1HK LAST 1SRAELITISH BLOOD SACRIFICE 



3D 



HANDS OUTSPREAD TO HEAVEN 



"And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying nil this prayer and sup- 

 plication unto the Lord, he rose from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to 

 heaven," It was then the custom with the Hebrew nation, as still with the small remnant 

 of the Samaritans, to spread forth the hands toward heaven. One object entirely out of 

 harmony with the picturesqueness of this scene is the 20th century steamer chair in the 

 center of the group of worshipers. It appealed to the Samaritans, however, as a convenient 

 resting place for the sacred scroll in preference to the quaint but clumsy wooden stands of 

 the svnagogue. 



we affirm, there is no God but God." In 

 fact, they aim to keep this up all night, 

 but there are numerous interruptions. 



Once the service has come to an end. 

 all those not engaged bow forward and 

 kiss the hand of the high priest, saying 

 in Hebrew, "Every year may you have 

 peace." He in turn gives each his bene- 

 diction and retires to his tent. 



HOW THE MEAT IS COOKED 



It is now only about four hours before 

 midnight and the sides of the ground 

 oven are glowing with heat. The white- 

 robed figures, with much shouting and 

 commotion, bring the spits forward, 

 holding them in a circle about the fiery 

 pit. With loud voices they repeat, "Hear 

 O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord," 

 and passages of Scripture in which they 

 are admonished to observe diligently the 

 law. 



Suddenly the spits are simultaneously 

 lowered into the oven and a wickerwork 

 lid made of sticks placed over the top, 

 the spits protruding slightly and so held 

 in place. Grass, sod, and mud. previ- 

 ously collected for the purpose, are placed 

 over this, closely sealing the lid, so that 

 no smoke or steam can escape, and thus 

 extinguishing the fire ; but the heat of the 

 stones is sufficient to roast the tender 

 mutton. "Eat not of it raw, nor sodden 

 at all with water, but roast with fire ; his 

 head with his legs, and with the purte- 

 nance thereof" (Ex. 12:9). 



THE EVENING PRAYER 



Once these duties are over the men 

 again collect for prayer. It is now well 

 into the night. Beginning, as usual, in 

 silence, with their creed and the repeti- 

 tion of the story of creation, Pentateuch 

 selections pertaining to the Passover and 



