The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-09-07
se57 YEARS OLD TO-DAY.
The Hebrew Celebration of the |
Birth of Creation.

Birth of Creation.
The Jewish year 1857, dating from the
supposed time Of creation. will begin at
sunset to-day.
Rosh Hashanah is universally observed
by Hebrew people. Around 1t has cluster
ed a number OF interesting customs and
observances. 1t is the beginning Of
penitential season, a season for reelection
and self-examination, and every faithful
Hebrew is expected to prepare himself by
prayer and attendance at the synagogue
for the Day Of Atonement which comes
ten days after Rosh Hashanah.
Services will be held at the Miclva
Israel synagogue at o'clock this after
noon and at 10 o'clock tomorrow, and also
at the synagogue of the orthodox congre-
cations. Every Hebrew, no matter how
seldom he visits the synagogue during the
year, unless practically out OF the fold,
is to be found there on New Years Day
and on the Day of Atonement.
The account in Genesis OF Abrahams
willingness to sacrifice Isaac at the COM
mand of God will be read at the morning
services, and the wail1ng sound Of the
"shofar." or rams horn, will be heard in
obedience to the Lords command to Moses
that the first day shall be "a memorial OF
blowing trumpets and holy convocation."
In some of the synagogues the more mod
ern cornet has been substituted for the
rams horn.
It requires some skill to bring a clear
note from the rams horn and when prop
erly blown pleasing sound is emitted in
a somewhat mournful key and different
from any produced on artificial musical
Instruments. combination Of three
notes is made by the shofar. and the blow
ing of the trumpet does not mean a sim
gle blast each time, but series, each
blast being in response TO words uttered
by the rabbi, which in sound somewhat
resembles those afterward emitted by the
trumpet.
Before the trumpet is sounded the rabbi
pronounces the following benediction:
Blessed art Thou, o Lord, Our God,
King Of the Universe, who hast sanctihed
us with Thy commandments and enjoined
US to hearken to the sound of the shofar.
Blessed art Thou, . Lord, our God, King
of the Universe, who hast preserved US
in life to enjoy this festive season."
The observance Of the day is not con-
fined to the synagogue, but the home
bears a large share in distinguishing 1t
from other days in the Jewish household
All Iraelites who have any regard for
home ties make It a point to be with
their families at this season. 1t is a time
for family reunions, and general rejoicing
and good cheer 1t is also CUSTOM
airy for friends and relatives who may
have been on bad terms with each other
to become reconciled. Many Hebrews
close their places of business and nearly
all of them visit the graves OF the dead
in honor OF the holiday.
One of the customs of the day is this
presentation Of gifts to relatives and
friends. In this respect 1t resembles
Christmas. The strictest secrecy is OBJ
served by the various members of the
family until the eve of the new year,
when all are assembled at the supper
table, after having returned from the
temple. Then the presents are brought
from their hiding places and given to
those for whom they are intended.
Most OF the places of business of He
brew people viii be closed at 6 o'clock
this afternoon, and win remain closed
until o'clock tomorrow afternoon.
The Jewish year has had a number of
changes in the date at which
it is supposed to begin. and
there is still a national year
dating from the month of Nisau, which
falls in the spring, and is the time when
the national life of Israel began with its
deliverance out of Egypt The year which
now begins is the religious year, and
commences each fall with the month of
Tishri, or the seventh month in the cycle
OF the national year. 1t is dated 5657,
counting from the supposed time Of the
creation.