The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-10-01
71.'3 IL
The Great Day Of Atonement
in This City.
A SOLEMN FAST is BEGUN.
The Observance Of Yom Kippur In the Diff
ferent San Francisco Syna.
gogues.
A SOLEMN FAST is BEGUN.

At shutdown last evening the Hebrews In
this city as we'll as all over the world be-
gan the celebration of the Day of Atone
ment.
This is one of the great days of religious
observance Of the Hebrew people. On this
day only during the whole year they make
general confession of their sins and
shortcomings public and private against
Jehovah and against their neighbor.
They are enjoined in every case to make
restitution where they have wronged
their neighbor and to obtain his pardon.
If they have spoken i'll of him without
cause they must do all In their power to set
him right with those before whom the
Islander has been uttered, and in every other
way they can they must set themselves
right with their fellow.man.
This is necessary preliminary to obtain
blessings to be derived from the services Of
this solemn festival
When the nation worshiped in the
temple at Jerusalem the feast of the Pass
over. of Pentecost and of Tabernacles were
considered of greater importance than
either the New Year or the Day of Atone
ment because it was essential that each
head should 90 up to Jerusalem and there
celebrate these feasts, while the New Year
and the Day Of Atonement were celebrated
at home.
Ali these five festivals are considered of
equal Importance theoretically, but IN prac-
tice the Day Of Atonement has become the
great day Of observance.
1t is only mentioned twice In the Bible.
but the Talmud and other sacred writings
have brought down descriptions OF the OBJ
servance of the day at the time the Hebrew
nation was at the zenith of its glory. Then
1t was great national holiday.
The people assembled by thousands and
burnt sacrifices were offered and prayers
made for the salvation not only Of the Jew
but also OF the gentle.
The priest gave his blessing and then
began great feast. Now 1t is fast. Each
man for himself must observe it and must
obtain forgiveness for all his shortcomings
toward his neighbor before he can obtain
that OF his maker.
The services in all the orthodox churches
are OF the same general character and begin
at shutdown or O'Clock in the evening.
The first service lasts until about half
past eight and minor services are held dur
ing the night. In the morning at 10 o'clock
there Is another great service. and with lit
tie intermission the services 60 on, till at
shutdown the shofar or rams horn is
sounded to proclaim that the services are
over. and not, as has been enormously
stated, to announce that all Israel has been
forgiven.
differ from those in the more orthodox con-
gregations. That at the synagogue Emanuel
on Suffer- street is not nearly so strict as at
Beth Menahim Stresand at 335 Minna
street. the most orthodox OF the seven con-
gregations in the city.
Here large number of men wear the
tails" or shawl across the shoulders aud
some Of them gown as well. A few wear
white silk caps instead OF hats. and this In
cludes the rabbi and the cantors.
Last night the synagogue ss crowded
almost to suffocation, and thu hole of the
responses were repeated by the men down.
stairs and the women in the galleries, Tor
they are separated during the service.
The recital of the confession in Hebrew
was very impressive. This included every
form of offense against God and man.
The sermon was preached by Rev. j. l..
Isaacs. who was assisting neY j. Wilmer.
the curator.
He gave history Of the ceremr lies of
the day, including the observanees in an-
cient times, while all Israel worshiPe' in
the great temple, and the mer" GER
usages which have raised the ay 20 -.
Importance it now possesses in It'd = y
world, and then urged his hearers
pear before the Lord with clean y - J, s-.-.'
obtain from him forgiveness for tEt'T
sins.
After the sermon the conft 81 ws
cited. the ark OF the covenant w~e
the whole ar9Se and a ana HEN
another would rise to make silent prayer.
Some of the congregation remained In
the synagogue all night, while all have to
observe the fast with the utmost strictness,
not being allowed to eat or to drink.
At Emanuel there were no members
wearing the tails" and the service was
abridged while the synagogue was closed
at half-past O'Clock till 10 o'clock this
morning. At the synagogue Ohabai Shalome
on Mason street, where Rev David Meyer
son is rabbi and cantor; at Beth Israel ON
Geary street, near Octavia. of which Rev.
Nj. S. Levy is cantor; al Sheriff. Israel, on
the corner OF Post and Taylor streets !;
Shaarey Zedek, corner of Stockton and
California streets, and and at Nevah Zedek,
on Golden Gate avenue, services OF the
orthodox order were conducted and most
of them were open all night for those Of the
congregation who desired TO spend the time
in meditation and prayer.
Special services will he held at the Mason
street temple this morning. when the emf
nent cantor. Rev. DR.. Meyers0n. will con.
duct the services and preach the grand
pardon sermon. His text willbe the thirtieth
verse of the sixteenth chapter of the third
book Of Moses.
Similar services will be held In all the
other synagogues.