The Jewish outlook., 1905-08-04

salem, they prefer to live in the interior
city, and as they are not too rich in worldly
goods, they inhabit very narrow quarters,
often without any windows, even in caves; II
they are possessed of some means, in car
avansary, being a kind of an Oriental hotel
You may see them, their dresses gathered
around them, handkerchief respondent in
whiteness dangling from their grdles, an
embroidered veil covering their white hair,
running around in the courtyard, with a pail
or broom in their hands, or carrying home
some vegetables which they have purchased
from the grocer, some linen which they
have laundered. They are always smiling,
and happy word is always ready to flow
from their sered lips. Their rooms are very
clean and neatly kept. They are satisfied
with very little and their material wants
play a very small consideration in their
daily lives Their whole time is occupied
with the fulfllment of their religious duties,
because it must not be forgotten that their
main object is to gain paradise by acts OF
piety. They assist at marriages. circumcis
ions, burials, and sermons. They go to the
synagogues three times daily, to assist at the
prayers, Notwithstanding they understand
very little of them but they are satisfied and
happy to humble amen" after each bene-
diction
sle-work which hides them from view
wedged in that small place, with their lean
faces emaciated by suffering glued onto the
wood and listening attentively. They are
AFRAID tney WOulu Hiss OHe fAhSn, IHoy
count them religiously and would be exceed
ingly unhappy if at the end of day, there
would be some Amen wanting to make
up the requisite number There are some
who go even further in their religious mys-
tic zeal. Instead of assisting once at each
of the three daily services, they stay in the
synagogue as long as there are any wor-
shippers there. They arrive at the house OF
worship in summer or winter at five O'Clock
in the morning, they awaken the sexton, and
go to their accustomed places without noise
or fuss; they leave at nine o'clock, to come
back at half past three in the afternoon and
go home very late in the evening. To en-
hance the value of these religious duties
these pious women fast every Monday and
Thursday; this will insure them an extra
pass to enter paradise. They impose upon
themselves other hardships to gain the good
will of God and be rewarded in heaven.
They spin linen and make "Tztziths' of the
same which they distribute gratuitously
amongst the poor. They furnish cotton wcks
for the lamps in the synagogues which they
attend, they watch near the lying-in-women,
help in the households where a marriage is
to take place; and often are nurses of the
sick.
There is another act of piety looked upon
as saintlier than any other, which these
good old women undertake to accomplish.
There exists in Jerusalem wall called ''Ko-
tel Maarabi," "Wailing WALL supposed to
be pitiful remainder of the temple of Solo,
mon. 1t is located in one of the vilest quar-
ters of the Musulman city. The neighbors
of this glorious wall take great pleasure in
deposing along it all the garbage and refuse
from their households. During six days OF
the week this continues but on Friday even
come thither to recite their prayers. 1t is
tO clean the wall The good old