The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-10-02
Thoughts for The
Day Of Rtonemenf
BY ]. Silverblatt, Jermyn.

| With the going down of the sun this day the
worlds cares and tolls will be hushed, the tide
OF materialism will be stayed, for at least twen-
ty-four hours, for this evening will witness the
throng of Jews, both orthodox and reform, wend-
ing their way towards the tabernacle Of God.
Men and women, young and DID, will suspend
their daily duties and join in the throng to-
wards the house OF God. This evening is the
mmoncenent of the most important day Of
the religious year. 1t is the Day of Atonement.
the day, to use the Biblical prescription, ''when
! Israel shall De ceansed from all iniquities and
stand before God pure" Who can witness this
s,rgins throng and not be moved with admira.
tion? What power and religious strength must
there be imbedded deep in the breast Of every
| Jew to prompt such a gathering?
| The Biblical festivals that breathe the air of
semi.naticnalism, have to some extent lost their
| hold upon the modern jew but the Day Of
Atcne,nent has Won jor itself the central posi-
tion OF the Jewish church. What has caused
this change? Is it not to prove to the world the
commission that Israel holds Of whatever shade
of religious partisanship, so as to impress the
minds of mortals with the purpose Of Him, who
created the world, and the duty OF those whom
He has fashioned in His image?
Surely no other reason can be assigned for
this great upheaval of the Jewish calendar. The
festivals, although bearing in its train so many
important lessons to humanity, is to be over
ment. 1t may be asked, as so many, both friends
and foes, have asked, what is the meaning of
this Day of Atone,nent?
This day does not mean that prayer and fast
ing is all that is assigned to Israel to atone
for the past no. The Day of Atonement, in
the words of Isaiah, is to be to loose the bonds
of wickcdncss, to undo the heavy burdens, and
to let the oppressed SO free. The Day of Atone.
ment is to mark an era when man shall deal
hrin fhn
and outcasts under roof of shelter. Yes! on
that day Israel can commune with himself, and
then and there cleanse himself from all selfish.
ness and stand before God pure, ready to begin
new year Of Righteousness.
1t was an ancient Jewish belief that on New
Year, as celebrated the past week. that the
Omnipotent inscrbes in book mans destiny
for the coming year, while on the Day Of Atone
ment the fate OF the unrepentant was sealed and
messengers Of destruction were commissioned to
execute judgment. No one entcrtains such a
belief. The most credulous today is guided by
Il purer conception Of the divine government Of
this world and Of mans destiny Yet, in very
truth, this poetic rendering is merely the divine
law OF retrbuton.
1t is for mankind to seal their fate OH the
Day OF Atonement. On the New Year, as the
jew stood before God with resolutions for an
amended career, with hope and forgiveness to
mankind, the Jew opened unto himself q new
book Of life and during the ten days between
the New Year and the Day Of Atonement 1t
behooves upon the jew to decide for himself
whether his life is to be book OF righteous.
ness or not Surely the Day Of Atonement can
b. for him veritable atOnement, a day Of blot
ting out the past, a day when mankind can stand
as conquerors OF human selfshness, and begin
q life Of usefulness to God and man.
Who can wonder that this day was made so
important in the Jewish church. Judaism, that
aimed for righteousness, must demand the purg.
ing of selfshness, and retract into the path OF
life, OF holiness and duty. II was an ancient |
Jewish custom that on the eve OF the Day Of |
Atoncment that each man craveL forgiveness
from his fellow man for any wrong done by |
him in the past year, and renew friendship once |
more. What beautiful custom it was! Would |
that we in modern days could emulate them in |
this manner. |
How many wrongs and grievances 20 down |
with MS TO the end OF our days unforgyen and |
How many noble lives have been |
lost just because anilnosty and grievances
we're allowed to perpetuate themselves and leave
hlots on tho human character? How many
friends are restrained. Just because we Withhold |
the few words from them, 81 forgive thee, |
Brother?
This is the cause that prompts the Jews to
gather into their synagog,les and temples this
evening. Nationalistic festivals are insignificant
TO them, but religion, the balm for the human
soul, urges Israel to stand before Him, and now
unto Him that henceforth a new life of visor
and religious strength will flow from his veins
Yes. on the Day of Atonement the jew will
seal the fate of destiny, whether he is to con-
tinue bearing the torch Of Righteousness, whether
he is TO make known to the world that his life
Is to bear witness that God is the creator OF the
universe, and to Him alone must mankind do |
homage.
The Jew from this day show to the world