The sun., 1894-12-30
rms rs THE Feast OF LAMPS.
now the orthodox Jews Celebrate sn An
ctent Victory.

| How the Orthodox Jews Ceiebrnte - An
| client Victory.
Shortly after shutdown these days the visitor
TO the east side will find number Of lighted
wax tapers in the windows of the tenements. II
| nc has any acquaintance among the orthodox
Jews, or has the courage or effrontery Of some
visitors TO the slums, he can readily discover
that these lights the public expression OF re-
| jolcing that fills every orthodox Jewish heart
at the return Of the festival of Chanuka.
| This Is also known the Festival OF Dcdico-
tion and The Feast OF Lamps. II commentaries
the purging Of the temple and the rebuilding OF
the altar after Judas Maccabteus had driven out
the Syrians. II begins at the twenty-ffth of
Chisleu, in the Hebrew calendar. and lasts eight
days. 1t is one Of the jolliest OF all the Jewish
festivals, and in the old days no fast or mourn
ing was allowed to begin during the eight days
Originally every Jewish house had one light
throughout the festival; then there was one
light for every inmate, and finally, as now. a
fresh light was started for each male inmate
over thirteen years OF age on the first night,
and the number was increased by one each sue
ceeding night.
The little. STOPPING. long-bearded orthodox
Russian jew OF our ghetto knows nll about the
story upon which the festival is founded, and in
telling IL to his children he straightens up and
his eyes brighten with pride and satisfaction. IL
is hard TO conceive that the little fellow Is a
direct descendant Of the heroic Maccabrus and
the hosts OF hardy warriors who made his vic
tory possible.
A certain amount OF preliminary preparation
is required OF those who celebrate any of the
jewish festivals. Purim, which, like Chanuka,
is founded upon the rescue Of the race from n
threatened evil, is preceded by lot OF baking in
which the orthodox housewife makes q speciality
OF cakes in the form Of a gallows, from which
hangs suspended the wicked Haman. who
wished to destroy her ancestors, and was
thwarted by the shrewd Mordecai and the beau
tiful Esther.
over festival the women are hard at work get
ting all the flour and crumbs of bread and dirt
of all descriptions out OF the hooks and corners
SO that clothes and home may be absolutely
clean when the special food eaten during the
festival Is brought into the house. Previous to
the Feast of Tabernaclos the men are al work
erecting booths in rear yards. where special Ger.
eTn,Ss S' i, Eem tne
the way Of oranges and pears filed with cloves,
at which the pious can sniff during their long
fast in the synagogue, and strengthen their
physical being with the spicy odors when they
For Chanuka the preparation consists only in
the making OF the little wax tapcrs which are
lighted every night. There are some jews who
sufficiently to buy the little colored wax tapers
which Christians use on their Christmas trees.
horror upon, the use Of such candles. In his
eyes 1t would be sacrilcge. These candles are
Possibly thought is almost too horrible to
dwell upon-the composition may contain lard,
the fat of the beast which is most repngnant OF
tapers which they make themselves are made of
the genuine beeswax: some days or nights be-
family soitcns the yellow wax In hot water so
that he can manipulate II, and moulds IL into
the form of tapers around pieces of twine. These
candles are not smooth and pretty rs the
store candles but they are odd and quaint and
seem more appropriate to the ceremonies which
accompany the lighting OF them, These consist
of the chanting of verses of praise. The verses
Blessed art q thou. h"r our V God. oe King Of the
world, who has sanctifled us with thy command
mepts, and enjoined upon ns to light the lamps
blessed art thou, Lord our God, King Of the |
world. who hast done wonders for our fore
" blessed art thou, Lord our God, King OF tho |
world who hast preserved US IN life and health.
This last verse Is repeated only on the first |
day. Every morning during the festival por-
But apart from tho merely religious features |
OF this festival il + time Of general rejoicing.
courage all In Publications. 1t is really a very
festival, and that makes 1t all the
DO less general among the Jews than Il used to
be- The orthodox are still very earnest and en-
I thusiastie ABOUT i, but there are thousands of
jews IN New York who pay no attention to 1t at
al. In fnct. the tendency among the Jews who
have ceased to pay attention 10 the religious OBJ
more Of these than the rabbis are willing to
Is to celebrate the Christian
Christmas. That Is not so much because It is
the anniversary OF the birth of Christ as because
10 marks the beginning Of the season Of good fell
lowship and kindly feeling. The, spirit which
makes the week beginning with Christmas and
ending with New Year period of jollifcation
and delightful Indifference TO ordinary cares |
has taken hold OF the Jews as well as OF others
IN fact, the disposition prevailing among the
American-born Jews to join with other citizens
IN the celebration of Christmas and New Year
has been the theme OF more than one sermon in
he synagogues, and has apparently offended a
good many rnbbis who arc declaiming against
his practice and demanding a revival OF the
Ild-time enthusiastic celebration Of ChanukA.