How Did It Begin? : Customs, Superstitions, and their Romantic Origins

386 Pages·1990·27.656 MB·English

by  Rudolph Brasch, R. Brasch

customs,
their ro
R. BRASCH

Dr Rudolph Brasch, born in Berlin of British parents, is not only
an acclaimed author with seventeen books to his credit, he is also
a popular and respected telecaster, broadcaster and scriptwriter
and a firm believer in the promotion of understanding among
people of all faiths.
Dr Brasch worked in London, Dublin, South Africa and the
United States of America after receiving his Ph.D. in 1938. He came
to Australia in 1949 and was Chief Minister of the Temple Emanuel
in Sydney for the next thirty years.
Among his many honours are the Coronation Medal (1952), the
Order of the British Empire (1967), the Silver Jubilee Medal (1977),
the Order of Australia (1979), and the Media Peace Prize (1979).
His books, which are read for pleasure and are used as text-books
in the USA, Japan and many other countries, include HOW DID SEX
BEGIN?, HOW DID SPORTS BEGIN?, THERE'S A REASON FOR
EVERYTHING!, MISTAKES, MISNOMERS AND MISCONCEPTIONS, and
STRANGE CUSTOMS.
Dr Brasch presently lives in Sydney. He travels extensively to
research his books and when not writing, continues his busy
schedule of public speaking and lecturing.
By the same author
The Star of David
The Eternal Flame
Mexico —A Country of Contrasts
The Unknown Sanctuary
The Judaic Heritage
How Did Sports Begin?
How Did Sex Begin?
Australian Jews of Today
There’s a Reason for Everything!
Mistakes, Misnomers and Misconceptions
Strange Customs
R. BRASCH
Tynron Press
Scotland
© R. Brasch 1965, 1985
First published in 1965 by Longman, Green & Co. Ltd
Second edition published in 1985 by William Collins Pty Ltd
This edition first published in 1990 by
Tynron Press
Stenhouse
Thornhill
Dumfriesshire DG3 4LD
by arrangement with
Collins I Angus & Robertson Publishers Australia
ISBN 1-871948-93-2
All rights reserved
Printed in Singapore by Chong Moh Offset Printing Pte Ltd
To my brother- and sister-in-law
Dr and Mrs F. J. Buchbinder

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First and foremost I should like to thank my wife to whom, as
always, I owe an enormous debt of gratitude. She participated
in the creation of this book in every phase. She not only typed
the manuscript but shared with me in the excitement of research.
Her untiring work, sound judgment and many valuable sugges¬
tions were a constant source of encouragement and inspiration.
This book explains the origin of the helpmate. Certainly, my wife
exemplified the true meaning of the term.
I wish to thank the Australian Broadcasting Commission, Sydney
Morning Herald and Brisbane Courier-Mail for their kind
permission to reproduce my broadcasts and features.
1 am especially grateful to Mr. O. G. Olsen for all his kindness
and friendship. The courtesy and assistance of the staff of both
the Mitchell and Public Libraries of N.S.W. were greatly ap¬
preciated. Individual acknowledgement is given to the many
sources, including the representatives of various countries, who
so kindly supplied illustrations.
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2018 with funding from
Kahle/Austin Foundation
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