CHAPTER II.

THUS far I have endeavoured to explain the present Jewish form of worship, for I grieve to say, it is only form, without spirit: but O, how earnestly do I say, with the Apostle, "My heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved, for I bear them record that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge." Rom. x. 1, 2. It might be supposed, that there would be some appearance of devotion in their worship, but whoever has been in a Synagogue must be convinced to the contrary. The only parts of the service that in any way engage the attention, are such as are sung-the ear is affected, not the heart-"My son, forget not my law, but let thine heart keep my commandments." Prov. iii. 1.

They are a people drawing near with their lips, but their hearts are far from God. There are some few exceptions from this general apathy to the services of the Jewish Church,

ridicule.

and there are many youths early disposed to seriousness, but they cannot stand the test of Amongst such exceptions was one of my brothers; he was a young man of high literary attainments-by profession a teacher of languages; he was much esteemed by the Rev. S. Hirschell, the Rav. or Chief Rabbi of the British Jews, and by the principal Jewish dignitaries, as well as by several Christians of talent, piety, and rank. The veil of Moses was before his eyes; he was a zealous worshipper of his God. I have heard him say of Christians, that however great their error might be, there was, at any rate, in many of them, sincerity and piety. On the contrary, he observed, that the Jews were far behind them in such qualifications. It pleased the Lord to take him from this wilderness at the age of twenty six years-my impression is, that he was a secret believer in the Lord Jesus Christ; and I believe there are many such among the Jews of the present day.

Having related something of their public worship, to which I may perhaps return hereafter as I proceed, I will now notice the form of their domestic services, customs, &c.

All professing Judaism, whatever be their

age or sex, are religiously enjoined to wash themselves on rising from their bed in the morning; they then say, "Blessed art thou O Lord, our God, King of the Universe, who hast sanctified us by thy commandments; and has commanded us to cleanse our hands." Children are taught to pray for the following blessing, in addition to the last named,-"The Law which Moses commanded us in the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob-May these blessings rest on my head-My son hearken to the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother; the law shall be my belief; from the Almighty God cometh my help;" to which is added Psalm XXV. The Prayers (especially in the morning) are very long, and if said with any decorum, they occupy nearly an hour; but, alas! they are too often repeated in a cold, dull, and formal manner. Most Jews are capable of saying their prayers by rote. The sound of a Jew's voice, whilst saying his prayers, is in general very unpleasant to the ear of a stranger. How painful to a Christian to behold the descendants of Abraham, of Moses, of David, of the Prophets, Priests, and Kings of Holy Scripture, standing before the God of their

ancestors, with cold indifference. O that Christians would but pity and pray for them! The only name, Jesus! through which their supplications would be acceptable, they reject and despise. "Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.” Psalm xiv. 7.

The Phylacteries are a most important appendage to Judaic worship. The most irreligious or abandoned Jew would not be without them at home or abroad. If a Jew, being on a journey, should happen to forget them, (a circumstances of rare occurrence,) or being in possession of them, let them fall, he must in either case fast a whole day for his sin of negligence. The Phylacteries are only used by males, and of them none under thirteen years of age (the time of confirmation). The following verses are contained in two small leathern cases, one to be placed between the eyes, the other upon the left arm: Ex. xiii. 1-16, and Deut. xi. 13-21. The cases are attached to leathern straps, one of which is made to pass round the left hand so as to form the letter w (Sheen), the first letter

of the Hebrew word Shaddai (Almighty). The Tollows,* and the Arbang Confous,† are also strictly enjoined to be used by every male Jew; the former, which is in fashion of a scarf, with fringes at the four corners, is used in public. The latter, which is much smaller, is suspended round the neck (having also fringes at the corners) immediately under the waistcoat, and is used in private worship. They are all considered as memorials of the laws, and are, during prayer, devoutly pressed to the lips. Our blessed Saviour refers to these customs, when he said of the Pharisees, "They make broad their Phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments;" Matt. xxiii. 5. and he called them "blind guides who strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel;" for however great may be the moral deliquency in a Jew, the Rabbins, or Jewish Clergy, hold him blameless, if he observe some of the outward ceremonies of his religion, of which the wearing of Phylacteries, &c. &c. are those on which they lay great stress. The Talmudists, or Jewish Commentators, have given a literal character to many of the spiritual *The 'n or Talleth. Canphoth.

or Arba ארבע כנפית The *