The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-31
PASSOVER FEAST
 IN JEWISH CHURCH
Special Services at Temple Emanual Tomorrow Evening and
 Tuesday Morning

In observance of the feast of the Pass over, which begins tomorrow evening at sundown, services will be held at Temple Emanu-El at 6 o'clock and also Tuesday morning at 10:39 o'clock The Tuesday service will be the chief event of the cele- hration and Dr. Newfied's topic will be ''The Message of Passover"
 The following data on "Pesach or ;he Feast of Passover has been prepared by the central conference of American rabbis:
 Beginning this year on Monday at sum- down, April l, and lasting for one week, Pesach, the annual Feast of Passover or of Unleavened Bread. will be celebrated in Jewish homes and synagogues. This, the oldest feast of the Jewish calendar. carries us back well nigh 330O years. The awakening of spring has its normal ap- peal and its practical symbolism to every primitive people. The agricultural aspect of this holiday is seen in the phrase That it is to be kept in the season of the Month of Ripenings," when the barley sown in winter has become ripe and when an of ferlng consisting of an omer (one-half gal lon) of barley was brought in gratitude to the Giver of all good.
 The historical significance of the fes- tivaI has overshadowed it's agricultural aspect AS the Feast of Freedom it com memorates the emancipation of Israel from Egyptian bondage and hls entrance into the dignity and destiny of national life. It thus marks the birth of the He- brew people and the first commonwealth. Here 2000COO people walked forth as free citizens without a drop of blood having been split or a sword unsheathed. The main characteristic of its celebration has always been domestic in the homes the families and the invited friends gather count in song and story and amid appro- priate symbolism the deliverance of Israel The main symbols of this Seder service are the roasted lamb bone. reminding them of the lamb each Israelite slaugh- tered as a sacrifice of the Covenant: sec ond, the Mazzah or unleaven bread to be eaten during the whole week, recalling not only the nasty preparation with which they hurried out of Egypt, but also their absolute reliance upon God and readiness to trust in His leadership of them: and the pitter herpS suggesting Nlvidly the bit ter life of their forefathers in Egypt which, even today, have not lost their poignant application. Two other symbols of the table decorations ought to be noted; namely, the four cups of wine allowed to each one are strong reminders of the fourfold phrase in which God couched the first Declaration of Independence. and the cup of wine meant for the prophet Elijah who. always present in spirit. brought ever anew the message of un- dying hope of the Messianic reign of uni versal justice, freedom and peace. The Feast of the Passover has not lost It's thrilling significance to the modern Jew. To those still pining in slavery in Russia and Roumania, it sings the song of ul- innate redemption, while to those living under the blessed flag of freedom 1t teaches the ceaseess lesson of gratitude together with an appreciation of the higher civic duties and responsibilities of constitutional liberty.