The Jewish outlook., 1907-11-22


ion. Though the wealthier class still
practice polygamy, yet this custom is
falling into disrepute and western
marriage laws are taking firm root
among the major part of the inhabi-
tants of this country. Arabian mar
riages are still arranged by the match
maker. and if the bridegroom be of
noble family, he will not see his bride
until the day of his wedding. The
Arab generally buys his wife with
IA dowry and gifts to her parents, ac-
cording to the arrangements agreed
upon beforehand Arabian and Tur
kish women are prohibited from see
ing and being seen by men.
One wishing to enter a MOhamme-
dan house must first give due notice
of his intention so as to allow the
women enough time to escape to their
harem.
| once entered the house of the ex-
British Consul in Jaffa, who had an
Arabian maid servant. My enterin"
was so sudden that when the poor girl
saw me. she hastily craMied under the
table and almost huddled herself into
IA ball. BY nature, the Arab is OF
Jealous disposition and is very sus-
piciOus of his wife s movements.
In the street Muslin women go COW
cred with white or black sheet, and
their faces are veiled with thin
muslin network. The Fellahin. or
peasant women. alone go unveiled.
but the nose-rings and ornaments still
adorn their chins as in days of yore.
Arabian women are particularly
fond of powdering their faces and
perfuming their bodies. Isaiah s de-
scription of the vanity of the daugh-
ters of Zion in his third chapter, may
still be witnessed among the Arabian
women in everyday life. They pow
der their eyelids and color their nails
with a kind of orange color. The rich
adorn their heads with golden bands,
and the poor with strings of copper
coins. Although Arabs have many
vices and are fond of rapine, theft,
falsehood and sexual pleasures, yet
they possess many virtues and good
traits. The Arabs have always been
famed for their hospitality. virtue
that is still retained by them.
Every village has its own shelter
house for strangers. and on the arriv-
al of n visitor the Sheikh of the vii
laye assemblies the elders to participate
i'm honorng the guest. a mat or car
pet is spread on the ground. where
upon they all sit down barefooted (as
a matter of courtesy the visitor follows
their cxample). To the Jew they will
spread everything permissible for his
food. and for non-Jews they will
slaughter lamb or goat. and whilst
he is feasting. the villagers will come
to welcome his arrival. Having par
taken of bread and salt in the house
of an Arab. one is certain never to
be harmed by him. think that this
is the best explanation of Gods COW
enant with Israel. when he said: 81
have made with thee covenant OF
salt" This custom of hospitality is
as old as the history of Abraham, and
as a further illustration of this vir
tue. may be assumed the story of Lot,
who would rather have sacrificed the
honor of his daughters to the men of
Sodom rather than have harm befall
the visitors who had taken shelter
under his roof.
All viands must be slaughtered by
a direct descendant of Abraham, and.
of course. the Jewish Shochet is looked
upon as lawful slaughterer. How
ever. before killing, he is obliged to
utter the following words: "Beshim
EsT 4