New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-10

is provided with a book in which the story is
printed the members Of the family assist at
stated times in repeating prayers and responses.
EGGS HAVE PLACE IN THE OBSERVANCE.
The ceremony Is called the Seder, and in order
that 1t may be properly performed the table
must be provided with the following symbols
plate with three matZos to symbolic the
three classes of Israelites-priests Levites and
laymen: another plate with shankbone OF
lamb to signify the paschal lamb which the
Jews sacrificed on the eve Of their departure
from Egypt the blood of which was sprinkled
on the doorposts of the houses Of Israel as
signal to the destroying angel to pass over those
houses. In another plate is placed an egg. This
egg has been boiled hard and then roasted on
live Goals and in its changed condition repre-
sents or symbolizes the varying fortunes OF
Israel or of the human family. Another plate
contains garden greens a symbol of hope or
redempton Still another vessel Is filled with
vinegar or salt water to symbolic the tears
shed by the oppressed and another vessel con-
tains a mixture Of almonds, apples, sugar spices
and white wine in small quantities. This Is
made into a fine paste and symbolizes the NOR
tar which the children of Israel had to prepare
during their days Of bondage in Egypt. Bitter
herbs are placed in another plate 10 reinihu
those about the board Of the pangs endured by
the children of Israel in Egypt. and during the
prosecutions.
At various stages Of the recital OF the history
by the father of the house each Individual re-
ceiyes a particle from the various symbohcai
dishes and the chants which accompany the
ceremony are indicative Of the various emotions.
After the evening meal there is service or
prayer and joyful song. These songs REFER prih-
mill l,o fraa fro
all religious prejudice and persecution In
the course Of the opening and the closing SER
vices four cups Of wine are drunk by each adult
member of the family in commemoration or the
four ways Of divine redemption of Israel as ex-
pressed in Scripture by the words:
Il have brought thee out"
Il have rescued thee"
II have redeemed thee"
Il have taken thee unto me-
THE STRANGER WITHIN THE GATES
At every seder table there is a vacant chair
which is reserved for the belated guest or the
homeless one, and is the symbol of true hos
pitality.
To those who do not look beneath the surface
the Seder ceremony, with its chants and quaint
;unes its Hebrew psalms and songs seems
strangely out Of place in modern New-fork, put
those who take part III II the ccleiHOHy 10 A"ii
f deep significance, and as it has joyful parts,
and as a good meal and liberal quantities or dam
ties are necessary Accomplishments Of the cele-
bration. the children look forward to the Seder
with the same JOY that fills the average Ameri-
can boys heart at the thought Of the Fourth OF
July
Among the prayers which are said on the
Seder evening is one asking for the return or
the Jews to Jerusalem, and this has been ire
ouently quoted in connection with the Zionist
movement But Jerusalem is only a figure OF
speech. and is interpreted by the jewish phil
osophers to mean a condition, not place Wheh
prejudice and persecution Will have vanished
before tolerance and brotherly love, ana wheh
the light of reason has taken the place OF the
darkness Of superstition, the Jews VIII nave
reached the Jerusalem for which they pray al
every Seder celebration.