New-York tribune., 1909-04-04
PASSOVER TOMORROW
Great Jezcish Festical of UnLeaDened
Bread U'M Last q Week.

The Passover festival one Of the most important
among those observed by the Jews because Of fts
triple significance will begin this year at sunset on
April g. which. according to the Jewish calendar
will be the l4th day of the month Of Nisan. 1t
commentaries the fight Of the Children Of Israel
from Egyptian bondage. 1t is the spring festival
and also a season for family reunion
".Au that Passover, or Pesach, MEANS" a Jewish
writer has said. is doubtless we'll known to those
who observe the ancient festival but those who
would give the shortest definition for Pesach would
probably say II housecleaning and mat
zoths For seven days while the festival lasts, no
bread is eaten and flour is used by those Jews
who observe the Passover rules strictly. No cook
ing utensils tableware. china cutlery are made
of during Passover which were in use at times
when bread -four used. Every orthodox
family has its complete Passover outfit. The prep
aration for the strict observance Of the breadess
term keeps housekeepers busy for weeks. and the
bakers who furnish the unleavaned bread work
overtime for months beforehand
When the house has been properly cleaned and
the householder and his wife. after careful inspec-
tion have made sure that vestige Of bread re-
mains In the place and no pan. plate or dish
which had been dehed by bread is within reach,
the house is ready for the Seder service, with
which ancient family ceremony the Passover be-
gins This will take place on Monday evening. 1t
is an occasion when every homo Is sanctuary, for
there is Seder ceremony in the houses Of "or-
ship.
At the seder servi,e the head Of the family pre-
sides seated on cushions in Oriental fashion and
clad in the shroud which he will wear to the grave
He reads those who sit at the table with him
the story Of the fight from Egypt On the table
which IS laid yeith the best that the family can
afford are besides the dainties, many symbols,
which are used by the head Of the family to Illus
trete the story. In order that the ceremony may
be clear in its meaning the youngest of the fam
fly a series CT questions asked By one OF the
children ct the table and the answers to these
plain all.
In answer 70 one OF these questions the reader
saws: "Pesach means Passover. AS God in the
ancient watch night passed and spared the
house Of Israel, so did He us in all kinds Of
distress and so may He again and again ward
off destruction from the tents IL Israel
What does the unleavened bread signify?"
The bread Of afiiction the hasty provision
made for their journey by our sires They baked
unIeavened cakes Of the dough which they brought
Ieaven It. for they driven out of Egypt and
could not tarry.''
Only the first and last days of Passover OBJ
served by the reformed Jews. and unIeaveHed
bread is placed on table those days simply
symbol
In the houses OF the orthodox Jews. however.
the Passover laws are followed for the fun term
of the festival and II has been estimated that IL
requires about thirty thousand barrels Of hour 10
make the unleavened bread which will be consumed
in New York Thousands OF pounds OF the unleav-
cred bread sent to poor people through charity
organizations.
There will be Seder service at Ellis Island for
the benefit OF Jewish immigrants who may be
there at that time. This service has been arranged
by the United Hebrew Charities and the Hebrew
Aid Society which will provide similar entertain
nsnt fer the inmates of the Hebrew Sheltering
House, in East Broadway.