San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-09-06
ROSH HASHONAH,
BEGINNING OF THE NEW YEAR OF
ISRAEL.
Origin and Meaning of the Great Ami
versary-Its Observance In
This City.

With the setting of the sun to-
morrow the 7th of this month, the
Jewish New Year 5657 will be
ushered in and solemnly observed
by all Jews throughout the world
This holiday lasts until after sun
set of the 8th instant. All Jewish
holidays, festivals and Sabbaths
begin the evening before the ap.
pointed day, from the fact that the
bible reads in Genesis /, 8: "And
it was evening and it was morn
ing one day." etc., which implies
that the evening belongs to the
next day. The first day of. the
seventh month of the ecclesiastical
year, called Tishri which is the
first day of the first month of the
civil year, has been set apart for
the New Years festival, and hap
pens this yesr on 7th of September,
1896.
The duration of this festival at
first was one day, and Is so today
in reformed Judaism, as being
strictly according to the Bible (see
Leviticus xxi. "a and Mum bers
xxx. y, while the orthodox breth-
rem still celebrate two days as New
Year, as it was observed in olden
times, when there was no strict
computation Of time and no pub
lished calendar, and the people did
not know whether the month
should have twenty-nine or thirty
days, until a formal decision had
been passed by the senate or san
hedrim at Jerusalem. This was
made after the appearance Of the
moon, and then messengers were
sent out into the provinces to
make it known to the people, for
the regulation OF their festivals.
Those who lived far away from
Jerusalem and could not obtain in
formation during the first ten days
remained uncertain OF the proper
beginning of the feast, and there.
fore resolved to celebrate two days
instead of one, to make sure of the
right day. But those even who
live. within the borders OF Pales.
tine keep strictly within the direc-
tions of the Bible.
The manner of observing this
holiday is by complete rest from
labor, by divine worship of espe-
cial solemnity, and by a conscien-
tious examination of ones conduct
during the past year, in order to
prepare for the coming day of
atonement. Three names have
been given to the New Years festi-
val to show its different meanings
Day of Remem brance, Day of
Judgment and Day of Blowing the
Trumpet. 1t is called Day OF Re-
membrance because, according to
tradition, on this day the creation
of the world was begun and the
Lord will remember all His crea-
lures on earth. They also should
remember on this day the many
bounties and blessings OF God, re-
ceived in the past year; the joys
and sorrow, happiness and grief
that passed through their hearts;
good or evil they have committed,
all of which is entered into the
Book OF eternal memory. 1t is
called Day of Blowing the
Trumpet, because scripture or
dered blowing on the rams horn
on this day, and according TO ira
dition, this is to remind them OF the
blowing of the trumpet at the
revelation on Sinai, and Of that at
the day OF judgment, so that it
may rouse to repentance, and
to prepare for sthe great day
of atonement. This blowing the
trumpet is the distinguishing cere-
mony OF divine worship on New
Years Day, when the ancient field
and temple calls are sounded. It
is also called Day of Judgment,
because tradition teaches that on
this day of the worlds creation
God brings every soul to judgment
for its deeds.
In this city services will be held
in Temple Beth FL, the reformed
church, at sunset tomorrow, and
services will also be held on Tues
day morning. ..
Agudas Achim congregation,
orthodox, will begin service in
Convention hall, corner North
Flores and West Houston streets,
also at sunset tomorrow. On Tues
day morning services will begin at
s o'clock and will continue all day.
On Wednesday, also, the entire
day will be devoted to services of