The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-10-08
THIS is YOM KIPPUR.
About 25 Jewish Citizens Win observe
Day of Atonement.

The most solemn and sacred holiday
of Judaism. the Day of AtOuement or
Yom Hakkippurim Commonly called
Yom kippuT) begins tonight at
O'Clock
Probably % Topeka Jews will OBJ
serve the event. They have rented
the hall at APO Kansas avenue. A
short service viii be held tonight last
ing about two hours. On Monday
morning those who strictly observe the
day Will return to the church and re-
main there until o'clock Monday
evening. never the leaving the place
eating nothing, drinking nothing, and
in every way suppressing all earthly
pleasure and desire, or in other words
practicing entire negation.
\. Samuel who will observe the
holiday, said last night in regard to
the matter: Il win keep my store
closed on Monday. I think that all
the Jews north of Sixth street will also
keep their places closed. Those South
of Sixth street Will keep open I sup
pose They never pay much attention
to the day any more. They belong to
a different sect, too. When / first
came to Topeka all Of them used to
observe the day But it seems to be
rapidly growing out of custom"
what is the significance of it and
what are YOU supposed to dog" was
asked of Mr. Samuel.
To observe it strictly" was the re-
ply. would be for us to begin fasting
at O'Clock tonight attend a short
service at the temple this evening, re-
turn home to sleep, and then go back
to church on Monday and stay there
all day, not leaving our seats. We
ought to eat nothing. ought drink
nothing and in every way maintain
abstinence scrupulously.'
viii that be done here 2"
yes. was the answer. II suppose
that twenty-five or so viii do it. We
have rented the hall at 42O Kansas
avenue and some one will conduct the
prayers. I do not know who it will be
prObab bly,, however. some one from
among ourselves. We used to get a
rabbi from Kansas City, but the lack
of interest has stopped that practice"
Yom Hakkippurim is without his
torical background. To trace its
source is almost an impossibility. The
third and fourth books of Moses.
Numbers and Leviticus contain the
Biblical authority for the fast time. In
the former, chapter %, verse 27, all
ludes to the Observance and in the
latter the reference is contained in
chapter 20, verse Z. It falls on the
tenth day of the seventh month Of
the Mosaic calendar, just ten days
after New Years day
1t is q day not only of what is
usually understood in English by
fasting. but one on which total alb
stinence from all worldly pleasure and
bodily requirements is practced. No
I food is eaten, no VS. ter is drunk, none
of the ordinary habits are followed, all
! pleasures are cast aside and the
Isra elite devotes the span of a night
and a day entirely to self-sacrifice-
atonement for past sins and COM
munion with his Maker.
In olden days the event was oh
served with the pomp and serious
splendor of high priesthood. The day
was q great devotional festival, sacri-
fetal offerings were given the priests
appeared in all their gorgeous raiment
| to offer devotion and other features of
an old Jewish religious festival at
tended. The fasting and negation
were always the principal portions Of
/ the observance.
The Monday service opens with the
Kol-nidro, a hymn of considera bic
length. said to be most beautiful of
/ Hebrew melodies. Then comes am
/ other service at 10 o'clock and another
in the afternoon at 8. These services
are really prayers. But in their in
! termissions the worshippers are not
supposed to leave the temple, but re-
main in silent prayer and supplication
1 to their God.