Pictures of Jewish Home-Life Fifty Years Ago | Page 7

of catching a great many diseases which are quite
common in the Holy Land at present.
"I remarked to some women that it surprised me how much water was
used for personal washing considering how scarce it was, but they told
me that they were as careful with every drop of water as they were with
food; none was wasted. Where the religious laws commanded the use
of water for personal washing and cleansing they did not grudge it; for
was not the body of man the temple where the Holy Spirit of God dwelt?
God's spirit is in each one of us, and, therefore, we must do our best to
keep our bodies clean for the presence of our Heavenly King, just as
carefully as we should keep a house or palace clean in which our
earthly king dwelt--more carefully indeed. What would courtiers
around an earthly king say if they saw us take our food in the presence
of the king, and praise him, with dirty hands?
"They save water in many ways that are rather amusing to a stranger
until he gets to know the reason for it. For instance, they do not, at
meals, use different plates on the Sabbath, when they have a few
courses: they eat the fish on one side of the plate, and then they wipe it
and turn the plate over, and have soup and meat on the deeper
side--thus saving the washing of many plates.
"In my next letter I will write you all my tribulations and struggles in
getting used to the new life when we moved into our own house. My
great comfort is that we have got to know an American family, and
they have been so kind to us and so cheery that it has made us feel a bit
brighter, and Mother says that in time we shall get used to our new life.
But I doubt it after living in London."
When Mr Jacob had finished reading the letter the young folks began
talking, the older ones listening and giving a smile now and then.
One said: "I should not like to be there."
"Neither should I," said another girl; "it must be awful after London."
"The only thing that I like about the life," said the former, "is the
hospitality and the friendliness that they show to one another, and the
jolly good time they give to people who are utter strangers to them. We
don't do that here--we seem cold and unfriendly."

THE CELEBRATION OF PURIM
As had now become a custom, the young friends of the Jacobs had all

collected on the next Friday evening in the bright and warm
kitchen-sitting room. After a short friendly chat with them Mr Jacobs
said:
"As Purim will begin in two days, perhaps you would like to hear how
our cousins saw it celebrated when they went to Palestine, so I have
chosen this letter to read to you this evening:
"In Jerusalem a week is none too long to prepare for Purim. As you
know, when we lived in London we always were strict about keeping
our holy days; but while there I never realized the pleasure and
excitement during Purim that one sees in Jerusalem.
"Old and young are equally full of fun and joy, and there is plenty of
rushing about with sleeves tucked up. At other times the women here
gossip a great deal, and the girls naturally copy their elders and gossip
too; but, when preparing for Purim, they are all too busy to talk or even
to ask questions. The boys, too, up to the age of twelve, are allowed to
help. Some break up the big pieces of loaf-sugar, and beat up the eggs,
and take the cakes, when ready, to the public ovens, for here there are
no proper ovens as there are in London houses, so a public oven is built
not far from the Synagogue. It is very large, and each family sends its
cakes in its own tins to be baked in it. Generally about half a dozen tins
are carried by each boy. Nothing I have seen before can be compared
with the many kinds of delicious cakes and stuffed monkeys that are
seen here. My mouth waters even when I think of the delicious strudels
filled with sesames and plenty of raisins and shiros! These things are
very cheap here.
"As there are not many boys free to help, you see quite young children,
as well as young women and even grandmothers, going to and from the
public oven, carrying tins of all the Purim delicacies. As they wait
while the cakes are being baked, or waiting their turn to have their
cakes put in, oh! what a chatter there is,