OBJECTS OF EELIGIOUS CEREMONIAL 13 



and D on the left mean, respectively, Omer (written Homer by the 

 Spanish Jews); week (Sabbath); and day. The figures on the right 

 indicate that it is the forty-seventh day of Omer, that is, six weeks 

 and five days. Measurements, height, 2 feet 6 inches; width, 2 

 feet. (Plate 4 (lower). Cat. No. 154404, U.S.N.M.) Gift of David 

 Sulzberger. 



NEW YEAR (ROSH HA-SHANAH); THE PENITENTIAL SEASON 



34. Ram's horn (sTiqfar). — In ancient times the horn or shofar was 

 used, according to the Pentateuch, for the announcement of the new 

 moon and solemn festivals (Numbers x, 10; Psalms Ixxxi, 4), for the 

 proclamation of the year of release (Sabbatical year) (Leviticus xxv, 

 9), and above all for military purposes, like the modern bugle, to give 

 the signal for going out to battle, for the announcement of a victory, 

 and for a recall of the troops (Nimibers x, 1-9). It was also used as a 

 musical instrument in religious procession. (II Samuel vi, 15; Psalms 

 xiviii, 6.) At present the shofar is especially employed during the peni- 

 tential season, which begins with the 1st of the month EUul (August- 

 September), and culminates on the Day of Atonement {Yom Eippur), 

 on the 10th of Tishri (September-October). During the month of 

 Ellul the shofar is sounded three times at the close of the morning serv- 

 ice each day, with the exception of the Sabbaths, in some congrega- 

 tions and in others at the evening service. On the 1st of Tishri, the 

 beginning of the civil year (RosJi Tia-shana), one of the most solemn of 

 the Jewish holy days, and the "memorial of blowing of trumpets" 

 (Leviticus xxv, 24; Numbers xxix, 1), 30 blasts, among the Sefardim 72, 

 are sounded on the shofar in the middle of the morning service, after the 

 reading of the day's lesson from the Torah, and before the "additional 

 service" {musoj). On Atonement Day the shofar is sounded once, 

 among the Sefardim four times, at the close of the concluding service 

 (ne'ilah), and on the seventh day of Tabernacles {Hoshanna Rahha), it 

 is sounded at each of the seven cu'cuits. The shofar is usually made of 

 a ram's horn, but the goat's horn is also employed.^ Washington, D.C. 

 (Cat. No. 95142, U.S.N.M.) Gift of Cyrus Adler. 



35. Manuscript written on vellum. — Measurements, 14 by 9K inches. 

 Mystical interpretation of the significance of the blowing of the shofar. 

 Tunis, North Africa. (Cat. No. 217695, U.S.N.M.) 



THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES, OR BOOTHS (SUKKOTH) 



The feast of Tabernacles takes place on the 15th of Tishii (Septem- 

 ber-October), and continues, according to Leviticus xxxiii, 39-43, 

 seven days, with an eighth day for the conclusion of the feast, to wliich 

 is added the feast of the "Rejoicing of the law," thus extending it to 

 nine days. It is celebrated in remembrance of the wandering of the 



' Compare Cyrus Adler, The Shofar, Its Use and Origin. Proceedings, U. S. National Museum, vol. 16, 

 pp. 287-301; Keport, U. 8. National Museum, 1892, pp. 437-450. 



