18 BULLETIN 148, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



Sea Islands, and it is said to be practiced by the Abyssinian Chris- 

 tians as a national custom. Early Spanish travelers found it to be 

 prevalent in the West Indies, Mexico, and among tribes in South 

 America. It is a common rite among Mohammedans everywhere. 

 Philadelphia, Pa. (Plate 3 (lower), figs. 1-3, Cat. No. 154436, 

 U.S.N.M.) Gift of Mayer Sulzberger. 



54. Liturgy of the rites qf circumcision and redemption of the first 

 lorn. — Manuscript, written on parchment. Dated, 1840. The re- 

 demption of the first born (^idyon ha-hen) is observed in com- 

 pliance with Exodus xiii, 2, 12-15, compare Numbers xviii, 15, 

 according to which the first born was considered as particularly 

 belonging to God because when the Lord slew the first born in the 

 land of Egypt He spared the first born of the Israelites. The rite 

 takes place on the thirty-first day after the child's birth, and consists, 

 in accordance with Numbers xviii, 16, in the parents giving a sum 

 to the value of 5 shekels (about $2.50) to a priest, that is, a descend- 

 ant of Aaron. If either of the parents belongs to the family of 

 Aaron, or to the tribe of Levi, the child need not be redeemed. The 

 law applies only to the first born of the mother, but not of the father. 

 The ceremony is accompanied by prayers and benedictions and, 

 like circumcision, is the occasion of a festival. (Cat. No. 156047, 

 U.S.N.M.) 



55. Wrapper used on the occasion of carrying a child to the syna- 

 gogue: — Made of linen. When a child is old enough to be carried 

 to the synagogue, the father takes it to the reader's desk and presents 

 a roll with which to bind up the scroll of the law. On this roll is 

 embroidered: "David, son of Judah, born in good luck on the 3rd 

 of Jyar (April-May) 5598 (1838). May God help me to bring him 

 up to the study of the law, to marriage, and to good works. Amen. 

 Selah. And this is the law which Moses put before the children of 

 Israel." Length, 11 feet 3 inches; width, 7}^ inches. Philadelphia, 

 Pa. (Cat. No. 154447, U.S.N.M.) Gift of David Sulzberger. 



56. Marriage contract (kethubah). — Manuscript written on parch- 

 ment, illuminated. Marriage is usually preceded by an engagement 

 or betrothal, on which occasion it is customary among some Jews to 

 draw up a formal writ of agreement between the bride and groom, 

 whence the ceremony is called tena'im, "articles of agreement," which 

 set forth the stipulations preliminary to the agreement to marry. 

 The marriage ceremony takes place under a canopy (huppah) of silk 

 or velvet about 2 yards square, supported by four poles. The bride 

 and bridegroom are led under it by their parents and friends. The 

 rabbi, or anyone competent to perform the ceremony, takes a cup of 

 wine, and after pronouncing an appropriate blessing, gives it to the 

 bride and bridegroom to taste. The bridegroom then places a ring 

 on the finger of the bride with the words : "Behold, thou art wedded to 

 me by this ring, according to the law of Moses and Israel." This act. 



