THE JEWISH CHURCH.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume I, Issue 13, 16 October 1872, Page 3

THE JEWISH CHURCH.

THE FEAST OF TaBIESAOLHS. A yusTXTAii of an entirely different character from the awe-inspiring ceremonies which dignify the service of the Bay of Atonement occurs to-morrow, when the “ Fee.-t of Tabernacles ” n hoi L This festival 1m« a twnfold object. ft L. ..j: the feast of the ingathering nt the cod of the year, a thankful aekn-'wJcdgment of the harvest Unit has been gathered i n So“ondly, it is intended to evince the ffra! it udu and rejoicing of tho people for the great nation il ble-.-iing.i that had been vouchsafed to them, for the, Divine mercy t hat had saved and protecte 1 their fm.-fut h*‘r,-. during their long and weary pilgrimage through the wilderness. The ceremonies at. this festival correspond with iho twofold object. In compliance with command oontain-nl in Lev. i.x1ii.,41), four plants are taken into tbo synagogue—a branch of fcho palm tree, a citron, boughs of the myrtle tree, and willows of tho brook—to symbolise the varied productions of nature. These are held in the hand whilst; the “ Halid,” tbs groat hymn of thanksgiving, it read, and are waved when singing “ O give thanks unto the Lord ; for Ho ia good : because Ilia mercy enduivfh for ever; and, “Save now, I beseech Thee, O Lord.” These brandies aw also held in tho band when the rabbis, ministers, and wardens of the congregation go round the synagogue in solemn procession, chanting “ Hosannah ” —Save us now! Oh, save us! Feu 1 Thy b do.- O -cir Ood ! For Thy Hake, O our Orcntm - ! For Thy sake, O our Redeemer! Foe Tut nuke, () Tiniu who wilt seek for us! This ia in commcm-M -»i of the procession of priests round tho altar in the temple. It has been beautifully suggested that the four plants are to represent the four periods in the life of man. Tho citron, childhood ; tho wivrtle, youth ; tlm palm, manhood ; and the willow, old age. The other important ceremony to be obseivod in this festival is the dwelling i u tabernacles, from which custom (he festival has, indeed, derived its name. “Ye shall dwell in booths seven days ; all that arc Israelites born shall dwell in booths : that your generations may know that I made tho children of Israel to dwell iu booths when I brought them nut of the land of Fgypt.” There is not much difficulty in erecting the prescribed tabernacle. It must be reared in tho open air, and not even under tho shelter of a tree. The most particular point to be observed is. that the top be not covered with any other material than loose boughs, so that tho sun may bo seen by day and the stars by night. Tho tabernacle is embellished with bright foliage and handsome flowers, the ladies of the family taking an especial pride in embellishing and ornamenting it. At the conclusion of Divine service on the evening of the ‘fourteenth day of ■Tisbri, ‘the inmates of the house, instead of entering their dining room, repair at once to their tuberuaclo (called succaJi, in Hebrew), which is festively lighted up, and where the evening meal is spread. Tho Jcidclush (sanctifica* inn) is then repeated, as on the Sabbath and eth**r festivals ; at the conclusion of which the benediction is added : “ Blessed art Thou, ft LoM, Ring of the universe, Who has suntdfleJ iu wi'h Thy commandments, and hidden ns to dwell i.. booths.” lis considered right not to partake f r any meal outside the tabernacle during the cLhfc days of the festival, if the weather be not too inclement. But many latr.ilies have not tho convenience for erecting a tabernacle near their dw Uiug?, and a large one is therefore reared in the a icinity of the ■■synagogue, bo as to enable every. member to discharge his religious duties.