Norwich bulletin., 1909-09-15
HEBREW NEW YEAR
STARTS TONIGHT
ceIebration Will Be Held at Syna-
sogues-Fesst of TabernaeIes Fol-
lows.


Today at sunset the Hebrew wear
5e7e will begin. This is, according to
the tradition of the rabbis, the number
that indicates the years since the Gre
alton of the world as recorded in the
Book of Genesis. The Hebrew New
Year is the most ancient holy day OBJ
served by any civilized people. The
Day of Atonement comes 10 days after
the New Year begins, and following
the fast observed on this day is the
Feast of Tabernacles, which covers
period of seven days.
The Day of Atonement is a fast day
to atone for sin, while the Feast of
Tabernacles is a reminder of the time
when the Israelites were brought out
of the land of Egypt and dwelt in
booths before reaching the promised
land Of Canaan. The origin OF the
season of holy days dates back to. the
Pentateuch, where chapter and verse
may be cited to show the antiquity
of the custom.
The day of blowing trumpets in the
seventh month (Tichri) is referred to
in Leviticus, xiii, %. "a, %, and in
Numbers. xxx, 1. 1t is commanded
in Leviticus, xvi, 29, that the Day OF
Atonement shall be observed as IAN
everlasting statute" and Ito aff1ict the
soul" on the 10th of the seventh
month. The Mosaic law also provid-
ed a penalty for the nom observance
of this day of fasting, declaring that
every soul that works on that day
will be destroyed from among his peo-
pie"
The 18th day of the seventh month
was set apart for the beginning of
the period of seven days covered by
the Feast of Tabernacles. This was
originally a feast to commemorate the
bringing of the Jews out of Egypt and
was made a season of rejoicing after
the fruits of the earth had been gath
cred.
The season of holy days has retained
much of its original Significance
through all the varying experiences of
a people that was scattered over the
face of the earth.
The devout Hebrew turns toward
his thigh places" at the approach of
sunset on Sept. Is. These may be
the synagogues where the wealthy
have provided rich furnishings, plain
halls hired for the observance Of re-
ligious ceremonies, or corners in some
attic where the worshippers seek
communion with their Maker Some
of their prayers, like the Lamenta-
lions of jeremiah, are the utterance
of distress because of national cal
antilles. The advent of the New Year
is announced by the blowing of truIn-
pets, originally the rams horn, and
in many modern places of Jewish
worship the solemn notes of the great
organ or the blast of the cornet have
replaced the ancient instruments.
On Saturday, Sept. %, the celebra-
tion of the Day of Atonementi begins
at sunset 10 days after the new year
opens. The faithful go to the syna-
gogues and remain there for "a hours
without food or drink. except for the
time spent at home in sleep during the
period of fasting. BY the rabbinical
law children and invalids are exempt
from the rigorous observance of the
fast. The remarkable retention of the
national characteristics by the Jewish
people in all lands is said to be owing.
in a great measure, to the sacredness
with which the Day OF Atonement is
regarded.
Modern life and modern conditions
have wrought, perhaps, a greater
change in the methods of observance
of the Feast of the Tabernacles than
In the matter Of celebrating any 9th
er of the holy days observed by the
Jews. The reasons for this are seen
in the nature of the occasion itself.
which is one of general rejoicing rath-
er than of solemn worship. It Is hard
ly practicable, especially in this coun-
try, to dwell in booths or tents for a
week in imitation of the manner of
living pursued by the Jews while wan
dering In the wilderness after leaving
Egypt. In sunny Palestine, the CITY
of Jerusalem was literally invested
with an army of pious pilgrims dwell
ing in tents, who came up to the tenn
pie once year to the great feast, So
Journing in the neighborhhood for a
week