The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1911-04-08
TO OBSERVE THE PASSOVER
The jewish Period Which Corresponds TO
Christian lent lmpends

'Pasech the passover. or feast OF
unleavened bread. which begins with
the setting of the sun ON the fourteen
tn day Of Nilsson Wednesday. April l2)
ana ends at the same hour seven days
later. is probably one OF the most closely
observed holidays in the Jewish calen-
dar.
Commemorative OF Jewish deliver
ance from Egyptian bondage and escape
of their 6rst born in Egypt from the
Judgment wrought on the Phsroahs.
this ancient holiday will be observed
by orthodox Jews OF Crystal Falls and
all over the world with hardly less
stringency than in former ages.
During the week of Pasech' leaven
in either solid or liquid is not tasted !;
in fact so strictly was this feature OF
the festival observed in ancient times
that Intentional omissions were pun.
ished in various ways.
SO strict Is the rabbinical edict with
regard TO "hsmaz' (leavenl that to
this day orthodox Jews use different
dishes, utensil. cutlery, etc. during
the festival than those used during the
rest of the year
Before the household can De really
termed free of ''hamaz, the head OF
the house must perform "Bedikat ha
MAJ (the ceremony OF clearing the
house for leayenl this being done af
ter dark. on the 18th day OF Nilsson,
by placing crumb OF bread on win.
dow sill and making search of every
nook and corner until the complete
circle from the crumb is completed.
When this is accomplished. what leaven
is i'm the house at the time, except o
nongh for the next morning 5 meal.
Is tied in compact bundle and hung
where even mice cannot reach u.
Probably no service is more beauti.
full. instructive and impressive than
the passover home service. AT these
services, which are called in the sin
gular 'Sidar" and take place on the
eve and first night Of the holiday only.
the Haggodah narration of the Pass
over is recited
During the narration of the Haggo.
dah several dishes symbolical OF the
forty years of wandering in the will
derness under the leadership Of Moses.
are tasted wine and home prepared
brews are also tasted.
While leavens in any form are under
the ban during the week of semi denial.
other foods and beverages are TO be had
in plenty for long before the holidays
arrival il Eas been anticipated and pre-
parations made accordingly.
IL is n self composed duty that at this
time OF the year rich and middle clas
ses alike unite for assistance 10 the
needy and poor Of their nationality and
help them TO observe the holiday as
best they may from the standpoint OF
edibles at least.
So binding is observance OF the hOli.
day that when the stranger jew knocks
asking for food--be IL for paw or gratis
IL is not In the orthodox heart Of
spirit to deny.
But the hard and fast orthodox 10 not
the only strict observer. Many com.
mercial drummer, worldly wise and
satirical though he may be, often
makes strenuous efforts to partake Of
ths Passover meal at least III no more.
: BY far the most interesting part OF
the holiday is the first two days these
combine the synagogue and home SER
vice. and manual labor is not permit.
ted. Following these two days OF rest
and festiyity come tonr DAYS Of routine
life The balance OF the holiday is OBJ.
served by retraining from manual la
Dor and With mor ming ard evening sy-