The record-union., 1895-09-18
ROOH HASH0EO AND YOM KIPPUR.
Festivals That Are to be Observed
During This Week.
Interesting Ceremonies In the Syna-
gogue in Honor of New Year
and Atonement.

For the first time In several years the
Jews of this city-who have been divided
between what is known as the orthodox
and liberal branches of the faith-will
worship together during the holidays
which commence this evening. To-mor-
row, concurrent with the first day of the
Hebrew month Tishri, will occur the
Jewish New Year, or Rosh Hashono.
According to the Hebrew computation it
is the 5,666th year of the creation of the
world.
The festival commences this evening
and will be recognized by the orthodox
until the evening of Friday. All good
Jews will, as usual, close their stores and
offices. Whatever may be his shortcom-
ings in other respects, the 1sraelite is al
ways particular to see that the New Year
and Day of Atonement are religiously
spent.
White, the symbol of purity, will be
the prevailing color of the orthodox
synagogue appurtenances. The mantel
of the ark of the covenant will be OF
white satin. The covers of the reading
desk and the pulpit will be white, and the
ministers Of the orthodox places OF
w
Sermons will be delivered by the rab-
bis of the various synagogues on the first
day of the festival. Following the biblical
ordinance, the shotar will be blown In
the synagogue. This trumpet is fash
ioned out of the horn of a ram, and is
blown thirty times with different intona-
tions.
The ten intervening days between the
New \ ear and Day of Atonement are
nj
orthodox Jew will on each of these days
read the Selichoth, or prayers for forgive
ness.
Yom kippur, the Day of Atonement, is
q day which is strictly observed by He
brews throughout the world, without re-
gard TO their different shades of opinion
on matters communal. From sunset on
the 9th of Tishri till sunset on the 10th The
Jew is prohibited from eating any food.
Ii is the greatest fast day OF the jewish
calendar, the others being hold on the
18th day of Nissan (the fast of the first
BORN, the 18th of Tamuz, the 9th of Ab
and the 10th Of TebeLh, which latter are
to commemorate the fall and seizure Of
JeruSaiem.
called Kol Nidfe, from the TWO opening
words of the evening prayer used on the
occasion.
on the morning of Yom Kippur serv-
ices will commence with the reading of
the Shahrith, or morning prayer. other
services held continuously throughout
the day are named Musaph, Mincha and
Neilah.
Five days after the Day of Atonement
the festival of Suecoth, or Booths. will be
held. This is probably the prettiest festi-
val in the Jewish calendar. and IL is cele-
brated with many quaint and ancient
ceremonies. 1t derives its name from the
fact that while the Hebrews were wan
derers in the wilderness their only dwell
ings were booths or tents.
The synagogal ceremonies will also be
of interest. The ministers will carry
palm branches, called lulovim, and the
fruit of the citron tree, called esrogim.
These they will carry in their hands
while chanting the Hallel, or hymns of
praise Those Hebrews who are ortho-
dox will form PROFESSIONS in their places
Of worship, chanting joyful hymns as
they walk.
Hoshana Rabbah, "The Great Hosanna."
All visitors to the synagogues of the ortho-
dox on that morning will be presented
with a small handful OF willow leaves,
with which they will strew the ground in
imitation Of the priests OF old. The sue
cob is used for the last time on this day.
Shemini Azereth, the feast of the eighth
day, follows Immediately on Hoshana
Rabbah The prayer for rain will be
offered in accordance with the custom
which obtains III Palestine.
The festivals will close with the observ
ance of Simchat Torah-"The Rejoicing
of the Law" 1t is day of general jollity
and merry-making and will be kept only
by the orthodox. 1t derives its name
from the fact that the fifty-two portions
in which the Pentateuch is divided are
finished and recommended by the con-
servative congregations. This finishing
of the last chapter Of Deuteronomy and
recommending with the first chapter of
Genesis has gone on uninterruptedly for
many centuries.