Daily Kennebec journal., 1904-07-21
FAST OF Alb NOW
Will Be Observed, Today, by All He
brews in the World.

Commencing Wednesday evening AT
sundown and continuing until Thurs
day evening Hebrews will hold ser
vices in their synagogues to celebrate
the destruction of Jerusalem py
NebuchadneZZar's army, $50 B. c., ana
$50 years later. by the legions of Yes
pasian and Titus. Although the double
destruction is generally regarded by all
Hebrews as the cause of the celebra-
ton, it is nevertheless a fact that the
surrender of the fortress of Bethar, 133,
a. D., and, one year later. the drawing
of the plow over the site of the Holy
City by the soldiers of Emperor Hadri-
an. both events happening of that very
same black day of the Jewish calendar,
were directly responsible for the con-
tinuation of the day of mourning and
fasting. The celebration in Hebrew
parlance is known as the Fast of Ninth
Day of Alb.
When the celebration was first COM
menced, centuries ago, it usually con-
sisted of fasting alone. In later years,
however. the services became mourn
full in character in addition to the fast
ing feature. AT the present time. the
celebration is only generally regarded
by the more Orthodox Jews. Hebrews
who have been brought up in this cOun
try, while they believe in holding the
| ceremony. do not usually take much
part in the services.
The celebration commences on the
eve of the fast day, the people. in
stockings or slippers. are seated on the
Of 1,n o,,
little benches lower than their regular
seats. The Holy Ark is deprived of it's
curtain. The chazZan and the whole
congregation recite the Lamentations
of jeremiah and collection of plain
tive songs called knot. The next morn
ing similar services are held and also
in the early afternoon of that day.
Business is not. in general. interrupted
during the day, but in the houses of the
pious the candles for the dead are burn
ing: the children do not play in the
streets as usual; the people do not greet
one another After the evening service.
at which lesson of the TorHh is read,
the fast day is ended.
In Jerusalem they read. both at the
evening and morning services. the swan
song of Moses, to the melody of the a.
mentations, and after the evening service
| of the first day the lights are eNtinguish-
u.
bly, in the Judaco-Spansh dialect on the
destruction of the Temple. closing gen
orally with words of comfort: after which
the lights are rekindled. The scrolls of
the law and the Holy Ark are draped in
| black. and the people have their heads
covered with ashes. In the afternoon the
Wall of Wailing is visited
At all synagogues. Thursday afternoon,
following the fast day service. the Ban
following the fast day service, the
Hebrews will hold memorial service
at Vienna. Austria Similar exercises are
to he held all over the country in recogni
ton of this famous Hebrew. One was
held in Carnegie hall. New York. last
Sunday. and over 22,U0 Hebrews took part
in the service.
DR.. Hizerl was probably one of the most
famous men of his race and is especially
noted for his efforts to buy the City of
Jerusalem and restore it to the Hebrew
| race. He was president of the associa
tion which has been raising funds to do
| this. Besides being at the head of this
movement he was very prominent as an
author and newspaper correspondent.