The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-17
FEAST OF PASSOVER BEGINS AT SUNDOWN Services at Temple Emanu-
 El Begin at 6 P. M. IS A HISTORIC FEAST Charming Feature of Celebration Is Special Seder Service on First
 Evening of Feast
IS A HISTORIC FEAST

With the going down of the sun this evening the celebration Of the Jewish feast of the Passover will begin at the Jewish places of worship, and will be continued tomorrow. At the Temple Emanu-El services will be conducted at 6 o'clock this evening. Tomorrow night public 'Seder'' services will be conducted at the temple. to which all who did nor partalke of Seder on the previous evening are invited.
 The Jewish feast of the Passover falls on the 18th day of Nissan, corresponding this year with Tuesday. April IS. The celebration begins on the evening of April f, with sundown. The manner of it's observance was determined largely by the biblical ordinances concerning this feast. It is to be observed for period of seven days Those who cherish GUS toms that originated after Bible times will keep the feast eight days.
 The ceremonials are such as are cal- culated to bring home the historical event which the feast commemorates, namely, the newborn freedom vouchsafed to Israel after the iong period of oppression endured under Egyptian tyranny The eating of unleavened bread is enjoined a number of times in the biblical regula- tions touching the observance of the Pass over feast. Unleavened bread is charac- terized as the bread of affliction. and is also referred to in the Bible as the bread that was unleavened because Of the enforced nasty departure from Egypt IT. post biblical times the earnest desire to keep the injunctions most scrupulously led the teachers of Israel to enact laws, such as the use of special dishes that had been guarded from contact with leaven and reserved only for the Passover sea- son.
 SPECIAL SEDER SERVICE
 A charming and effective feature in the celebration of the feast is the special Seder service around the festive family board on the first evening of the feast, to which the orthodox add a second eve ming. At this family service a special ritual known as the "Haggadah'' is read. This ritual contains the story of the redemption from servitude, certain re- factions inspired by the memories of old and certain psalms. This is followed by the festal meal, after which grace is rected. The service concludes with the reading of additional psalms, the recita- tion of prayers and the singing of time honored hymns To this home service stranger and homeless are cordially in- vited. On the table in front of him who presides over the meal are placed ob jects reminiscent of the ancient service and servitude. such as bitter herbs re- hinder of the bitter lot of those who toiled in Egypt; a roast bone. calling to mind the ancient paschal lamb; roasted egg, memorial of the free will offering that was brought in addition to the paschal lamb; parsley and the bowl of salt water, synbolizing the hyssop an1 its use in the first Passover observed in Egypt, and confection of nuts and apples to represent the clay which Israel worked into bricks
 The Passover falling at the beginning of spring, had originally rns+~~nl and agricultural character, which in time was overshadowed by the historical event as- sociated later with the feast. Freedom and it's obligation is the keynote of the celebration. The reform synagogs hold special services only on the first and sew ei'th days while the orthodox nb bserve also the second day and an addit'o 'onal eighth day