The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-10-05
VILE DEEAST
OFTABERINA!CIES
lewish'Feast ssaldlto. Be, Basis
Thanksgiving Observed
~. bysAmeI1Oans. L..

t ~ -
+ IA {Feast of TsbernaelesJ which
n Hebrew hears The. title tsuccoth
meaning boo is Twill be observed
IN the syIiagogues Friday evening
and on Saturday, and also on oc-
iober the Slater day being
known Is tie Feast OF Conclusion
OF Shsmfni Atzereth. Religious
services are held on the first and
last days In Reform congregations
while Orthodox congregations oh.
serve the hrst two days and the
last two days as holy convoca.
ton. The Intervening days of-the
festive cycle are semi-religious
and are 50 observed among the
orthodox.
Sttccoth Is Of particular interest
10 the American people since II
e one Of those Old Testament fes-
tlvals which have been bodily In.
ccfporated into the national life.
The Thanksgiving Day was ap-
prcpttated from the institution u
the Feast OF Tabernacles.
IN light Of its Biblical origin
stceoth reflects the agricultural
ENVIRONMENT and atmosphere <of
the feast. II iskknown In Scripture
a. the Feast OF Ingathering lex
odus 23:16l and refers to that era
when the lsraelitish farmer gath
cred In the fruit of his autumn
The children OF Israel flocked TO
the central sanctuary In solemn
proeassion, carrying palms and
pIants Hence this is also called
4 Pilgrimage Feast.
II the priestly code drawn UP
after the sBabylonian exile the
Feast Of 1ngathering was con-
neoted with the Exodus from
Egypt, due to the fact that the
town Of succoth was made the
raliying point OF the fugitive He
hrsws on their departure from
Egypt, as some Biblical common.
tators claim. while others trace II
"a the many terts erected by the
poople ofrlsrael In their wander
ings through. the wildernss,
After the disruption Of the Com,
monwealth OF Israel the festival
retained the aspects Of harvest
feast and so 1t is regarded in mod
etn times. The Observance Of this
day is Retained in order that
among all peoples theer may be
rsioicing for the blessings which
the earth has yielded in full mea-
sure. A firm reliance on Gods help
enables men and women to Danish
from their hearts all anxiety for
their sustenance in days to come.
IN the liturgy Of the Succoth
service the worshipper Is tn!-
pressed with the exalted conn-
dence that God has given His rich
bodnties unto the sons OF man
that all might psrtake Of them
n joy. This confidence upsets the
stoomy dogma that the earth is
merely vale OF tears, the dismal
abode Of sorrowing humanity. In
tie same connection the dignity
"a labor and human effort Is set
forth in all sublimity, But even
a the tiniest seed grows ond
ptbnts into a thousand fold bless
ing 50 st Is wllled by the same
universal law, that none shall re-
ceiye the gifts OF the Author OF
life without effort: The bread
witch sustains man in life is rem
defed honorable and is doublY
Blessed by the toll and effort put
forth BY him who eats 1t. The
ffdstfuiness Of the soil and earth's
6ounties are the gifts OF the great
Ciiyer who opens His hand and
satisfteth the wants Of every liv-
ing creature,
During this period the syna.
Eogues are as a rule festooncd
With fruits and vegetables. Sever.
al congregations erect booths In
the assembly room Of the relig-
OTIS school to illustrate the GER
dmonialf OF ancient days and to
eSnress gratitude for benefits ana
hissfngs obtained from the Giver
Of an. In many religious schools
harvest pageants are enacted.
with growing appreciation OF the
nobility OF labor and the essential
gaihe Of farming as the primary
tirsuit Of the human race tho
Feast OF Succoth is obtaining n
new lease Of recognition and
wider Observance particularly In
offTs nvsf beloyed country.