The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1905-10-14

blemish, as the law ordains. They were
very particular that, the sheep should
not be killed minute before or after
the sun set for fear of breaking the law.
Everything, therefore was in readiness,
and just as the sun dipped into the Medi-
terranean, those ordained to kill the
sheep did so amid loud shouts from the
rest. In doing this care must be taken
not to break a bone, which the law for
bids. All the laws concerning sacrifices
were carefully observed, such a pouring
forth the blood, etc The sheep We're
then plunged into large caldrons of
boiling water to enable them to remove
the wool easily. While the sheep We're
being cleaned and prepared, vigorous
shouts were kept up by the rest of the
crowd. The skins and entrails were salt
ed and thrown into the fire. as the law
commands that everything which is not
eaten shall be burned and they were par
ticular that not scrap should escape
the flames. The hearts were thrown in
to the fire. When the sheep were pre-
pared they were put on long wooden
spikes.
The right fore leg of each sheep was
then cut off, and these were put together
on a separate spike, as this was the
priest's portion. They We're then carried
TO a cemented pit. where they had built
huge furnace, which had burned down,
leaving hot bed Of Goals. Into this the
stakes We're plunged, and then tie top Of
the pit is covered with a mat of grass
with earth piled on top to keep out the
air. They were then left to roast in the
heat Of the pit withour touching the
Goals. They roast them because they are
commanded to do so by the law. "They
shall not be raw. nor sodden with water,
1 but roast with fire. Duling all this
loud prayers and shouts are kept up CON
| tinuously. The pit was then left in
| charge of a few of the younger, and the
rest go up to their tents to rest till mid
/ night when the sheep wculd be ready
Before dispensing they all embrace each
/ other and extend their wishes to happy
feast.
We We're invited to spend the following
4 interval in the tent of the Kahin's cous-
in. While We sat tierehe read the chap
ter which the KAHN had read. we fol-
lowing in our Bibles. which correspond
almost exactly. He then proceeded to
| tell US a little about their belief. trying
to prove from the Bible that they We're
/ the true Jews. He said that they We're
| decreasing very fast. This. however,
1 they think is the fulflment of Abraham s
vision when he saw the small light going
between the pieces. This light, they
| think, represents them and so, although
/ they are so few. and are steadily getting
less. they believe that the time will come
when things will take a turn and they
/ will prosper and increase and receive all
the promi. .es.
The midnight hour was announcer by
hearld, and they all rose up in hasse
|
and put on their sandels .girded their Ions
and took Their staffs in their hands. The
pit was then uncovered and the shee9
which We're well roasted. We're pulled Mp
and put on white cloths which were
spread on the ground. Very quickly.
| but without confusion the different fam
lilies gathered around the sheep, and the
| priests took their portion If sheep was
| too much for one family they took it be-
tween two, as they are commanded to &c.
! They ate in haste, standing up as if
about to start on a journey, and ate il
with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
They surrounded it closely while eating
it so that none Of the strangers. whs
throng up the mountain to watch might
snatch any, ars they are repeatedly
forbidden to give any to strangers. The
| Mohammedan inhabitants of Nablous
who come up there to torment them. try
| to snatch pieces that they may make
/ them break tue law AS each bone was
| picked it was thrown right into one OF
4 the furnaces. which were kept burning
for this purpose and which with the
light Of the full moon lit up the scene.
Everything which remained was burned
! in accordance with the commandment
/ None Of it shall remain until the morn
ing, but that which is left shall We burn
with fire. When they had eaten the
passover after again congratulating one
another. they dispersed for the night
Although so Jealous to carry ont the
/ letter Of the law. the Samaritans are a
most quarrelsonle people. and do not get
on at all well among themselves. Their
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