The herald., 1898-04-04
FEAST OF REDEMPTION
JEWISH F1sTIvAL oolGarEMoR-
ATMo ESCAPE
THE uNLEAvENED BREAD
Rabbi Edelman Explains the History
and Meaning Of the Ancient Fes-
tival-Passover Services

Rabbi A. w. Edelman has furnished The
Herald with the following interesting ac-
| count of the annual Jewish festival of the
release from Egyptian captivity:
Wednesday evening at sunset the annual
festival of Israel's redemption from Egyp-
tan thralldom will commence. to be cele-
brated by Israelites throughout the world.
in compliance with divine command.
The history on which this festival Is
based is too well known to require any fur
Their explanation. The first few chapters
of the Book Of Exodus contain full ex-
PLANTATION. Let 1t suffice If simply state
that our ancestors were enslaved under
foreign yoke, and after being oppressed
even beyond any human endurance, groan-
ing under the weight of their burden, they
appealed to the One and Living God to nit
igate their suffering. He heard their cry,
threw off the chains which shackled their
bodies and gave them freedom. Previous
to their emancipation He instituted the
laws relative to the observance of the Pass
over, and commanded that in the future
the feast should be solemnized annually by
all the children Of Israel. And it is indeed
credit to the house of Israel that, al
though more than three thousand years
have elapsed since these events took place,
yet to this day the ceremonies appertain-
ing to the feast are observed with the same
feeling of gratitude as when first the CONF
mand was given. Let us therefore investi-
gate the true meaning ofSthe command.
"In the first month, on the fourteenth day
of the month at even, we shall eat unleav-
ened bread until the one and twentieth
day of the month at even. Seven days
shall there be no leaven found in your
houses; for whosover eateth that which is
Ieavened, even that soul shall be cut off
from the congregation of Israel" EXODUS,
xii:1S-19.)
Is this command limited to time, or is it
confined to geographical bounds? AS far
as can tell, can see no such qualification.
The command Is precise, plain and explicit:
Seven days no leaven shall be found in
your houses" Nor must we be led to sup
pose that there was no motive in issuing
such a command. It was intended that the
cause and the effect of Israel's emancipa-
ton should never, never be lost sight Of.
The cause was oppression, the effect was
freedom based upon gratitude; being i'm
pressed at all times with a feeling of love
and loyalty to our Heavenly Father for
having released us from the Egyptian
thralldom and give us laws. by the OBJ
servance of which happiness will be our
portion, and through our good ex-
ample the world, in time to come,
will acknowledge the unity of God.
Israel was redeemed by God to promote
the purpose of the Father Of US all. Eye are
my witnesses that am Cod" said the
Lord. This short sentence explains at
once the intention of the Deity toward Is
rael and toward all mankind.
We have ever been such living witnesses,
and the evidence is found principally in our
distinct laws. 1t is by our laws that we
have preserved and are to preserve our
distinct character. not only because God
wills 1t so, but because we are to show and
to prove to the world the truth of Gods
revelation.
To test this need but refer to the first
declaration in the decalogue: II am the
Lord thy God. who brought thee out Of the
land Of Egypt. out Of the house Of bono
age" Here is distinct declaration which
cannot be doubted, as there are millions of
living witnesses who testify to its truth,
throughout the world this day who believe
it, and, If they even should entertain
doubt, the Jews. by their religious adher-
eHCe 10 the laws, ulSpei every mlSSlVlnS
apprehension.
May the incoming feast cause US to re-
member the redemption from the Egyp-
tian thralldom." We Israelites of this
blessed country Of liberty and freedom
have more reason to be grateful than those
of Europe. We are better conditioned than
those who are dispersed over barbarous
Russia and Roumania, Aus tria, Hungary,
and even in civilized Germany and enlight-
ened France, that has for so many years
been refuge and shelter for all the Jews,
has today (at the close Of the nineteenth
century, assumed a degree of anti-Semi-
tism, hatred and prejudice.
Let us all devote our freedom to its legit-
innate object, to spread its benefits to all
who suffer from adversely or are panied
through oppression. Let US obey the re-
lgious duties connected with Judaism. By
such means we shall alleviate the distress
of all others, and faithfully carry out the
mission conferred on US as true Israelites.
Rev. Edelman will conduct the Passover
services at the old Masonic hall, 1854 South
Spring street. Services will commence
Wednesday, April 9Th. at p m.
All prices OF wall paper greatly reduced.
A. A. Eckstrom. 3A South Spring street