The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-04-05
JEWS CELEBRATE
PASSOVER FEAST
It's Their Fourth Of July and
Marked the Dawn of Human
Liberty.

The most unique OF all Jewish holi-
days will begin this evening. and con-
tinue for a period OF eight days.
Pesach is the Hebrew name, and
Passover Is the English translation.
Nissan Is Is the Jewish date Of Tues
day, April g. which Is really the first
day of this holiday. but according to
Jewish law, all holidays begin at sun
set the day before.
Passover Is the Jewish Fourth or
July. the first festival OF liberty, the
commemoration of the original declar-
alton OF independence antedating the
American declaration by thousands Of
years. The Jews were slaves In
Egypt when they helped TO build the
pyramids, and made bricks without
straw. and In the midst of their great
est prosecutions by their taskmasters
OF Egypt, arose Moses, the prototype
Of washington, and struck blow for
liberty which converted a nation OF
bondmen into a nation Of freemen,
and laid the foundation for what was
then the most powerful nation on
earth.
One of the interesting features OF
! the observance of this holiday Is that
a day Of fasting precedes the Pass.
over holiday. The first-born boy OF
every family only Is compelled to fast
on that day, because the an
gel OF death, during those stirring
times In the land Of Egypt spared
the first born among the Israelites.
and took from earth the first born
among their oppressers.
Until the first-born boy reaches the
age of Is. his father assumes the bur
den of fasting, but after his thirteenth
year.known as the Bar Mizvah period.
the boy Is supposed to be member Of
the Jewish community. and is himself
responsible for his own conduct.
Another interesting feature OF the
Passover Is the celebration OF the Sc
der, the first two nights OF the holi-
day, which this year will be observed
on the evenings OF April and g..
The family comprising each Jewish
household is seated about the table.
and each must. according to rabbinical
law. drink, or sip, from a certain num-
Der Of glasses or cups Of wine. One
large glass. the largest and best In
the household, is filled to the brim
with Passover wine. and In the cen
ter OF the table awaits the coming OF
Elijah, the prophet, who according to
Hebrew tradition, never died. but as
cended to heaven In a chariot Of fire.
This prophet is supposed to visit every
Jewish household during Seder night.
The children believe the legend. and
the expectancy of the little ones to
come face to face with Elijah furnish
es dramatic moment that is not I'M
like the mysterious visit Of Santa
Claus In Christian homes. The arri-
val of the prophet is anticipated dur
ing a certain part OF the services,
when the bravest lad In the family
| is commanded by the father to open
the street door. and there he stands
while the father, rising from his seat.
speaks the words of welcome to the
invisible guest.
Orthodox Jews discard all dishes
and other kitchen utensils that are
used during the year, and use a spe-
cial set, complete In every detail from
the soup pot to the coffee spoon, for
those eight days only. Certain food
products may not be eaten at all dur
| ing Passover, and other things must
be specially prepared, and bear the
seal that II is not "chometz" or unfit
| for Pesach use.
Today the day before the Passover.
the head of every orthodox Jewish
family, has examined every nook and
corner of the house, especially the
kitchen, for "chometz" food. and with
quill and a huge wooden spoon. has
gone through the form of gathering up
all such crumbs and destroying them
by fire, after which the spoon itself
and the feathers are burned.