March 3, 1841: On Saturday evening and on Sunday morning next, all pious Jews and Jewesses attend the Synagogue, on which occation the Book of Esther, Megillath Estar, will be chaunted by brother Jaques Lyons, and perhaps by brother Ellis, also, both very competent hazanim, readers, and very frum withal. On Sunday, most of the Jews will receive calls, similar to those made on New Year's day. Tables will be set out, furnished with the choicest viands and liquors. Presents of various kinds will be given to the poor, whose hearts will, on this day at least, be made to rejoice. A piece of advice, and we close. Let there be no hammers or mallets used in the Crosby street , when the name of Haman is mentioned; but, in its proper place, let every one exclaim at the top of his voice, zachor letob. We wish one and all, a happy, happy Purim.March 9, 1841: Purim - This feast, in commemoration of the Salvation of the Jews by the lovely Queen Esther, was very merrily and delightfully kept. We were deprived from visiting the Shule on account of the tremendous storm; and very sorry we are that we could not listed to the sweet chanting of the Megilla by the Reverend Jacques Lyons. We understand that there were only about forty-five who attended. On Sunday, however, it was somewhat pleasant; which afforded an excellent opportunity to hear the Magilla, and to pay Purim calls. The Spanish Jews behaved well throughout the day and evening; but some of our Tiche friends eat and drank too much. They must learn to deny themselves both in the Succa and on Purim day,- and indeed, on all other holy days. They must not "make their God their belly." We are happy to learn that no noise was made when the name of Haman was read; and also that with one shout of triumph every Hebrew cried out zachor letob after the word leharbona, following the good advice of the Herald.
Sure wish I knew who wrote these. First published use of "frum?" Maybe.
Jacques Lyons (b. 1813) was the hazzan-minister of Shearith Israel ("the Crosby street Shule) from 1839-1877.
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Interesting. Does anyone know if that is still the Minhag at Shearith Israel - to scream out זכור לטוב at the end of Megilla reading?
ReplyDeleteOr to refer to chazzan as 'Reverend?'
DeleteYes! The reading at Shearith Israel is still very much like what was described in the article above. Noise making at mention of Haman is discouraged, and is usually just heard as a low rumble when some members stamp their feet. When Harbona is mentioned - Many in the synagogue shout out "Zakhor L'Tob." So this custom is still in practice.
ReplyDeleteAs for calling the minister Reverend. This was the case until relatively recently. Nowadays, however, the term Rabbi and Hazzan are generally used.
WTF is "Tiche"?
ReplyDeleteWTF is "Tiche"?
ReplyDelete"Deutsch," i.e., German in the literal sense, and given that it was 1841 it probably also meant German Jew, but in its expansive sense simply Ashkenazi, the same way "Portuguese" here means Sephardi.
ReplyDeleteRe: "Reverend",
ReplyDeleteSee this bio of Rev. Benaroya A"H, the Hazan of the Sephardic Bikur Holim of Seattle, where it says:
It might be interesting to note that the title “Reverend” was added to Hazzan Benaroya’s name prior to his arrival into the United States. The late (WA) Senators “Scoop” Jackson and Warren Magnuson were credited with the idea that would permit special entrance (without quota) into the U.S. for permanent residence by the Benaroya family. The stipulation being that Rev. Benaroya was to use the title in every document.
My favorite part of Purim is the very end, after you've leyned the megilla, and given mishloach manot and mattanot la'evyonim, and eaten your se'uda, and drunk a lot, and you're lying out in the middle of the street, choking on your own vomit, and then a car comes, VOOOOOOOM....
ReplyDelete