The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-08
A JEWISH FAST.
How the Orthodox Jews Of Gslicia
Observe 1t.

Observe 1t.
SEATTLE, WASH. Aug 6. 1892
To THE EDITOR: While Mr.. Melvin G. Win.
stock was delivering an able address before the
Chautauqua society last Tuesday, wherein he
learnedly speculated upon the probable mean
ing Shakespeare intended to convey to posterity
In picturing the character OF shylock. his win.
stocksl orthodox co-religionists were mourning
the destruction Of the second temple.
Last Tuesday was the 9th Of Alb equal to An.
gust. 1t was in A. D. 70, when the confagra-
ton consumed jerusalem, that ON the 9th day
OF Alb the temple was annthilated. Ever since
the Jews al over the world observe the day a. .
fast day. The day Is known In Hebrew a.
Tisheh BAD, and IL recognised - be the prin.
cipal fast day In Judaism. This II not the
only day that 10 COMMUNICATED in connection
with the destruction OF the temple. The 18th OF
Tamuz July 10 also q fast day. That II sup
posed to be the day when the bombardment Of
Jerusalem commenced. In mid-wtnter the 10th
of Tevat February II also observed by .
twelve-hour fast. The other two are twenty.
four hour fasts. or. rather, from shutdown to
shutdown. That day Is supposed to be the COM
mencement Of hostiiities.
l am not sufficiently conversant with that part
ness OF these supposltions. OF one thing, how.
ever, am p0sitive-that the dates and fssts are
correct, as my stomach, . living witness. can
mournfully testify. There are enough odd cere-
monies and rites observed on that day, Tisheh
Bah, to make 1t interesting, think. to all
readers.
On the lst of Alb (August) abstention COM
mences. Tho use of flesh and wine 10 forbid.
den. On the evening of the 9Th the meal known
As the penitcnce meal is taken. That meal 10
eaten In the full mourners' garb; that is, in
stocking feet, no silk garment and no jewelry.
The family IL seated on low stools or blocks not
over ten inches high. Whatever else the feast
-
be portion OF it Certainly the ashes are not
eaten, though custom dictates that the eggs be
dipped in the ashes. The meal concluded, ev-
erybOdy goes to synagogue. The "Aich0," sup
posed to have been written by jeremiah, 10
read. Then comes remarkable scene. Here In
the synagogue you find every one in mourning
garb. sitting ON the floor. Candles are burning
on the benches upon which the audience usu-
ally sits. AL are crying and lamenting over the
terrible loss their ancestors have suffered in
ages past. Yet the moment the reading OF
Lamentations Ia over the widest scene enscts
ITSELF body of clowns or young college boys
could not enact more merriment. Tricks OF all
kinds are played, stories Of the widest kind are
told, no age nor station in society is respected,
nor is damage to furniture taken into consider
alton. An Indian ghost dance is a tame picture
compared to the scenes in q Galician orthodox
synagogue on the eve Of the 9th of Alb
The next morning early all hasten to the syna-
gogue. No sign of last nights merriment IL dis
cernible Perhaps hard boiled eggs dipped in
ashes, coupled with the unusual excitement
did not aid in getting a good nights rest
Thirst, too, may have done its share to produce
the sour face that now confronts us. And last,
but not least, the fact that long, hot summers
day OF fasting Is in store, Is tar from calling up
cheerful memories. The Lamentations are again
read. morning prayers-without the usual par
aphernalia, a mourner 10 forbidden to don
them-are said and the procession commences.
Everyone goes to the cemetery. Unlike Jew
fish feast days, when the souls OF beloved de-
parted are remembered and some 4 the most
beautiful prayers are said in their behalf,
couched in sublime Hebrew rhyme-today the
bodies of the dead are remembered. As you
leave the temple you see long rows OF tables,
upon which are bundles of garlic in all sizes.
Everybody buys some garlic. All depends upon
the superstitions or wealth OF the buyer. The
garlic 10 placed on the t0mbstones OF departed
parents or relatives. Those having no dead re
lations in the cemetery distribute their garlic
promiscuously. The stencil OF the garlic is
supposed to keep the worms from eating the
bodies. Some enterprising grave-digger, with
more courage than superstition, usually man
ages to climb the fence, steal all the garlic
that same night and sell it the next day to the
restaurants. The theft itself may be crime,
but it 10 not likely that the bodies under the
gravestonesl will ever complain or prosecute the
thief.
The balance OF the day IL spent in misery OF
every shape and form. Business or labor,
though not forbidden by law, are not pursued
that day. Custom is often stronger than law;
reading anything except the Book of Job is
strictly forbidden; that law applies to all mourn
mers. The approach of night is blessed by all
Services are again held in the synagogue. Now,
the garb Of mourning can be thrown off, the reg
ular paraphernalia is donned and the moment
three stars can be seen with naked eva the fast
is over. ABE SPRING