The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1906-09-21
Hebrew New Year Observed.

The Hebrew New Year began Wed
nesday evening at sunset and will con.
tinue until today at the same time.
The occasion is being observed in
Farmyille by the Jews as it never was
before, and their stores are accordingly
closed. Services were held Wednes-
day evening, yesterday and will con-
tinue today in Chappell's Hall. Wis
iting Jews from Crewe, and other
nearby points joined in the ceremo-
mics, which were conducted by Mr.. A.
Levy, the well-known tailor Of
Farmville.
In the month Of Iishri, or on the
Christian calendar the seventh month,
fails the celebration Of the most inn
portant holiday Of the Hebrew year.
Ten days after the New Year celebra-
ton is the hottest day Of the Jewish
calendar-the Day Of Atonement
lYom Kippur as it is called by the
Israelites) and referred to in the Bible
as the Sabbath Of Sabbaths. Five
days after this is celebrated the Feast
Of Booths or Tabernacles. This con-
tinues week, though only the first
and last days Of the period are observ-
ed by holy cOnvocation. The days in
tervening are kept half holiday and |
are devoted to joyous occasions and /
celebrating.
The New Year celebration is Obsery-
ed throughout the world by Hebrews,
and all synagogues are filed with
worshippers. This year the occasion
begins the five thousand six hundred
and sixty-seventh annual celebration
Of the creation Of the world. Thee
cises are started promptly at sunset by
the sounding Of the rams horn, called
the shofar. This is said to have been
the first musical instrument ever used.
and it is sounded to arouse the multi
tudes from their religious inactivity
and Indifference and to forcibly re-
mind them Of the fact that God was
the creator Of the universe.
The evening is devoted to religious
services, which are resumed early the
following morning. The afternoon Of
The next day is devoted to visiting
friends and wishing them prosperity
and happy New Year. This is the
lime when many new resolutions are Z
made and old ones renewed. Elabo-
ate musical programs are rendered
Turing the services.
The Day Of Atonement, which fol- :
ows New Years is a day Of fasting,
prayer and meditation, continuing
Turing the "A hours.
All Hebrews over Is years Of age
bstain from food Of any description
Turing that time and spend the entire
lay in the temples in pray er.
Petitions for forgiveness Of wrong :
oings and sins Of every kind are y
made. This being the Day Of Atone "
lent il Is believed that their appeals
viii be heard and recognized much a
lore promptly than at any other =
me Of the year. Much OF the ritual
equires that the members Of the con- -
regati0ns remain on their knees for y
ours at time. The celebration be-
ins at sunset with service in the y"
nipple, which continues for about two II
ours. Early the following morning -
ley again assemble at the church and y
main there until sunset Of that day. ~
he fasting is then broken. -
In the ancient sanctuary in Jerusa- ~
m the sacriicial service on the Day -
Atonement is elaborate.
The Feast Of the Booths, or Taber- :.
acles, is historically characteristic. -
commentaries the time Of the IS
ielites moving from Egypt to the :,
romised Land when they became -
81 in the desert. For 30 years they ~
andered to and fro, but were pro- 49,
cted and cared for by the fates. "