles, and is intended to impress
upon taeir minds, by its ceremonies. the
signs and wonders wrought IN the desert by
/ the hand OF God.
| In Palestine and other countries in Eu-
rope, it is the custom 70 erect these booths
| on their premises, and TO dwell therein dur
| ing the seven days Of the festival. They
are constructed Of the boughs of odorifer-
GUS trees, and the interior Is decorated with
| fruits and flowers. This humble dwelling
reminds it's inmates to withdraw themselves
from worldly associations, and admonshes
them to walk humbly and obediently before
their Heavenly father, aud to offer the in
cense Of prayer and thanksgiving 10 him
for the manifold blessings OF which they
are the daily recipients. Then after
synagogue service, the family assem-
bic, and after invoking blessing upon the
citron, the palm leaves, the willow ana the
myrtle, enjoy their feasts, before and at the
is offered by the head Of the household 1t
Is season of rejoicing, and impressive les
sons are derived from the religions cere-
monies. The varied branch, fruit and
leaves are uplifted by the minister as an
acknowledgment to God tnat by his mercy
and kindness the earth is made fruitful,
and that it is the duty of man to render
thanks for the gracious gifts he has be-
slowed upon him.
The lowly tabernacle In which he dwells
teaches humility and reminds him that his
forefathers dwelt in these structures for
many years, and that their disobedience
deprived them OF the privilege flor long
period of time) Of occupying the promised
land. 1t is a solemn warning to the house
hold of Israel that they will forfeit the
beatitudes of heaven, their final home, by
violating Gods commandments or clinging
too closely to temporal enjoyments. This
temporary habitation symbolizes their
earthly pilgrimage through LIES wilderness,
causing them TO dwell with religious fervor
upon that promised home, eternal in the
heavens" which they may enjoy by mani
Testing throughout this temporal life
strength in faith and purity in deed.
The liturgy of the service Of the syna-
gogue contains the statute ordaining the OBJ
servance Of the feast, and Is read from the
scroll Of the law, aud the Psalms of David
filed with Thanksgiving occupy O large
space in the religious ceremonies. After
closing these services the minister and con-
gregation return to the tabernacle in the
rear of the house OF worship, where a simple
feast is spread and blessing invoked upon
the bread, wine aud fruit, after which grace
is pronounced, In which the entire assem-
blage unite.
The Jewish Feast of Tabernacles lasts
eight DAYS. Services were held in the Syna-
gogue Mickva Israel last night from to Z
o'clock. and services will be held there to-
day fMn 10 a. m to 10 o'clock noon, and
RabbM. 2. Mendes will deliver a sermon
specially appropriate to the occasion.
This is the only day in the year upon
which Mr.. Mendes delivers a sermon during
the day outside of the regular Saturday
services There will be no further services
held in commemoration Of the feast until
the eighth day.