The Washington times., 1914-09-16
HEBREWS IN FEAST
OF ROSH HASHANAH
sunoay viii Begin One Of Most
Solemn Ceremonies of the
Church.

with the setting of the sim a.,
Gay washington Hebrews will ioin ,v,,n
tneir brethren throughout the world IN
me Observance Of Rosh Hashanah. ons
OF the most solemn feasts of the Hebrew
religion.
Inc day observed as the Feast of
Resh Hashanah is the first day Of
ishr- Oh the seventh month according
10 the Babylonian calendar or the day
fpon which the new moon of that
month will appear. The new moon was
recognized by the ancient Hebrews as a
hoiv season; the seventh month being
particularly pa holy owing to the fact tha.
seventh day was the holy day Of the
,nosn And so. accordingly. the new
ad ,.;,4 3i the seventh month was invest
so with significance of far hoIier I'm.
port than the other new moon dsv. -
enS year. Another Suggestion Tb,ch
Suosequently became associate6 xvtth .Ss
ia! vas that on this day Jebovah 90
hoo os'ewed all mems actions in the
DAY has also been bestowed with ano,S.1.
Judgment. oi
Int observance of this day an a bo,v
season is commanded in two passares
ot tne Five Books of Moses. In neither
passage Is there any specific Command "a
10 now the day is to be observed IA.
yonh me inJunetions to blow the trurn-
pet 70 mold holy convocation and TO
engage In no servile occupation.
Blowing of the Rams Horn.
AT the morning service of Rosb Has.
ha7ah. a notable precedent is manifest.
ed' tc wit: the blasting of the "Shofar"
or rams horn." by the Shofar blow
er In the ancient days this method
was used for the calling of soldiers to
arms and also To arouse seriousness on
the day set aside by the church for
rshipping-Saturday.
Just when the ''Shofar blowing, was
established into the religion is unknown
but all during the years of its usage
IN the synagogues of both Orthodox
and reformed Jew, its significance has
remained unchanged. Only the form Of
the shofar" has varied in the modern
synagogue. In lieu of the architectural
construction of the rams horn" il
stitute it with a cornet The Holy
Books church. however still maintains
the use Of the authentic "shofar"
The orthodox synagogue occupies
forty-eight hours in observing the Feast
Of Rosh Hashanah. while the reformed
synagogue sets aside only half OF this
period.
Thousands of years ago, when cleo
tricity. telegraphy, steam. and other
modern means of rapid transportation
and circulation were yet to become prac-
ticable. the aborigines of Palestine,
and even many generations of their off,
spring, were wont to make use of expe-
1iencies which have long since passed
nto oblivion.
Signaling Moons Arrival
1t was essential for religious purposes
It that time. as it is essential now. that
III Jews should leern of the arrival Of
he holy moon as soon as possible.
When the new moon appeared in the
leayens. the expert astronomers, usu-
lily living in the atticS Immediately
eralded the fact throughout the vicin-
ty; but the farmers. the sheep raisers,
he mountain dwellers, what of them?
we're followers Of the true faith. And
o. with a sense of duty, the Jews fal-
eady acquainted with the arriyel OF
he new moon. scattered themselves into
he adjoining woodland ap% on the
tops to cry QUITO all men OF
;ood will that the tiIie for spiritual
doration and reflection of their offenses
gainst the Great Messiah was at hand
1t was the desire of the high priests
:. have the 1sraelites join in solemn
'eriod, but, this being impracticable in
hose DAYS the next best injunction was
established; that of observing the Feast
( Rosh Hashanah by all Israelites at
he least possible elapse of time be-
" cen rituals, which was estimated by
he wise men of the faith as being about
orty-eight hours. This length of time,
hus allotted for observance OF Rosh
iashanah. is still maintained by the
Ioly Books OF the orthodox synagogue
The Season of Meditation.
During holy season of the Feast Of
.osh Hashanah. which is dedicated to
ne Jewish belief in the sovereignty Of
cd. the faithful Hebrews literally give
lemselves up spiritual meditation.
nd reflect upon the creation of the
orId by God, the envasion of their na-
We land, Palestine. by the Roman
mpire In the year 20 A. D., and OF
lany other great epochs in the Jewish
lstory And it Is also on this day that
lev commence The Ten Days OF Pent-
nee" and begin at the nonce to do
enance for offending the Great Je-
ovah They realize that through sin
lev have trodden farther and farther
way from their Maker. and by so real
ing their sins before Him on this
they ask forgiveness. and be-
eve that they receive same II their
4 of contrition Is sincere
On the last day, or the 10th Of Tfshrt,
lev abstain from food and thereby be-
,me once more lat one with their
eavenly Father. This day is desis-
ated as The Day of Atonement-