THE JEWISH CHURCH.

Evening Star, Issue 3004, 4 October 1872, Page 4

THE JEWISH CHURCH.

Yesterday was the commencement of the Jewish hi tw Year, and of the most important epoch of their calendar—a fact that was plainly to be seen from the closeness with which it was observed by those of our fellow-citizens who belopg to that faith. It and the nine days following are called the penitential days. The tenth day, called in Hebrew Tom Kippiu', or the Day of Atonement, will this year be on Saturday, Oct. 12. Its momentous importance and solemnity are insisted on in varioils passages of Holy Writ. When the tabernacle was standing in the wilderness ; when the temple was established in .Jerusalem, the Day of Atonement was solemnised with peculiar sacrifices. It was the only occasion when the high priest entered the holy place within the veil, and there standing before the merey-seat in communion with the Most High, made aconemenb for himself, Ins household, and for all the congregation of Israel. Even now. although the Jews have lost their temple, and are without an annointed high priest, t.iA-, day to them has lost none of its signifi- . iuve Its n curreuce arouses the most unlif >.. <> Judaism irom hi- apathy, ! ulj.. have • travel from the folo, i ... ; ioV ■ ; n aw v bow lie. ore 'he «i. • ad Day of Atonement. <-n the eve of the Yom Kippui' it is tnoc.iitom in some places to r ■- j. iir to th • burial ground, there to roll ct upon tin nothingness of man, the vanity of life, and to make fervent resolves for the future. Towards evening the Ist meal before the fast, called the “ meal of cessation,” is partaken of, and must be concluded before sunset. After this, it is not lawful to cat or drink until the close of the service on the following evening. In a devout Jewish household, the children now ask for forgiveness of their parents in case they have offended them ; a kiss of love is interchanged between the children and the parents, who, placing their hands on the children’s heads, solemnly bless them, AH the members of the family arc supposed to have liecome reconciled with any stranger whom they have wilfully or unintentionally offended. All afterwards proceed to the synagogue, where a service, which lasts about three hours, is commenced by the minister, who implores forgiveness for all transgressions, concluding with the words, “And it shall be forgiven to the whole congregation of the children of Israel, and the stranger who sojourneth among them, for all the people act ignorantly,” The melody to which these words are set is so mournfully plaintive that even non-Israelites who may have been present have been moved even to tears. At the conclusion of the service the congregation retire to their homes, to rer assemble early the following morning. The sendees of this day are characterised by extreme fervor and devoutuoss, the most important and impressive portion of the ritual being that in which the account of the Tcmple Service is recited, When the confession of sin is made, the whole congregation rise and join the minister in these words —“OGod, 1 now acknowledge that I have sinned. 1 have committed iniquity, I have transgressed against thee, even I and my household. I beseech thee, by thy ineffable name, to pardon the sins, iniquities, and transgressions which I have committed against Thee, even I and my household, as it is written in the law of thy servant Moses—‘For on this day shall he make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord.’” On the ineffable name--tire Tetragrammaton—being pronounce.l, the whole congregation prostrate tlumselves, ejaculating, “ Blessed be the name of the glory of His kingdom for ever and ever.” When night has set in, the final invocations, “ Hear, 0 Israel; the Lord is one God, the Lord is one and the words, “The Lord, He is God,” are offered with a fervor unknown at other seasons. Brief evening prayers are then read, and the congregation disperse to their homes to break their long and fatiguing fast.