The herald., 1897-09-25
A JEWISH GREETING
Rabbi Edelman Sends Good Wishes
for the New Year

= The Jewish New Year is close at
hand and the following remarks by the
rabbi, A. w. Edelenan, will be found Of
timely interest:
According to the Hebrew calendar,
the Hebrew New Year 5G57 closes its
existence with the evening of the Goth
day of September, 1897, and at the same
time begins the year 565S.
The question has often been asked,
"How is. it that you Israelites celebrate
two New Years days? You have your
own New Year, which seems to be uni
versally celebrated by the Jews all over
the world, and you also observe that
New Years day which is celebrated
throughout the land as a general holi-
day by all classes Of the community. Is
it not inconsistent for you to take any
notice Of this other day, which is OBJ
served by the remainder of the popula-
iion?"
And I answer, mo, 1t is not at all in
consistent; because our New Years day
is purely religious holiday if we cele-
brate it as Jews; this other New Years
day is purely civil holiday, If we cele-
brate it as Americans"
The other New Years day (the first
of january has nothing religious about
it; it has come to US from the Romans,
with the adoption of the Roman calen-
dar. 1t was a day of giving and receiv-
ing presents, of exchanging of visits
among the Romans, and day of good
cheer as it is amorg us. Therefore, the
Jews show no Inconsistency If, with their
fellow citizens, they observe the day of
the civil year.
Distinct and separate as the Jew has
been and is in his religion and marked
from his neighbors as he is by his be-
lief, yet is this his only Distinguishing
mark; in all else he Is alike unto others
always obedient to the words Of God as
| commanded by the prophet Jeremiah
10 the exiled in Babylon, namely, "Thus
hath said the Lord of hosts, the God OF
Israel, unto all exiles 1 have caused to
be carried into exile from Jerusalem to
Babylon; build ye houses ard dwell
therein; plant gardens and eat theil
fruit, and seek the welfare of the city
whittier I have banished you; pray in
it's behalf unto God, for in It's. welfare
will ye fare we'll"
wish all who read these words hap
py New Year. AS to the balance OF
mankind, would gladly send them
some good wishes and kindly saluta-
tions If l could but reach their eyes OF
ears. 1 also send to all, besides this
modern salutation the Hebrew greet
ing for the New Year, which is much
more comprehensive, viz, 1 wish yor
all Shona Tova, "a good year." veal
| of happiness, a year of health, wealth
and contentment. May it be year Of
grace, of salvation and redemption to al
| humanity; may it be year of final
triumph of justice and truth over al
human errors; year of peace, Of pros
perity and concord; may it be year ir
which we will all see suffering humanity
consoled, elevated. united and free. And
finally, may it prove to be a year wher
all nations and tongues will proclaim
THAT the Lord God is one, and that His
great and mighty name is one!"
| Rabbi Edelman will conduct the
New Year service before the congre-
cation Kahal Israel, Turnverein hall
He will lecture-in English-Sun6ay eve.
ming at $3.50 p. M, on the subject, "A
Happy Life" Text, Psalms xxxiv, 49,
"Who is the man that desireth life
loveth many days that he may see hap
piness." On Monday morning at II:
the subject will be, "Thou Shalt No
be Inconsistent" Text, Deuteronomy
XIV, 13-14-15. The second days service
will be conducted by Rev. A. Arndt.