26 SEPTEMBER 1908, Page 24

Jerusalem Temple Festivities. By J. Hochman. (G. Routledge and Sons.

2s. 6d. net.)-This learned little book deals with two of the. festal practices observed in the Temple at Jerusalem, the Bikleurim, or presentation of the firstfruits, and the Water Feast, celebrated from nightfall to morning on the first day of Taber- nacles. Both branches of the subject are complicated with difficulties, among which the antiquity of the celebrations is, perhaps, the most important. Into these we will not attempt to enter. One point which will make the details of the Water Feast especially interesting to many of our readers is the possible reference to it in John vii. 37 : "If any man thirst, let him come unto me," &c. This, however, is reported to have been said on the last day of the feast.