The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-27
PASSOVER BEGINS
NEXT WEDNESDAY
Jewish Festival Which
Lasts Seven Days.
THE OLDEST OF HOLY DAYS
Has Been Observed by the Hebrews
Continuously Since the Exodus
From Egypt.
THE OLDEST OF HOLY DAYS

Wednesday evening next begins the
Passover festival. which lasts seven
days. with one holiday at its beginning
and one at its end and FIVE Intervening
half holidays. According to the Jewish
calendar. il is the eve Of the fifteenth
day Of Nissan. which is the first spring
month.
This feast. it appears, was always OBJ
served in Israel since the days Of the
exodus from Egypt. In the closing days
OF Israel's national life it was a most
popular feast. From all parts the jews
would gather in Jerusalem TO celebrate
the festival of freedom by bringing as a
sacrifice the so-called paschal lamb.
Jcsephus relates that on one Passover,
In the days of Nero. over $4,000 families
were present in Jerusalem. Though this
number Rev. DR.. Adolf Guttmacher con-
siders incorrect. the fact remains that
large multitude Of strangers was at
tracted on the Passover to the national
sanctuary year after year.
Oldest Of Festivals.
The custom of holding a spring festi-
val 70 celebrate the revival OF the earth's
life for the year dates back to the re-
hottest antiquity OF the natioTss. Scrip
ture makes that spring festival the time
OF Israers redemption from physical
bondage and the time OF Israers national
nativity The spiritual significance OF
the feast is the message of freedom and
the acknowledgment Of Gods rule on
earth and the victory of righteousness
over the powers Of evil
During the existence of the temple ev
cry family was enjoined to bring to the
sanctuary a lamb, symbOlicol OF the
feast Today the family service and
meal (seder) on the eve of the Passover
has taken the place OF the Sacrihciai
lamb that was eaten roasted by the
whole family. Durins the domestic ser
vice the Haggadah (rale) is read and
chanted This booklet contains the his
tory of Israel's trials and redemption
and closes with praises in glOrihcatiOn
OF God. who watches over Israel and
helps the weak and innocent.
Bread and Bitter Herbs.
The unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
which were eaten with the paschal lamb
and symbolic the bitter experience IN
Egypt and elsewhere. have been retain
cd. so also the varied symbolism Of the
hard-boiled egg and OF a brown mixture
of almonds. apples and nuts. and Of a
dish of salt water, in which the herbs
are later dipped. These and four cups Of
wine prescribed by the ritual form q
most important part Of the common
family meal
The day IS celebrated as a day OF
thanksgiving. Where the Jew enjoys
liberty he thanks Providence for the
priceless boon: where he is still Ian
gushing IN Egypt he takes courage ana
Is buoyed up by the thought that God
VIII help him. even as He helped hts
ancestors. FerVently he exclairns veal
after year the words Of that evenings
ritual" Though slaves this year. next
year we shah be free
The Jew on the eve Of Passover prays
not only for his own freedom bat know
ing what II meant to have been the
prosecuted Of the nations the butt OF
brutality and bigotry he prays FOR an
men who are oppressed and are unjust
y treated by their fellows. and he long.
for the time when liberty. equality ilIs-
tice truth and light Will rule the world