The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-04-05
The FEAST OF
THE PASSOVER
WILL BE OBSERVED BY
JEWISH PEOPLE OF FARGO
SOME OF THE CUSTOMS PEcU.
LIAR TO THIS IMPORTANT
EVENT.

"Pasech," the passover,s or feast OF
unleavened bread, which begins with
the setting of the sun on the four
tenth day of Nilsson "wednesday,
April 12), and ends at the same hour
seven days later, is probably one of
the most closely observed holidays in
the Jewish calendar.
Commemorative of Jewish deliver
| ance from Egyptian bondage and es-
cape of their first born in Egypt from
the Judgment wrought on the Phar-
aohs, this ancient holiday win be OBJ.
served by orthodox Jews in Fargo and
all over the world with hardly less
stringency than in former ages.
| During the week of "Pasech" leayen
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 "hamaz" Oeayen) that to
this day orthodox Jews use different
dishes, utensils, cutlery, etc., during
the festival than those used during
the rest Of the year.
| Before the household can be really
termed free of "hamaz,' the head of
the house must perform "Bedikat ham,
az" (the ceremony of clearing the
after dark, on the thirteenth day of
Nilsson, by placing crumb Of bread
on a window sill and making a search
hof every nook and corner, until the
| complete circle from the crumb is
completed. When this is accomplished
what leaven is in the house at the time,
except enough fer the next mornings
meal, is tied in a compact bundle and
hung where even mice cannot reach.
Home Services.
Probably no service is more beauti.
| full, instructive and impressive than
the Passover home services. At these
services, which are called in the sin
gular "Sadir'' and take place on the
eve Of the first night of the holiday
| only, the Haggodah (narration of the
Passover) is recited
During the narration of the Hag-
godah several dishes symbolical OF the
forty years of wandering in the wilder
ness under the leadership of Moses,
are tasted; wine and home prepared
brews are also tasted.
While leaVens in any. form are I'M
der the ban during the week of semi
denial other foods and beverages are
to be had in plenty; for long before
the holidays arrival It has been antici-
pated and PREPARATIONS made accord
ingly
1t Is a self composed duty that at
this time Of the year rich and middle
class alike unite for assistance to the
needy and poor of their nationality
and helpsthem} to observe the holiday
as best they may from the stand
pointtof edibles at least.
So binding is observance Of the thoH-
day that when the stranger Jew
knocks, asking for food--be 1t, for
pay or gratis--it Is not in the ortho-
doxa heart of spirit to deny.
But the hard and fast orthodox is
not the only strict observer. Many a
commercial drummer, worldly wise and
satirical though he may be, often
makes strenuous efforts to partake of
the Passover meals at least, If no
more.
/ BY far the most interesting part
of the holiday is the first two days;
these combine the synagogue and home
services, and manual labor is not per-
limited. Following these two days of
rest and festivity come four days OF
routine life. The balance of the holi-
day is observed by retaining from
manual labor and with morning and
evening synagogue services only.
| Although the Passover bears every
indication OF being a festival entirely
such is not the case. While one Is
surfeited with many delicacies both
solid and liquid, the absence of leavens
in any form is really a denial, albeit
a physical one only.
Matzos (unleavened bread) which
take the place of thel substantial, life
sustaining staff of life" are baked
without yeast and SALT come in the
form of a giant soda cracker.
The housewife is put TO it conjuring
palatables to satisfy the ever present
astronomical complaints, and some of
the results are really maryels of the
culinary art.
/ Even though barred lthe use of yeast
OF such other leavens the Jewish
housewife is not altogether van
i quished. In proof of this witness
many Of the delicacies prepared from
the unleavened -four, eggs, water, salt
and pepper and either chicken or goose
fat
Chief among these ,marvels of cook
cry is what in many respects might
claim relationship to the ordinary and
humble flap jack" only 1t is more
palatable and much thicker. A few
of these with a glass Of home made
wine or brew and the period of dieting
seems not SO long.
1t has been said that the Passover
will be remembered long after other
holidays cease to have any meaning.
One of New York's millionaires is