The Scriptures do not in any way treat of the subject of the calendar, a matter of the greatest importance from an historical standpoint nor do they state from what period the year was begun to be reckoned, although there is a passage (Ex.xii. 2), “This month shall be unto you, the beginning of months; it shall be to you, the first month of the year” which obviously points to Nisan (about April), as not only the most important month, but also as the beginning of the year. (p. 28)
Erev Yom Kippur, Minchah time! The Eve of the Day of Atonement, at Afternoon Prayer time. A solemn and sacred hour for every Jew. Everyone feels as though he were born again. All the week-day worries, the two-penny-half-penny interests, seem far, far away; or else they have hidden themselves in some corner. Every Jew feels a noble pride, an inward peace mingled with fear and awe. He knows that the yearly Judgement Day is approaching, when God Almighty will hold the scales in His hand and weigh every man’s merits against his transgressions. (p. 13)