The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-10-07
THE SABBATH Of SAbbhIRS.
Hebrews Celebrate Their Day
of Atonement.
ORTHODOX AND REFORMED.
The Fast of Expiasion and Prayers
for the Soui. Of Those who Have
Departed Daring the Past Year
Merchants Close Their Busine>s
Memorial Services Held Yesterday.

The most solemn and impressive Of the
anniversaries the celebration Of which is
imposed upon ali conditions OF Hebraic be-
lief. IL that OF the Yom kippur. the Sab
bath Of Sabbaths, the day OF atonement.
which, observed b. both the reformed and
orthodox followers Of the Jewish faith,
commenced al sundown Tuesday. aud last
ed until the first star appeared IN the
heavens yesterday evening. With its be-
ginning Jews Of all degrees the world
over united in demonstrating the fast Of
expiatiau and during the twenty-four
hours Of its continuance no food or water
passed their lips. but prayer for the souls
81 those who In the last Jewish year have
gone to their reward.
All over the city the business houses of
the Jewish merchants we're closed. and
not until s o'clock were they opened for
trade Cards and legends. hung within
glass doors and in windows. informed
those seeking admission that the day was
devoted 70 matters spiritual and the new
day would arrive With the shadows Of the
night when Teasing and gaiety would
replace more solmen thoughts, with the
coming of the stars.
The memorial services. the most sacred
In the Hebrew ritual began at o'clock
yesterday morning conducted At the syna-
gogue Ohaveth Sholom by Rev. Hersch
berg Of the Hebrew Reformed college or
on Washington street, by Rev. l.. Brooks.
The Jewish calendar Of 1886 made Yoin
Kippur come September j.. according to
the Christian calendar In general use, but
this year it fen on October s. the year
past as reckoned in months being nearly
H. or 80 days. 1t il the most important
day In the Jewish year, following as ii
does ten days after the first day Of the
year II is an ancient tradition that he of
Israel who fails to rigidiy observe the
day viii be deprived Of the glorious heFlt-
age of the ancient race 20 which he be-
longs. The ten days elapsing between
Rosh Hoshanah (head of the year, and
the day of atonement are supposed TO be
spent in rigid determination and COM
plete repentance SO that when the day of
stonement arrives the Jew. standing in the
presence Of Jehovah. confesses hts sins
and asks divine pardon for the evil deeds
of the year
The twentieth verse Of the sixteenth
chapter of Leviticus of the Pentateuch
contains this express injunction for the
everlasting observance Of such day:
And this shall be a statute forever unto
YOU: that in the seventh month. on the
tenth day OF the month. We shall sflict
your souls and do no work at all. whether
4. be one Of your own country or a
stranger that sojourneth among you
The services for the day In the syna-
gogue are particularly impressive. The
priest in his white robes chants In melo-
dious cadence the soft accents or He
brew hymns. he expounds the law. and
Israel gathered together sings the songs Of
triumph that rouse It's people 10 q memory
Of a nations history.
The celebration has lived through ages.
some Of which have marked the darkest
periods Of Jewish persecution. Modern
lied Jews have allowed much Of the old
superytftious belief To fan away. and the
yom Kippur 30 its present Observance Is
from more Of symbolic than a practical
standpoint. The reformed and more
liberal jaw believes that IL is well 10 pause
NJ times 10 give serious reflection TO the
inner life and 20 show the mastery Of the
moral over the physical desire.
The addresses In both congregations yes
terday we're eminently fitted 20 the occa-
sion from the standpoint II both the liberal
and orthodox beliefs. The appeals were
for better lives and higher spiritual
achievements. Special musical features
served to make the services attractive.
A feature of the day inSeparahiy con-
nected with the religious services was
the COMMUNICATION OF loved ones who
have died during the year, and the memoir
iai service IN which this Is embodied is
always ore of the most sacred and
pathetic sceaes 81 the celebrate ton. A col
ernn stiffness prcvades the temple as each
rao7iruer calls over In siert prayer the
..prne ~ some departed loved one, and the
H-ene 81 worshtpers with bowed heads hal
lowing in rcnseerated silence the virtues
~ the absent ones Is beautifully impress
I've.