The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-10-04
How Thanksgiving Originated.

The Feast OF Tabernacies, which
in Hebrew means the title Succoth.
meaning booths, will be observed
in the synagogues Friday evening.
October 9Th and on Saturday. oc-
tober 71h; also on October 14th,
the latter day being known as the
Feast of Conclusion or Sh'mini
Atzereth Religious services are
held on the first and last days in
Reform Congregations While
Orthodox congregations observe
the first two days, and the last
two days as a holy convocation.
The intervening, days OF the fes-
tive cycle are senli-religious and
are SO observed among the ortho-
dox.
Suceoth is of particular interest
to the American people since it is
one Of those Old Testament fesu-
walls which have heen bodily incor-
porated into our national life. Our
The anksgiping Day was appropriate
ed from the institution Of the
Feast of Tabernacles.
In light of its Biblical origin
Succoth reflects the agricultural
environment and atmosphere of the
feast. It is known in Scripture as
the Feast of Ingathering Exodus
23:1'69 and refers to that era
when the .Isra elitish farmer gath
cred in the. fruit Of his autumn the
children of Israel hocked to the
central sanctuary in solemn pro-
eession. carving palms and plants.
Hence this is. also called q. Pill
grimage Feast. !;
In the Priestly Code drawn up
after the Babylonian Exile the
Feast OF 1ngathering was connect
ed Nth the Exodus from Egypt,
due to the fact that the. town Of
Succo,h was made the ra!lying
point OF the fugitive Hebrews on
their departure from Egypt, as
some Biblical commentators claim,
While others. trace it to the many
tents erected by the people Of
Israel in their Yanderings through
the wilderness.
After the disruption Of the COM
monwealth of Israel the festival re-
tanned the aspects of a harvest
feast and so it is regarded in mod
sern times. The observance of this
day is retained i n order that
among all peoples there may be
rejoicing for the blessings which
the earth has yielded in full meas
ure. A firm reliance on Gods help
enables men and women to Danish
from their hearts all anxiety fer
their sustenance in days to come.
In the liturgy Of the Succoth
service the worshipper is impress
ed With the exalted confidence that
Coz. has given His rich bounties
unto the sons of man that all
might partake of them IN JOY This
confidence upsets the gloomy dog
ma that the earth is merely a vale
Of tears, the dismal abode. of sor-
rowing humanity. In the same
connection the dignity Of labor
and human effort is set forth in
all sublimity But even as the
iiniest seed grows and sprouts into
a thousand fold blessing, so it is
willea by the same universal law.
that none shah receive the gifts of
the author of life without effort.
The bread which sustains man in
life is rendered honorable and is
donbly blessed by the toll and ef-
fort put forth by him who eats
it. The fruitfulness of the soil and
earth-s bounties are the gifts of the
great Giver who opens His hand
and satisfieth the wants OF every
living creature.
During this period the syna-
gogues are as rule festooned
with fruits and vegetables. Sew
eral congregations erect booths II!
the assembly room Of the religious
school to illustrate the ceremonial
Of ancient days and to express
gratitude for benefits and bless
ings obtained from the Giver of
all. In many religious schools
harvest pageanIs are, enacted. VITA
growing appreciation Of the nobil-
ity of labor and the essentia! value
of farming as the primary pur-
suit OF the human race the Feast
of Suecoth is obtaining a new
lease Of recognition and wider OBJ
seryance particularly in our own
beloved country.