Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-12-29

expecting the resurrection, at which
his power will cease.
II the middle OF the second century
the Roman authorities in Palestine
hearing the blowing of the shofars ear
~ on the morning of Rosh ha-Shanah.
mistook the sounds for military sig
mails and sent detachments of troops to
the Synagogues. Many of the devout
Jews We're put TO the sword before the
Romans understood the ceremony.
Those same notes are blown from the
rams horn in every modern synagogue.
In modern times it is the custom for
Jews to eat largely of grapes and
honey on New Years day. Rabbis Of
olden times counseled their people that
as an omen of good luck for the COM
ing year they should eat pumpkins,
leekS, beets and dates, because all such
things grow quickly and their names
signify plentiful" and Likewise for
siyeneSS." In Provence it is the Gus
tom ID eat calf's head or deer's head on
New Years day on the theory that the
consumer will he ahead" and not
backward in hic business undertak-
ngs for the twelvemonth just begun.
In the intervals between the various
ceremonies at the synagOgues more or
less New Years calling is INDUCED in.
particularly in New York and OthCt
large American cities. For such Occa-
sions calling cards are specially pre-
pared, bearing notices or inscriptions
appropriate to the day. Usually they
express the wish that the host or
hostess may be INSCRIBED in the book
of life" or enjoy prosperity and sue
cess in business for the year.
1t is in the ghettos Of great cities, like
New York and Chicago, among the
Jews who are strictly orthodox that
the most elaborate observances of the
day are held No matter how poor
may be the community or how humble
the synagogue, for that day the altar
is richly dressed all in white; the great
scrolls, or books Of the law which are
taken out of the ark of the covenant
on the altar steps, are also swathed in
white, with gold embroidery. instead
of their usual brilliant covering. AS
the worShipers one by one are called to
take part in the ceremonies they wrap
about their shoulders the talith, a
long white shawl of thin silk bordered
by a rim of blue. Up in the gallery
sit the women, not being permitted in
the orthodox churches to set foot on
the main floor of the synagogue. Ere
quently these services occupy four or
five hours. Through all these rites the
only sounds are the singing, wailing,
chanting human voices, with the blasts
of the shofar at their proper time. No
musical instruments are permitted A
cry of desolation and melancholy runs
through all the prayers-the wailing
for the restoration of Jerusalem, the
hymns for forgiveness and salvation,
with now and then a chant of thank
fulness.
The climax is reached when the
SCROLLS containing the law, each a roll
of parchment wrapped around two
sticks, are brought forth from the ark,
with white silken coverings and tin
king little bells, and, after being I'M
rolled, are read in Hebrew The thil-
teen articles of the Jewish faith drawn
up 700 years ago by the Rabbi Mai
monides are repeated. In the wealth
Ter synag Ogues of the orthodox the GER
emonies are conducted with still more
pomp, the draperies and coverings of
white being more striking. La all or
thodox synagOgues the rabbis AMI the
men of the congregation wear hats
throughout the services
The ten days following are days OF
repentance in preparation for Yan
Kippur, the day of atonement. this be
ing observed with more impressive so
lemnity than any other day in the He
braic year.
But not all the Jewish holy days are
Of a sad solemnity. Judaism also has
it's joyous occasions. One of these is
known as Chanukkah, kind of Jew
ish thanksgiving. Usually it comes in
December. An interesting ceremony
in connection with this day denotes tire
meaning of its title, the feast Of
lights
Chanukkah lasts an entire week, but
the rincipal part Of its observance oc-