The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-10-04
CELEBRATED THEIR new YEAR
SsryICsS and Ceremonies Observed by the
Hebrews.
| SERMON PREACHED BY DR.. CLLISCH.
The DAY Was Pleasantly Passed In Rich-
mond-The Young Ladies heoe'Nso-
Az Beth Ahaba Synagogue

II bright skies presage happiness and pros
,eritv the Hebrew Now Year began most pro-
,;,onsly. Tor when the first blush Of dawn
5immed the light Of the stars on yesterday 8
morn the sun arose and shone ehulgently
upon those who hold to the faith Of the Israel
itos.
The day was universally observed by the
Hebrew citizens Of this city in the strictest
manner. Business was entirely suspended.
and at 10 o'clock they assembled at
tic Beth Ahaba synagogue. where
divine service was held. The boaut-
fl ritual IN the prayer book was
adhered %. aud there was excellent singing
by the choir The music which has de-
sce1ded 10 the present w0rshipers from COM
r0sers Of decades ago has peculiar grand
YES and was ably rendered 10y Professor
Beinhardt Every one who attended wore
holiday attire and the scene III tho euilce
was one OF culture and fashion.
Dr. T.. \. Ca..sch ably conducted inc seI-
wees and delivered a sermon on me Hta-
b.lity Of judaism" which was an sose as
course
Taking his text from Isaiah X. s, The
sross wlfbereth. tho flower tadeth. but the
word Of ,ur God staudeth firm forever" the
sneaker opoued with "a reference 10 the apt
ness Of this sentiment at the time when all
things were undergoing change and many
~ them succuwbing TO time. How many
,hinos bad occurred Tor veal and for woe
the world over during the last year TO All
the children of men. But TINS new year
found the devOtees of Judaism everywhere
observing 10 with reverence. Each now year
coming would find IL so: as long as year after
vear shall endlessly be born and die so long
= al there be a Judaism that shall speed the
PARTING and welcome the coming guests of
time. For Judaism is truth. and truths
eterns years are hers.
THE LAW OF EVOLUTION.
In the great conflict Of life the law OF evO-
.stOn was ever az work. The impure gives
way 10 the pure the weak yields to the
strong. the lesser is succeeded by the greater
and the tttest survives. History tells Us that
aNthings have heen-truthis. Egypt Greece,
B0mo. Syria. Persia all these mighty giants
Of the past have fourshed and in their day
were powerful. but to-day their greatness and
their might are but memory. But Judaism,
though older than all these, lives still. What
gives stability aud permanence 10 Judaism,
Why has it of all its contemporaries alone
ylthstood the shocks of time? Older than
Al faiths. mother of predomlnating faiths
least iu number OF al faiths. most
lerseouted and revi.ed and tainted OF
d faiths. why does it live This age calls
f.tn "a sentiment and religion an emotion
The vitality u Judaism gives denial 10 these
words for time OycrpOwers sentiment and
DESTROYS emotion. These are but sands that
rs great waves gather up IN their resistoss
motion aud sweep back into the bosom of the
ocean Faith is religion is, cd Is, Judaism
Is The Jew has lived through all forces that
DESTROYED mighter and stronger nations than
himself because he had has faith. because his
religion was his life because ms faith was the
faith OF truth and his religion the religion of
reason. The Jew found IN his creed more
than mere church service.
IN DAILY LIFE.
Il was with him in his daily life His deep
est feelings indissolubly connected with it.
The speaker then referred back TO the old
customs Of the Sabbath and the holidays. and
gave a touching picture of the home service.
lle said this picture would serve the older
ones to-day. but those of tender years had no |
such "reminiscences. for these things were no |
Longer observed. The old memories are gone |
with the old days. He would not recall |
them I lie could for they were no longer /
Necessary. The Jew to-day shall be an ideal |
lie shall bless the nations of the world in /
that le shall lead the way TO noble |
bis faith into his daily life, but /
lot by forms OF ceremonies. but by the /
bond Of ideahty. The world shall know that
% he @ jew means 20 lead pure life. That J
wherever there il a man whose heart beats /
for bis feilow-man: whose intellect strives for /
truths whose soul aspres for Justice, that /
man is ajew Judaism shall be a synonym /
for humanitariansm for philanthropy, for uni |
yersal brotherhood of man. This Is the /
thought of the new year, and this should DO /
with them always as the word Of God which |
stands firm forever
A RECEPTION.
Tn the afternoon Dr. Calsch heldareception |
g. one of the parlors Of Ford's Hotel Many |
called % greet the new rabbi. The occasion |
was Measurable and the compliments OF tho
season We're interchanged with sincerity and |
coriaAty
One Of the customs incident 10 New Years !
day IL "a scene that takes place at the after
noon service On Friday afternoon as soon
as IN. Nalsch had pronounced the benedictiOn
families assembled IN their respective pews
Kissed each other. The effect is startling
T. one unaccustOmed TO the scene, and
has pretty significance commencing
q the New ear with all differences at mn end
eno with nothing else save love ana peace.
Yesterday many of the young ladies re-
teYet their friends. and pleasant times were
spent Do many Hebrew homes. COllations
we're served lu most instances. and health
g. no infant New ear was drunG in many
sparkling cup.