The record-union., 1895-06-01

tobacco. rice; they cultivate the vine and
numerous other fruit trees, and tinctorial
plants, exported to Persia, where they
are highly priced by the experienced
dyers OF that country, This cultivation
OF the soil contradicts, in a measure, the
general impression that the Israelites are
untitled for agricultural pursuits. Still,
the women are the real toilers; they rise
at daybreak, attend to the household du-
ties and perform outdoor labor. The
Wealthlest mountaineer does not possess
more than a few thousand roubles, and
there Is not one who does not own cot
tage and piece of land.
These mouutaineers do not hold polyg-
amy IN adherence. In many instances
they nave two or three wives, all equally
legitimate. When the apparent incon-
slstency is mentioned to them, and they
are reminded that in every other country
thor co-relIglonIsts are homogeneous,
they answer that these latter have repu-
dated the customs OF their ancestors, and
that the great King Solomon, the wisest
OF men. had any number of wives. When
either one OF their wives has ceased to
charm them they simply sot her aside.
They do not drive her from her home,
but they build a cottage for her at short
distance from their own dwellings,. For
the future she viii no longer rank as
spouse, she will have to work for them,
more thau ever she will be their servant,
even their slave. They, the masters, are
not addicted to laborious work. No
doubt they take an interest IN the cult
vation OF their land, but it is certain that
they do SO al their ease. One can meet
them any hour of the day scampering,
fully armed, over hill and dale. Excel
lent horsemen as they evidently are, they
urge az full speed along the narrow ridge
OF the mountain slope the splendid
horses which they breed and train.
THEIR RELIGION.
The synagogues of the Hebrew noun
taineers are all built on the same plan.
They are simply sort of high, spacious
hall with tall windows and large door
ways. Standing against the wall is the
large sculptured chest in which are
placed the Holy Scriptures; close by this
chest IS the altar and the pulpit whence
the rabbi breaches his sermon. 1t APP
pears that the women are interdicted
from entering the temple. 1t would not
be gallant TO state the reason why; but on
high days and holidays they are per-
United TO stand in front Of the open door
way and attend divine service.
These mou ntaineers are monotheists,
being Israelites, and yet they worship
numerous demi-gods and genii, who, they
say, exercise considerable influence over
the destinieS of man. They believe that
some of these supernatural beings ap-
pear before them, and either reward or
punish them according to their deserts,
but that the majority remain invisible,
and limit their action to suscitatng ex-
traordinary phenomena significant of
either their satisfaction or displeasure.
Among the most venerated of these genii
are those who protect the INDECENT, the
weak and the helpless and wayfarers.
One is MIN Negri, who takes the traveller
by the hand and leads him to the
door of the hospitable Israelite.
Another is Heb Novo, who, according
to the belief of the mountaineers.
is the prophet Elijah and who
only makes his appearance on Friday
nights, when, throughout every village
and in every dwelling, due preparation
is made for his welcoming. He is eX
pected in the guise of wayworn and
tired traveller, entering at any moment.
and taking his seat unbidden on the
hearth. Lucky will be the man whose
guest he is, who offers him wine and in
vites him to remain; his granary will be
filled with grain, he and his family will
prosper, and his life will be long in the
land.
The death of Hebrew mountaineer
entails some curious customs. Under a
tent. where the body lies. and seated at a
table, are the elders and near relatives of
the defunct. who are assem- bled for the
purpose of pleading to heaven in his or
her favor. God always attends to their
prayers, and judges mercifully. At the
right hand of God is. as they believe. an
invisible angel with a balance in his
hand. at the bidding of the angel the
good and evil genii of The defunct till the
scale. the good on one side and the evil
ones on the other; and, according as the
scale turns, the soul of the departed re-
ceives either it's reward or punishment.
in 1888 an imperial ukase granted to
these Hebrew mountaineers certain priv
ileges which insure their autonomy, and
enable them to govern themselves in ac-
cordance with their ancient CUSTOMS
Pail Mall Gazette.