Evening Journal

SEDER FIRST FEAST OF PASSOVER WEEK
Fathers Recount Ancient Struggle and Success, While Listening Families Feast

The eight-day feast of Passover, during which no bread but matzoth, or unleavened bread, is eaten, was inaugurated Saturday night in the Jewish household with a Seder, or feast, where the history of the Israelites' redemption from slavery was told to the entire family by the father.

As he read from the Hebrew book the history of the tyrannical treatment received at the hands of King Pharaoh, he would pause only long enough in his narration of the sorrowful tale to partake with his family of grated horse-radish, hard boiled eggs, and a brown concoction, dishes reminding the family of the trials of the Hebrews. The woes and bitter tears, shed by the slaves on the hot fields of ancient Egypt, as they made bricks and gathered the material for them, were symbolized by these morsels.

Then came another chapter. With jubilant voice, the father read to his children how Moses appeared on the scene, and after bringing plagues into the land, secured the release of the Israelites. As he slowly mentioned each of the ten plagues heaped upon the heads of the Egyptians, each of the family dipped the small finger of their right hands into the wine and dropped wine on the floor as a reminder of the powers of the Almighty.

As the passage through the Red Sea, the drowning of Pharaoh and his vast army, after he pursued the Israelites with the intention of taking them back to slavery, were related, the family drained a glass of rich grape or raisin wine, to show their joy and appreciation. No particular haste was shown in consuming the rich viands served during the feast, for the Seder, as it is called, lasted until midnight.

The same service took place in the homes last night, while synagogue services were held.