New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-17

borders Every corner has been swept and gar
nshed no matter how unceanly 1t may have been
during the rest OF the year; new clothing has oeen
made, and all provisions left over when are not
burned or dishes and utensils used at other times
are stored away and locked up The Keys OF tnese
storerooms are sold by the very religious to Chris
tians, who restore them at the end OF tho feast.
During the eight Parschal days chometz Is faith
fully banshed from every house This word Pro-
nounced hometz) is In common use among the He
brews and denotes anything containing leavcn or
Remembered raised with yeast, baking powder
mixtures, and fermented liquors, etc.
All foods used during the feast are specially pre-
pared for It, and bear the Passover seal In Eu-
rope provision stores are closed and temporarily
Sold with their contents to Christians. new places
being used for the sale of Passover provisions. In
this country high rents and scarcity Of room make
this impra ctcable and vacatlng and cleaning one
half the store. while the other half is securely
covered and technically sold, has to answer the
purpose.
The head OF one OF the great Jewish institutions
in the city. native of small Russian Polish
town, recalls with boyish pleasure the six weeks
vacation which he with the other youngsters used
to enjoy each year previous to the Passover. The
teacher OF their school. very poor man, was the
village baker; and six weeks before the Passover.
not only were the pupils deprived of their school,
room. but his own family. numerous one was
compelled to seek other habitaton, while he
secured and cleaned the little house from floor to
ceiling until he could find other thing to scrub.
Then lett even yet. the dread chometz might lnger
in crack or hole straw was literally spread over
floor and tables, and swept out Then the peda-
gogical baker arrayed in garments. made and
baked the matzoth, unleavened bread for the
villagers, no other person being admitted during
the work. This painstakng is not unusual In Eu-
rope, but IL is impossible in this country. especially
in largo ties. to give so great regard to detail
Most (ish families. and all who we-to-do,
have Sc ate closets Of dishes and cooking uten-
sils which used only during the Passover and
never opened excepting at that time When this
is impossible. dishes and pots which cracked
or nicked may be utilized after being boiled for a
day or two in strong lye, to which hot bricks and
live Goals have been added.
Chometz may not be eaten after 10 o'clock In the
morning preceding the first day of tho Passover and
as the matzoh may not be eaten until the Passover
supper, potatoes usually constitute the midday
meal of that day. In the afternoon, before going
to the synagogue for the evening prayers, wnich
precede the supper, the head of the house comes
home and with depreciation of feminine labor
truly Oriental. he searches for chometZ This Is
the first of the Passover ceremonals. Preceding
the search he says prayer
Then, followed by son. usually with lighted
candle, he searches corners and unheard Of places
for fragments OF leavened bread. his search being
always rewarded by finding few crumbs where
lie himself had placed them, lest, asking blessing
on fruitess search. he take the name OF the Lord
"Al manner Of leaven that is In my possession
and accounted as the dust of the earth nun
After the return from the synagogue, the table Is
laid the ceremonial Passover supper. Upon IL Is
placed the matZoth. the shoulder bone OF lamb.
an egg bitter. herbs usually parsley lettuce or
horse radish, mortarke mixture OF apples and
almonds. and cup of vinegar salt water. Be-
fore each chair glass OF wine Is set an extra glass
being placed for Elijah. Four glasses of infer
mented wine are drunk at intervals during this sup
per by each person; and each time the prophet is
remembered and the door Is opened for his en-
trance.
The head OF the house at this supper always re-
clines upon his left side upon couch, banked with
pillows and IL is an old custom still In use among
the very orthodox for him 10 be clad in a long
white robe. He, with every other male member OF
the family. his hat at this as we'll as at all
other family meals. Upon this night every man
considers himself a Ring. aud the Jews claim that
they first nculcated the ideas of personal freedom
and citizen kngshp. The lady OF the house
clines al the opposite end OF the board.
After the first cup OF wine is drunk the bitter
herbs eaten, and then the head Of the house
breaks of the cakes Of unleavened bread and
lays aside one-half 10 be preserved a charm
against sickness ana other Ills during the year.
Next all lay their hands upon the dish containing
OF afilctlon which ancestors ate In the land OF
Egypt; let all those who are hungry enter and ca.
thereof; and all who nece5stous, come, and
celebrate the Passover. At present We celebrate II
the land OF Israel This year we servants here,
but next year We hope TO be freenen In the land or
Israel" 49, .
weeks before, asks In Hebrew why all these things
are done A lengthy ritualistic explanation fol-
lows. and Is interpreted with songs and prayers
AT the close of the ritual frolic always ensues.
The father having slyly hidden the piece Of re-
served matzoth, offers prize to the one who inds