Newspaper Page Text
Page 43
The Southern Israelite
Rosh Hashanah—The New Year
With appropriate religious services in temples and synagogues
tht , Jewish people will open its celebration of the festival of New
y t , ar called in Hebrew “Rosh Hashanah”—on Friday evening,
October 4, 1929. With the observance of this holy day which ranks
n sacredness and solemnity next only to the Day of Atonement,
•he Jewish people will usher in the year 5690 of the Hebrew cal
endar. The message of the Hebrew New Year is most signal and
vital to the world at large, as well as to every generation of Jews.
It can best be understood when considered in the light of its his
torical development.
Back in the days of the Temple, when Israel dwelt in Palestine
and tilled the soil, the New Year was celebrated in early autumn.
As a matter of fact, all Semitic peoples observed the New Year in
that season of the year, because the beginning of the economic and
agricultural year. The Bible, however, calls this day “The Memo
rial of Blowing of Trumpets” and appoints one day for its
observance. In ancient days, the Jews celebrated the New Year by
offering special sacrifices at the Temple of Jerusalem and by blow
ing trumpets.
With the destruction of the Temple, however, and with the
dispersion of the Jews all over the world, the festival of the New
Year underwent a radical change in both background and signifi
cance. Its economic and agricultural significance faded away in
time. The Rabbis regarded the New Year as the anniversary of the
day on which the world was created, and attached to it a most sol
emn meaning. The New Year became a Day of Judgment—the day
upon which God judges every creature of the world. This idea pre
vailed throughout the Middle Ages, and created a most beautiful
and elaborate ritual and liturgy for that day.
During the last several centuries, however, the idea of Judg
ment received even a nobler meaning. The New Year came to stand
as a day of self-examination, self-criticism, and self-judgment—
an idea which permeates the prayer-book of Reform Judaism to
day. On this day, every human being is to search the inner recesses
<>f his past life, criticise his actions and deeds of the past year, and
make sincere resolution before God to turn from all misdeeds in
the years to come.
Perhaps one of the most solemn ceremonies of the day is the
blowing of the Shofar—the ram’s horn—in the Synagogue. The
sounds of the Shofar are to remind man of the significance of the
New ^ ear, of his obligations to his fellow men, and of his duties
t" God.—The Tract Commission.
ifltj (UrTrh
fly SOPHIE IRENE LOEB
l*resident. Child Welfare Committee of America
I believe the world is getting better. Yes, though the God of Wars comes
'hundering down the ages and takes his terrible toll.
The firmament may be dark with battle-smoke, and the wail of woman
may resound around the earth.
^ t t, civilization moves on apace and the mind of man has turned the
•‘and of helpfulness closer to the pulse of the people.
I beiieve that the serpent of selfishness is fast losing its sting and the
•ndividual is reaching out to his brother at large.
Therefore, I would so move and have my being as to least obstruct the
trend of the times toward the heart of humanity.
In this progressive process let me so live that I may practice the patience
that perseveres.
b't me cultivate the trait of tolerance so that no one may make me
hate him.
horbid that I should follow the glittering trail of Mammon and lose
"‘Cht of the peaceful path of happiness, paved with modest means.
May I never fail a friend, nor fight a foe but fairly.
•"'pare me from judging harshly, since I myself may dwell in a glass house.
^ av e me from the madness of unguarded moments, and that I may with-
*be word that can never be recalled.
D-t me listen to the voices of little children and ever give answer to
their cry.
Ma y I find solace in the woods, in the sigh of the sea, and in all nature
ria. forever speaks to him who would hear.
•*‘t me strive to secure satisfaction in simple things, and that I may
nn ' out °f place with the lowly.
May I possess the capacity for a great love, the capability of holding
1 ‘ ri * friendship, and yet withal, to concern myself with the stranger at my
a'ale.
bi the depths of despair may I never lose hope; and lastly, when the
K* 1 of fhe End enters, may he find the world none the worse for my coming.
Continental
Trust
Lompar
MACON,
A
i y
GEORGIA
V
MEMBER
FEDERAL RESERVE
SYSTEM
♦♦♦
V
A Good Bank Today-
—A Better
Bank Tomorrow
Greater Dannenberg’s
A consummation of 62 yearn of service, offers yoii a
vast assemblage of brand new merchandise at the lowest
possible prices.
There are 55 complete departments with the finest
of merchandise so arranged as to conserve your time
and energy.
Thousands of customers find it a positive delight to
shop here where they can find everything they want
under one roof.
DANNENBERG’S
Phone 5828
Macon, Georgia