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MODERN JEWISH SABBATHS AND PRAYERS.

SIR,-I am happy to observe one of your correspondents has recently called the attention of your readers to the prophecies relating to the Jews, and I have waited with some anxiety to see whether any of the well-wishers to the despised and neglected race of Israel would kindly take up the subject, and endeavour to clear away the doubts to which your correspondent refers. Meanwhile, I would wish to call your attention to a volume recently published by Mr. Alfred Moretz Myers, a converted Jew, entitled

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BOTH ONE IN CHRIST.' This volume contains an interesting narrative of the writer's own conversion; proofs of the doctrines of the Trinity in Unity, both from the oracles of the Old Testament, and from the ancient Rabbinical writings, with a variety of other instructive and important matter; but what I especially wish to bring before you at present is, some particulars relating to the customs and worship of the Jews, which though not entirely new to me, are yet, I apprehend, by no means generally understood. The following is Mr. Myers' account of the Jewish observance of the Sabbath.

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It was on the 30th of June, 1830, I landed in the metropolis of this country, where I remained but a short time, but long enough to see the great contrast which exists between the Jews in this country and the Jews abroad; much to my surprise and grief did I find how the law of Moses and the Rabbis was neglected. Indeed, my brethren in this country are but a poor specimen of what Jews in general are; even at the present time they may be compared to the blank leaf between the New and Old Testaments: sometimes it rests on the one side, and, at times,

on the other, and yet it belongs to neither.

As for the Sabbath-day, for instance, which is so strictly observed by the Jews in our country, how very different did I find things here. The Jews abroad, not satisfied with what is said about the keeping of the Sabbath in the Law of Moses, do also observe the additional duties enjoined upon them by the Rabbis regarding that day. As early as Friday afternoon, about two or three o'clock, and in winter earlier, all work must be put aside among the mechanics to prepare for the Sabbath—indeed some begin as early as Thursday to make preparations for the Sabbathday; the victuals are prepared on the Friday in short, as all manner of work is excluded as soon as the sun sets on Friday, and not resumed until the setting of the sun the next day, all necessary preparations are made before the going down of the sun on Friday, so that nothing is left to be done on the Sabbath. The candles must be lighted by the mistress of the family before the sun sets, for nothing of the kind must be done on the Sabbath, as no fire must be touched; this is done before she goes to the Synagogue to the Sabbath eve service. When the Sabbath commences, the Jews generally go into the bath before they go that evening to the Synagogue, which is done in honour to the Sabbath. Very strict Jews would not talk the whole of the Sabbath of anything but of the Talmud, and in no other language but Hebrew; some of their observances on that day are, however, very absurd. As the touching of fire is forbidden, so is the handling of anything which is connected therewith, as candles or even candlesticks, and, therefore, they engage

a Gentile servant for the purpose of doing such work on the Sabbath-day as they or their Jewish servants cannot do, as making a fire in the winter, (strict Jews will even do without fire on that day, though the cold there is extreme) suuffing the candles, breaking the seals of letters which may come on the Sabbath-day, &c.

The following instance will give my readers an idea to what extent my brethren go with their superstitions on the day which the Lord commanded to be kept holy; though we must confess, that as regards the abstinence from work, which they so strictly observe, they may be set up as a pattern to the christian world-yet

how

plainly does it explain the words of our Saviour-"They pervert the word of God with their tradition."

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The Gentile servant, who is engaged for the above mentioned purposes, is generally employed by several families who live in the neighbourhood, and she does their work by turns, constantly going from one house to another; this is done with a view to economy, as she would not find work sufficient if she were only to attend to one family. So one Sabbath evening, whilst our family was at supper, the snuff of the candles, which stood on the table, and which had not been snuffed for some time, through the absence of the Gentile servant, fell upon the table-cloth, which soon was in flames; every one of us started from our seats in great confusion, calling out for the Gentile to come and quench the fire; but, before she could come (having gone into a neighbour's house to snuff the candles there) the cloth was consumed, besides many other things which lay on the table at the time.

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visible in the sky, no candles are lighted, and no manner of work is done.

But how different did I find things in London-how different did I find things among the Jews in general who are scattered over England! Not a few amongst them, I found since, who were not ashamed openly to deny the authenticity of the Bible-and why? Because the Bible speaks of a Saviour whom they will not receive the Bible speaks of Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah, whom they hate; and, for fear that if they admit the one they must believe in the other, they deny both. This is a faint but true picture of the Jews in England, with very few exceptions.

On my going the first time to a London Synagogue the contrast appeared to me very striking indeed; my brethren abroad have a “zeal of God, though not according to knowledge; " but here they have neither a true nor a false zeal. As for me, I was no more that bigoted Jew which I was once ; neither did I any more continue my midnight prayers, nor did I fast twice a week-the Talmud was no more my study, though I did not dare to deny its truth; but still, to do things which I saw practised here among the Jews-as to eat things forbidden, or to violate the Sabbath, or, as some do, eat swine's flesh, or even to neglect my morning and evening prayers, or not to put on the Phylacteries, to neglect these duties I should have thought that I should die that instant.

When I mentioned my feelings to some of my countrymen in London, they would answer me: "The Jews here cannot observe these things; they cannot be so strict; but, instead of it, they send certain sums every year to the Rabbis in Poland and Germany to pray for them."

I remember, whilst in London,

a countryman of mine wished me to write a letter for him to his father in Prussia, to whom he was sending a present of some money. Be sure and tell him,' said he, to pray for me, and tell him to go to my grandfather's grave and mention my name, for I have very little time to pray or to study the Talmud.''

Mr. M. gives the following quotations from the daily prayers used among the Jews in the Hebrew language:

His

Commencement of the morning prayer-The living God shall be exalted and praised. He exists, and His existence is not bounded by time. He is one, and there is no Unity like unto his. He is invisible, and there is no end to His unity. He has no corporeal form, neither has He any form. holiness is incomprehensible. He He existed prior to every created thing. He is the first, before whom nothing existed. Behold! He is Lord of the universe, and all creation evinces His mighty power and dominion: the inspiration of His prophecy did he impart to His beloved and peculiar men. There never arose a prophet in Israel like unto Moses, who beheld the rays of His glory. A law of truth has God given to His people, by the hand of His prophet, the faithful of His house. God will never alter or change His law for any other. He upholdeth and knoweth our secrets, for he vieweth the end of a thing at its commencement. He rewardeth the righteous according to his work; punishing the wicked for his evil doings. He will send us the Redeemer at that time, which is only known to Him, to redeem those that wait for His salvation. God in great mercy will receive the dead. Praised be his name for evermore!'

THE CREED.

I. I believe, with a perfect faith, that God (blessed be his name) is the Creator and Gover

nor of all created beings; and that He alone has made, does make, and ever will make, every production.

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II. I believe, with a perfect faith, that the Creator (blessed be his name) is one God, and that there is no Unity whatever like unto His; and that He alone is our God, who was, is, and will be eternally.

III. I believe, with a perfect faith, that the Creator (blessed be his name) is incorporeal. That He is not subject to any of those changes that are incident to matter, and that He has not any similitude whatever.

IV. I believe, with a perfect faith, that the Creator (blessed be his name) is both the first and the last of all things.

'V. I believe that to the Creator (blessed be his name) yea to Him only, is it proper to address our prayers, and that it is not proper to pray to any other being.

VI. I believe, with a perfect faith, that all the words of the prophets are true.

VII. I believe, with a perfect faith, that the prophecy of Moses, our instructor (may his soul rest in peace) was true, and that he excelled all the sages that preceeded him, or they who may succeed him.

• VIII. I believe, with a perfect faith, that the law, which we have now in our possession, is the same law which was given to Moses, our instructor.

IX. I believe, with a perfect faith, that this law will never be changed, and that the Creator (blessed be his name) will never give us any other law.

X. I believe, with a perfect faith, that the Creator (blessed be his name) knoweth all the actions and thoughts of mankind, as it is said, He fashioned all their hearts, and is fully acquainted with all their works.

'XI. I believe, with a perfect

faith, that the Creator (blessed be his name) rewards those who observe his commandments, and punishes those who transgress them.

'XII. I believe, with a perfect faith, that the Messiah will come, and although his coming be delayed, I will still patiently await his speedy appearance.

• XIII. I believe, with a perfect faith, that there will be a resurrection from the dead.'

THE VIDDA,

Or confession for the dying, is as follows:

We have trespassed, we have dealt treacherously, we have stolen, we have spoken slander, we have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly: we have acted presumptuously, we have committed violence, we have framed falsehood, we have counselled evil, we have uttered lies, we have scorned, we have rebelled, we have blasphemed, we have revolted, we have acted perversely, we have transgressed, we have oppressed, we have been stiff-necked, we have acted wickedly, we have corrupted, we have done abominably, we have gone astray, and have caused others to err: we have turned aside from Thy excellent precepts and institutions, and which have not profited us. But Thou art just concerning all that hath come upon us, for Thou hast dealt most truly; but we have done wickedly.'

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acceptable in thy presence, that the diminution of my fat and blood, which hath been diminished this day, may be accounted as fat offered and placed on the altar, and thus be accepted of me!

• Guardian of Israel, preserve the remnant of Israel, and suffer not Israel to be destroyed, who say, 'O Israel!'

Guardian of a singular nation, preserve the remnant of a singular people, and suffer not a singular nation to be destroyed who acknowledge the unity of thy name, saying, The Lord is our Godthe Lord is our Unity!''

In the thanksgivings of the Morning Prayer appears the following:

'Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who hast not made me a woman; ' whilst the women are directed to say, 'Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who hath made me according to his will!''

THE LAW.

The law of Moses is divided into as many portions as there are weeks in the year; and a certain portion is read every Saturday or Sabbath.

The reading-desk is placed in the midst of the synagogue, so that the readers stand with their faces towards the veil, which conceals the ark or chest, where are deposited the scrolls of the law, written on parchment, by a man sanctioned for it by the Rabbi, and then wrapped in rich embroidered velvet, literally covered with gold and silver, and precious stones; a crown of pure gold or silver is then placed on each roller attached to each end of the scroll.

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-as withdrawing the veil, taking the law from the ark behind it, carrying it to the desk, reading a verse from it aloud, holding the scroll up to the view of the congregation, returning it again to its place, and gives it to the highest bidder. I have often heard my father bidding as high as 200 dollars for one of these offices, and then complimenting a friend or relative to perform its duties, who considers it a great merit.

'As soon as these purchases are made, another servant of the synagogue calls round in the place to the different purchasers, who give him the names of those persons for whom they intended them; he then returns to the reading-desk, and tells the Chazon (the singer) who calls them up, with a loud chanting voice, in rotation, by name, as their different offices are wanted. The first thus called upon must be from the priesthood; every one thus called upon touches that part in the law which is to be read before him by the reader with one end of the veil which he wears, as a garment of fringes bordered with blue, and formed like a scarf; touching that part of the law with it, he kisses it, and repeats the following blessing:

، Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who hath chosen us from all nations, and hath given us his law! Blessed art thou, O Lord, who hath given the law!'

"A portion of scripture is then read, and he kisses the part where the Chazon left off reading, and repeats the following:

Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who hath given us a true law, and hath planted amongst us everlasting life! Blessed art thou, O Lord, who hath given the law!'

Then a portion of the law is read and another blessing is repeated by him, and then the scroll is shut up, and the next person is called up in like manner. Every person thus called up to the desk is asked by the singer which of the congregation he wishes to be included in a blessing, which the former repeats as often as one is called up to the desk; he then tells him the names of those friends he thinks proper, his wife and children, and particularly him who complimented him with the performance of this office; and the singer repeats all their names with a loud voice, and blesses them.'

It is impossible to read these prayers without a melancholy feeling. What a painful contrast do they afford to those holy aspirations with which the ancient believers, especially the sweet singer of Israel, drew near unto God. Nothing affords a more alarming ground of apprehension concerning the Jews, than their exceeding ignorance and neglect of their own Scriptures. O that they would ponder well the divine direction, "To the law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. viii. 20.

I shall not trespass upon your pages with further extracts, but would remark in the close, that the case of Mr. Myers affords a striking instance of the beneficial effects resulting from the casual visits of missionaries to the Jews, from the distribution of Hebrew New Testaments, and the performing divine service, and preaching in places of worship set apart for the Jews, and designated by Hebrew inscriptions on the external walls.

S. T. E.

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