Passover Feast to Begin at Sundown

Julius T. Loeb, “Passover Feast to Begin at Sundown,” Birmingham Age-Herald (Birmingham, AL), April 23, 1910. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85038485/1910-04-23/ed-1/seq-5/

PASSOVER FEAST TO BEGIN AT SUNDOWN

BY RABBI JULIUS T. LOEB

    The Passover feast will begin today at sundown, and for eight days afterward no manner of leaven is to be found in the Jewish homes, in compliance with Biblical command, and in commemoration of the actual departure of the Israelites from Egypt, when the sudden withdrawal from a settled life had compelled the use of bread unleavened.

    By its history, association and home ceremonies this festival is well designed to keep alive in the hearts of all generations in Israel the recollection of that august even to which the whole civilized world owes its freedom of body and soul. 

    The “Seder” service on the first two nights of the octave is a most beautiful and inspiring occasion for the members of the Hebrew faith. (It is a pity that in this country, owing to business necessity, the solemnity of the first night of the Passover, falling as it does this time on Saturday, will be greatly marred.) The pious Israelite is then seated with his family round the festive board, with the wine that gladdens the heart of man, and the unleavened bread and bitter herbs before him, to discuss the eventful incidents of the Exodus, and to render praises of song and thanksgiving unto Him who is the Guardian of Israel, who had displayed His wonders in Egypt; who caused the inevitable lot of nations—the angel of death—to pass over the houses of His chosen servants, and had thus spared them even to the present day. The “Seder” service is in itself a grand recital of the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage, an eloquent discourse on the Jewish history and the Jewish faith, an elucidation of the facts and results of the early tribulations of the race, and of the happy outcome of the trials to which the Jewish people were subjected at that time and throughout all history. The service thus closes with special prayers for a realization of God’s spirit amidst all the children of man; for a rebuilding of the sanctuary of the Lord, and for the coming of the day of universal freedom and peace.

    Solemn services will be held at the Knesseth-Israel synagogue, corner of Seventh avenue and Seventeenth street north on the first two nights of the Passover at 7 o’clock, mornings at 8 o’clock. The holiday services will be continued every day during the octave of the Passover.

    Rabbi J. T. Loeb of the congregation will conduct the services during the holiday, the chanting of the hymns and prayers to be accompanied by a male choir specially prepared for the purpose. The subject of Rabbi Loeb’s address Sunday morning will be “The Story of the Exodus.” The theme of his discussion Monday morning (Yiddish) will be “Freedom and Its Corresponding Responsibilities.” Owing to the “Seder” service during the first two nights of the Passover, wherein each head of the Jewish household is himself the ministering priest, it is not customary then for the rabbi in charge to deliver a sermon at the synagogue. The evening services are therefore curtailed in some degree.

    It is expected that a large assembly will be present at the synagogue during the Sunday morning services.