n ! fces flUibrascb ober ^iterator - - - fiir un^ (Se[(^rteBen in (Jngltfrf) iinb Seutfd^ in ^oetifrfiem @tt)Ie, fc^r intereffant imb angie^enb. bon 3o0epb dohn ifd) unb 2)eut[dier Secret, ?)onfer, 9^. 5. retribiert bon S3. @. 2). Slaronfon, 9i. ?). 1906 bt) OR HEBREW LITERATURE FOR SCHOOLS AND HOME1S Written in English and German in a Most Interesting and Attractive Style of Poetry. BY JOSEPH OOHN HEBREW AND GERMAN TEACHER, Yonkers, N. Y. English Translation Eevised by V. S. D. AARONSON, New York. Copyright, 1906, by Joseph Cohn. XeStimonial tlje anf psbagogifcfyem efiiete feit ^afjren crfolgretcf) tfjotige in ^at e unternommen etne 93IumenIefe au Xalmub unb unter bem Xiamen belftetne be 3Wibrafd) gufammen 311 ftellen. @ic Itefert ein 3WiniaturbiIb ber 3ftoral itnb @tf)tf biefer Citeratur. ^r ^n^alt ift burd^ttiegS relig:6 unb toon erfjt jiibifdjem ^atrtottmu gelragen. STIIe, lueldje bie aufeerorbenllirfje aWii^e itnb ben ftaunen* erregcnbcn gletfe ju toiirbigen berfteljen, fottten bie ^erauga6e biefe forbern unb iljatfrdftig unterftii^en. 9iet). 2>r. ^. RIcin. Jorf, 18. eiul 5665. TESTIMONIAL. FROM THE REV. DR. H. PEREIRA MENDES. I have much pleasure in recommending "Gems from the Mid- rash," by Mr. J. Cohn. The work is a good one, and Mr. Cohn's skill in German verse will be at once evident to anyone with even a slight acquaintance with the language. The English version will appeal to many, according to the correctness of style and metre. The ethical teachings conveyed in the work are beyond all praise and will commend the book to every Jewish household and school. H. PEREIRA MENDES, Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, New York City. SSorrebc. jugenblidjen (Generation oil biefeS SBer! getuibmet fein, 2 it 1 jetjnt fid) barnad) unb fud)t '5 lange fd)on, llni ifjr erj 311 erqitirfen brein. iefc SBcrf ift ein Shniotwrbilb Ijebraifd^en Siteratur, trtln'fle^re barin geljiiHt 2o fd)6n ergo^enber 3iatur. (5 bietct bein 8d)ii(cr unb tubenten (fine gute elegen^eit id) ausauscidjnen mit @roBpi < 03cntcn 33ei einer SJSriifimg borbereit: 33on biefein 33ndE)e 311 reaitieren 11 nb mag getuinncn einen ^5rei; o ruitrbe e ifyn oud) infpirieren 3ur Religion, cud) ben rei. Gb'Iftetne be SRibrafcf) ba SScrf fid) nennt, 2BeiI id) fie Don bort Be3ogen, 3ie gefd)Iiffen, bafe fie ein ^eoer crfennt, Ta' 3Tr6eit be ^ebagogen. S o f c V I) Got) n. Confers, 9i\ ?)., 1900. PKEFACE. For the promotion of virtue and for the culture of v our youth, the author here presents a collection of the pearls, diamonds, and precious stones, that are scattered throughout the various Mid- rashim ; but whereas there they are almost inaccessible to the aver- age reader, here they are polished into a brilliance that reflects the beauties of the truths that they teach to every reader, hence the author has named this work "Gems from the Medrash or He- brew Literature." The pictures here represent the barbarous sway of the Roman tyrants over poor captive Israel; other com- positions, too, will be found that are based upon great moral prin- ciples and will inspire the reader to deeply religious sentiments. The author is greatly pleased to see that this work is warmly recommended, not alone for the Home, but also for the use of Schools, where, as a book of recitations, it will be found of great advantage. JOSEPH COHN, Yonkers, N. Y. 93erfaffcr 2teb 10 iiai'l bcr ^arttjrer 14 imb bie filbert 20 :)iabbi (il)iiniiia ber 5U?artt)rer 24 Ter iMi'iib -Sicfl 36 Tic inijd;ale 46 xlolju ber Xrcue 54 n* fromnie OJeidjrutftcrpaar 66 :Wabbi iHiiba uub [cine (Ratlin 74 ;)Ci'[toriutfl bc^ XcnipcU 314 ^crujalem 84 intou 3ol)n ^odjai^ 104 ^ropljet v Scd)aria 114 2ic ^clbcutljat beg ^iibi|d)cn eneral 122 :)iaL)bi UWair 130 Tie IBimbermwfe 138 Xie :Wadjt bc QJIaiibenS 146 ii ber ^uben 154 i xHnmon unb ber Unfjane Xofef 162 3oboni uiib Cioniora i 170 .-HnlUMUi ^ntobojd) ? 180 2cr (fib bee 3iinberS 188 Tie reiclje i'i'itflift 196 ^er (f belftein 204 am 3u Xictoba ' 212 s -brtiria bo feltene 2Beib 220 Hfejanber bcr (>Jrofee unb bie 2tma3onen 228 Ter redjtinalsiflc (? rbe 236 S^ie unucrjdjleierte ame 246 ^QS $eiub eiuc^ (iiliirflidjen 252 SDer meije JHabbt unb ber Wlofopfc 262 eittcnicljrc 270 Sittenfvridie 284 ^i-iiiiiucl) 290 te ^uflcnb 294 CONTENTS. The Author's Song 11 Rabbi Ishmael the Martyr 15 Rome and the Jews 21 Rabbi Chanina the Martyr 25 Triumph of Virtue 37 The Cranium 47 Reward of Faithfulness 55 The Pious Brother and Sister ' 67 Rabbi Akiba and his Wife 75 Destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem 85 Rabbi Simon, the Son of Jochai 105 The Prophet Zecharia 115 Heroism of a Jewish General 123 Rabbi Meir 131 The Wonderful Gnat 139 The Power of Faith 147 Wisdom of the Jews 155 Rabbi Amnon and the ' 'TJnethane Tokef " 163 Sodom and Gomorah 171 Rabenu Hakodosh 181 The Sinner's Vow 189 The Rich Dowry 197 The Gem 205 Gam Zu Letovah 213 B 'ruryah, a Rare Woman 221 Alexander the Great and the Amazons 229 The Legitimate Heir 237 The Unveiled Lady . ' 245 The Happy Man's Shirt 253 The Wise Rabbi and the Philosopher 263 Moral Instruction 271 Moral Maxims 285 Home-Sickness 291 Youth . 295 fiieb. 2>er >id)ter fingt ein Sobgefang, 9Ind) bie Iftadjtigal fingt. 3)ie Gutter fingt bent inbe lang 2a bic Snfnnft \ljrn minft. \ Ser in ber SSiege aEe, SSerfpridjt and) jeben <3onnenfd)oin ^n ber grofeen bie enie gum ingen fdjon, 2Ben aber ber (Sdjatt'n tfjut fyiiten, Ton mag man fein gefyler fe^'n. 10 THE AUTHOR'S SONG. The Poet sings a loving song, The Nightingale sings, too; Mother's lullaby songs prolong The songs that e'er are new. The Poet's our good God alone, Knowledge, the Nightingale, And Nature, our Mother's known, That hides all 'neath her veil. Whilst we all sow, we also sing, E'en frogs croak, you'll allow, But very few of every thing Can ever hope to plow. Dear Mother, with her lullaby, Hath lulled us all to sleep; She promised us the Sun on high, Would shine on our dark deep. In our minds the Sun's rays shining, Fires genius in our song; But when daylight is declining, Each shadow shows our wrong! 11 JBcrfafferS fiteb. Sludj mid) fyatte fonft gejd^Iagen ie Gutter bom Slopf bi0 Sic tfiat mid) fdjon aeitlid) bet i^rer S)a meine eele fo leibet in biertel ^Saljrljunbert fdjon llnb bie Gutter mid) nod) toeibet, id) ifyr ein 93ilb sum llnb fteige tote ein preu im 9Binb 3h)ifd)en bie ^o^en Serge, llm absitfpiegeln ifjr al inb eifter in bie arge. 2)ie traf ift atuar nid)t lingered)!, a id^ ben >id)ter berlaff'n, S)te 9JacgtigaI gepflegt fo jdjledjt llnb bie Gutter tfjat idg ^aff'n. t mtr, tfyr 9?egenten ret! ft)tfj'ntlidg ift meine iinb', ?cid)t auf lange itnb idq bin frei, ann Itebt i^r midg alS u'r 12 THE AUTHOR'S SONG. Me, too, my Mother has beaten, All sore, my wounds have burst, For, by her, my heart was eaten, Since at her breast I nursed. Though my soul has been in sorrow, Twenty-five years or more, Life from Mother still I borrow, This picture of her I'll draw. See in the wind, like chaff flying Amongst the hills so high, Pictures of her children dying, In her coffin they lie. i My punishment was not unjust, For the Poet. I had left, The Nightingale treated with disgust, My mother I bereft. O pardon me, you powers three, Unwitting I did sin, But yet a while and I'll be free, 'Tis then your love I'll win! 13 i 3fmnel bcr SWartyrcr. (finer ber jefin SWertqrer, 9t. SSurbe am @d)eiterljaufen ber&rannt. v,n unfeglidien Torturen unb Oitaf Gr sum ^immel flcftrcrft feine S>nnb: ,,3iir bid) C @ott! jum )fcr crforcn .^Jatte id) ntidi imb fiir' Saterlanb, nnfcv .^ciligtljum, ba Don bcrttmftct unb b fb'rpcrlidjc Unb fcinc roienrotc ."oat ^om' ^Srinjeffin angc^oncn bnlb Hnb ent3iirft bor if)nt ftanb mit s ^ei ilir s 4Sah'r, bcm ^aifer uitb 3trcngte jio an uni'r einen Um iWitleib ,yt cductfcu-cinmcnin Unb tfyn rctten bom JWid)tcr SSerbanb. Scin obc;llrtf)eil tnurbc bert'iinbct, u fjcift einftmaB gelogen, bu iiber un luirft regteren, bu ^oft unfer SSater betrogen, ben (Segen madjteft berlieren, bon un ben Segen otte (Jr ift burd)ait nitfjt in betner SBir geniefeen if)n bit anftatt, unb immer in jebem Sanb. S)u yofHt unb toirft e biifeen iiberall gitr betne betriigeriidje X^aten @o ttrie jefet, fo nodi in grofeerer erddjt, unb in SSerUall gerat^en. 2Biirbe bennod) bir aud) unteiiiegen, SSenn bu fonft toanbelft in otte 28eg, obann tuirft bu mid), gemife bejiegen @o bu betreteft ben efyrlidj'n teg." 18 RABBI ISHMAEL, THE MARTYR. Thus through Rome's streets the great procession wended, Shouting loud announcemnts of its import, Songs of mockery the jubilation ended, Sung in unison by that wild cohort. "0 thou Jacob, thou hast told a barefaced lie Were it not for that thou wouldst still have reigned Thou hast deceived our father, for shame! O, fie! And by trickery the blessing hast gained. "Now see who's enjoying the blessing of God, It is not with thee, nor in thy control, We enjoy the blessing, for thee is the rod, The world for us is Heaven, for thee Sheol. "In retribution's fires thou must ever burn, Thou knave! because of thy deceitful act, E'er must thou suffer wherever thou wilt turn, Thou with sorrow hast made a painful pact. "But in the end thou wilt surely conquer me, When thou wilt go in the good ways of God Then thy most willing slave I will have to be Then I will cease to be thy chastening rod. ' ' 19 'Horn nnb bic ^ubcu. JRom, ba alte JRom, Hingt in'3 Oljr iliMe it) re (iHodfe, ale ein (Sfyor. Irinft mar fie bie groftc 28elt iD?adit manrfjc SSoIfer unterbradjt. 23er Ijat benn bie crfteit 3aaten Qtefa't in ben romifdjen Staotcn? iliid^t 9fonutluy unb JHemu nmrn'? 2tud) nidjt Slnctjijes niit Sm 9)iibraid) i|t bie 8;ntr crprobt SBer al Grft'r fid) bomit gclobt. pciter'n finb bod) nidjt com Stomin, fie Iang[t t>erfd)ti)unben langfam. ,,3'fo S 3?en GlifaS" Gbom'S (JfauS Gnf'I, ber ftolj nid)t 2Us erfter Ifinficbler, fein 9fngelegt, gcfdjo^t ben 93ob'n SScrtI). tDar geftief'n sue felben einen SSater fii()rt 311 begrab'n SBoIIt' i^n 3'fo aus 9tad)c anl)ab'n. 20 ROME AND THE JEWS. Rome ! Ancient Rome ! still rings in human ears, As once her famous bells the world's choir, Once her world wide power filled the world with tears, Destin} r of Nations ! Her desire ! ! Who sowed the first seeds on that fruitful soil? Whence grew Rome's Empire, that monstrous growth? Not by Romulus' nor Remus' toil, Was placed its basal stone, not by both. In the Midrash thou wilt find citations, Which the Master builders clear reveal; Though untraced in these late generations, Sacred tradition nought does conceal. Zefoh, the son of Eliphaz, Edom's King, Esau's grandchild and bloated with pride, Is the o.ne to whom our traditions cling, As first to build in Rome his fire-side. It was on that sad memorable day, When Joseph brought his father's remains To Canaan to rest as he last did say. That Zefoh sought to wipe out ancient stains. 21 9?om iinb btc 2TWitar Ginen fe^r grofeen f>eil ber @gt)bter (Segen onig 3efo roar gericfjtet, Gr bie d^Indit berlor'n unb fid) gefliid)tei. einigen Seuteit crretrfjt er ba 5D?eer Unb beftieg gleid) bort ein d^iff ungefafjr llnb ^at gelonbet ouf bemfelben Ort, 28o je^t 9tom ftefjt, unb Befe^t ftrf) bort. Grr Bcfc^t ftrf) auf bie .ugel Um ben WuSgufe be 5tieber 311 entge^'n, SDamm nonnte er audq, S'iom, biefe Sanb, 5Da in ^ebraift^ ,,rom ^oci)" e berlranb. omit toar ba romifd^c Urgefrfjlet^t in abeligeB getoefen mit recfjt, 9Jur ff ater mitrbe e ein 3uflucf)t Drt 9Son S)ie6en, SRaitBer unb ben 30^orbern ort 9?itn ^a^r^unberte ^ab'n bie Wligen Ten taat regiert nod^ iljrem 5TnIiegen ^8t bie bermifc^t'n 3totf'n fidti aufgebrungcn llnb bie Stb'Iig'n gum ^ieberfall omit IjaBen fid^ bie 8HS (fau' 2t6ftamm gered^net, llnb unter bem 23orttmnb bie ^uben gefjefct, S)Q ^ofob ben fnu bctrog'n berlefet. 22 ROME AND THE JEWS. But Joseph's army, a powerful defense, Egypt's bravest hosts who knew not dread, Turned against Zefoh with such a fierce offence That he lost the battle then he fled. With a fe^ officers he reached the sea, And boarded a vessel near at hand, Which landed on that spot then wild and free Now called Rome he was first there to land! On the hills he built his house, dreading The Tiber's streams lest they overflow, Hence he called it Rome, that landscape spreading, "Rome" means "Height," in Hebrew, as we know. Thus was founded Rome then of royal birth First gave it " artistocratic touch," Then turned refuge for the scum of the earth, For thieves, robbers, murderers and such. For several centuries the nobles reigned, With absolute power controlled the State, Till the mixed race, to rebellion trained, Slaughtered the nobles with bloody hate. Under that pretext the vile Jew-baiters Considered themselves of Esau's breed, Deemed they were hereditary haters, As "Jacob tricked Esau," they martyred his seed. 23 i Gljanina ber ffiabbi GTljanina ein oljn be Strabjon, $>er gute trcue S)icner otte Grrtoarb fief) einen Unfterblirf)feit' 2ljron ^n bcm ^od^ften inne be 2Borte. 93?it fcinem SSermogen, eelc unb S^arf er fief) fyin in ottc , < panben, rinsiep toa^Ite er ben obe lebcnb am d^eiter^aufen enben. iefer traitrige 3(ft fpielte fic^ at ^n ben ttiranifcfjen D^omeraeiten, 8TIS bie $eiben SBelt nocf) mit ut unb Bum @o^en Opfcr fid) lief^en Iciten. 3tl bic Corner i^re number (Srofemacfjt STngefiinbiflt iiber oiler SBelt $aBen fie oud^ bn ^ubent^urn Bebacfjt llnb ba 5t^ora Semen eingeftellt. Ginft Irar (f)anina narf) 9tom ^u geeilt Sen ^ifema gu Befucfjen Don feiner 5IHrt)iff'nl)ett er ftirbt, e nocf) berfucf)en. RABBI CHANINA, THE MARTYR. Rabbi Chanina, the son of Teradyon, Was the devoted servant of God, He earned immortality as guardian, Of the eternal word of the Lord. He sacrificed fortune with soul and heart, In God's hands his whole life he resigned: For principle, as martyr played his part: Went with joy to the stake when consigned. This infamous scene was enacted then, When tyrannous Romans held their sway; When the world was peopled but not with men, But fools who know only to obey. When the Romans extended their base might, O'er all the world with impunity, From the Jews, too, they took their sacred right, To learn Torah in community. It was to Rome that Chanina once sped, To visit Jose, Kisma's great son, To learn the wise things that he ever said, Ere his earthly career would be done. 25 Wnbbt Gfjantim bet SDiiirtljrcr. Crmjjfangenb farad) iljn jetst ber ranfe an : ,,5reunb! id) fjabe mir fagen laffen, S)a bit offenbar bid) toageSt ioran ora 31: berbretten in ben onnft bu benn nod^ ntd)t bie Stonier Sanben \ a fie ber ^immel ^at je beftimmt 2>ie rofte SSoIfer, bie niir bor^anben 3u befieg'n unb t^un tui'S i^nen giemt? SBaren e benn nidjt bie bofen Corner, unfer ^rarfjt Stembel ein[t aerftort, aHer ^eiligfte bort 311 Strummer Unb att unfere grommen berljeert? Unb bu toageft, tro^eft tfynen bennoc^ ^n beinem Suj'n bie ora gu ^Srebigft of fen mofaifcfye Sefiren 28ef)e! toenn ^ionen bid^ an^alt'n!" bitrcfjbnmgen Don Slntrtjortet bie SBarnungen be"^ranfen el ^at toof)I fein Unb toirb mirf) fjaben im ebanfen." 26 RABBI CHANINA, THE MARTYR. He received him, though on his dying bed, And said to him: "Hear Oh! my friend!" "I heard, the Torah in public hast read, Alas, dost forget the bitter end? "Knowest thou not the murd'rous Roman thugs, Whom God did appoint the world to scourge? See how every nation its vile chain hugs, And Rome's myrmidons still new chains forge! "Was it not base Rome with its vile cohorts, Who our holy Temple all destroyed? Have burned to the ground its sacred courts, To slay our best they were overjoyed! "In spite of that you defiantly dare, The Torah in your bosom to hold, And preach Moses '^Law on each public square, Oh woe, if by spies this should be told!" Chanina, with confidence unshaken, Thus answered his sick friend's warning kind, "By Heaven's tribune judgment is taken, My fate to its power I've resigned." 27 Granitic bcr 9)tdrti)rcr. 1)er ranfe banu fn^r fort im 33etoncn, ,,2$ir finb bod) mir irbifdje 28efen, Sihmber fyoff'n ttmrbe fid) nid)t IoT;ncn ! 3Som 5tobe lafet fid) nidjt nblofen." 2)iefe ^ad)t liiMt luohl in idmt 311 entreifeen bon bicfer 2BeIt, jenfeitigem Seb'n 311 entroenben iionn tpebcr ??ohir, nod) cin Wcnfdjen^elb." ,,9tur nod) eine jvrage ftell id) an bir Sebor irir bon etnanber fdjeiben 3prad) ber [ter&enbe Siabbi ; f age mir ! lein @iinb' moron bu magft leiben?" ,.Csn Scbofo (Mb tmt ^iirtm aben fatten fid) einmal bei mir bermifdjt. Sonft tneiB id) feinc iinben ,511 l)aben Hnb btefe ift oud) fd)on liingft bertoifd)t. ,,9tun bann hiiinfd)c id) mil bir 311 tcilen, SBa bir befdu'eben, ma bid) garret, 9Ho cnbloic SSonne unb ^reub' toeilen 28e etnigc Scben fid) toaijret!" 28 RABBI CHANINA, THE MARTYR. His sick friend deprecatingly murmured, We are naught but poor tenants of clay; Hope for miracles is not right humored, As Nature's Judge for death grants no stay. " 'Tis true the base Romans have the power To pluck my life from this earthly sphere, Biit their might is but for the brief hour, They cannot blast my heavenly career." "But one more question I will put to thee, Ere forever I'll bid thee farewell," Spoke the dying man, "0! confess to me, What sin may cause to sound thy doom's knell?" "Yea, charity entrusted to my care, With Purim money was mingled once Otherwise in sin I have had no share And that, too, He forgave for the nonce." "Then may my lot be cast with thine I |5ray, Whate'er thee betide, whate'er befall. For endless joy is thine on that great day When eternal life to thee does call." 29 v )i'nbbi (slnuunn ber llli cirri) rer. biefer Sonberfation barauf Sfi ftabbi Sofea gcftorben! SDie unbe in 9?om fcerbreitet im Sauf. S5cr SSerbienfte er fid^ ertoorben. SSon alien rofeen 511 rab' geleitet giirft'n, fliinftler, 2lri[tofraten ifjm bie le^le 6^re bereitet Unb Xrauerreben ^tclten 3Kagnaten. 5tl ber Seicfyenaug f)etmrtiart gefommen Unb (Sljanina in ber troffe [tanb SSon fetnem 2)^unb' 3KoraI bernommen llnb bie Stora fialtenb in ber anb. S5en romifdj'n pionen unb 2Bar biefer 2InbIi(f nirfjt fo fe^r rerf)t 3ie naljmen ben SBerbreij'r in Seffeln frei ebracfit al ange!6t5te efd)Ied)t. 9lm Sc^eiter^Qufen marb er f)ingeftredt. UmljiiHt ben ^orper mit ^orarotten ^en umgeBen unb bebedft, Bergen gelegt nayye SBoHen. 30 RABBI CHANINA, THE MARTYR. Shortly following this conversation, Gentle Rabbi Jose drew his last breath ; In Rome revered as best of the nation, With great grief they lamented his death. By all the great he was brought to the grave, Rome's princes, artists and nobles all, His last honors they all lavishly gave, And sad orations said at his pall. And while that sad cortege homeward returned, Rabbi Chanina in public's spied, Expounding all the laws that he had learned, Whilst holding the Torah by his side. Then the Roman spies and police alert, Whom this scene as a foul crime impressed, Seized the criminal with speed most expert, And chained him for the words he expressed. Condemned to the stake to be burned alive, His body's wrapped in the Torah 's-scroll ! And flax o'er his skin that the flames may thrive Whilst on his heart saturated wool! 31 t Pfjnntnn ber 9)itirttircr. @o bie 2lel)ren urn ifjn angcjiinbet ie SBoKe am $er3en immer crfrifd)t JDamit er fid) in (Jgoni minbet Unb feine Seele nid)t bnlb enttuifd)t. 23ater unenbltrfjen (Sd)tei be SntfetjcnS unb u ifjrem aT?unbe; 3T(f) @ott! ,,9Sater! lafe beine 3tn[id^t lieber! 2Bie fann id^ 311 jef)'n folc^e Gualen, @o unfd^ulbig 311 [terten bariiber? Sft bic mit @otte fterfjt 311 malen?" ,,9Ba3 iucire Mr lieber mein Iiebe 2>a id) fdiulbig erflart jolt fterbcuV eiben finb bod) alle fo inie blinb, a fie bie ora aud) berberben, rt)er fid) ber ora SBiHen annimmt, 2)er tnirb aud) ba meinige rodjcn, Unb fo long meine eele in mir glimmt SBill id) gegen @ott nid)t berbredjen." 32 RABBI CHANINA, THE MARTYR. The flax round him is lit with fearful blaze, The wool on his heart is e'er kept wet, His agony's intense, enough to craze, But his soul can't leave his body yet! The Martyr's daughter with horror did view Her innocent father's endless death; One piercing shriek, that e'er in volume grew, Escaped her lips in one painful breath: "Father! Recant, and save thyself from hell This hell thou suff'rest how can I see, Innocent to perish for good didst tell, Does thy fate with God's justice agree?" ' ' dear child wouldst thou prefer to behold Me die, forever laden with shame? A blind darkness these heathen all enfold, E'en the innocent Torah feeds the flame! "Lo! He who the Torah 's wrongs will avenge, For me also, reckoning will take, My soul will be true, this is my revenge,, My faith towards God, I will never break!" 33 i Gfjnmtm bet SKorttjrcr. etfteSgegentuart be3 rofeljelben Sftadjt ein @inbruerf)t'Ienben @rf)icf|al gepriift 311 fein 93Iteb borf) ber ottfjeit treu, unb fiigt fid) brein. JR. SofuQ' 2rftbQ unb ^li'jer, d^rlid) mtt i!)rem 3?egifter, fon[t fiir ^rnnfe unb 9^ot^Ieibenben 3u biefem 93e^uf fommelten 3u Stban ^uban eingefe^rt fie befd)enft mtt tmmenfen @aben. 36 THE TRIUMPH OF VIRTUE. Let not mournful cares harass thee, When thy sun begins to sink Future worries they distress thee, Perchance they'll no morrow bring. Let the Father care above you, In your time of greatest care, He gave life because he loves yon, He will guard it, He will bear. Rich and God-beloved, Aban Yudan, by name, The greatest Philanthropist of his time, To which contemporary history lays claim, Was bitterly tried whilst yet in his prime, But trials and tests that holy spirit did not shake, His attachment to God no misery could break ! Rabbi Joshua, Akiba and Eleazar, Went upon their yearly pilgrimage, To collect for the sick and poor in goodly measure, In this charity they'd e'er engage, And thus it chanced to Aban Judan they also came, They remembered well his great gifts and revered his name. 37 Set Sitgcnb Steg. @o tooljltlwenb lebte er fort unb fort 3Wit 9teid)tljum begabt, gefegnet bon ott, 3?t einc ungetooljinlid)' llmftaltung 33et ifym bieSmal eingetreten in rfjftwng, 2)a aaten ber gelber, belter unb djcu'r $eimgefud^t bom titrm unb Brennenben i\i i n'r. 3lffe in tiefen djiitt begraben Tn'er Surd) ben geuer=Srunft bie (Sebiiube fritlj'r, Sine ^inraffenbe @eud)c fetn 2?iefj X^at aud^ felbeS t)ollenb bernidjten friif), Unb bei biefen Unglii(f=turmen aHe ber " >iob " gleid^' fcin <3iinb unb @afte. feinem treuen SSeib unb ^inber 3og cr I)inau bom SRutnen ^inber, (Sd^Iug auf in einer tro^fjuttc fcin rna^rtc fid) bon bem 9?cfte am e fleinen tu'cfdjen, ba nod) iibrig tror 9Bo er nod^ onbouen fonnte fogar. %a, felbft in biefen elenb armen Stnnb ^ielt er offen feine gdrtlidje $anb 3u berabreidjen ^>ilflofen bom ^Hefte, SJenen ratfyen nub fagen ba 33cfte, @r ertrug aud^ fein djidffal mil ebulb Unb gab bem 9nimad)tigen feine 38 THE TRIUMPH OF VIRTUE. One chain of charitable deeds was the life he led, A life of God's rich bounty fitly crowned, Until one day, Oh sad day of wrath and dread! From richest heights he fell unto the ground; Broken, midst the wretched ruins of farm and field, Such a cruel harvest the destructive storm did yield. And as the storm's fury with sorrow he surveyed, By fire his buildings are devastated, His cattle is dying, by some pest they are laid, His fortune the demons confiscated, But midst these catastrophes without and within, Like the ancient "Job," Aban Judan did not sin! With his devoted pious wife and children true, He left the ruins where they e'rstwhile reigned, Patched up a poor hovel of straw and lived there, too, From produce of a field that yet remained; This humble little field was now their all in all, Their nourishment, their sole support Oh such a fall ! Yea! even though fallen to such a wretched state, That once lavish hand he still open kept, To relieve unfortunates, soften their hard fate, To dry the streaming eyes of those who wept, His own destiny with greatest patience he bore, And praised the good Lord as heartily as of yore. 39 Sitgenb Steg. 2In einen fo fyeitern ommerabenb afe er Dor feiner >iitte, jid) la&enb, SSon [eincm Xagetoerf miibe iinb matt id) e benncd) erlctubt imb gegb'nnt Ijat @eine ^inber rnti Se^rreicfj'n Seftteren Sn unter^alten imb anjufiiljren. 3f[ er |)I6^Iic^ tnne ^altenb fid^ bann SSerlor nad;benfenb unb bie 3^t getnann Sn ben grofeen Slnblidfe mit SSonne er majeftdtifd) untergefjenb'n onne; meine ^inber!.E)abt if)r ba 33ilb fd)eibenben grommen bom grbenfdjtlb; SBie bie onne geiribmet otte 2)ien[t'n ^re djritte nid)t ^emmen Idfeft im 9Ktnb'ftn tu bem ^origonte lagfam fdjeibet, 97ad) bem llntergang im 3Wonbe toeibet, o bc f)in|d]eibenben ^rommen %f)aten bie ^oditeelt juriirfloBt bie CSoaten." Crr toottte feinen Ijordienben ie)e trefflidje 23ilb toeir'r befignen. 9II cr plotjlid) biird)'n 9?a6binen Tie jnfjrlirf) urn Spennb'n anfjielten 2>on bor gerne, iiberra[d)t! gebogen ^n feiner >iitte fid) 40 THE TRIUMPH OF VIRTUE. In the cool of eve of a mellow summer day, Aban Judan sat before the humble hut, Although worn and weary with work unto whose way He was not accustomed, nor the toiler's rut, To instruct his family he yet took delight, With loving words to teach what's wrong and what is right That pleasant family discourse he sudden stopped, And lost himself in deep contemplation, Of the majestic sundown which he did adopt, As text to arouse imagination; "Hear ye, my children, this is the image I ween Of the pious man parting from the earthly scene, Just as the Sun to God's worship all devoted, Never falters in its course nor delays From our horizon as 'tis slowly promoted, Lends the Queen of night its daily rays; So the good deeds the pious man has left behind, Yield their good seeds to benefit future mankind!" He wished still further to expatiate on this theme, So glorious and rich in moral fruit, When he suddenly started as awakened from a dream, By faces so well known to him forsooth, The Rabbins who just made to him their yearly course With sad troubled heart he slunk in his hut perforce. 41 Ser Sugcnb Stcg. ), feine liebe, fromme attin mit 93eforgni iljn gefragt ben inn ; ,,2Barum auf einmal nieber gefdjIagenV fm' e3 mtr bod) mittfyeilen uiib fagen! SBarft bu bod) immer fo fefyr bcfdjeiben Hub gefiigig in Qffen Seibcn." >, mein fromme, tf)eure SBeib iinb Iicbe! 6 mirft auf mid) fjeiite etft)a triibeg, tc fjerannaljenben JRabbinen bort llm i^re @aben auf3iinel)men fort Sd) e gerab' bieSmal mufe cntbe^r-en 2)iefe tnad)t mid) franfen, mod)t Xtoftenb fprad^ feine attin jefct gu i ,,^8alb foil gefyoben fein bein Sdjmer^ unb rimm 33erfaufen roir bie ^dlft' unfreS Unb bon bem im 93efifc unfreS S)ie luir ben Wrmen geben al 93eitrag Unb ott f)alf un mit bem fleinen Srtrog!" bem 9tat() feiner atttn einbcrftanb'n @ab bem s Xnfommenb'n bon bern ba bor^anb'n, SJSorauf fie i^m ben egen ert^eilen! ,,9J?oge ber Snimadjtige bid) Jjeilen! a er bir aufiige einen @rfa^!" Unb iibertreffe bein bor^erig'n 42 THE TRIUMPH OF VIRTUE. Sarah, his pious wife, sharer of his sorrow, With great solicitude asked of her spouse, ''What trouble is there so great your mind does harrow? Such melancholy spirits does arouse, You who were hitherto to all things so resigned, What trouble has happened thus to depress your mind?" ' ' Oh dear beloved wife who art my comfort ever, My sorrow is really too great to bear, See the Rabbins now are coming to 'the giver,' Who now, alas! has naught at all to spare; Oh this sorrow touches me in a vital spot! I overcame everything but this I cannot!" His true wife thereupon comforted him and said: "Grieve no longer, your sorrow hence shall cease, We will 'sell half our field, although it is our bread, There is suffering much worse we can ease, And thus we'll help the poor who e'er with us abide, And as for small dependence, God will provide!" With the good counsel of his wife in harmony, To the Rabbins the field's proceeds he gave, And they blessed him, for his kindly heart they did see, And were touched at a sacrifice so brave, ' ' May the Almighty prosper you in all y.our ways, And may your wealth be greater than in ancient days!" 43 teg. 3n briicfenber ttott) lebfe er fo fort 3>n jenem einfamen unljeimlid)'n )ri, S 2H3 er an einen fdjonen gruljlingstag eaermodjt'n jebod) nid)t aufeiuDteg'n bie Sago @o ba 2(ttc ftaunt mit einem Wale. 3obann nafym ber OJrei ein bicf)en rbenfanb llnb ftreut cc- auf beni Sdjobel obcn an, 23?age fan! nicbcr, unb ber rei* geftonb: ier, D ^ontg! licgt bie 7>euhmg Doran, Tit f)aft bid) iDoIiI sum ^eltcrob'rer erljob'n .^aft bid) ab'r in beinem 3tol3' bergeffen! Urn bid) 311 crinnern on bein ftolse? ob'n bir ott anbeitten bein SSermeffen: 2J?it ber ^irnfdjale, a\> it ber Sn bem Seben regiert mit freier 2ftad)t menn tobt, ift ber ei[t ol)ite ^^Qtigfeit, Unb bift nur Staub itnb 311 3taub iin'rft gebradit' 'Seine $i\tie ift nur 8taub; d), n?ie htr3 ift boc^ ba Seben! 33alb bift bit ben SBitrmern iHaub. bu fo ()od) geboron 5fngcfe^en, grofe unb reid), 3u 3SergdngItc^feit crforen ber 2obt nn nffe gleid). 52 THE CRANIUM. The hoary Sage placed the mystic cranium on a scale, And put all the weights in the balance against, But the combined weight of the stones proved all of no avail, All marveled that the cranium such weight condensed. The wise old man then took just a handful of common sand, And strewed it over the cranium's shining crown, The scale at once sank as though it burst its powerful band, "Thus 'tis solved, King!" cried the Sage of renown. "Thou hast indeed as world-conquerer attained immortal fame, But hast forgotten in thy o'erweening pride, It is in order to remind thee of man's mortal shame, That the All-power caused this, thee to betide. "This cranium is the symbol of wisdom all pervading, Its dominion in life is free absolute, But gone is the spirit creative when death's invading, From dust it was brought, to the dust restitute! ' ' Why inflated with vanity, dost lift thy head with pride ? Thy pompous role is naught but the clinging dust, Alas ! How short are the fleeting years thou hast to abide, Soon thy corse will be a prey to the worm's lust. "Be thou ever so great, and born of a noble estate, Well regarded, with great riches at thy call, Yet canst thou not hope to escape mortal man's common fate, And 'tis cruel death that levels the ranks of all!" 53 bcr ^n bcr SBiege be3 menfdjlidjen 8cmbe 3m iib'n 9tfin', einc S 33crgen jftanbe* 2Beibete bie djafe ein ^iiben $irt, S)er taglid) gefpeift luarb Don cnicin ilVirtfj S)er 2BirtI) befal)! jeiner od)ter, 311 trag'n 2)em Bitten bie Speifen, |ie mogc S)a folgfame 2>?dbd)en gieitg banu ^n ben benad)tbarten Itegenben SBalb. 2)ie onne jrfjien gudiillig fo je^r 2)a 2)Jdbd)en bcgofe nirf)t rtienig ber ie becirrte fid) im 23albe aud) jetgt Unb Dor 2)ur[t ifjre ^ef)I fdimad)tet iinb @ie jdjaut um einen ibrunnen 311 erblicf' it Um iljrc trod'ne 3unge ju erquid'n Slber itmfonft fie ftianbert immer fort 3n biefem oben, unfjeimlidjen Ort. 2>d)on h)ottt' eine C^nmadjt itbermanncn Die UnglMIidje !fid) bod) tfjat flammen, Unb einen 23runnen 311 erblid'n Dermod)tc ie raffte fid) ^in, unb i^r er3 pod)te ! REWARD OF FAITHFULNESS. In the Orient, the cradle of the human race, Some spot in Southeastern Asia, a mountainous place, A poor Jewish shepherd, his flock was wont to lead, And a neighboring rich host daily supplied his need. That generous host told his daughter to bring The food to the poor shepherd and every needful thing; The obedient daughter very joyfully went, On the path of mercy, to the woods where she was sent. The sun shone, a certain day, with a heat most intense, The maiden, bathed in perspiration, found no defense, By the heat overcome, in the woods she lost her way^ And now to a burning thirst the poor child fell a prey. She looked .hither and thither, may hap a well she'd espy, To relieve her agony of thirst, her tongue was so dry! But in vain was her seeking, she feebly tottered on, In that dry, deserted place till her strength was near gone. Her strength was almost exhausted, oblivion sought, To rob her of consciousness, but yet again she fought For there at a distance, she at last espied a well, She struggled to reach it and her heart with hope did swell. 55 2)er 23runnen fdjien gegrab'n tuorben gu fein SSon ar'ftmnen, ameele gu tranf'n brein, 25iefe Sntbedung gaB il)r 2Rutf) unb neue Belebt, [te fii) je^t fiinrafft. S5od() ein @imer tear bort nid()t 311 fe^en llnb ba @cf)Qpfen fonnte nid^t gcfrfjefien, ^ebod) am anberen 33runnenecfe ^eil Grrbltcfte jie einen fe^r langen @etl-. 2)en eil um ben Ceib fid^ medjanifd) banb, Sie fid) in bie ief ' fyinab unb ber[d)lnanb ; Itnberle^t erreidjie fie bie SSafferfldc^e Unb' labte ifjr ^erg in ifirer 9}on biefer rube gu flammen f)inau SSar e je^t iljre 5lufgabe burdjau^; 9Bar bod) fein fd)neEe 2>?iitel bei ber a fie fid) 3U retten toore in ftanb. 3u bem immel i^re ^anbe ftrecfenb: djrie um einer ^ilfe ba erfdjrecfenb, Bum 2IIImad)tigen i^r Slug' geridjtet Unb inbrinftig if)r ebet berridjtet. 56 REWARD OF FAITHFULNESS. It seems that that refreshing well by travelers was dug, Caravans gave their camels drink and filled their own jug Her discovery supplied her with a new-born strength, And revived, with renewed efforts she reached it at length. But strange fatality! No pail was there to be seen! Of no means of drawing living water could she wean, At one side of the old stone well in a corner lying, There she saw^ a long rope which could aid her by tying. The rope around her waist she mechanically drew, When alas! with sudden impetus, it headlong threw The poor maiden in the well, from its black depths she cried To the All-merciful Father with her to abide. From this pit her whole mind with one idea sought to flee, Her whole body, too, she nerved with strength to make it free, Yet with all her trying no escape could she find, Here she was enchained nor could she with her power unbind. Her eyes now heavenward gazed, with outstretched arms now she prayed, Aloud she begged Divine aid to come to a poor maid, Toward the Almighty, her tearful eyes now turned with pleading, To Him who every cry most gracious e'er is heeding. 57 fioljn ber $renc. ,,2nimad)tig'r djatofer! Ijabe erbarmen Ueb'r mid) nnb meine Crltern bie 2frmcn; i8ett)etf' biemal grofce SBunber beine llnb rettc meine eel', meine reine!" S5*ege fdfjreitel ein ^iibfcfjer Bungling SBitmmern au ber 2ief gab ifjm ein ^a bort etlDa? fd)re(flid^e fid) abftnelt nttneb'r 3Worb ober jemanb ITQ abjielt. ftarren Slirfen fd^out er bort Ijinein, (rin grauengei'tattt bemerft er bort fein: ,,Sprid)! rt)er bift bu, bon efpenfter 2lrten Cber e Stduber bid) )ter berfdjarrten?" "it D'lettungS (Sng'I in menfdjlidjer eftattt nirfjt; bcnn mein 6nbe fommt fd)on balb. gefdjttrinb gefd)h;inb rette bu mid)! Sine 2ftenfd)Itd)e @eele bittet bid). 2>er Bungling fid) bann Ija[tig anfdjirfte Itnb jog balb IjerauS bie 23erungliirfte. S^re rote 2Bangen unb fd)6ne eftattt in entjiidt, berliebt fid) an iljr balb. 58 REWARD OF FAITHFULNESS. "Almighty Creator, I pray thee compassion take Upon me, thy poor hand-maid, for my parents' sake Reveal now to me thy ever wondrous saving power And preserve my innocent life at this fearful hour." A young man blithe of heart, lightly sauntered on that road, From the depths heard that cry which he knew no good did bode, He knew that something horrible must cause that crying, Either some one was being robbed, or slowly dying. As one spell-bound, in the black depths of that well he gazed, And there beheld a woman's form and was amazed, "O speak what being art thou, is it a ghost I see? Or a human being, and did robbers there cast thee?" "Oh thou preserving angel in human form, I pray Delay not to save, in mercy's name thou must not stay, Hasten! hasten! Oh for pity's sake quickly save me; Behold my bitter tears ! a human soul pleads to thee ! ' ' The young man with great celerity did now proceed To rescue the forlorn maiden in such urgent need, Her remarkably beautiful face and handsome form, Enchanted him and fairly took his young heart by storm. n bcr ,, s Jiun mein Seb'ng letter ma foil bein Sofyn fein? Sprid) often! id) will bir fonft alle* meift'n." ,,ein Iiebe $er3d)en mill id) fjaben Sprad) be S"nen Wunb, fonft fcinc Cftnbcn!" fonften ^ddjeln fie i^m ermiebcrt: ,, s j)?einft bu 311 fein berfdjroeftert, derbriibert? Dbcr al attin bir Xreue fc^more? %d) c and) einftimmig bir Son bicfem im 2BaIbe ein ijiebes 23anb ^at fid) be Bungling ^erj 511 iinb'n entbrannt Ginc Ucberrebimg ud^t gab fid) fiinb bem faft aitternben ^tingling 9J?unb! eg gelang ifyr, feine Qilut^ 311 Unb burt^ SKoral 2Sorte iljn einne^men; 2d)moren fid) eine eroige Xreue breier 2)inge auf'S neue: (iin 28iefeld)en, ba Poriiber gefdjroebt; 2>en ^immel bo er geroife emig lebt Unb ben 33runnen im unljeimlidjen SBalb 3Tuf ba fie iljr 5Ibfd)ieb genommen balb. 60 REWARD OF FAITHFULNESS. "Dear preserver of my life, how shall I reward thee, Prithee tell me what thou wilt, all things I'll afford thee." "Thy heart I wish, thy love as my only recompense, Spoke the youth, this I call reward in the best sense." With the sweetest of smiles the maiden softly replied: "Wilt be to me as a brother at a sister's side, Or dost thou wish me for thy wife, truly and for aye? To this also I'll give consent, nor will say thee nay." The harmless spark of love that in the silent woods was born Soon fanned in fierce blaze the youth's heart by passion torn With palpitating heart he sought the maiden to seduce, And trembling lips stammered words her love to induce. The virtuous maiden with great tact, nevertheless, And with soothing words of morality did suppress, The youth's hellish flames that threatened to consume them both. They each swore faithfulness and three witnessed their oath. A little weasel that just then rapidly ran by The eternal witness of all transactions, the blue sky, And the innocent cause of it all, that fateful well, "These," said they, "are witnesses to our oath, now farewell!" 61 fioljtt bcr Srcuc. 2H fie im IternljauS angelangt toar pielte fid) ab jammer itnb greube gar o 2ftdbcf)en ertuartet iljr'n rfjafc @o ba e ifjr tuurbe unertragltd^. @ bergingen aurf) SBod^en unb @r lafjt tion firf) fetne purcn beuten; Summer unb ramm, au rfjam ja^rte i^r ^offcnb unb fjarrenb in elDtgen S)er Bungling f)at bie efii^Ie berle^t, a er fidfj an einer anbern ergofct! @r ^atte aud^ gefyeiratet nitfjt mtnbcr Unb ergcigte mit iljr aucf) gleidE) ^inber. @ie IcBten fo gliidlid) eine lange ein befonb'rer Bufafl fie entjaieit : einmal bie ^inber in ber SSiege @rf)Iummerten rufiig mie bie UeBrige, Xrat ein SSiefelrfjen fjeretn im Unb rtiirgte eine 311 tob auf immcr! 25a jtueite bei einen 33runen gef|)ielt 3:el bort ^inein unb feinen ob ersielt. 62 REWARD OF FAITHFULNESS. When at length she reached her home and told her parents all, Tears and smiles did alternate at all that did befall, The lass now eagerly awaited the loving youth, And her heart fairly sickened as though it guessed the trath. First, weeks went by, then months, and the seasons came and went, No sign of her lover! Was love's flame so quickly spent? Sorrow and despair now preyed upon her loving heart, She hoped against hope and felt desertion's poisoned dart. The youthful lover soon forgot his love, broke his vow, For his heart was taken by another fair one now, And, as if to crown his perfidy, married her too, Despite his sin their union was blessed by children two. Thus happily they lived for many a goodly year, Until a peculiar occurrence caused them to fear, When on a certain day whilst the children soundly slept, A little weasel to the babe's cradle softly crept. That little weasel that furtively slunk in the room, Choked the poor baby to death, such was its fearful doom ! Their other child also who went by the well and played, Fell therein and was drowned, thus the two by death were laid. 63 fioljn bcr Sreue. SDer SSater im ramm fid) jefct erinnert, $a ifjn Me trafe b,eimfud)enb fiimmer SDa er bem Sltfabdjen gefdjtooren fjat Unb fie berlaffen, bie er Bereite. (fr entberfte e bteSmal feiner grau, ie i^m ben 9tatf) gtBt borallem genait: ie gefetslic^ ^ier 511 fdjeiben fofort Unb bie efrcinfte 311 ^eirat^en bort. S)er treunergeffene i^ann reifte ab 3ur Srften gwriicfe mit @ut unb er bort angelangt,melbet er fief), ein 9frat oiler $eilfimbe 2)a 3Wdbc^en berstoeifelt ant 23ett liegenb rblidft ben Bungling mit ^dnben ringenb.: ,,$er3eiljung, SSergebung bu Sng'I efcfjlerfjt ! 2)u bift unfcrjulbig unb id) ungererfjt." 2)a 3D?abrf)en ftiirb barauf ^in ganj erfrifc^t 6in jeber 3Sorn;urf rt>urbe balb bernjifdjt; 2>en Sol)n ber Xreue nimntt fie jefct tnab,r: a fie gefdjritien sum SCraualtar. 64 REWARD OF FAITHFULNESS. Upon the stricken father's mind the awful truth now dawned, That heaven 'venged his broken vow for her who had mourned, A faithless lover 's heartlessness she mourned in despair, He now repented bitterly but how to repair? He revealed the entire history to his wife, Who quite nobly counseled him to begin a new life, By separating from her despite their loving past, And marrying her with whom his first true lot was cast. The recreant lover now on his journey set out, To return to his first love with all his wealth about, Having reached her home, he caused himself to be announced As a physician who as all-healing was pronounced. The poor maiden sick from despair on her couch lying, Perceived the "loving youth'" who on his knees fell crying, "Forgive me! Beloved one! Oh thou my angel fair! Thou hast suffered innocently, I caused thy despair." With new r life the beautiful maiden was now infused, No reproach from her lips, only happiness diffused, That Faithfulness is its own reward, proves its beauty, They were married and happiness crowned fulfilled duty. 65 fromnte efdjtoifterjmar. bor gJueitaufenb fiinffyunbert l^aljr'n lebte in >eru)'Iem ein SWann rieft'r ftabbi Sfma'I 33en @Iifd&a, Unb im Slalmub ,,itin" ftd)' finb'n fann elber Don otte nab'n mar gefegnel 3Kit atoet ber frfjonften lieben ^inber, te i^re gleid)'n fein $D?enfd^ je begegnct o^ncfjen iinb od)ter nid^t minber. rfjicffal tooGte e fjaben fo ireit, biefe fd^one efd^mifter^aar einmal berfc^iDunben in einer Sett Unb feine (Sjmren bor 9iiif!el)r iuar. aHe udjen Ueben SSon SSater unb Gutter umfjer SBar bieSmal erfolglo geblieben iinb ein Stailjfel blieb e nunme^r. SBie c aber 311 jcner bunfeln 3Kenfd)en 311 fangen fe^r iiblirf) toar. Um Sofegelb 31: crprefjen bereit, aud^ aB Obfer biefeS $aar. 66 THE PIOUS BROTHER AND SISTER. Rabbi Ishmael ben Elisha, High-priest of fame, Dwelt in Jerusalem in olden days, The Talmud in "Gitin" reveres his name. For two thousand years we have read of his praise. He was blessed by God's bounty with children of grace, Most beautiful were his daughter and son, They were unmatched in their beauty of form and face, By their brilliant charms every heart was won. But destiny had written its fatal decree, That these beautiful and pure spirits twain, Their loving parents and friends never more should see, Nevermore return to their homes again. Oh wretched was the day when they disappeared! And father and mother had sought in vain! No trace of the vanished ones their sad hearts cheered, Unsolved Enigma! a riddle of pain! However thus it happened in that evil age, That persons were seized, for ransom were held, These fairest flowers, victims of the demon's rage, Were clutched by captains, as robbers excelled. frommc Gkfdjtoiftcrpaar. 3*t)ei reidje iibermiitljige Seute Xie nid)t anb'res toaren al Sd)tt)armer Gmmrben fid) biefer fdjonfien s -8cute llnb fjtelten fie gefcmgen rote Sdmmer. Itingft Derfloffcner '-Bcgegncten cinmal bic ganger Unb frfjilberten bie priic^tige @d)onF)eit engcr, 33erabrebenb tfyaten fie bonn fagen: ,,2J?ein flade ift trie ein Sourer fdjon: Xeine Sfiaoin bie fcf)onftteu S 0lnlagen ft)ir einen SSucfjer gefcfjelj'n: 2tuf llnfeuidjfjeit roerben mir fie Unb i^r ?Jad)fornTnen foil narf^er Un beiben angeboren, ftenn' geliingen, Somit madden tutr e itrie fritter. 33orfatj taftten fie and) beibrtngen, Sic fiibrten bnnn bie 3rt)ei Wtirtnrcr Urn fie 3iir ^eirat burd)au 311 jttnngen finftern emad), bie 68 THE PIOUS BROTHER AND SISTER. Two rich and haughty villains utterly depraved, With violence did seize that beauteous pair, And from their hideous clutches never were they saved, Never did they escape the robber's lair! Cruel time flew on in its long and heedless flight, And villain met with villain face to face, To portray his captive's beauty the one took delight, The other boasted his had greater grace. After such arguments, one to another said: "Since my slave's beauty is beyond compare And your captive's charms excelled, all others it led A bargain! In our prizes let us share! We'll force them to unite in an immoral bond, And with their beauteous fruit in partnership, We'll take our pleasure, delightfully rare and fond, In voluptuous joys of good fellowship." With devilish haste foul actions followed vile words, And the wretched martyrs captive were led, In a darkened room, like the poor caged birds. And sternlv bidden there to make their bed. 69 frotnme S5ie betriibten eirat anbibaten SBottten bon einanber nidjtS toiffen a toeber 28oI)IIuft, nodj ba eiraten Dertrug mit i^rem etuiffcn. ,,SBie foil benn fein meine attin, mein ^d), ais geborene ^riefter (Sine iirne, eine flafin, gum 2)n e gegen meine SBitrbe finnt!" ^n eitiem anbern 3unmer 2BinfeId)en Srfaft tion einen tiefen Sd)Iuinnier 8afe bertoeint ba ungluflid^e 3Wdbc^en, Senft nicf)t njeniger in ifjr Summer: ,,2Bie foil benn id) mir ben (Jntfdjlufe ftrirfon Sine gehjo^nlid^e S)iener anb 9In meiner fo jarten 33rnft ju britifen Sft bod) mein 93ater bon ^riefter tanb!" 33eibe bertieft in einem iftadjbenfen .ieng fd^todrmerifd) bie 9?ad)t boriiber @o ber 2Rorgen fein fiidjtftraljl tfyat fdjenfen toielte fid) ab jammer unb Sibber. 70 THE PIOUS BROTHER AND SISTER. These two were the most unwilling conjugal mates, That ever in one room were rudely placed, For the love that is forced never doth love it hates, To be alone they thought themselves disgraced. "Shall she tarnish my priestly robe and be my wife? Shall I wed her I, the great High-priest's sou? She a common maid, a slave of the lowest life That goes against my grain can ne'er be done!" Same sad thoughts in another corner of the room, Cast their shadows athwart the maiden's mind, To the dismal cell they lent additional gloom, Made e'en the Moon's light to mock at the blind! "To such wretched fate how can I myself resign! To cast my high lot with a common slave! I, the daughter of a High-priest! Mission Divine! Shall bury his honor in a menial's grave!" Thus sunk in spirits and sunk in their dismal thought Passed the night, e'en bereft of solitude! . But, Oh, the morning! What a tragedy it brought! A tragedy without similitude ! 71 frommc er bie Dermeinte Sflnfin gefefVn: u bift bod) meinc 3d)inefter l)ier! ) Sdn'rffal!" ifyat fie untarmen in Sdjrie unb wcinte bitter urn if)r. at and) fie if)r ?Iut]e erl)oben llnb ert'annte i^r 33ruber in i()i\\ ein Sdjrei be (Jntfet^enS unb Joben Johte e Don beiben eine Stimm; fyat fein Ci'nb' i()r 5d)rctcn unb i fie ifjre Seelen ougel)aud)t a ftarben fie jdntlbio* naitj im rcinen 2Bie e3 ber 9Sater im immel brnudjt @d)on ein Spiel seigt bie 2BeId)er fcim in fie gelegt; Db fie nur GtefiU)! fiir Stugenb Cber 8inn fiir Safter ^egt. @efd)td)te tuirb bid) leEjreit 28a bie %ugenb friif) empfanb aud) [pater fid) betr>df)ren elbft im obe mirb'5 erfannt. 72 THE PIOUS BROTHER AND SISTER. Attracted by her sobs, the youth a glance did throw Upon the weeping maiden in yon place, ' ' Thou art my sister ! Oh fate, what a crushing blow ! ' ' And floods of tears washed his wasted face. Now she also lifted up her eyes and beheld Her brother's face, through her tears it swam, One cry of agony from both, -it swelled and swelled, Like the mighty torrents that burst the dam. They wept as none had wept, as none that lived did weep, They wept their souls away and kissed good-bye, And thus their God-freed spirits from their cell did leap, To freedom for eternity on high! And thus the play of future passions e 'en by youth is shown, Revealing whence the germs from which it yields, The fruit that in a moral atmosphere has thrived and grown, Or the fatal fungi of poisoned fields. History, too, will tell what early youth has found, Its first impressions true 'tis revealing. Through his every age, even when beneath the mound, There's naught of youth that it is concealing. 73 JKabbt Wftbu itnb fetne Wattin. 28a 9iabbi Sffiba in feiner ^ugenb toar. 3ft ein ^gnorant, nod) afle 28iffen bar. Seine fdjonfte ^ugenbja^re fyat er berbradjt 53ei einem Sifraelitt'n, ber mit Steidjtfjum tiebadit. SSei .^albe d^eba, ber iftame jctne Srobljerrn, 3U gelrjitynlicfyer ^irtenjunge tnar er gern Unb feine pur'n fiir fein fd)Iummernbe Xalent (id) funb gegeben in einer SSeif irgenb. [eine fdjone for^erltd^e epaart mit jugenblidier ^raft itnb Suft, jog balb Q 5tuge feineS 33rob^errn S;od)ter auf fid) llnb geuer ber Siebe loberte in i^r formlid). 5)a e gegen i^re 2Sater (S^re unb tanb iefer bi^er fjeimlid) gefniipfte SiebeS S3anb SBoHte er ifyn bieSmal gciualtfam gerftoren Unb tfjat ifjnen ben Bufammenfunft bertoefjren. Siebepoar fdjlofe bod) Ijetmlid) i^r llnb rtJti^nten fid) gliidlid) in i^rem neuen <3tanb ; Um aber bie 9SerfoIgung @ud)t au3Uh)eid)en er ben Grntfdjlufo, bie fo 311 bergletdjen: 74 RABBI AKIBA AND HIS WIFE. That Rabbi Akiba in his early youth, Was an ignoramus, is a well known truth, The cream of his years, when in the prime of health, Were passed with an Israelite, a man of wealth. By Kalba Shebua, his master most kind, ilc was just a shepherd-boy of simple mind; Not one spark of genius betrayed the bright flame Of his slumbering talent, his immortal name! But handsome he was and his fine grace of form, Combined with youthful vigor took her by storm, It is his master's daughter of whom we speak, And fierce are love's flames that now each other seek. To her father's station and honor opposed, The latter strong opposition interposed, Love's strong ties with violence he thought to break, Against theuir meetings precautions sought to take. Despite all that in secret the lovers wed, And lived most happily in their poor homestead, Akiba wished her father to reconcile To be their equal resolved to make a trial. 75 ffin&bt ?lfi&n itnb fctnc Ointttn. (Jr Iic fid) Ijchnlid) im Jalmub unterridjten, SSanrcnb cr nadjgefommen feine >errn s $flid)ten. (*r fiat fid) 2i*iffenfd)aft angeeignet fo mcit, 2)a er fid) 3itr od)fd)ufc fjatte borbcrett. g fetner Itcbcn G5attin er nb of)itc cfitf)I 311 Ijaben nerle^t Sort in ber diule er balb ?fnfncif)me fonb, Unb fiigte fid) bafycr gern in fcinen Stanb. long nnbmete er mit 2>iefem fdjttrierigen tubium mit Sleifee me^r. fcinem 9Jiejengeift uberragtc er balb 3d)itler unb fie^rcr 311 einer etoalt. rftcn Ganges Sefyrftufyl murbe ii)in SSon 3tt^Iftnufenb @d)iilern bcgleit ruo er getucilt. (f r fane bann ben (nitjd)IuH, unb eilte 3uriid 3u fetnem bulbfamen 2i^eib' fitr ben 2lnlangenb in bem anfc fetner licbcit gran, 3d)Ieid)t er in einent 3inimcr, nnb laufdjte genaii 2(uf' efprad) tnelrf)e 3Sater unb Sodjter ^ielten, 2Sorauf feme efiifjle Sdjauer burd)lDiif)Iten. 76 RABBI AtflBA AND HIS WIFE. Secretly instructed in Talmudic lore, After his day's work for master was o'er, He gained Jewish knowledge to such an extent, That unopposed to the high-school he went. And then with the sanction of his beloved wife, He left her home in quest of a higher life, A life with Sages profound erudite, And there like budding day shone his coming light. Twelve long years he spent in eager search of truth, His perseverance was so intense, forsooth, And his new developed intellect so sublime, That scholars and teachers he surpassed in time. Elected to the highest Rabbinic chair, Twelve thousand scholars followed him everywhere, It is at that period of his brilliant life, That he resolved to visit his patient wife. When he arrived at his wife's humble homestead, He slipped in unobserved to hear what was said By the father to his daughter, his poor wife He heard words that went to his heart like a knife. 77 t 9lfUw itnb fetne Grr prte ben 23ortt>urf if)re 35ater fagen: ,,er untotffenbe irtenjunge tljat bid) blagen, Snbem cr fdjon 3tt>6If ^Q^e bid^ ^Sflid)t bergeffen Unb bid) auriirfgeloffen fo gang bermeifen." gefiifjHofen 9Wen[d)en fyaltet bteSmal ein! Siift idf), ba meine 2Ranne SSiffen ftwrbe fciu SBiirbe ido and) obfern unb if)tn e aufbrtngcn." ^orte Stfiba bie 2Borte i^re id^aft borgtefjenb gcge mad^tc cr fid) auf bcm 3Segc auriidfe fein 28eib gefeFjcn 311 Ijabcn im 3tt)6If anbere ^af)re ftubierie er bort nod) ( maf)nt if>n je^t bic $Itd)t 3itriidf3u!er)ren bod) I)Q fdjon bterunb3triQn3tg ^af)re berftridqen finb Unb fein bitlbfame SSeib mag nmarmen frember unb nnbelannter 9tabbiner etft bierunb3tttan3tg Staufenb feiner @d)iiler gercift @o fe^rte er nad) feinen .^eimat^S )rt 3itriicf 2Bo alleo fid) brcingt ifjn 311 cmpfangen mit QHiidf. 78 RABBI AKIBA AND HIS WIFE. He heard the angry father upbraiding say, "That ignorant shepherd-boy thy bliss did slay, Twelve years his duty to thee he neglected, He abandoned thee, thy love he rejected." Calmly she answered her father's stern rebuke, ''For the Torah's sake my husband me forsook, And if it is his will twelve years more to stay, His increased knowledge my waiting will repay." "When Akiba heard those brave words of his wife, Preferring knowledge to joys of wedded life, He retraced his steps on the road whence he camo, Nor saw his true wife who nobly bore his name. Twelve years more to his dear Torah he paid court, And then for his duty to his wife he sought To return to her, 'twas twenty-four years, And his patient wife deserved her husband's cheers. Traveling as unknown Rabbi in pompous state, Whilst twenty-four thousand scholars called him great, He returned to the land of his old homestead Where all surged to see him with reverential dread. 79 9foObt Slfiba nb fcinc Gtotttn. 9hm unter jener fo gro&en 9J?enfd)erimenge 3d)Ieid)t fid) bjnein ein SSeibsbilb in bem ebrange, %n fejjr armfeligen Ieibern roar fie geljitllt, 2Barb don bcr grofeen 9Kengc geftofecn, gebriflt. ie njurbe bon 5It'iba oitfiilltg erblirft, @r fdjrte je^t gclualtig ba oEe bort erfdEjrirft: ,,Qlt! nitr jener grau gebii^rt att biefe G^re; S)enn nur burd) ib,r ertoarb id) fonft metne 2eb,rc." Stud) ber alba 3d)eba brang fid) baljin faft, Um ein 9?atb, gu ^olen t>om gele^rten aft. Stb.ranen in feinen Slugen begann ber @rei: ) fle^e bid) an, unb gib mir feinen ^d) tf)at ein (Miibbe 311 berftofeen mein $ertrieb fie bom $aitfe mtb jagte fie sum SBeil fie ib,re $anb berfd)enfi, mir ju ^offen, (-inen unmiffenben 2)?ann, bie mid) berbroffen. Somit bittc id) bid) fel)r mir aufjulo'fcu "UUetit Welitbbc, iiber^aitpt bay gan^e SSefen, Xamit id) mein ein^igeS unb geliebte .^inb SBieber in meinem ^aufe fann b,aben gefd)rt)inb." 80 RABBI AKIBA AND HIS WIFE. Midst the seething, surging wildly swaying mass, Struggles a frail woman of the poorer class, In tattered, threadbare garments though clean withal, She's elbowed, shoved and jostled, and crushed by all. When Akiba saw his wife shoved by the crowd, He cried in a commanding voice, clear and loud, "Hold! to this woman all the honor is due, Through her noble efforts in wisdom I grew." Kalba Shebua, too, through the crowd pushed his way, To seek counsel from the Rabbi, wise and gray, With tears in his eyes the old man earnest plead, "Listen to me in pity of my gray head, I've taken an oath my daughter to disown, My only daughter, who once all my love did own, Because against my wishes she plighted her troth, To an ignorant shepherd- t>oy that made me wroth. Therefore I pray thee absolve me from this vow, For I bitterly repent my action now, That my child again to my bosom I press, Take her to my home and save her from distress." 81 9Ja&fct Sififca Knb fctne atrtn. Unb toenn bein unttriffenber djftriegerfofjn Befifct ,,2fteine ele^rfamfeit unb biefe audi) Beniifct SBiirbeft bu cmd) bein (Miibbe get^an I;aben?" SSerfetjt Slfiba mtt fd^meiifilenben Slngaben. 28emutboH fiigte fobann ^aI6a cfjeba 311: er nur einige ^antniffe trie bit ! toiirbe bann mem fyalbeS 95ermogen freiibig 31: feiner SSerfiigung anlegen.,, STfiBa fonnte fid) nirfjt auf^alten mefjr, @r ftiir^te in bte STrtrte be reifen cinder Unb farad) ,,^a, ic^ Bin bein gertmnfdjter Unb beiner lieben orf)ter gebii^rt aller fio^n." @ ftrielt fid^ ab eine iiberrafdjenbe Scene Unter ber Stfenge, unter 3tfrael 86f)ne; SSater, Stouter unb @c^n)ieger[o^n toerben gefiif)rt ^m grofeen Xriumplje, ba atten im^oniert. lebten [ie je^t, bi nur auf furjer Qeit, S)a bie eble ^iau rtntrbe Balb bom obe ereilt! Unb 3?. 2Tfiba' nb' ift bod^ jeben befannt, (Jr rt)or aB 2^artt)rer am @d)eiterljaufen berbrannt. 82 RABBI AKIBA AND HIS WIPE. "And if thy boorish son-in-law had possessed That profound knowledge that would make his name blessed, Wouldst thou yet have cherished the oath thou didst take 1 ' ' With reassuring smiles Akiba thus spake. Sorrowfully Kalba Shebua replied: "If part of thy knowledge with him did abide One-half my vast fortune I'd give them for dower, To make them happy I'd do all in my power." Akiba his feeling no more could repress, But embracing the old man with loving press, He cried, "I am thy son-in-law, all's atoned, All thanks is due thy daughter whose sin's condoned." Then followed a heart-thrilling, soul stirring scene, 'Mongst that vast concourse in Israel seldom seen, Father, daughter, son-in-law in triumph led By Israel's hosts, with the Sh 'china o'er their head. Now they lived happily, but alas! a short time, For the noble woman was cut off in her prime, And Rabbi Akiba 's end every heart does break, For all posterity knows, he died at the stake. 83 bcs Icmjjcle in 3crufalcm erften Jniren ber So ftrirb im almub 9Hif)r(*n I)er burd) cine 33erleumbimg, 115 ein 93?ann I^atte gefel)lt. Gin 9Wann in Scruf'Ieni fjat gema brei reidje Scanner, Skigetragen gur rljoltung @taate unb aller onner. 80 e ben 28ol)Itfjatern bann gelang @tabt 311 retten imb erljalt'n geinbeS anb unb ben Untcrgang omit nod^ lang' frieblirf) Derfjalt'n. 88 DESTRUCTION OF THE HOLY TEMPLE. In the Jewish Law 'tis forbidden, A blemished offering to bring The Emperor the Jews had bidden, To sacrifice his offering. Bar-Kamza, slyly, with foul intent, Blemished the lips of the beast; Such, Jewish Law forbids to present By heathens it is the least. This offering, by the Jews, was refused, The Emperor sent his army, Jerusalem in siege was abused, And three years in misery. During the siege, those troublesome years, There were three men prominent, Who to the Jewish state brought good cheers, With supplies and nourishment. These benefactors thus succeeded In saving Jerusalem, From foes without and hunger dreaded, Many years 'twas helped by them. 89 n enblirf) 3ttriefaalt unb ifjrer Sftitf fier 9?effe anttoortet: ,,$n ber I)at Safet fief) nirf)t t^un in ben @ad)en, 9TB ba bu fonft ftir&ft bent Sdjeine narfj, Tic *$&ad)c teufrfienb OegriiBen, SBenn bu im geinbeSIag'r bift, f)ernac^ ftonnft bu mil bem geinb Srieb'n ftfjliefecn. 5Berratrj mid), urn ^imntelS SBiffen nicfjt! 3onft bin icf) ein Dpfer, better! Double nod) meiner guten Shifidjt! Hub bu ipirft Scruf'IemS better." long nad^ biefcr Unterrcbung Sft 9tabbi ^odjanan crfrnnft, llnt'r lantern ^lagen fcincr Umgebung tirbt er nnb sum 3ide gelangt. 3(n feiner eite im arg legt man (Sin bcrtocftce Stiicf Jlcifd) bnljiu 2)a man ein 2eicf)'ngerud) Derfpier'n fann Unb if;n tob gu glauben im Sarg brin. 92 DESTRUCTION OF THE HOLY TEMPLE. Rabbi Jochanan his counsel sought, How the Jews should make amends. His nephew replied there's one resort, On which everything depends. "Do thou feign death and I'll spread the tale, The guards will observe my grief, The' enemy's camp wilt reach without fail, Make peace with the Roman chief. But do not betray me, dear Nephew !"- "Uncle! Dangers for thee I brave; If thou wilt now but this course pursue, Jerusalem thou wilt save. ' ' Shortly after this conversation, Rabbi Jochanan fell sick And died this caused a great sensation, His death was feigned, a trick. At his side in secret there was placed, A piece of flesh long decayed, To borrow for death its smell debased, And all to that thought persuade. 93 3erfiorung be* cmj)cls in t feinem @arge fd)onenb gelegt SBurbe bie bermeinte Seiche , fdjtoargem Slucfye oben belegt, o folgt ber 5luf ben d^ultern ber @rf)itler tragenb golgt bie 9Wenge in ftitt'r SSemutr), 3u ben geftungS St^oren bie nal)enb $od)enben ^erjenS unb c^redfenS (Mittl). 2IIS bie egen^artei fd^otft $erbarf)t enen bann gurief t)Io^Iic^ 2BoHten fie im arge ftecfjen fad)t 3u unterfudjen mit etoalt. r 33erblenbeten baneben" Sttefen i^nen gu bie ^linger, ,,CciBt iin ben Xobten @I)rc geben @o al^ d)iilcr nid^t geringer!" (SS madgte etnen grofeen GfinbritdE 2Tuf bie XfiorlDQC^ Ciefeen |>affteren ben 2)er fein Qiel erreidjt formlid). DESTRUCTION OF THE HOLY TEMPLE. His body was in the coffin laid, And covered with a black pall, The last honors to the dead were paid, He was deeply mourned by all. His scholars on their shoulders carried, Their Rabbi loved and hallowed, At the fort's gate, perforce they tarried, Halted by foes who followed. Here the seditious suspicious grew, That the funeral was a ruse, They wished to run the dead body through, Their base minds to disabuse. "Hold! Nor lay a sacreligious hand On our Rabbi's sacred corse," Thus spoke the scholars to that vile band, Who the truth would prove by force. These brave words made a deep impressien Upon the guards at the gate, Who soon recognized their transgression, In compelling them to wait. 95 3erftoritn0 bc Jcmjicls in 3'eritfalem. aum auf freiem gufee er gefefct SSerliefe ber Jftabbi feinen @arg, (r melbct fid) gum eneral je^t offen unb fid) nid)t berbarg ,,SDen griebcn @rufe iiberbring id) bir ?ll SfracB efanbter, bid) an unb berjeifje mir! 2ttajetat ,,SBie erfiib.nft bit, mid) aifer nennen? ^d) bin bod) nur ein eneral! SReinft bu mid) nur gu @^)ott 511 brennen? bid) bergangen biemal! 3tfeiten ift mir ba ein S^dt^fel gar 28arum an mir nid)t frii^'r gebad)t? >a 3Sertrauen ift bei cud) auf ein feib bei mir nun in 9Serbad)t." ,,3Ser3eib / e O ^err unb ebieter! 9?eine SBa^r^eit fprad) meine 25u toirft ^eruf'IemS ^onig unb iiter, S)ein ift DftomS ron', u bift nod) jung. DESTRUCTION OF THE HOLY TEMPLE. The critical moment now was past, The Sage left his grim retreat, And reaching the Roman camp at last Fell at the General's feet. ' ' A message of peace I bring to thee, By my people it was sent, I entreat thee therefore to pardon me, Your Majesty excellent," "How dare you call me majesty, Only a general am I ! Do you intend to make sport of me? For this you deserve to die! This also puzzles me very much, Why delay this act so long, I must suspect, when your actions such, That you mean to do me wrong." "Pardon nTe my Lord and Commander'! My tongue speaks naught but the truth, Thoul't be Jerusalem's defender, And Emperor of Rome, forsooth!" 3crftiirnng fceS XempelS in be 3ogern ftrieber Sft nur baburrf) entftanben SBeil berfdn'ebene $arteiglieber 2>amit nicfyt einberftanben." 28af)renb be prec^'nS mit bent Offigier ^lopft jemanb an ber SHjiir an ! SBie ein efaenft, au SRom einSurier, tiirjte Ijerein unb begann: rfjreiben id) bir jefct iiberreicf)' ^n ftelrfjem betne ^ontg Slobt, Unb bid) 3um ^aifer ertrafjlt augleirf) ci gefafet! ( jegne bid) ott!" S)urd) biefe ^unbe er crfcfjiittert SBoIIt' ben aftieiten @d)iil) anjietien, (5r bermod^t'S aber nirf)t unb gitlert SSerfud^t ben (Srft'n ba gelang bem eneral S)er 9labbi e bennodg bemerft llnb ju ifjm bann offen^eraig jtorirfjt: ,,^n itnfern cqriften ift gemerft: 98 DESTRUCTION OF THE HOLY TEMPLE. "The reason this action was delayed, Is quite easy to explain, Warring factions made us all afraid, To sue for peace was in vain." In the midst of their conversation, They heard some one quickly come, In came, dripping with perspiration, A courier, swift, from Rome. "An important note I bring to thee, Of the Emperor's sudden death, Thou must now Emperor be," He thus spoke, all in a breath. This news the general quite unnerved, He wished to draw on his shoe, But could not do so for his hand swerved, And his foot more fleshly grew. Nor could he take off the shoe he wore, The Rabbi saw his quandary, And said: " 'Tis writ in our ancient lore,- The solution of. this mystery.'' 3crftiJrnng bcs XcmjicIS in Qmte greub'nfunbe giebt SWarf bem 23ein; Safe bir ipa d)Ied)te ergeljen fyer; So ncrlicrcn die! bio ^itfee bein, fie bitrd) grcub' cieroonncn mefjr." Stauncnb fa!) ifin icfet bcr SIfonordi mi. 2Sie cr ctiujetroffcn piinftlid). ,,gorb're ban mir bit n^ttlidier 9Jimin! 28a id) fonft tfjun fonntc fiir bid^." rofec 9Inf^riid)c 311 Dcrlicrcn bbi fiird)tcte jct^t, or tl)n, ,,^sabn'" nid)t 311 beriiljrcu bort ftnb SBeifen Ucrfctt. bicfer ^radjtftabt befmtb fid) JHabbi 3nbuf, nottlid)e 40 ^a^re fid) marfjt ben faft'n unb 311 bcten baran: 11m ben 3orn bev xHUnator-j liiuun'Uiod) 58on ^fracl abjutnenbcn, a er bic 3er[tbriiutj ber Stabt, nod) ^n borl)inein tljat antnclbcn. 100 DESTRUCTION OF THE HOLY TEMPLE. "Through good tidings bones marrow receive, But lose it through vexation, See one whose sight causes thee to grieve, To cure thee from th' elation." The Monarch was surprised to behold, The words of the Sage come true, ' ' O Reverend Sir, do but unfold, If I can do aught for you!" The wise Rabbi feared to ask too much, Lest all he would thereby lose, Hence he begged him Jabne not to touch The city where Sages muse. In that city there also resides, Rabbi Zadok, divine man, For forty years he's fasting, besides Praying as much as he can, That our Father his people should spare, And divert his wrath from them, For beforehand the Sage was aware, That doomed was Jerusalem. 101 Berftorung bc XempelS in @o toirb im SWibrafd^ bon ifym erjafjlt: a er be ag nidjt genafe Unb nur be Slb'nbS eine geig gelua^It eren aft fog fonft nid^t afj. 9iun um biefen 3J?ann tuar e eben 2)a ^od^anan ben (General Um arjtlirfjen Seiftanb 311 geben anfle^'n, t^n 311 rett'n bieSmal. ^eruf'Iem blieb in 93elag'rung tanb 28ie border fo immer tDieber, tlfe, aurf) feinen Seiftanb 311 ertnarten bon ^riiber. SBeber t>eife nod) irgenb ein Xranf 2Bor 311 fefyen in einem au rofe unb flein alle inSgefammt franf SSor hunger fie bann gingen au. Signer ^inber gleifdg fodjten SWiitter S^nen 3tim SaBfal, fie be^eljrt, Sn ben traffen finfter unb Bitter 2J?it Seid^en bebedft unb toerfjeert. 102 DESTRUCTION OF THE HOLY TEMPLE. Thus in the Medrash 'tis related, That he tasted naught each day, But each night with fig's juice he sated, Gnawing hunger ere it slay. On behalf of this Sage now appealed Rabbi Jochanan for aid, To the general all he revealed, His needs before him he laid. Jerusalem still remained beseiged, By blood-thirsty foes without, By marauding bands within assieged, There was grim despair throughout. Neither food nor drink could now be found In the homes of rich or poor, By sickness from hunger all were bound, They died, that could not endure. Mothers cooked and ate their childrens flesh, To smother their hunger-cry, Jerusalem's streets with blood were fresh, 'Twas a privilege to die! 103 t Simon SoJjn bie 23b'fen Be6en sagen SSenn ba Unveil fie untbraufr; ie mtr liirmen, jamment, flagen; o bafe Ungliid; groBlid^ I)au[t. Soif) ben Srommen fann nid^t rauben @rf)icffQlttlcfe greub' unb Suft; Oiuije finbet er im Iau6en, offen in ber 53ru|"t. OtabBi (Simmon ongegriffen tobeln bie Stegierung, cr 33alb bem Xobe berfallen mar, SSoraitf er fief) geflictjtet I)Qt Unb ^eimlirf) fid^ erncujrcn ta()t. @|)ionage i^m nadggefetst Unb toare Balb liefer feinem glicgtet er bor ben romifd^en Seine erfte SBefdjiiiserin, i^m be^ilflid^ fernerl)in, er fid^ jetgi flirfjten fonnte Unb fid^ i^m anber3 ntdjt lo^nte, 2II aufsufudjen eine SKo er gefirfjert fid^ bort 104 RABBI SIMON, THE SON OF JOCHAI. Only wicked tremble, murmur, When misfortimtes them compass, Weaken, faint and grow infirmer, Make misfortunes grow, surpass : But the pious, calm and trustful, Will not let the slings of fate Kill their joys, make life disgustful, With sweet hope and trust they wait. Rabbi Simon, Jochai's son, Dared to attack the Roman throne, By censure of the government, For which death was the punishment. He therefore safety sought in flight, Providing food in dark of night, But spies incessant worry gave, He further fled his life to save. With his good son Eleazer, To flee together was pleasure, In his distress he found a friend, Who aided him until the end, And helped him further yet to flee, And to his every need did sec. His desire was to find a cave Where he could hide, his life to save. 105 i 6f)Ie in fernen Sanb Stbgefonbert Don oiler SBelt djliefet er fid} ein im oben 2Beber SWittel nod je 93ot fid^ bar u lleberliefeen ott il)r d^idffal, SBirb er fie retten aud) bieSmal. te ftubierten fort ^ag unb 9?acf)t SDie ^eilige Se^re iljr' 33?Qd^t hunger unb SDurft fe^r gequalt i^re tunbe tear gega^It. iengen furfjen in ber ^el}!' bann, S)a ein 3ufal( fid) treffcn fann. @ie erblidft'n oud) ein' SBaffer OueJOT Unb ein 93oj^orn6aum on ber tell! SDiefe ^flanae iljre 3)a SBaffer aud) iljre Sabung Urn bie ^leiber 311 berfdjonen 3Serfud)ten beibe ^erfonen, Bogen fid^ au na!t o^ne djanb, afeen immer bebeft im anb tod^renb ifjrer ebete fie ^leiber erat^e. 106 After long search on every hand, He found a cave in distant land, A cave from all the world concealed, And there they hid in that lone field, Without supply of food or drink, Yet from that "home" they did not shrink, With Providence they cast their lot, He'll not forget who ne'er forgot! They studied Torah day and night, The Holy Law that proved their might, But their hunger e'er more fierce grew, Their days were numbered, hours but few, They went to seek in that large cave, Some food, perchance, their lives to save, They sought and found fresh water course, And carob tree a good resource. This tree became their food-supply, That water drink when they were dry; Their clothes in order to preserve, They put away, held in reserve ; Of naked forms they hid the sight, By sitting in sand day and night, Except when prayers they did address, 'Twas only then that they did dress. 107 9?o66t Simon eoljn n jener unfjeimlidjen geffeltcn fie and) ifjre Seel/ 3u erforfdjen ba @eljeimni 9fatur, urn 311 fein genii n im ait3en allerfjanb SSobon bie ,,^Q&aIa" cntftanb S5a arofec SBerf ,,@of)ar" gennnnt (5r' gci'diricben mit feiner biefe SSeif fdjtonnben iljueu ifjrer SebenSjafire briinteu, ?fn h)eld)en i^r forfd^enbc (Seift 2Bunber&are3 im ebiet; meift Set JRabbiner Seljre getrtrft 93tit tbealen (Seift gefd^miidtt, llub bon ber romifdjien 9tenierung bon imb'n 3tegtftrienutn. ber gtoolf Grilja^ren ein 2:^ronmcd)fcl crfaljren, er ^atfer, ber i^n berurtJjeilt SBarb bon SBerletsungS obt ereilt; Gin ncner ^crfdjer ben Xfyron beftieg, Segwabigt SBerbredjcr mit fein <3ieg. 5tnd) Simon lu'fam pur baDon Unb berliefe bie ^6f)I' [ammt ben 108 RABBI SIMOX, THE SON OF JOCHAL Yea! in that cave, grusome as Sheol, They concentrated all their soul, To solve life's baffling mystery, And Nature's secret history, To search minutely through and through, And thus Cabbala studies grew, The great Zohar, sublime and grand, \Y,is all written, then by his hand. In such a wise their years vanished, Twelve years since themselves they banished, Years in which their exploring mind, Accomplished wonders for 'mankind, In Rabbin's lore, their greatest field. Great ideals their minds did yield; .Meanwhile by Rome they were forgot, In crime's annals they figured not. During their cave-life these twelve years, They heard that he who caused their fears, The Emperor who sentence passed, Died a violent death at last; The new Ruler who seized the throne, Made his conquest all sins atone, This Simon ben Jochai learned They sought the. . freedom, rightly earned. 10',) Simon 3oh,n $sn bic $eimat ongefommen ganb bie Sftenfdjen gang berfommen, Siige, $eudjelei imb 5alfd)b,eit ab fid) !unb nur feine SBafyrfjeit. ,,llm fid) unb eele 311 retten, 3ur $81)1' trir gefi'n fid^ gefretten, 3Wciben totr ben t^QiipIatg fe^r gern SBofytn mir fonft ntd)t angefybrn." @ie fe^rten g strolf ^afire lebten fie rnfyig Se^ren tiefer gebrungen groftcn @C^Q^ fie errungen, SBarb in ber $6I)Ie grnu unb alt, od^ an $6Ijere bolb; fafet ben Gmtfcfylufe begeiftert. SBelt nod) 311 Ijab'n bemeiftert. ^erliefeen Me Unb Fefyrten gar Jeimotf) guriicf. tag SSorabenb langten fie an, rei etlte iljnen boran Wit gh)ei traufeen in feiner tjnagog' gu lueib'n er' banb @imon befragt: ,,2Bogu gtoet?" j'n d^omor nub 110 RABBI SIMON, THE SON OF JOCHAI. When at length at home they arrived, But little pleasure they derived, From beholding human conceit, Falsehood, flattery and deceit; "If \*e desire our souls to save, Back we must go to our lone cave! Let us flee the abode of wrong, The place where we do not belong!" And thus to the cave back they went, Where twelve years more they lived content, The Torah was all their pleasure, They revealed its richest treasure; But the Rabbi grew old and gray, He thought to strive without delay, For an immortal life to live, In those to whom he'll lessons give. They abandoned the cave for good, Returned te their old neighborhood ; 'Twas on a Friday afternoon, The first man they met proved a boon, An old man bearing two bouquets, They asked of him in some amaze, ''Why two?" "Remember," he replied, And "Observe," are thus typified." Ill SKobbt ctmiw 3 mem treucr unb guter ofjn! gromm ift bie neration, o,d) Ijoff', bie 2Mt 311 5efeF)ren, tirrf) unfere Oofje Cefjren! 2)teje tfjat er aud) fortfe^eit, 2)ie SBelt belebt mit ben dja^eu. >ie neue 6|)0(^' brad^ egen cm eift bi tjent uu tljut regen." SSenn bie Seihen nod) fo plngeu, Unb mid) briicfct i^rc Soft, Sill id) bod) nidit jnmmcrn, flngeu 5o ba Slenb mid) crfafet. @ott! S)u btft bem id^ bertrane, Tit bift tii^e in ber 9tolf); SBenn ic^ bctenb 311 bir fd)ouc, \MIfft bu menn llnljeil brolj't. 113 RABBI SIMON, THE SON OF JOCHAL "Well, dear son, I am glad to see, A pious age there yet will be, The people's hearts I hope to reach, By the good lessons that we'll teach"; Suiting the action to the word, Sublimest maxims ere were heard, Were hence by them inspirited, By all ages inherited. When the sorrows encompass me, And fairly crush me with their load, Yet shall wailing not harrass me, Nor shall my sorrow me corrode, Lord! In Thee, my trust I'm placing, Thou dost sustain me in distress, When I'm praying Thee I'm facing For thou dost help when troubles press. 113 (Sin @rei, ber bet ber grauenljaft, fasten SSerltwftung ^eruf Iem 511 gegen toar Iie ljinfd)Iad)ten Sftann in einem f)al' gar. 2>a emefc'I in ^eruf'Iem lt)ar fo grofe, S)a S3Iut, Sadjengleid^ burrf) jenen irafjen efloffen unb iiBerott fid) ergrofe Hnb n;ie ein trom Bebedft alle @af[en. (Secfjaria, ber im 2Son ben Gmtporern bort ermorbet irarb llnb fein Slut fid) bort bermengt im ^rrt^u unb hmfjlte fort fiebenber 2lrt. 2Iuf biefe feljr feltene rfdjeinung SSarb ifte&uferabn aufmerffan gemadjt." (Jr fagte: >t Qu biefer 33eru^igung njerben get^an unb gebad)t." Sefragt bie Gmtpor'r bie llrfad) in 2ButIj, @ie i^m borauf ifjre Slnttoort gelenft: ,,g0 ift einfad) ber )fertf)iere Slut, mit SP'Jenfdjenblut fid) ^atte bermengt. 114 THE PROPHET ZECHARIA. A Patriarch who witnessed the horrible scenes, Of merciless carnage, when Jerusalem fell, Said Nebuzaradan, by fiendish means Had slaughtered twenty thousand in a certain dell. So great was the massacre in Jerusalem, That human blood ran in torrents through every street, Unceasingly ran that red stream through all of them, From their murderers they ran, seeking a retreat. The Prophet Zecharia had been most foully slain, Whilst in the Holy Temple, near the sacred shrine, His blood mingled with that of other bodies lain, And bubbled and seethed in a manner most divine. Of this phenomenon Nebuzaradan heard, And said, "Henceforth, it behooves me the means to find, To quiet that restless, noisy blood, by act or word, And unless 'tis accomplished I'll not be resigned." He bade the insurgents the mystery to explain, They explained very glibly as though 'twas true, " 'Tis the blood of sacrifices, 'tis very plain, The blood of countless offerings here thou dost view." 115 Ser 2Bir njotten balb Me ad) itnierfudjen Ob ifyr in ber Zfycit bie 28arljeit ftred)et! (JT nnlint CHiferblut itnb tf)at incrfnd)cn llub fnnb, ba c bitrd)au nirf)t hf)nlidjet. fottt c t^cucr jafjlcn unb S'a il)r bie SBaljrrH'it nid)t iFr ^letfd) Dom Seib reifeen unb Hub bio Wiiubboflcl bamit SBeb'flaflcit fleftonbcn btc Siinbor b6tt)iHifle Zfyat unb 3?erbQ(^t: ben Womt itni"d)iilbin nid)t niinbor ^rebigcn am ?fltar ningcbrac^t. ,,Tteje ift ba inii^Icnbe fodjenbc Slut, 2BeId)e urn 9^acf)e ,311 bem .^immcl fd)rcit, @cinc Worbcr 311 beftrafen rec^t gut Unb nidjt fritter rur)tii blcibt, bi 3iir ;]cit." ,,9 f 2uu tncnn btc Urfadje biefe fein foil 28erbe tor'n gar fiir bofe nub ein trauriges oltte nun mid) ericarten auf rbeu, er id^ biele Xaufenbe fd)onitngIo5 itmbring'n laffen toie d^afijeerben! 5tUer feiner SBiirben fid) entfagenb ieng er 311 bem ^ubent^itme iiber, 5Den 9teft feiner %af)re berlebt bangenb in 23ufee itnb 9teue lieber. 120 THE PROPHET ZECHARIA. These words by Nebuzaradan were hardly spoken, When the seething of that blood of a sudden hushed, He gazed in awe at that supernatural token, His understanding was baffled, his reason crushed. He was fully aroused from his murderous spell, His sleeping, half -dead conscience was at length awake, And Remorse with all her furies broke loose from hell, And tugged at his heart-strings as if to make them break. Loud throbbed tempestuous thought in his heated brain, "If Judah such heavy forefits was forced to pay, For one crime committed, one Prophet she had slain, So fierce boiled that blood that its rage could naught allay. What wretched fate will be mine, who am steeped in crime, What chastisement by fiends invented can fit Me, whose hands are imbued in blood as thick as slime, Who slaughtered countless thousands in this bloody pit!" He renounced his high position, idols forswore, Entered the Jewish faith with all his heart and soul, The rest of his life he spent, his past to deplore, Deeply mourned his stricken conscience, naught could console ! 121 93 en Sentja, eneral onig Satoib'S fjorfrfte ^beal 3og gegen SImontter im djladjt Unb belagcrt tfjre gcftung S)a gorttfifation iiB'raE 9ioc^ alien D^id^tungen oljne Sort ollfeitig tear fonft angebra^t, S)a ein 3"tritt unmoglidj gemad^t. SBie am 83erg fo burcfjttjegS in bent SDie 3Kauer ^oa^ unb feft fo toie 2)a feine ugel unb feine Ihraft ^onnte fie fonft erfrfjiittern ernft^aft rofee Ungebulb unb aitcf) @ab fief) benen bort funb iiBeraH a fie brei Sa^re bort augebradjt Unb ba5 Sager mit $ung'rnotf) bebaa^t. @ie befrf)Ioffen ba^er auf einmal @ido aurufgusiefien bom S)rangfal Snbem e benen nur ofm gelacfit Unb umgab eine finftere 122 HEROISM OF A JEWISH GENERAL. Joab, son of Zeruyah, general great, Most valiant man in all King David's state, Warred against Ammon to lower his pride, But found all his cities well fortified. Fortifications defying ingress, Were erected everywhere numberless, With such wonderful skill did Ammon build, Not a foot-hold to the foe would they yield. Down in the vale and above on the hill, Were towers high and solid, strong as steel, No battering-ram e'er the strength supplied, To destroy their might, or lower their pride. Sick with impatience and impotent rage, Aching in vain with the foe to engage, For three weary -years Israel laid siege, Vain was their waiting, in vain to besiege! At last they came to the sad conclusion, That fortified walls mocked at intrusion, And 'twere best for them to go whence they came; But, oh, how bitter it was! what a shame! 123 te ^clbcntfjat be? ^iibifdjcn Generate. 2>em Siibifdjen elben a!3 gelbmar[d)al am in feinem ebanfen bieSmal, 3u retten feine Eire unb ^rad)t Unb fein Seben 311 opfern gebad^t. @o er feinen olbaten Befall %>f)m 311 iiberlaffen ba d^tcffal: llnb einen ber annenart=3toeigen Wlann i^m foil ereicfjen, fonft fc^toeigeti. ,,gitr nid) ift momentan etne 2BaI)I unb Seben in einer SBagfdjal; ber djhringung iiber SWau'r ge6rod)t 3fuf einen ber Seid^en gebet ad)t! burd) Waiter, bnrd) ie einen @id]tbore 93Iut fliefee, ein iWerfmnl, a id) le&e unb ^abe geplont Ten Iveinb 311 fdjlagen, unb @iea i^r n^nt!' (i^inen S'Qnnenshjetg erfoft total &erurfad)t einen 5d)iuung, einen SDer jiibifdje eneral nerfdjiuanb 9Sor i^ren Slugen, Dom 124 HEROISM OF A JEWISH GENERAL. The Jewish general, so brave and bold, Born to win or die of heroic mold; Was resolved to save his Nation 's glory ; At risk of his life to change this story. He commanded his soldiers, small and great, To leave him to himself whatever his fate; First to direct him to a hemlock branch, And then they could leave him to take his chance. "Listen! Now it remains for me to chose! My life is in the scale to win or lose, Through this branch o 'er the rampart when I '11 swing, Mark ye well this token which news will bring : "If, through Ammon's strong gates the blood will flow, 'Tis the blood of my foes, ye well should know, And I am alive, have planned with success, For our foe's destruction, our God ye bless!" He seized the hemlock branch with arm so stxmt, Swung himself and then with a warlike shout, The Hero disappeared from their view, To do what he had promised, firm and true. 135 ie $dbenif)nt be* ^iibifdjcn Gienernls SBarb fjtngejdjleitbert 3m 9iiebcrfoll 2Tuf einen SWiftfjauf n hJottt'S ber 3ufaH. 2)ort Hmr er gelegen in Oljnmadjt, er fpater enblid) aufgelundjt. T^arniebcr liegenb in @rfjmer^en Dual ^erfrfjmarfitenb iinn^Iid) o^nc Sabfal, 21I eine lmonit'r ^rau ifyn frogt: 2Sie er benn fjergefommen, unb [agt: 311 mir berfitdje einmal! t)abe and) fonft fein ^erfonal, toerbe bid) pflegen Xag unb 9?ad)t gur enefung h)irft fyab'n boEbradjt." onne fanbte einen 5Dem grofeen ^elben unb eneral, @r gteng ^ernad) burd) bie ganje <3tabt Unb baft nlle augefunbfd)aft \)at. (Sin fdjarfeS (Sdjtuertdjen Don rcinen tal)l Sie er anfertigen bom ^rimit>al GrineS @d)miebe Saben, ' unb gemad)t llnb begann ben ampf, begonn bie @d)Iad)t. 126 HEROISM OF A JEWISH GENERAL. Thrown with a force impetuous and quick, It was his luck to fall where mud was thick, Yet was he stunned by concussion so great, To rouse himself quick, he was fortunate. Whilst he lay on the ground writhing with pain, Aching with bruises which his strength did drain, An Ammonite woman his condition saw, She questioned him, then helped to withdraw. "Come thou to my home, try thy best to walk, I am all alone, none to whom to talk, I will be a nurse to thee, true and kind, Till again thy former strength thou wilt find." Thus shone the sun across our hero's path, It gave him cheer with the power it hath, Through Ammon's streets he now strode everywhere, And Ammon's secrets his sharp gaze laid bare. A short sword with blade of the finest steel, Which underneath his coat he could conceal, He ordered at the blacksmith to be made, Then like straws they fell before his trusty blade. 127 2>te $elbcntl)at be$ ^iibtfdjcn (SJeneralS. ein Slleiberttia^pen national 2II ein 9tnioniter ororal @o *onnte an iljn fein $erbar entjiicft fiir i^r eingeraumteS Unter ben 5lnbrang ber fo bielen grauen @rblidfen toir ,,3WiIfa 23arfeli" frfjauen, burrf) iferfudjt if)re atten ge^Iagt, ^ier 33erul)igimg, fo gut er' gefagt. ^ers ermu^tigt bon jene 33eif^)iele Unb toollt ben 2Rann fagen ifjre efii^Ie. 130 RABBI MEIR. Rabbi Meir, as preacher, gained most renown, His preaching made him loved in country and town, One Friday night he held a charming discourse, Sweetened with sentiment and strengthened with force, Jn the Synagogue where men and women came, There attracted by the greatness of his name. All were spiritualized in that sacred sphere, Where young and old with all their soul came to hear; There Master and Servant both were edified, Teacher and pupil found learning deified, Neither parents nor children knew more of strife, For he spoke of the sacred Family-life. His great eloquence made them all realize, The truth of the words of Solomon the Wise, That it is only through the virtuous wife, That Man can realize happiness in life; Pleased weiv the women,, radiant their faces shone, For happiness was in their Domain alone. 'Mongst that ecstatic throng, most engrossed we see, . A woman, young and comely, Milka Barzely; Plauged by a fond husband's jealousy insane, There she found the comfort sought at home in vain, The Rabbi's words soothed her, tilled her heart with joy Now to tell her husband, lie, too, shall enjoy! 131 SSie aur Sett be ftabbi 9ftair nieraen atter, unb 33egeifterunn, 99arfeli, ber ungefd)Iiffene eift gana ollein beim ^if^e nadgbenfenb meift 132 RABBI MEIR. We'll unroll the curtain of departed days, And on the soul-stirring Sabbath-scene we'll gaze, The days of Rabbi Meir, the age of fire, When worship of God was a burning desire, On the teeming streets, on Israel the devout, Reverential Sabbath joy reigning throughout. Long before the rosy Sun has kissed the earth, And by that embrace auonunced Queen Sabbath's birth, An eager procession prepares for the feast, To honor the day when repose man and beast; There with their burdens thou canst see in the crowd Patriarchs, who, to work for Sabbath, are proud. At last the tired Sun also seeks its rest! And now the Crier calls to Israel the blessed, To receive the beloved guest, the Sabbath-day; Quick the men run to the Synagogue to pray, The good house-wives now kindle the Sabbath-lights, Queen Sabbath's now here with all her delights. And now from the Synagogue all have returned, With pleasure they speak of the lessons they've learned, From their beloved Rabbi Meir, whose power To move all their hearts, is the theme of the hour, 'Tis only Barzely that spirit uncouth, Sits quiet at the table and dreams of her youth. 133 t Sttritr. Unb al feine attin bie fromnt imb gut 2}on ber Sinagoge (jeim tarn mit Wlut, 3Kanne Diabbi 2Kair 2Borte 311 sdfjmen, erjaljlt bie SBuub'rforte. bir ber Jtabbi fo gut gefaHen? ftiU id^ bir glauben meljr bon aHeu! benn, fo e fid^ bem gegicTnt fitrtoafjr, bu if)m bafiir erfenntlid) bift gar: omit ge^e sum 5Rabbt fd^nell juritrf, gii^re beine anb fcfittell tuie ber 9lug'nbIidE lleber feinent @e[id^te fieben mal unb ^er! onft Bift bu em Dpfer Dual!" SKilfa glaubte e bieSmal al ein 2)a er aber bie SUjiire fdjliefet mit ann fie 3itr traffe geleitet f)inau o SWilfa beim Sftarfjbar nacfytet im 23i3 e bonn Ijeller Xog geU)orben toar Unb gieug sum 9?abbi e 311 fd)Iicf)ten gar. fo tugenbfyaft unb feft bertraut, fie einen 3Wann nicijt in> Stuge fdjaut fid^ nid)t getrau'n 3U fein berfommen. SBunfd^e be 2Ranne narf)3ufommen. er 9labbi aber babon ^tinntnife ^at S'ia^er gu treten er fie bitten tijat. 134 RABBI MEIR. But this night, as a wife, both pious and good, Coming from Synagogue in a happy mood, To her husband, Rabbi Meir's words she repeats, Wherein of happy family life he treats, "Did the Rabbi please thee?" he says with a sneer, I would believe this better than all I hear. Now to suit thy infatuation forsooth Thou must go and treat him properly in truth! Return now to the Rabbi without delay, And o'er his face do thou pass thy hand, I say! Seven strokes do thou give him; Aye! thou must dare, Else thou art a victim of my hate Beware! Milka thought at first it was only a joke, But he shoved her through the door after he spoke, And locked it behind her with hatred intense. Milka realized his words in their true sense; At a neighbor's house she hapless passed the night And sought Rabbi Meir when shone the morning light. Milka, the virtuous woman and true wife, Ne'er cast a bold glance at a man in her life, Hence she was quite unable to understand, How she could now obey her husband's command; But the Rabbi knew of her husband's reproach, And kindly bade the suff'ring wife to approach. 135 ,,2Benn bit je cmf (Srben gute getfyan @o erbarme bid) and) meiner bortnn! Gr brofjt mid) beinafje 311 crblinbeu Unb id) fonft feine Sttittel fonn finben o bu fcifyrft iiber meine 5tugen fd)5n teben mal mit betner ^anb, madgt micf) fd^id^tcrne 9D?iIfa fo fe^r geriifirt fid): tjerbet ,unb t^ot e ungeniert. Sluj bn bcr Dtabbi fid) fjoflirf) bebanft 11 lib bie <3adge i^r flarlegcnb erlangt: M Hni iiadjaufommen beineS Bonn's SSiHen id) ben Spafe feineit 3orn 311 ftitlen." Tic SDtilfa i[t jobann Ijcimgegongcn, Si^o il)r H J)iQiin fie fcfjr freunblid) cmpfangen, er fid) boburd) I)at iibcr3eugt, fie uidjt nur tugenb^aft unb gebeugt, tfoiiberu aud) Qitl)anglid) unb unfd)uibig. -3o Icbton fie fort in grieben unb liid. tuirfcn, $eil unb SSofjI 311 bringen n Gfyclcut' unb nnbern Singen ^cfunbet 9?. Wait im 5e6cii febr Diel ?(Ilc$ Icbte in griebcn mit efii^L GT Ijat uberall Gintradjt angftrcbt ^ingcgcn aber aud) fiir gtt gelebt. 136 RABBI MEIR. The Rabbi turned to her and said with feeling, "I'm glad thou hast come, in thy hand there's healing! I feel of late that my sight I am losing, No relief give the remedies I'm using, But if thy hand o'er my eyes will be passing, Seven times, 'twill be a cure, all surpassing." The shy Milka was very anxious to please, And complied with his request, quite at her ease, The Rabbi first thanked her for saving his eyes, Then revealed his purpose, much to her surprise, Thy husband's wish I desired thee to obey, To appease his anger, this farce did I play." Milka went home, having fulfilled the behest, Her husband's demeanor was now of the best, For he was now convinced beyond any doubt, That she was virtuous and faithful throughout, A good wife and innocence personified! Since then they lived happy, their lives glorified. Such actions, reconciliation to bring, Were with good Rabbi Meir the usual thing, Where'er his influence could repair the breach, He was ever ready to act and to teach; Hence virtue reigned supreme in Rabbi Meir's age, For the worship of God, to all taught the Sage. 137 tc SBunbcrmndfc. Grro&erer SBar nad))er baraitf [tola nicfjt er be3 frfjb'nften emel 3erf Unb iiber ^fra'I 311 fein 6nifl. a," fpottenb rief er ei sm 9?aufd)e fciner rofee gans Icmt: o i[t nun ber @ott frael 311 9(uf beffen ^ilfe fie fo feft gebaut? er i^nen biennial beifte^en SSenn er' imftnnb i[t! fo e fie briidt oflen fie ifyn bie^mal bod) anflefjen, 25a er ifjnen biemal eine ^ilfe frf)iott er mit fid) too er nur gerietf), @olb, 8ilber, (Sefdjmeibe unb orarofl, rfjonfte im Xempelgebiet. JHeifte mit felben al 2Bo er geljerrfcfyt in atte Sanber Urn benen oiyuaeigen ein leidfien, er jei ^erufalem ^fanber. enblid^ bie trafe otteB unb djlag ereilt ^otte auf bent 3Weere, er Don ^eritf'Iem am felben Stag JRom gereift mit feinem $eere. S)Q d)iff auf toeld^em er bann fegeln tfjat SSar bem SSerfinfen gena^t gar 2)a ein @turm e gu umftiirgen genaljt Unb luar aud) in bem groften efa^r. erljob feine timm toieber egen bie SKIImatfjt Idfternb mit r aufjert fein' ^raft am SSaffer nieber SDer bofe, berrud)te ^ubengott! 140 THE WONDERFUL GNAT. The precious vessels roused his avarice, What the vile churl did not destroy, he stole, Gold, silver, everything of costly price, All things beautiful and the Torah-scrolL With these trophies of victory he sailed To different countries his powers- to show, How against mighty Judah he prevailed. And gave Jerusalem a crushing blow- But retribution followed in his wake. And overtook him on the stormy sea, When from Jerusalem leave he did take, And" whilst his ship was not far from the lee. The ship upon which he set sail nigh sank, The raging- waves lifted it mountains high, Death stared them all in the face grim and blank, Death for the wicked, not prepared to die. Infamous Titus with blasphemies vile, Ranted and raved 'gainst th' Almighty's decree, Sneered and said, ' ' 'Tis the Jew 's God 's ancient style, To show His power only on the sea. U! SEBitnbertnfirfe. Hud) bem s $arao im @gt)titenlanb Betgte er im Staffer feine 5? raft, Wog' er mtt mir fid) meffen ^anb in 9fm Srorfenen, roer ben 2ieg befrfjafft!" (Sturm unb SBerter ^orte nuf 311 luiitfjen, 9?teer iuurbe affmalig ruf)ig, if)re Canbe fie geriet^en Hub jiim .t>afen fie lenften guritrf. 1>o fie ba djiff gefettet fyaben je^tt @ilte fid) StttiiS 311 gefj'n IjmQu?. (Fine 2)?Me in feine 9?ofc fid) fefct Unb fonnt fie bringcn nintnier fiinaii?. SWiirfe fdjlidj fid) ein fe^r gefofjrlid) !v\n ba (Sefiirn tiefer nnb fdjlimmer @ie Derurfodit ifim nun unauf^orlid) Cuol'ii unb Sdimer^en immer Ter .tammerfd)Iag be 3d)mieben foil unb mar Xn .^ilfSmittel oft getoefen fein Tic MMe fonft ju beru^igen gar bem, im rfn'rn, ^ii^Ien unb THE WONDERFUL GNAT. When He against Pharoa in Egypt warred, Horse and chariot in the sea He threw, Fighting on dry land He ever abhorred, On land I wish to see what He can do!" Instantly the storm's fury was allayed, The savage sea resumed its wonted quiet, The ship sailed peacefully, was not delayed, Soon it reached the shore and all did alight. Hardly was the fateful ship's anchor cast, And Titus proudly strode upon the shore, When a g-nat flew up his nose, lodged there fast, 'Twas not to be dislodged forever more. The gnat by patient drilling bored its way, Deep in the vile blasphemer's wicked brain, Erst a conquerer now an insect's prey, He suffered unbearably, endless pain. The blacksmith's hamm'ring proved the only means, That afforded temporary relief, Quiet is the gnat when hammer intervenes, It is indeed respite, but very brief. 143 2>ie SBubncrmfirf c. teben ^a^re biefe gan3 lange f)at fie ifjm nur Duafen bereiten llnb ein fe!jr frfjauberfjafteS gnbeleib 93t gum robe i^n t^at geletten. Unb al bie STerjte i^n tfyaten Sur rofee einer iafjrigen Xaube @oH fein bie Mdfe in [einem e^irn , bie ber laube. ie ^alte gefyaBt gtnei ^fitnb an @elci(f)t cfinQbel foil fein etoefen Grrj iifee eifern, ttiomtt fie !rierf)t bie SO^iicfe, in ber Ijat fein 3Son feinem Seftament' erge^t bie @ag' SBa er f)interlaffen feinemtaat, 1)a man feinen ^or^er derbrennen mag, Slfd^e auf 7 Sfteete ftreu'n bat. 1)amit ber ^ubengoti nid^t imftanb fei einen orer fammt feiner au er e getoagt. 3In einen fefjr fii^Ien ^erbftabenb Gr mit $013 belaben unb irabenb, 33egegnet ifym ein alter rei: ,,SBoF)in benn fo fpat in biefem rei Unb luarum beine dfjitfie nidjt an? a ein orn bein gufe berftiimmeln fann!" Slcf), ber SBinter i[t fo grofe unb lang SSor einen rfjnee, gi unb grofteS rang ie midq borf) ftt^ii^en bor Untergang, ici) fparfam leben im Slnfang, gltern fb'nnen mtr ni(f)t geben 3)a (Jlenb im aufe t^itt frfjnjeben." 146 THE POWER OF FAITH. Hillel, he who achieved immortal fame, Whose character and talents all proclaim ; In thirty-six eighty-five, the world's year, In Babylon began his famed career, liaised by his parents in poverty dire, Trained to hard labor that made him perspire. Day after day to the forest he went, For a load of wood that his back nigh bent, 'Twas a heavy load that he daily brought, To the market where purchasers he sought; Though his young back to labor's yoke was tied, Glad was he for his parents to provide. One Autumn eve, the air was raw and cold, Carrying a load hard for him to hold, He was met by an old man with kind face, Who asked: "What dost thou so late in this place? And why, my child, are shoes by thee not worn? I fear thy foot may be pierced by a thorn." "Ah me! The Winter is long and severe, And the snow, the ice and sharp frosts I fear, What saves me from those terrors but my shoes, Therefore I must save them now, and not use, For my poor parents cannot give me aught Besides grim want, in our house there's naught." Tic Wurijt be8 GJIaubenS. Seine blaffe garbe berratfyet bid), Q bit Ijungern tfyiift, fo glcmbe id); 9famm bie ateln, bie id) erblirfe 2tu beiner afd)' unb bid^ erquidEe Unb Inbe inbe bein ^>ers gefcijtrinb enn fonft bit botf) berfrfjmQtfjteft, mein inb!' jinb bie ateln mein Sibenbbrob, mir nii^t giinnen, mad) jum SSerbot, fiefy! in ber tro^iitte, ad) @ott! fitegt goblin', meine 5(mme, tuie tobt! DaS l)at ber ^linger if)r berurfadb.t 1)runt id) bie ateln fitr fie bebodjt." (>n betDunbernb unterbrac^: bie ng'I uber bid) fein toad)! Iffiie biifter unb triib bein 3Korg'n fid) jeigt 2>efto I>eit'rer bein Stbenb geneigt. Xiebe tDo^I aiif e 2Sieberfeb.cn otte (Segen mog bir beifteb^en!" gum breige^nten 93efafe $ilel fein Silbung a er bon enie begabt feb,r Ijod) giir fjoJjereS SBiff'n Stmbiiion bodj 33egab er fid) nad) ^erufal'm fd)on be ,,djmai unb Sfbtaljon. 148 THE POWER OF FAITH. "I see by thy haggard face, pale and wan, That thou hast not supplied thy inner man, There in your pockets some dates I espy, Eat them, my child, your hunger satisfy, Take them, poor lad, and nourish thyself quick, Lest from hunger's fierce pangs thou wilt fall sick!' ' ' These dates for me, a good meal would supply, But this pleasure I must myself deny, For, see you, on the straw patch lying there, Is 'Madlin,' my nurse, a prey to despair, Suffering from hunger, she's barely alive, These dates I bring, her spirits to revive." The old man gazed with admiring regard, And said: "May angels e'er thy footsteps guard, Be thy lot e'er so sad in thy Life's morn, The brighter thy evening with light new-born, Farewell till again I'll be at thy side, May God's blessing ever with thee abide!" i Although Hillel at the age of thirteen, But little of education did glean, Still his rare genius would not let him rest, His ambition sped him in culture's quest, To Jerusalem, in search of knowledge, At the Sh'maya and Abtalyon College. 149 lie 6r fanb jebod) feine Slufnafjtn' bort, SDa ber Stnbrag Don ben <5d)iilern fort Unb bte befonb're SlufnaljmnSgebiUjr onnte er and) nidjt bcforgen ^icv omit blieb i^m toetteu nid^t iibrig, ott .angufle^en inbriinfttg. llm 9lafjrung fief) je 311 Ocrforgen ieng er im SSalbe jeben s DJorgen Srad^te ^olj gum .^anbel nnb SSerfauf Unb fo fii^rte er fein SebenMcmf. 3Som @d)Iafe beraubt be 9?arf)t [titbiert Sefjrgebdub' fein Sftacrjtlager siert. 2lm 2)ad)e er burdjgebofyrt ein Sod) @ein )^r geneigt 511 uerneljmen ie Sefyrbortrage oufsufaffen Unb )o berme^rt fein SBiff'n in 2>iaffen. ;Der ftrenge SSinter riicfte Derail, liegt am ad) im d)nee bortan. eine XageS er t>erfd)mad)teub fein'm 3Cug' burd)' od) fllo^t, betraditenb; @inen ber Scorer in 3Iug'nfd)ein fiel, 2)iefe (rfd)einung ermerft C^efiif)!! $alb erftarrt man trug il)tt don bent ad) Unb tljn 3iim 5)en)uftfein gebradjt ftiad). 150 THE POWER OF FAITH. But many a scholar had come before, And there being no room for any more, Nor being able to pay required dues, He knew not what to do, what path to choose, And thus nothing remained for him to do, Except to pray to God who e'er is true. Seeking the where-withall life to sustain, To the forest he went wood to obtain ; Daily to market he brought it for sale ; Thus he gained his daily bread without fail, Robbed of sleep, his nights on study intent, On the college roof sleepless nights he spent. In the college-roof he had bored a hole, To which he'd place his ear, with all his soul, To listen to the wise discourse below, The more he would hear, the more he would know, But stern frosty Winter moved on apace, Beneath the snow-pile Hillel laid his face. One day, weak with hunger and chilled with cold In the college, one looked up, and behold! A peculiar form on the glass appeared, Curious more to see, the teacher neared; A frozen form in the warm room they brought, Those revived him from whom he knowledge sought. 151 GttauOenS. befragt bom Sefjrerberbanb fein Slbenteu'r, toa fein Umftanb. (Jr gibt Don fid) ein getreueS 23ilb SSorauf ifjn ber Seljrer roft erfillt. (fr iDitcbe jel^t retd)licf) unteri'tii^t Unb fount fortfc^'n fein Stubium i^t. ein reger (Seift entmirfelte ftc^ Balb Ueberragt bie djiiler ber Slnftatlt. Sin Se^r[tuf)I SBorft^ bot man tfym an Ginmanb bon irgenb ein Hftann feinem SBtff'n beftiirmt er bie SSelt filler gefiillt [ein Sel)r|al SJiefer ^od^i^ul' rtiarb er SSerbef jert ben Xalmub ofyne 3^1- Gr tcurbe befannt im anjen Sonb, giir feine ebulb unb freier ^anb. 3og bann auf ftii) bie Sfufmerffamfeit grofe'n c^ama, unb geriet^ in treit. eine afeungen blieben iebod) (Sine fe[te 5Bai"i bi fjeut' norf). Gr lebt fonft fort al gldnsenber tern 2lm JQimmel toie auf Grben in Sfyr'n, SDem Sbent^um al aJJufterbilb Unb aller SSelt ein ettjigeS djilb. 152 THE POWER OF FAITH. Hillel was questioned by the teachers all, What brought him up there, what him did befall He truly told of his life, hopes and aims, Was encouraged in his ambitious claims, And richly supported in learning's quest, He now could study at his very best. His studies awakened that giant mind, He led the school, they were all far behind, Soon he occupied a Rabbinical chair, With no opposition from anywhere, By storm he took the world with his knowledge, And eager scholars throngd to his college. A Principal became that shining light, Of that great college, the most erudite, And in the whole world the fame of his name, For learning and meekness met with acclaim, His liberality, too, roused the great And exact Shamai to a learned debate. His Talmudical expositions yet Almost all our Jewish laws interpret; As brilliant star in Israel's firmament, On earth and in celestial element, He shines as an eternal beacon light, To guide Israel in the path of right 153' SctSfjrit ber (ine fd)6ne ommertageS gtengen 3n>ei ^uben luftig Dor fief) f)in armeltoalb IPO 2*6gei fingen 2Bo ^flanaen grim unb Saume ganger berfolgt if)re d^ritte, 6ilenb fefcte er ifjnen @ie erreirfjt, fprang in i^rer Unb nafm fie gefangen einforf). @r fi%te fie be SSege, serrte fie 3Ktt fid), fonft gu gef)en loeiter 2(uf bie Sanbftraffe gleitf) mil bem >a sie^t SKagen fammt ben better 3Beit entfernt sogen bie aud) @ie ritten fonft t>oU belaben Eer^anb fftoaaren unb @d)mau Unb fd)ienen 311 fein 9Jomnben. gtuei gefang'nen ^fraelitten prad^en ftille su einanber: ,,ief), bie ^ar'mane bort geritten? $ift feine Crbnung in if)r SSanber. 154 WISDOM OF THE JEWS. One fine summer day, on a promenade, Went two Jewish comrades on pleasure bent, To hear the birds trilling in Carmel's glade, And inhale the sweet flowers fragrant scent. A hunter pursued this human quarry, The robber of men was hot on their trail, His evil designs did not miscarry, He reached them and captured both without fail. He bound them and led them on the high way, Forced them in front whilst he followed behind, Right on the road, and not in a by-way, Where beast of burden their busy way find. In the distance as a vanguard leading, A troop of camels who heavy loads bore, Of all kinds of food, was swiftly speeding, In the care of nomads, a score or more. The two Jewish captives, whilst on their way, Carried on a whispered conversation, "Seest thou this caravan?" one did s;iy, "Their irregular peregrination? SSciSfjcit bcr frtbrn. in omeel ift nad) meiner SKnftdjt Stitf einem Stuge ganu blinb; S5ie gtoei riige bon grofeem eft)id)t SSerben fid) auSleeren gefd)tt)inb. ^n einem ^ruge befinbet fid) feljr t^eurer, foftlidjer SSein bem anbern toieber glaube id) feineS )el ent^alten fein. Unb bort bie giDet ^ameelentreiber SSirb einer fein ^fraelitt, 2)er anbere ein ofcenglauber, S)a glaube id), burd) feinen @d)ritt. llnter invent S^iirfen fo ge^enb $orte ber Smtflet bie SSorte r toenbet [id) 311 benen be^enb llm 9TuffIarung am felben Orte. eS ^ubengefdjledjt feib if)r benn fo flug fjabt ja bod) nid)tg ge)el;en red)t! mitfe bod) nur fein ein 93etrug." 156 WISDOM OF THE JEWS. "One camel, if I rightly calculate, Is entirely blind in one of its eyes, The two jugs it carries, of heavy weight, Will soon lose all their contents, I surmise. One of the jugs, I have no doubt, contains A wine that is very costly and rare, I am convinced that the jug that remains, Oil of excellent quality does bear. Of the two camel-drivers I discern, That one of the men is an Israelite, The other is a heathen, this I learn, By his footsteps which I here have in sight." Behind their backs these words the robber heard, In great amazement, what could all this mean? He commanded them to explain each word, How could they know those things when naught was seen? "0! Ye stubborn sons of a stiffnecked race! Why do ye dissemble, think yourselves sly? These things you have described how could ye trace? Surely what you have said must be a lie!" 157 tt bcr nein, berfefcen tme ifym ernft, @adje ift ja 90113 cinfarfi: Kerfe e bir rtiofjl red)t! fo bu lernft 2)e SScr^altniffeS llngcmad). S 5eobacf)tc'ciitiunl gut bae iicr 2Bie e ba 6ra am Ort beraefjrt SSon etner eite frifet'S alle jd^ier bon ber anbern ntd)t* berfefjrt. ift c nur eiu flarer 23etoei, e auf einem Hug' blinb ift e ja bod) um feinen $rei SSon ber anbern cite 511 frijjt. @o oitdi ber ^nljalt jener 3Wag fein 2Bein unb Del ganj geinife, $)a bon beiben trieft e gcniige 3itr rbe gleirf) im 2?er^altni. @o ber 2Bein Serluft ber|"rf}h)inbei gang SBonn er auf bie Grbe faUt, 2Ba^)renb )el oben bleibt fammt ben llnb fid) mit beiben nid)t gefellt. 158 WISDOM OF THE JEWS. "Nay, nay! they protested, with earnest mien, What we have observed is all very true, By close attention 'tis readily seen, Observation will make it clear to you. Look on the ground and examine it well, Notice the grass of which the camel ate, One side was devoured, thus you can tell, The other it left in a complete state. Thus you can tell that the camel is blind, That it has HO sight in one of its eyes, As of one side it ate all it could find, Whilst the other side it seemed to despise. The contents of the jugs we also know To be wine and oil without any doubt, For enough has dripped on the ground to show, By the kinds of moisture floating about. The wine has been absorbed in the ground, For 'tis its nature to soak in the soil, Whilst the oil you can see floating around, As mingling is not the nature of oil. 159 SBct^cit ber Unb besiiglid) ber ameerntretber 28irft bit felber aud) geftefyen, Ta ber Qrine em ofcenglauber, SBeil er -Straffen 2Jttt' tfjut gefjen. SSo fyingegen ein SBenbet fid^ immer etner <3ett' 3SeiI er fitrcfytet, ba dauber ge^'n mit Unb ifjn iiberf alien gur Qeit." ber $etbe biefe jugefjort SBoIIte er e nid^t gugeben, Sief unb ^olte fie ein ungeftort Unb fanb tuie t^m angegeben. r font je^t guriicf better greitben Unb am ^opfe er fie gefiifet fie bann Ijeim 311 fic^ beiben Unb frfjiifct fie 'eine lange Unb fprarf): %a, biefer ott fet gelobt,, er bon feiner Ijoljen 2Bei^eit ^inber befeelenb er^robt, Unb ouSgebilbet mit SHugljeit. 160 WISDOM OF THE JEWS. The two drivers we have described aright, You'll acknowledge the truth of what we say, One is a heathen, not an Israelite, As he walked in the middle of the way. For an Israelite such boldness would lack, The sheltered side of the road he prefers, As he has reason to fear an attack, By robbers who would take him unawares." The heathen would not credit what he heard, Before he would put their words to the test, He reached the caravan, and every word, The Jews did speak, the drivers did attest. When he returned, with joy he was transformed. With reverence he kissed them on the bpow. The part of a good host he now performed, Invited them home and sheltered them now. ''Praised be the God," said the robber reformed, Who a share of His wisdom has given, To Jacob's children whose genius he formed, To compare with the angels in heaven!" .161 t Slmnon nnb bcr Undone ofef. SSon bem eingefdfjalteten ebet SBirb in djriften foIgenbeS erjofjlt: 33or adjtljunbert ^afjren ungefafjr Sebte ein reiser Sftann itnb frommer, ffiabbi Stmnon fein guter ^amen geliebt bon S^'^/ ^rift'n ^ujamrnen, ein 9tuf tear auSgebe^nt toeit unb Breit 2)rang felbft im ofe 311 feiner 3^t, S)e ^urfiirften unb 9?egierungftanb tabt 5Wain3, bo im Seutjdjenlanb ^erfd^er furfjt feine "Befantfrfjaft Unb if)m angeboten feinc gr od)gead)tet unb gcprief'n hnmcr Sebt er fort in (Swiften nid^t frfjlimmer, 33i ber Cberfefretor be giirft'n 2er bie 5Iu3etrf)mmg be %ub'n 3 u liffn S3eneibenb i^m tfyat berleumben j ^n ben 2lug'n be ^>crrfd)er unb &I e bem bb'f'n Sefretdr gclang Sen %ub'n 311 brtngcn uni fetncn iRang 2?erQnlQft ben giirft'n 311 glcid)cr 3eit S)en Stmnon aufjucrlegen fo mcit, S5a er feinen lauben abfogteore Unb sum e&riftent&iim fief) befe^re. 162 RABBI AMNON AND THE '"UNETHANE TOKEF." Of the "Unethane Tokef," the famous prayer, In ancient manuscripts, Sages declare That eight hundred years ago thereabout, There lived a great man, both rich and devout, Rabbi Amnon was Jiis beloved name, Beloved of Jew and Christian, known to fame! His reputation was known far and wide, And even reached the court where did preside The Prince and his proud Nobles, whose decree, Was absolute law in Mainz, Germany; The Prince whose acquaintance the Rabbi made, Offered him his friendship, sincere and staid. Highly honored and for his virtues praised, Deserving his good grace, none was amazed, Except the Secretary of the Prince, The Jew's popularity made him wince, Th' envious churl slandered without respite The Jew 'gainst whom the Prince he would incite. the Secretary, evil spirit Caused the Jew to lose his rank and merit, He goaded the Prince to further evil, Obsessing poor Amnon like a devil, That the Rabbi, Judaism renounce, And as true Christian himself announce. 163 9?ab6t 3Imnon unb ber llnfennc Sofcf. 2tmnon, bon Bof'n 3)ingen ntd)t geafjnt. er 93efud) gum ofe irm fonft mafynt, 2Barb bom ^itrften angefprorfjeit biemal, Xa cr fetnen 9lot^ befolg' ctnmol 2id) ju jtaufen, unb bann liicfltrf) fcin, fcintgen nabe artgebeifj'n. ,,^Q, mtt mcinem le^ten ropfen 93Iut llnb mtt Seben, @eele, $ob unb giir bid) gu obfern &in id) Bereft; ^seborf) ben djritt gegen ber (Sottfjeit oil fein immer fern bon mir unb bir Unb mill Iteber am Ort fter&en )oH benn id) Ijcutc metnem C^ottc Untreu tnerben gegcn ebotc? So fnnn id) morgen untreu toerb'n bir llnb bcin Qanb bcrratl)en nod) SBiUfier." ned)t 28ar einft ^ingerat^en, al Srlofer, Unb erfuijr aitd) baSfelbe (in teinlDurf begriifete liefer, er tljm nid)t menig 93Iut bergofe; Gr fam sum Stidjter itnb flagt ben SWorber, elbe Urtljeil toar Qitd^ fein So. 172 SODOM AND GOMORAH. "If by swimming you wish to get across, A double fare we will make you pay, And if you'll make any attempt by force, Thy skin from thy body we will flay." As the washer the money did not give, The skin from his face the villians tore, From the loss of blood he could barely live, They brought him to the Judge all in gore. The Judge by his sentence was abetting, The criminal acts of the rabble. He sentenced him to pay for blood letting, And eight dollars for causing trouble. Of Elazar, too, it is related, Of Abraham's true and faithful slave, When there his friend he had liberated, Such treatment to him they also gave. Klaxar was greeted there with a stone, That struck him and caused his blood to flow. When his complaint to the Judge he made known, The same verdict the Judge let him know. 173 (Sobom unb omoro. o nofym barm (^liefer einen (Stein Unb fdjlitg bem 9?td)ter auf @efid)t, iiut be3aljle mir flit's SBIutlaffen fein, id) and) tl)at mcinc liefer aeidntete fid) jonft au> 93et cincr ItcberborfFicilnnn, a er iljnen getoogcn luar burrfjauS 2^nrd) feinc roi^ige ^emanb Hon bcncn fid) einen 3n cincr ^>od)3cittaf'I cinlnb VJcgtcn fie ben ^inintiercr 3iir i^aft, Unb nalinuMi ifjtn ab 9tod unb ,s?ut. (Hieier ber fo fcfjr ^ungrifl Unb fid) sur .t>od)3eittaf'I gefellt, "?U beim ^ifd) bann cineu ber Wiiftcnfdinar x x sl)n dcfragt: ,,^er ilni benn (icftcflt?" liefer ilnn leife antiuortet: ,,2)u felbft umrft ja bcrjenifle!" Icr 9^ann eilte T)inau unb berbnftet, Q ni^t crfaljrcn bic Ucbrigc. 174 SODOM AND GOMORAH. Elazar, too, took a stone, quick he learned,- And threw it squarely at the Judge's face, "Pay me what for blood-letting I have earned, As I have attended to your case." / Elazar outwitted them all, And neatly the tables on them turned, Many mishaps he caused them to befall, That he was wiser, they sadly learned. If one had temerity to invite, A guest to come to his wedding-feast, He found himself in a very sad plight, To forfeit coat and hat was the least. Elazar, hungered, saw a table set At a wedding-feast, he joined the crowd, Whilst at the full table he sat and ate, One asked : ' ' To invite you, who w r as allowed ? ' Thereupon Ela/ar softly replied : "You invited me! Don't you recall?" The man started as if stung, sought to hide, Lest he would lost his coat and hat and all, 175 Sobom unb @o macrjte er e mit often often, 23i er bann oftein geblieben ; 9IJ3 bon often peifen after beften Unb fMt fid^ ben 2ftagen briiben. @o fatten fie aucrj bort fonft oncjebrad^t Sine @rf)Iafftatte fiir Seute 93etten auSgeftattet eine ^Srarfjt biente itjnen gitr 93eute. ie lorften Slrme in jener Km 311 iiben i^re 33o^ett, 2Bar e bod) nur eine Uftorberfyalle Unb finbet mefir feine leicrjrjett. o njerben beaeicijnet if)re' Sitten, er ?lrme ftiarb ouf'S 93tt gelegt fatten bie giifee ifyn jugfcf)nitten, 9Benn longer dom Sett abgefegt. SBaren feine giifee fiiraer jebodq 3ogen fie i^m bie 33eine QU Unb fo ftarb er unter bie Oualen notf) Unb fe^ten if)n erft bann Fn'ncmS. 176 SODOM AND GOMORAH. This clever trick he played on every guest, Till in that room alone he remained, He ate of the viands all the very best, And the best of wines, himself he drained. These monsters of iniquity devised, Sleeping apartments where strangers were lured, The beds therein by them were utilized, For bloody objects victims were allured. Yea! Poor innocent victims there they snared, On whom they could vent their murderous spleen, Their diabolic plans were all prepared, For the vilest act that was ever seen. Thus is that act described in ancient lore, The poor victim upon the bed was put, If the bed was short and his feet hung o'er, They hacked them and cut them to make them suit. And if his feet were shorter than the bed, They stretched his limbs most unmercifully, Thus they tortured him until he was dead, And freed from their grim hospitality. 177 <2obom itnb Winnurn. ein Pettier Don ifyncn 23rot berlangt ffleidjten fie ifjm bann ein olbftiicf llnb auf ber Wlim$e, ber iljm fie erlangt. dfyrieb feinen 9?amcn 4nit efdjiicf omit Fjatte ber 2lrme (Mb itnb (Mb 2[IIe boll nur fein titrfrfjen 33rob, CJr 6ilbete i^nen ein rf)cntfpielljelb Unb ^lingers fd)mad)tcnb blieb er tobt! o na^m ein J^eber fein (^elb ttncber llnb liefeen i^n itnbegraben )ber fie jerfd^mitten ilin in Olieber llnb mit feinern 33htt fid^ laben. Ginft erlaitbte fid) ein fleine ^dbdjen, S)ie mit bem rng jnm Srnnnen gieng altcnb ein titcf 93rob in i^rem ^ 311 reidien einem ^tingling. iefe t^at erblicfen jene 33anbe @ic ergriffen je^t bo 2)?abd)en (Jntfleiben fie gang nnft ofyne c^anbe 90Ht ^onig befc^miert ifyr Seibdjen. S)ann ftiarfen fie bie am SDadje SSo fie bie 33ienen umgabcn SSarb t>on ben Sienen bergiftet barauf llnb liefeen fie unbegrabcn. 178 SODOM AND GOMOBAH. Woe to the beggar who asked them for bread! With malicious cunning they gave him gold, With donor's name thereon thus they misled The poor victim who had all he could hold! He had much gold, but of bread not a bite! Not a morsel would any even sell, And with fiendish glee they watched the sight, Of the man starving as tortured in hell ! And when he was dead, his gold each took back, And left his body rot upon the ground, Or else the corpse they'd mutilate and hack, And in his blood the best enjoyment found! Once a little girl innocent and true, Who with her pitcher to the well did go, Gave the bread she had to a lad she knew, Was suffering hunger, his face did show. Her deed seen by the fiends incarnate, They seized her more fiercely than a brute, And disrobed her that race degenerate And smeared her with honey from head to foot. The naked girl upon the roof they placed, Where all the bees were wont to congregate, . Stung by them to death, through the honey's taste, There she laid uninterred an awful fate! 179 ftnbbi (Simon ^cinnfet, bcr fromm unb geleljrt, Sitrft iiber ^cljuba, tear befonber bereljrt, 28ar bcr SSatcr bc S J?. $afobofd) ante ofjn; 3Sirb ton fcincr rb'fec ci^aOIt im almub frfjon, Ta cr im Sof)re 3851. nad) ber 3d^n^fiing gclcbt Unb ba SBoOI bcr ^ubcn immcr 311 angcftrebt. bcr Grtljcilte fon[t ben 33efeI)I o^nc ?lunaljmc Jvitr ben l^iibcn bie 93efd)neibung 311 berbicten, ^ortc e fallen and) Jftabbi imon I)iiten; Hub bn sur 3^t i^tn etn ot)n gcborcn n^arb 6r' getoagt, unb iFn bod) bcfd)nittcn eincr 5frt. 9J?an jeigte bcm 6nig on bie 93egcbcnr)eit Sc fo grofeen 9labbi @imon 5>crmejfenf)eit. er ^onig ^abrian jebod^ fein laub'n [d^enfte S)er SSerleumbung, ba er ftet0 25crtrauen lenftc ^n bem jiibifdjen frommen nub gutcn 5iirfien, Sa er fein @efe^ nid)t mirb bred)cn unb Itften. er 6nig fd^iicfte tf)m bann eine SSorlabung Unb befragt i^m luegen biefer 93efd^neibung : ,,@oll id^ e bon bir, al mein Streuer, glauben red^t, Su, al etn t>ertrauenbolle 2)ienergefcf)Ied)t ottteft geiDagt fjab'n mein @efe ju berle^en? Unb ber fdjrecflid) grofeen efa^r bid) 180 RABENU HAKODOSH. Eabbi Simon Hanasi, both pious and learned, Honored prince of Judah, the love of all he earned; He was the father of Rabenu Hakodosh, Whose great and holy soul shone through the very flesh; Born in thirty-eight fifty-one from creation, He lived for naught else but the good of his nation. When cruel King Hadrian, whose mem'ry is accursed, Issued his infamous edict, the very worst, Forbidding every Jew to circumcise his son, It included Rabbi Simon with every one; Still when at that time, his son's birth was realized, Without hesitation he had him circumcised. The King, by vile informers, was at once apprized, That Rabbi Simon's son had just been circumcised, But the tyranic King, this tale could scarce believe, For trusting the Jewish prince, he could not conceive, That he would break his law, who all his laws obeyed, Who, as subject of the King, loyalty displayed. The Rabbi was called to the King without delay, And concerning this tale, asked what he had to say ; "I would not credit this tale, the king softly said, For as my loyal servant, thou didst always dread To disobey my commandment, whate'er it be, And incur my displeasure and its penalty." 181 ffinfccnu ,,3a, e entfpridjt ber SBaljrfjeit, > b'nig unb $err! >btt)of)l beinc efefce jinb mir feljr teuer, Sebod) bie be3 allerfjodjften ^o'nigjS unb ort inb mir bod) teurer al> bcin @ebot immer fort. atte id) bir border Xreiie augefdjtuoren? ^ aud) ofien Bei @ott nid^t [ein berloren!" SBefenntmfj erfd^ricft bcfonber ben Slonig, S)a er ben 9tabbi (Simon fonnte nidqt icenig, omit gloubte er jeiner 3hifagc faum Unb macf)te feinem fo jtrengen SefeI)Ie SRaum: S)a bie Gutter fammt bem ^inbe in 9tom erfdjeine SDamit er fic^ offen iibergeugt atteine Simon ernftfjafte attin, ber grommen 2Bnr bie ungiinftige 9Zad)rid)t iintuillfommen, S)er 90?enfd), bcr jebod) nitr auf ott allcin bcrtraut, er I)ot nad) alien 9iid)tungcit gut gebaut! 3)ie ?yran iui()in ifjr ad)ttiigigcy .Qinb iin ramrne 5fnf il)r 5trm, unb jog nad) iHom, bie er)orfamc. llnter faiferlidje 33ctuad)ung Begleitet, @o fie iljre 9ieife fortfe^et unb leitet, (3 bunfelt, unb bie 3onne fid) sum d)eibcn mac^t, <> ift aud^ eingetreten bie finftere @o rt)ar bann gc^tDitngen ba reifenbe idg irgenb cine ^erberg auMiiindjcii rcrfjt. 182 RABENU HAKODOSH. ; '0 Royal Majesty! Thy words are very true! Thy commandments are dear to me and I would rue The day I transgressed but there is a greater king, The Sovereign of the Universe, to whom I cling, Whose commandments are far dearer to me than thine, Thee, now to obey, is to incur wrath Divine." The Rabbi's admission filled the king with dismay, For he knew the pious man only truth would say, Still he would not believe until himself he'd see, And his ear's evidence with his eyes would agree; The mother and child, in Rome, at once must appear, And this peculiar story to him must be clear. Rabbi Simon's wife heard the summons with dismay, But what else could she do than straightway to obey, But they who trust in God can ever rest content, That all will be well, and there'll be naught to repent, She therefore calmly took her child of eight days old, And quickly sped to Rome to do as she was told. With a Royal escort who acted as her guard, She traveled, yet was she treated with due regard, When the day was done and the sun sank in the west, The party of travelers sought for a place to rest, For no further could they travel as 'twas dark night, There they were compeled to remain until daylight. IS'.} 3)er Bufall toollte e cmcf) fjaben jefct, 3)a fie bort ein au cmcf) fanben S)ie >ausfrau gebar ein nablein, oben 3>efelben StlterS, jur SBelt gegeben. em^fing bie 5Ingefommene ftiorm il)rem fyiibfdqen Slinbd^en an i()t 2Trm. SBafjtenb @ei>rii(^ unb SJohtment lefcn 33e!Iagt bie 9?eifenbe ifjr Seibtoefen: ,,ic fii^re ba )pfer 31: ^abrian; 5Da ein SSerratl) liege bet bem t)ran; STI iiibifcfje ocf)ter gegen 3Serbot ^d) mein inb befdjnitt, fo mid) bro5|t ber Xobt!" ,, s Sebauernrt)ert^ bein UngliidE unb ar nun bc frommen 9?a6bi Itnb gcncrtoM bo ItrtFjcil c baS 'cfc(j bcu o crforbcri im aUgemein )tteiben ntcinc 5cbcn3cit Hnff id) ftcrbcn unb bort fein rein. Tcr JHabbt fpridjt on fctneu 93efd)eib: ,,9^ein @o^n! bergage bu nidjt netn! 6 erttmrtet bid) bort eeligfeit SSo affe grommen [id) [on[t rei^'n. 9iur bon biefer SBelt bi|t bit ie gefjort oud) nimmer me^r ein, efii^nt bon (Siinb'n bu fd|eibeft bereit ^n' beffere Sen|eit T)inein." 190 THE SINNER'S VOW. The grave could not respond nor console The child who too late did repent, The burden of guilt was on his soul, And haunted him where'er he went. To atone was now his only thought, He went to him who souls could heal, 'Twas ,the Rabbi's advice now he sought, And heard his words with greatest zeal. "Thy sin most heinous has passed all bounds, For which atonement could be made, For forgiveness I can find no grounds, With death by fire must thou be paid." To the Rabbi's words the youth replied, "If the Holy Law this require, By its decision I will abide, And to atone I will expire." After the Rabbi his verdict gave, He said: "My son, shrink not from this! For joy will be thine beyond the grave, With the just in eternal bliss. 191 Xcr 6tb be3 Siinbcre. 9?un hmrbe bem Bungling angegeigt, 2)a tljm je(jt fein Iefcte tiinblein 0ennF)t, imb firf) finite fe[t gencigt 311 blicf'n in 5lugenfcf)etn. Ginen @org trie aitd) ein toeifeeS 9Wit aHen 3ertnonien brein ^n einem Sinmier mtt ginfterfeit bielen brennenben 53id^tlein bann ber 9taB6t in id^er^eit inge piinftlicf) einrci^'n, SSinft i^m, sum arge 511 fein bereit ?htfgeba^rt ficfy 31: leg'n ^inetn. Slugen berbunben sur felb'n Unb fiebenbeS Slei gum SSorfdfjetn 33efaljl, i^n 311 offnen ben cfylunb toeit, amit cr frf)nell bcrbrennt mag fein. ber 9fabbi anber gemeint: ofe iljm ein Soffel onig fein SInftatt be fiebenben Slei'S bereint Itnb mit ber trafe ^at' gemein. 192 THE SINNER'S VOW. But to this world tho^ must bid farewell! Nevermore is this earth thy sphere, Thy past's darkness thou wilt thus dispel, And thy sun will shine bright and clear." The youth was told in a gentle tone, That now had come his final hour, To prepare for death that would atone, And nerve himself with proper power. A coffin and snow-white sheet as well With death's paraphernalia grim, In a room as gloomy as a cell, Where the candles burned sad and dim. All these the Rabbi prepared with care, Each detail most carefully planned, Showed the youth the coffin that was there, To lay therein gave the command. Thereupon they blind-folded the youth, Prepared molten lead, ominous, Bade him open his mouth wide forsooth, That death be instantaneous. 193 <$ib be 3)er Seidjenfonbibat toar djeiniob, SSurbe gebradjt sum, Seftwftfein, Sic 3ufd)auer er jefct fragt: ,,2ld) ott! SSarum mir nirfjt ben ob berleify'n? S)er 9tabbi i^m tfjat anfiinbigen; ,,Se&en foH bit nod) fein gegonnt" Unb gab i^m D^eg'I, nirfjt 311 fiinbigen Unb bor Unfatt i^n fdjii^en !6nnt ,,n joUft nid^t liigen! fprtd) bie SBirft bu niemal fiinben, ncin; foftbar ift i^re Grigenljeit Unb bietet ^>eil im aHgcmein." bofe efeUfc^oft er einft ttmrb SSerleitel um 311 feljren ein einem $au too mir Softer ^arrt, eine timme t^at 31: fd^rei'n; 38of)tn Idufft bu? SBotjtn bu bereit?" ,,^n ba $au beg Sa[ter U liigen er bod) gab ben 3og ab, unb blieb bcin iinben rein. bie iBoS^eit bid) betfyoren, 3u toeid^en don ber Stugenbba^n; ^Utc td), auf fie 3" pren, Unb ben!', eS fei nur ettler 2Sa&n. THE SINNER'S VOW. But the Rabbi meant not what he said, And down his throat poured honey pure, Instead of the dread molten lead, And thus he paid his forfeiture; The candidate for the grave did faint, And to consciousness was restored, He looked and said with mournful plaint, "0! Why did death relief afford?" The Rabbi soothed the sorrowful lad, "Longer life has been granted thee," And taught him to avoid all that's bad, And from sin to make himself free. "Avoid falsehood, ever speak the truth, Then thou wilt never never sin, A talisman 'gainst evil forsooth, And all salvation lies therein." Through wicked associates misled, To an evil house he was lured, But as to the wicked place he sped, By a stern voice he was adjured: "Whither art thou bound? Where runnest thou? To that vile home of infamy? Never to lie, he now made a vow, Left the place and from sin was free. 195 tc rcidje SWitgtft. GineS frfjonen ie I)ab id) bor ^ia^ren getraitt, Tie ,ef3uba' ifr au^gefteHt ein'r Million fie betraut I TOgift bom Sater gefellt. bem inar sugefomnien SSom d^tpiegcrboter ein ott alle augenommen Unb blieb bie 2(ermfte be ^oc^anan brad) barauf ^m SBe^flagen iinb SSeinen auS Ueber SfraeB SebenIaitf Unb iiber ^e^uba fetn ,,@o lang ^frael fiir @ott lebt S^ufe e feinem SSoIfe fiirrfjten, 2Senn e fetn @ebot nirfjt anftrebt 2)iirfen bie $eib'n fie bernicfyten! 202 THE RICH DOWRY. The Rabbi raised his voice and spake, To his attentive scholars all, "To see this woman makes me quake, At her fate which must all appall. I performed the ceremony At her marriage years ago, A million in gold, -the dowry, Her father gave her as all know. Besides, her father-in-law left The same amount, oh, so secure ! Now of all wealth by God bereft, From the most rich, she is now most poor. Rabbi Jochanan thereupon In loud lamentations broke out, O'er what Israel had undergone And the fall of his shrine devout. "As long as Israel lives for God, No nation in strength is his peer, When he rebels he feels his rod, The meanest heathen he must fear." 203 ftabbi imon Gfyalafta fein oljn Gnner ber grofet'n almublefjrer Grnaljrte fid) fonft bom agelof)n Hub ber 5lrmut ein 33eref)rer. aller feiner 2>er Scl^re otte niibmet er @cin gonaeB Seb'n o^ne torungen rug aud^ be: fein frommeS SSeiB ine^r. einmal fteinenb fefcte fie 3ln einen greitag 311 i^m ,,2Bir I)a6en ja nic^t einmal genau'5, SBeber Sleifc^, nod^ tooB 93rob unb fiirfjt Sinbei fid^ fonft in unferem 3Wtt tra ttrir ben aobat ef)ren. SSerlafe bie Siora, laufe ^inau! 93ring, urn abbat nid^t 311 ftoren." GilenbS berlieg er fein ^au unb tnbt ai^arfite fidg auf bem gelbe 3u ott inbrinftig cr fle^en er iljm fug' eine 204 THE GEM. Rabbi Simon Chalafta's great son, Who as great Talmudist won renown, His daily bread through hard labor won, Yet oft was chilled by poverty's frown. Still despite all his deprivation, To God's law he devoted his life, The Torah was his consolation, A joy to him and his pious wife. Yet once her tears she could not restrain, 'Twas Friday eve and her heart did break ; "I've naught, Queen Sabbath to entertain," Thus to her husband with tears she spake. "We have no meat, bread, nor Sabbath-lights, With which to honor the Sabbath day, Leave for a moment the law's delights, And see for the Sabbath to purvey." Hastily he left the house to seek, Whate'er he could find on farm or field, His chances were slim, his prospects bleak, He prayed that his efforts good might yield. 200 $cr Gbelftetn. er im gelb immer borindrtS gieng 23ie burd) cine 2JZad)t getrieben cin fdieinenber (Slanj gab cin SBinf fcincn s -8Itdf 311 fdjieben (rine fonbcrbarc Grfdjeinung Xa er ntrfjt fonnte terfte^en, 6 ftra^It unb glartat in fctner Unb Ieurf}tet il)m 311 im Sr na^erte fid) balb bem Orte, S Itegen Gbelfteine bort (5r gloubte jefct nid)t feiuem 28orte llnb Ijat fie nufgcfjob'n fofort. &> mar f'eine eujd)ung in ber Ijat, ^a cin tein tnar Don grofeem @d)ritte gel)t er nod) bic Stobt I)6rn t)om JRabbi ob' befdjeert. grcije JHabbi mar feljr erfreut, agtc mit boHem Setouftfein: ,,en 28ert^ be @teine toeife id) nidjt 9htr gadjleute iDiyfen'^ aHein. 206 THE GEM. As in the iield further he did go, As though driven by some strange power, H.e was attracted by a bright glow, As brilliant as a fortunate hour. As brilliant as a fortunate hour, Which for the Rabbi began to dawn, In the rays that strange thing did shower, Upon him to whom all was forlorn. "When near he drew to that mystic spot, He saw a gem that shimmered and blazed, Was he in a dream or was he not? He knew not, for he was as one dazed ! But 'twas no dream, 'twas reality, He picked up the gem of value great, And hastily went to the city With the Rabbi to deliberate. The venerable Rabbi was glad, To see the good man so fortunate, But told him that no knowledge he had Of gems their value to estimate. 207 $er (Sbelftein. llnb bi eine Sdjafcung ftottfinbet Iftimm bir beife bon meinem 3?ring fie $eim unb ifyr iibertoimbet llnb fiir ben abbat ifyr fjabt cf)mau." S^alafta nafjm je^t ben tetn unb @d)mau Itnb !am nad) ^>auje gelaufen 3Wit better $anb unb ftredfenb borau 33elaben mil einem $aufen. rftaunt ifjm feine @attin jurief: ,,2Bo^er biefe 9KitteI fo fd^nett? JI)ate[t bu fdjatfeu bitrdj 93?iBgriff? llngererfjtcS ift mir $eH' ! " berfe^tc je^t i^r (Satte: ,,@ott mar ijeute fo gnabig mir llnb mir einen Sdia^ gcfiigt Iiattc Unb bie aHe bringe id) bir." " 5BerIor bod) ientanb belt Crbelftein, SBie fott id) grembe beriil)ren? Coffer ber hunger ober tobt fein bei @ott S8a berlieren! THE GEM. "Until its true value thou wilt know, Take as much food as thou canst carry, Take it home with thee, now quickly go, 'Tis for the Sabbath, do not tarry!" Chalafta took the gems, also food, And to his house, joyfully he ran, Showed all to his wife with happy mood, Happy indeed was the lucky man ! With surprise his wife gazed and exclaimed: ' ' Whence did you bring these provisions Speak ! Didst not get them through a deed of shame? In thy uprightness thou ne'er wast weak." Joyfully her husband related, "God was most gracious to me to-day, Riches I n'er anticipated, In my humble path he caused to lay." "Thy gain, dear man, is another's loss, How canst thou keep this gem, 'tis not thine! Let poverty with us take its course, And let us not incur wrath Divine." 209 Gbelftctn. SBolltejt bit benn cm beiner rone inen @tein %enfett berlieren? Unb bitrd) feinen $reis c fid) loljnc Soljn ort $icr 311 licritl)rcn? 2Beber tent nod) (Speijen. bie Setben, ^d) mit $anb'n ntd)t crrocrben iljat 28iH id), ftcber bulbeti nod) letben. em igent^iimer riirferftott! " G^alafta ertfjetlte bic SSorte Seiner gran, bem greifen Scorer, er i^r gerat^en in ber @ortc 311 fein ber Unb urn ben Sol)n in jenent Seben 2SeId)er einft ifyr bod) fefjlen mag, 2Siff er bon feincr ^rone geben Hub ifjr erfe^en ben (Srtrag. ie be^nrrte bennod) i^re @ad)', (So ba nEe t^eilt bie Sfafirfjt, Unb fo fd)Iitmmert [te in ba rab Unb fpiegelt sitriicf al ternltd)t 210 THE GEM. "Dost wish to lose a gem from the crown, That in Paradise will deck thy brow, And for thy temporal wealth lay down, Reward eternal to squander now. Neither gem nor food will I accept, What through honest toil I ha-ve not earned, I do not want, they shall not be kept, To the owner they must be returned!" His wife's words Chalafta repeated, To his teacher, the venerable Sage, Who forthwith the former entreated, In quarrelsome ways not to engage. Nor worry concerning the reward, That would suffer depreciation, He'd make good the loss in due regard, Of his love and appreciation. But she insisted, for she was brave, And convinced them all that she was right, And now she but slumbers in her grave, Her example's e'er a beacon-light. 211 Gfam Sit etoba. Kadjum Sfd) am it, beritymt al almubift Unb 3itr $eit cincr bcr grommften an bcr Sift Xcffen botte Jpingebimg bcr (Sottlirfjfcit Wit Scib itnb 3celc itnb ftctc Gfjrlidjfctt ^et jcbem llngliiif ba if>n Bctroffcn Ijat, 3nm |.irtrf)luort fpnft gelnorbcn ift in bcr l)at. u Scto&a" cin pricfynort, fo c Tjcifet, " 9Tud) bicfeS Uebcl fuljrt 311111 Wutcit incift " fiir cinigc ^ett im ^ubenniunbc. 2)er Wlann in fciner Ic^ten 2cben[tunbe ^urd^ otte ftrafcnben Strm fo gefdjlagcn llcber " iob "=2eibcn, bi ben le^t'n cincr elenb baufdHigen ittte t bcm turm, S^oft bci jcbcnt djrittc Unb fo lag er, bom 2lugenlid)te bcraubt, ^on fcinen >anben itnb gitfeen iibcrljaiibt. lint llngejiefer bon i^m abju^alten SBitrbe cr immer in SSaffer ge^alten. @o feine d^itler um iE)n fyer unb badjten, (Seine jammerbotte Sage betradjten! Umgab'n i^n aud) feine treue 2(nljanger, ie i^n fdjonenb betoeinten, 3eiten longer, fie iljn fonft in ber ^iitte erblicften, toeldjer etn infturj rt)ar 311 befiirdjten. 212 GAM ZU LETOVAH. Naehum Ish gam zu, Talmudist of renown, Of a good name wore the most glorious crown, His resignation to the Almighty's will, His heart and soul and entire being did fill; However great the misfortunes that him befell, His motto ever was "This is also well." "Gam zu letovah," was his eternal creed, "This misfortune also to some good will lead," 'Tis repeated by the Jews of every clime, A popular maxim to the end of time; The man's suffering ne'er caused him to rebel, Although in Job alone is their parallel. On a desolate spot a poor hovel stood, Frail and rickety the wind it scarce withstood, There he lay, the afflicted Rabbi, stone blind, Without hands or feet, most wretched of mankind, To save him from falling to vermin a prey, He was kept immersed in water night and day. His fond disciples to him were ever near, rjazed at his condition with many a tear, His faithful friends contemplating his sad state, Bemoaned with breaking hearts his most wretched fate; And as they gazed they saw what them did appal The little sheltering hut threatened to fall. 213 Wain Sit fieto&a. ,,)f) 9fabbi! baten fie iljn innigft baljer: 28ir bitten bid)! S)u foUft bid) ntd)t langer mefjr @iner foldjen grofeen efaljr aufefcen! ielje! bie $iitte brofyt bid) 311 berlefcen! rlaub', auf unfern $anben bid) 311 fdjtoingen einen fid^'n fieib in idjer^eit 311 bringen. um mid) bie minbefte Sorge nidjt! ntfernt nur erft bie eratlje, bie in id)t, S)ie c^aben leiben fonnten in bem emad), obonn fonnt i^r and) mid) bej'orgen ^ernad); S)enn ber 3tHmdd)tige ott luirb fein nut mir, llnb nid^t ge[d^ie^t and) in einer SBeife ^ier." llnb fie()! raeld^ ein SBnnber bei ben efaljren! enn faum fie ifyrer S^rbeit fertig toaren, 2tt biefe ^iitte bor i^ren 2fugen faHt! .^rad)enb snfnmmen geftiir3t ba alte 3^It. llnb be propfye^eiljenben ^abbi'SBorte id) bnd^ftablic^ beftin^rt am felben Drte. ,,2Bir iDoIIen ba 3tatf)fel bod) Ijaben geloftf SBenn bit fo erliaben iiber 9Cnbre fte^ft SBaruni leibeft bn fo fcfyuer, Don aCcn me^r? S)a bu nnr fiir ottlia^feit gelebt immer! ag nn ba 9UitljfeI, ba Dor un t^ut fdjlueben llnb follft iin fein 2lnlafj 311 iinben geben!" 214 GAM ZU LETOVAH. "0 Rabbi," they pleaded to him earnestly, "We pray thee, see the danger that threatens thee, And no longer remain in this shaky place, Where instant is the destruction thou dost face, We'll carry thee in our arms and take thee hence, And save thy precious life from this great suspense." "Do not worry about me," the Rabbi said, "But remove the articles that here are spread, For if they remain, destroyed they'll surely be, Then ye may return and see concerning me, The Almighty is with me, there's naught to fear, There is no danger to aught whilst I am here." Behold a miracle wondrous great was wrought, They had finished their work, when quick as thought, The hovel fell to pieces before their eyes, Spell-bound they stood, they could barely realize How literally the Rabbi's words were fulfilled, When the truth dawned on them, they were fairly thrilled. ' ' Rabbi, this enigma kindly explain, Since this exalted station thou didst attain, Why then dost thou suffer more than all the world, Thou who but for God thy entire life hast toiled, Solve us this problem that our minds does oppress, Dispell, we pray, all our doubts lest we transgress ! ' ' 215 3u fieto&a. ,,6ret! meine tljeure djiiler ib,r %d) fyab cinft eine 9teife itnternommen, 39?einen djftrigerbater fonft 311 befudrjen llnb ba ber 2Beg entfernt, idj'3 tljat berfudjen Unb belub brei @fel mil fftoaren gar SSon gritrfiten, etranfe affer^attb fiirma^r. SSii^renb ba id) fortge[e^t metne 9leife (Jin 2>?ann mtd^ fonft anfiielt in einer SBetfe tammelnb derlangt er ein tiicfdjen Srob bon mir, S)a er fid^ feinen uhger ftitte ft)ie frii^'r." Sd) farad) 311 iljm: ,,h)arte! id) ftrilTS erfitten, ein SBeilc^cn gebulb', tfju id^ bein id) bom f'l abgelaben im leidjen llnb bir e nad) 28iinfd) bie ilfe fann reidjen! SB id) aber alleS in Drbnimg gebradjt llnb an ettoa bofen Solgen nid)t gebac^t, 21I id) nadjb^er bem Settler bringe ba Srob Unb fieJje! 311 ft>ot, ber STrme tear fdjon tobt! SSerjtDeiflungSboU trarf id) mid) in meinem ramm $in, aitf ben erbarmlid) entfeelten Seid^nom, SSufd) il)n bann mit meinen b,ronen bitterlid^, llnb meine bbfe anblung flagte je^t ic^ SSor bem fonft unbefted)Itd)en 9ticgter an llnb legte mir auf ben bofen 2?htd) itnb Sann: 216 GAM ZU LETOVAH. "Listen," dear scholars of faith unshaken, "One day, a journey I have undertaken, I desired to visit my father-in-law, And as it was a long journey, I foresaw, I loaded three asses with all kinds of food, With fruit, beverages, and all that was good. Thus I set out, in midst of my journey, A man hurried forward and accosted me, Stammering, he said to me to give him some bread, To satisfy his fierce hunger, he said ; I begged him to be patient, and very soon I would see to his wants and grant him his boon. Wait but a moment, the viands I will procure, And a substantial repast to thee assure. However, before I found all that I sought, And of evil consequences ne'er had thought, And went to the beggar to give him the bread, Alas! It was too late, the poor man was dead! I threw myself upon the corpse in despair, My grief was boundless, greater than I could bear, I washed his shrunken face with my bitter tears, I was consumed by remorse and filled with fears; Before the austere Judge, myself I accused, With a terrible curse myself I abused: 217 u fietoba. >!), ba3 bod) bie bofttnflige Stitgen mein, SDie ba3 unenblidje (Ienb fafyen fein llnb nid)t rafd) gur STbfjilfe geleudjtet ^eH ^n meinem ot>fe erblinben molten fdjneH! S)a bie .iinbe, bie ba @ute 311 boflbrtng'n etbltcf)c d^lndrfjc 311 3eua'n unb tritbcn, Gincn feiner Stalnmbiung'r betrant bantit 3it ntadj'n etncn berfiirjrertfdj'n djrttt, llnb fie bi 311 eincr OJren^c Derloite, a ftc i^nt nntrcn nicrbc drier 3dte! nfniibc luar bcm Si'uu]Iing nid)t fcl)r Ictdjt bod) nntcr einem inarb je^t ber 23ruria td(?Iid)cr aft cudielet unb ^un[tflriffe fon[t gcfa&t (5r bonn if)r erjd)cn erobert unb gcluamt @o ba Seu'r ber Siebc in ifjr [id) cntfvann! S)ie fo fd)one unb fronnne s ^rurin 28urbe bann etn O^fer ber Siebe su lefct SDtc jugcnblid) reisenbe ^,unc3linc]=e[tallt ifjre efiitjle 3U einer 222 B'RURYAH, A RARE WOMAN. She continued the Rabbi to harass and vex, And a better opinion she asked *f or her sex, To prove that she was wrong he hit upon a plan, For the Rabbin's honor he was a partisan. He decided, on herself to make an attempt, To convince her that her sex 'tis easy to tempt; Hence to a trusty scholar who would not betray, He confided the mission to lead her astray. To lead her to the very verge of faithlessness, So that woman's weakness she'll be forced to confers, This thankless task the scholar to facilitate, In her home, essayed, himself to insinuate. Success crowned his efforts he was her daily guest, His artful flattery and sweet words did the rest, He won her heart and became her master and man, The fire of her love its consuming work began. And thus the beautiful and chaste B'ruryah at last, By love's artifices was completely compassed, The young and handsome scholar and his winning ways, Set her brain in a fever, her heart in a blaze. 223 $rnriit bn^ fdtcne So ftmrbe nun bet Bungling ber agel)elb, 2)a er fret fonft eintrat in 23ruria 3elt llnb hiann er felbft nur einen Stag toegbliebe Safe fie frf)on Beim en fteten 93efud^, m il)r $erj 311 fd^lrad^en Unb fie^e! bie fromme ^elbin ber ^ugenb (Srfjttmrmte erft red^t urn ber-Siebe ber ^ugenb! @ine ^age )>rac^ er bann offen 311 ifyr: ,,33ruria, bit f ommft morgen tm SBalb mit mir ! Unb unter jenen ^oF)en fdfjattigen 33aitm 3Warf)en irir bann nud^ unfrer 28onne=Sitft JRattm! onft itnterbred^e icf) ganj nteinen llnb bie toitrbe oud^ fein mein letter 3Wit jitt'renben Si^pen gab fie if)m ba SBort Urn gufammen 3it treff'n am beftimmten >rt. gitrd)t itnb 5Borh)itrf tytelte in i^reni SDie gange 9Jad)t geqttalt bon llrt^ei 2)orf) bie Siebe sum Bungling f)atte gefiegt Unb bent 9Serfpretf)en Ijatte fie fic^ gefiigt. 224 B'RURYAH, A KARE WOMAN. Thus the youth, the hero of her heart, e'er was free, To see her at her home and keep her company, In his presence she lived, his absence made her pine, On the day she saw him not the sun ceased to shine. The youth then attempted to play a colder part, To call less often and quench the fire in her heart, But alas for the virtue of the pure and chaste, More passionate was her love quite youthful in taste. The youth thought of his mission, to the test supreme, He would put the staid matron who played love 's young dream, "Bruryah," said he, "to-morrow shall see love's fruition, 'Neath the shady tree, 'tis the only condition. Upon which with thee in future I will abide, Otherwise, ne'er again wilt see me at thy side!" With trembling lips the desired appointment she made, And to-morrow they would meet 'neath the large tree's shade. Fear and self-reproach tormented her all that night, Conflicting emotions placed her in a sad plight, But love for the youth conquered everything at last, To the youth she'd be true, to her promise steadfast. 225 $ritria bas fcUrne SBetfc. 3fm anbcren age fteflte fie fid) and) ciit Unter jenem beftimmten 23aum gang atteirt; 3fuf be $imgling=2lnhmft fie bort bebenb laufdjt, 3113 aiif cinmal ftiaS Ueberrafd)enbe raufdjt! 5 nal)erten fid) d)ritte tiont bid)ten SBalb 2Sor i^r ftanb Mbi 3^air, ifir atte balb! SKer !ann fid) borfteHen jenen foment! ie fan? in einer O^nmnd)t, an^ Sd)aQnt gebrcnnt. S)er ^Rabbi fie je^t 311111 ^cumftfctn gebradjt: meine Retire! Ijatteft bit e gebad)t? einc ^3mria aud) fo fel)len famt! fjatten unfre SSetfen nidjt red)t baran? 2)iefe ganje @d)itlb liegt gftar attetn an mir, 2)a id) biefe ^Srobe berfud)te mit bir, llnb barnm bcrseifye id) bir aud) fef)r gern llnb fottft mir fiir toeiterfyin aud) angef)6rn." 33ruria aber bon d)amgcfitl)l gefrdnft 5Der SSortourf unb 65ramm fie 3iim SBafjne gebra'ngt llnb burd) elbftmorb ifjrem Scb'n ein @nb' gemad)t! ^o ergetyt'S bem, ber bie SBetf'n I)tilt in 33erbad)t, 226 B'RURYAH, A RARE WOMAN. On the morrow to the appointed place she came, To that massive shady tree that would hide her shame, She trembling awaited her lover's approach, But other footsteps she heard coming to encroach. Other footsteps through the thicket swiftly advanced, Before her stood Rabbi Meir, with pity he glanced At her shrinking form, cowering neath his mild gaze, Overcome by shame, she sank as though in a -da/e. The Rabbi revived her. with gentleness he spake, "Didst dream, dear wife, that e'en thee such could overtake? Even a B'ruryah is weak thou wilt now allow, What sayest thou to the Rabbin's stern judgment now? Mine is the fault of thy present indiscretion, 'Twas my test of thee, created this condition, Therefore I forgive thee. my love's thine as of yore! As the queen of my home, thee again I restore!" But B'ruryah was burning with all consuming shame, From bitterness of remorse insane she became, In a dark moment she committed suicide, A warning to. all who Sages doubt or deride! 227 ber ($rofcc wib bic XUmo^oncn. ber rofee, ber nid)t aflein SBelterobercr fonft befannt Sonbern nud), al (Jjplorcr aflgcmetn x x sii 3lfriFa unb int 9J 91 IS cr fid) cinjt auf ber grofeen. 3?etjc Xief in 2IfriFa cbitfl bcfanb 35&oDte er bann aud) in einer 2$eifc ^cfteigen bcr iBergc ^ol)en iflanb. biirrc @ebirgt'cttc jebod) @o mirb'y im SWibrofd) !ein menfd)Iid)er JWetfcnbcr c nod) (Seluagt l)dttc mit fcinein Ccben, 2id) ben ^CH ,U' bnljnen ober iiialcn Csii ioncn unl)eimlid)en ^rcifen, Ta fetne Sonnc unb Fcine troftlcn .s>crr|d)t, itnb nitr Ainftcrni^ bciycifcn. 2)er fo forfdjenbe C^oift aiid) btcjeSmal itidjt fel)lcn, fid) bem efal)r auS, nid)t anberS Unb 509 burd) bic 55erQe unb $ijf)Ien. 223 Alexander the Great, who not alone, As conquerer of the world was famed, As eager explorer was also known, Africa and Asia his notice claimed. Engaged on an African exploring quest, 'Mongst Africa's mountainous regions gone, Their towering heights did his mind invest, With daring desire to climb thereon. That chain of mountains, the Medrash relate, Was until then of human foot untrod, The boldest traveler e'er would hesitate, To scale the heights on which the clouds did nod. Mountains of darkness where the sun ne'er shone, Where thick Egyptian blackness reigned throughout, Where immense outlines 'gainst the sky were thrown, In solitary grandeur round about. Alexander's bold and inquiring mind, No baffling barrier could balk or brook, In greatest dangers, greatest joy he'd find, Upon yon mountain heights he'd climb and look. 229 bet roftc itnb btc S)iefe 9lbenteuer Ijat nid)t minber inbrutf geiibt auf bem 28anberer 3u reifen im ginftern trie ein S3Iinber ctncni iniU)fcIigcn {vorfd)en er @ fldana and) biennial bcni .velbcn u erblirfcn Strnljlen unb Sonnenlidjt 2(ud) ein -Hjal boit .'oi'uu'I 311 melben. erblicften bort cin ?rud) ein bejonber frudjtbarce mar ,,(5artnt]en" bie ^nfelfjitgel don grnn'n ,,^nu^oneu" iienannt. ruunbcrlidjc 9?cgiertc fid) U)i ie sogen afle im .^rieg unb Sa, aU i^r fceiblidje efd^Ie^ter. @o fmben'hrir im SWibrafd) bie age: SBenn fie ein s H?dbd)en snr 25elt gebrad)t S)effen linfe 33rnft in enter S2age ^lbid)nitten unb jum taatbienft bebadjt. 230 ALEXANDER THE GREAT AND THE AMAZONS. The uncanny darkness his mind inflamed, With the adventurer's burning desire, To pierce that mystery yet unnamed, With a large army in warrior's attire. Through laborious marching and seeking, At length through the mountains, passage they broke, Of sunshine's rays they beheld streaking, That a new region of daylight bespoke. An enchanting picture their gaze did meet, In the centre of the shimmering sea, Was a fair island, the charming retreat, Of Amazons, of women brave and free. ' ' Carthagene " was the name of the abode, Which altogether by women was ruled, In peace or war they alone bore the load, For every woman to battle was schooled. In the Medrash they tell us of this race, When e'er a female child to them was born, Its left breast they cut in a certain place, Thus fitting it for war, from weakness shorn. 231 bcr rofje unb btc Unb toenn fie einen naben gebaren enfelben ben Sftannern augetfyeili, S5ie auerljalb ber %nfel ftei toaren Unb ol Bitten, 2Bcid)ter bort getDeilt. erfreitt Don ber STuSfid^t, 2>a er nodj ein Sanb mag geiuinnen 3)urrf) feinen @ieg, unb marf)te fidj'S sur Hnb erfldrte ben rieg aurf) i^nen. S)ie neger!Itirung tear ben 2fma3onen in unliebfcuner @o(t in ber X^ot, S)a fie bernommen bie HJZatfjt ber $erfonen 2BeId)e Slleranber befeff'n Ijat. omit t^oten fie lieber 311 iiberrafrfi'n mit ber Sotfdjaft, er foH fid) burdjau nid)t Bemii^en @d)Iad)t aufsune^men fonbern greunbfdjaft. 2)enn felbft im goHe bit itn Beftegft redjt @ bir bann gum 9tut)me nid)t gereidjt ^nbem bit bod) nitr cin fd)rt)Qd)e efd)Ied)t 93efampft unb befiegt fjatteft fo leid)t. 232 ALEXANDER THE GREAT AND THE AMAZONS. But to a male child when they .gave birth, They would at once give it the men to keep, To live on that isle the men were not worth, They were In a different place tending sheep. 9 A new conquest was Alexander's thought, The victor's joy already filled his breast, At length he found that other worldhe sought, War's declaration to them he addressed. The fair Amazons were filled with dismay, For the conquerer's fame had reached their ears, Although unusually brave were they, Alexander's advance filled them with fears. Hence with ready wit and womanly tact, They responded in a manner suave, That his declaration was a foolish act, And unfit for Alexander the brave. "For e'en if thou victorious shouldst be, No glory on thee will it e'er reflect, O'er women thou hast gained a victory, Thou wilt gain derision and not respect." 233 9lfejattbcr ber OJrofic unb bte SSie nnrb c abcr bann ber gaU bod) fein SBenn tin'r fonft ben Sieg babon tragen Soboiin rt)irb beine d)anbe nirf)t feiu flein Unb bu hrirft bann toeinen nnb flagen." trcfflid) gelungene SKorte einen ti-inbrncE nnf bein $ontg 2o ba^r bann ab^og bom riegorte 9J?it grofee efdienfe nicfyt luenig. $ung'rig rief er benen 311: ,,@iebt mir S^rob 511 effcn!" @ie reid^ten iljm olb Sr foil's nie bergeffen. @ie benteten if)m mit bem 33eift>iele an, a er S^ucijt in feinem Sanb f)abe Unb tuenn er e gu aufe I)a6en fann don fremb'n Sanb eine @abe. er fid) bon ber ^nfel entfernel er auf ben f)b'ren gefd^rieben: ^ab id) bon {yrauen gerernet Unb bi fyent id) ein Sfjor geblieben. 234 ALEXANDER THE GREAT AND THE AMAZONS. "More so if we the victory should gain, And woman's arms Alexander defeat, How of such affliction wilt bear the pain? And where to hide thy shame wilt thou retreat? 1 By these cunning words was deeply impressed, The king who erst but on conquest was bent, He sailed from their country at their request, And magnificent gifts to them he sent. Whilst visiting them he asked for some bread, He felt hunger's pangs and desired to eat, They handed him a piece of gold instead, With a great moral lesson 'twas replete. With moral instruction 'twas invested, Chiding him, who in his own land had all, For seeking strange lands, being interested, In others' fruits 'gainst humanity call. Ere he left the isle, to his land returned, / 'er its gate he ordered to be inscribed : "Wisdom from women but now I have learned, My actions till now to folly's ascribed!" 235 Ser redjtmofctge @rDe. abulun, ein reidjer aufmann im 2ftorgenlanb' $atte nur ben einen ofjn, yiapfytali gencnmt, 2)er toofjlgeratljen unb sugleid) aud) fyoffnung rad)tete, ba er bie tubi'n fortfefcen foK, Unb ifjn nad) ^erujalem t^at and) entfenben bie 9tabbtnatfd)ule bort 311 bollenben. ber 9tbfd)ieb=9Koment ftcflte fid) barnuf ein SSater unb @oljn fid) umarmten in ein etoein ^a, 93on traurigen Silbern ber 3ufunft crfiiUt id) nimmer 311 fe^en im ^erjen abgefpielt ! Sebod) bie 5rennung=@tunbe Ijat je^t gefd)Iagen! 2)er Skater iljat iib'r il)n ben @egenfv>riid) fagen. nod) ^erufalem angefommen, S)ort er nad) feinem 33unfd) feljr gut aufgenommen ^ebod) fein, fdjon gebeugter SSater, ber reifc 23rad) jufammen gleid) nod) nod) feiner SIbreife llnb alle Qr3tlid)e STntnenbung unb 3)?ittel ^onnten ifin nid)t me^r retten bom Xobe=9iittel. SSon einigen greunben er angerat^en toarb, 5Da er Xeftament foil mad)en im egenluort o lange ba i^m nod) fein Semuftfein erlaubt Unb bie grofee @rbfd)aft 3U orbnen iiber^aupt. omit er feinen aHer le^ten 5fufprud) gab Ueber fein gelraltig mad)tige ut unb $ab. 236 THE LEGITIMATE HEIR. Zabulon, a rich merchant of the Orient, Had a son, Naftali, a youth most excellent, Who promised to fulfill his father's aspiration, Hence he p.anned that he complete his education, And sent him to Jerusalem, in the college, To take degn. of Rabbi with proper knowledge. When the bitter time of parting at length arrived, Father and son feigned cheerfulness, but were deprived,- Of joy, by visions of- the future which oppressed, Bodings that this was last parting, their minds depressed, But sharp 'struck the merciless hour they had to part, The father blessed his beloved son, sad at heart. Naftali reached Jerusalem, his desired goal, And was there received most warmly, with heart and soul, Hut his father who was now \vell stricken in years, Broke down and thus realized his parted son's fears; In vain was human aid, 'twas powerless to save, The life of that stricken man, destined for the grave. To make his last will and testament, friends advised, And dispose of all that his vast fortune comprised, So long as his mind was clear and intellect reigned, That his will might be accomplished, his act sustained; He solemnly promised them, their advice to take, And his last will and testament forthwith to make. 237 rcdjtmaftigc Gtnen grofjen Xljeil feincr @d)cifee berfdjrieb cr $u tnoMtljcitigen Stocrfen geroibmet bielmeljr, rti'tr .ftranfeniiauier, Xempcl unb ^elirani'taliien Dfjne Unter)~d)ieb bes @Iaubcn e entlialteu Unb aU UiiilDerfalerbeu crnauittc er Sciitcn flabcn ,,unuirn" cin Sffrtt'nncr. Siunora nUetn fci ber unbcfdjrcnftc "Sort ctngejcgt iibcr afle al Wit btcfer em^ig'n Mlaufcl cntftnltcnb jebod), Xas feincm Sof)n 9?opf)tali geftattct fet nod) 3?on nEen ^uriidfgebliebencn ^crmogcn ftc^ cinen egenitanb 311 toafjlen ntogcn. Xeitaincnt untrbe bcfoorbJtrf) befraftigt Son ber )brigt'cit nnfbctun()rt unb beftatttgt. cntfdjhunincrt fitr inuner unb emig! Wrabc getragcit, beftnttot gctiorig ettc feincr Icingft Ucrftorbcnen Wattin So imirbe er in bie Crrbe gelegt babin. Seinent 3ol)iic umrb bie irauerfunbe ertfjeilt, Too join ^ater unter Vebenben nid){ mel)r treilt Unb bnc- er nod) Hid ntcljr il)n enterbt Ijnben foU Unb il)it fonft giinjltd) tierftofecn in feinent 0roH. Sor Summer unb d^mer^ au Robert er nieberfanf Unb lag bann in etner O^nmodit etnc 8^tt lang. THE LEGITIMATE HEIR. A part of his fortune to charity he gave, For all things that the instincts of kindness could crave, He supplied hospital, college and temples need, Liberally, regardless of race, color or creed, And the rest of his fortune, all that he did save, He bequeathed, as sole heir, to his African slave! Yea! Sumara, his slave should alone be the heir, Installed over all as the sole proprietor, Besides that in the will, there was another clause. 'Tis all strange, unaccountable and makes us pause. "From all my vast fortune," in the will we peruse, "I leave my son but one object which he can choose." His testament was verified in proper form, With all of the law's requirements it did conform, In the last mortal sleep Zebulon closed his eyes, The last rites o'er his remains freinds did solemnize; At the side of his beloved wife long since deceased, Was laid in earth, he, from the cares of earth released. Like lightning sped the sad news to the bereaved son, Telling him that his father's work in life was done, And that his beloved son was disinherited, Such cruel treatment was entirely unmerited! Overcome by double grief to the ground he sank, The earth had slipped beneath* his feet and all was blank. 2II er fid) erfyolt Ijatte bon feiner )I)nmarf)t a !Iofte jemanb an fetner l)iire fo fadjt Unb ftfye! ber $abbi, fein fie^rer tretet ein! (r ift gefommen, tfyn ,,2>?enad^em )BeI" fein. " @ei bu getroftet metn t^eurer @d)iiler bieSmal llm ben Serluft beine felig'n 58oter bielmall " ,,>a mir nun metn SSater fo gefcfyromb Derfc^ieben 2Sermag trf) jet faum mtd^ 311 faffen fytmeben, er aber mid^ al etnen-eingigen @o^n burrfjauS gebracfyt 311 djanben S^ott unb S)a er mid) bon often ganglid) t^ot enterben, 3Bie fann id) e ertrngen fold)e S^erberben? " ,,3eige mir einmol btefeS ^unberteftament! id) e bitrdjblicEen mag in einen foment. borlefenb bic 2Borte, unb Inut fprid^t: biefe XeftantenteS ift ja nid)t 5II ein fel)r erljobener unb M)rretd}cr Unb and) ein in fid) tterborgener reicfier biefem ^laufel liegt nur ein reiner SBerftanb': foflft bir toaljlcn bod) nur oinen ($egenftanb. bir ba()er bann ctncn tucfdjcn immer Unb bu uiafjlft bir ben flafen ben 2Ifrifaner, Unb bu I)aft fo bann nl $err unb fein eBteter ^ermogen unb oudo cifte feine iiter/' THE LEGITIMATE HEIR. From his deep unconsciousness he at length revived, There was a knock at the door of one who arrived, The Rabbi, his kind teacher, came in to console; His poor, mourning disciple, with him to condole, "May Heaven send thee comfort, though thy sorrow's great! For the loss of thy father, 'tis but mortal's fate." "Alas! so soon of rny father am I deprived, My grief is great but natural, I could have survived, But to have disinherited his only son ! Disgrace me thus in the eyes of all I'm undone, He has disinherited me hath left me bare, Such deep, overwhelming disgrace, how can I bear?" "Just show me, I pray thee, thy father's testament^" The Rabbi just gave one glance at the document, Then gently said to the mourner, broken-hearted, "Knowest what in this testament is imparted? A clause that's so ingenious, 'tis truly sublime! A treasure of instruction to the end of time! Behold the little clause which thou mayest peruse, One object is bequeathed thee which thou mayest choose, Chose the right object and thy fortune thou wilt save, Knowest thou what to chose? 'tis the African slave! Thou, his master, his fortune is at thy command, All that thy father has left comes back to thy hand. ' ' 241 Gr&c. ,,^ft benn nidjt fogar nad) einer 33ibelftette S)e >errn Grigentljum ein $eiben 8fIafgefeHe 2>en er fammt fein ^adjfommen fonft bererben fann? omit fjat e betn SSoter aurf) eigcnft get^nn, a cr bid^ im tiibium lnollt (jaben berfd)ont 3?ctraut er umara unb nid]t anber tfjim fonnt." bor ben 9iabbi fnienb, unb fngt: ad)! ,,2)u fiaft mid) biemal gcrettct, fd)aHenb er Sebod) itur um meiner grofecn (f^re 2BiHen Siirgt biefe (fntrdtfeln unb biefe ntfjiillen Unb giir Siebe meine feltg'n ^ater bu mid) @onft guritdfii^ren biefemal t^ateft formlid)." S)er 9tabbi emtofa^I fid) don iljm im llmiDiinben ,,ott trofte bid) unter alien Xrauerenben 3ion unb ^erufalemS etuig itnb immer Unb erbaue alSbalb beine toiifte Xriimmer! " 2tl breifeig rcmertage iDaren boriiber JRetft 9Ja^F)taIi nod) feiner eimot T)inuber. 2)ort er 511 bent SSermbgen gelangt mit 35er(tanb fommt fo bann ruicber unter feiner ^anb, flafen entfdiabigt er al einen Seiter 33ejdjenfte i^n reid)lid) unb fd)idfte if)n iueiter. einem Sefjrer er mit reid^cn aben befdjenft Unb lebte bann gliidlid) bi in e @rab gefenft. 242 THE LEGITIMATE HEIR. "Dost thou not know of the citation in the law? Tis the Torah's decision, pure, without a flaw, That he who owns a heathen slave doth own his all, "Whate'or he hath or may possess, whate'er befall, Thy father wished not thy studies to interrupt, The slave as heir was the best means he could adopt." Naftali fell at the Rabbi's feet, overcome By feelings of gratitude from emotion, dumb ! ' ' Thou hast saved me ! Thou hast saved me ! " at length he cried, ' ' From the depth of degradation hast saved my pride, For my saintly father my love thou didst restore, Undying is my gratitude f orevermore ! ' ' The Rabbi with usual blessing took his leave, "May the Eternal comfort thee with those who grieve, For Zion and Jerusalem in ruined state! May he thy happiness speedily reinstate!" When the thirty days of mourning had passed away, Naftali returned to his home without delay. There he came lawfully into his possession, To his entire fortune he now had accession, The slave he rewarded with rich indemnity, Made him fine presents and gave him his liberty; His teacher he repaid with gifts munificent, And in greatest happiness all his life he spent. 243 Tie unbcr|d)(ctcrtc Xnmc. fiatte fid) eiuit gngetrageti ie fd)ouberf)afte Wcfd)id)te einen ^arbnrcn fcin Hieiter folnt int bcit ^citcn U'o fd)on ^cod) iciitcii Stnat Ijattc reflicrt roftcr (^clualt lutrcn nub Cued' ialnuib ocrlautct, paffirt. S I)att' Don ben ^ladjbarvuolfmi t)iel 3u bitlbcn imb 311 crtraiicu, @ic Unirbcn flcqitalt ofinc (Jrbnnncn CrineS Xogc gieng cine Same Unbcrfdjleiert in ben trnffen @ie bilbctc cine 9(una()mc llntcr if)ren To fie bie fdjonfte imb IteBftc Sm gonaen Sanbe getoefcn i^r 9Jame bc^cidinet genau SiMe man biefen tf)ot auflofen: 244 THE UNVEILED LADY. It occurred, this terrible story, This drama of blood and of shame, This act of barbarian gory, This apotheosis of ill-fame. In the time when Israel, sinful, When Israel, although in his land, Yet drank of the cup that was brimful, With persecution from stranger's hand. From strangers in feeling, though neighbors, The afflictions they bore were extreme, They poisoned their joys and their labors, Of compassion their foes did not dream. "One day," 'tis the Talmud relating, Without a veil she walked through the street, It was then a bold promenading, And for a Jewess most indiscreet. Beautiful she was, and surpassing, All her fair sex in the Orient, Beauties they were, too, but not classing, With her dazzling beauty, transcendent. 245 Tic mttoerfdjletcrtc Xante. meint: afle fdjaute fie an 23eobad)tet ifyre @d)onf)eit Gr ergofcte fief) aHe3 tiortan @d)on in ifyrer SIntoefenfyeit. S)e oljen{mefter~od)ter fie mar ,,^enu'I" fein miirbiger 9 f iame, er Opfer barjubringeu ^flegt gar Somit tnar e and) fein timber nief)r 28enn fie ^enianb am Sc^ritt Ucrfolgt, 3tl fid^ aurf) erlaubt Ijat ein aimer Unb i^r nadjgefe^t unb gefolgt. llnbcmerft er fie Ijaftig gepacft llnb fit^rt fie mit fid) gefangen, SBom 3erren unb ^Ringen bleibt fie naft SSalbe iljot er gelangen. SDort cr fie fdjanbet bie ganje 9?cid)t Oljne Srbarmen 311 geiualjr'n 9Son tiielen ^eintgen fie terfcf)mad)t, boaj fort etnalt ofn' 311 ftorn. 246 THE UNVEILED LADY. "Zofnoth" was her name of sweet calling, Sweet as music to those who beheld. Enraptured her beauty enthralling, Then unequalled and never excelled. Daughter of a high-priest annointed, "Penuel" was his revered name, Over the sacrifice appointed, O'er the Holy Shrine and sacred flame! What wonder if a gaze unholy, Upon her charms, passion did incite, His heart aflame with hell-fire solely He dogged her foot-steps by day and night. And sudden he pounced on the beauty, To the lonely woods he dragged the fair, Who struggled e'en more than her duty, She struggled till all her robes did tear. A horrible night of ill-using, When he glutted his passionate fire, No compassion to quell th' abusing, Till cloyed was his devilish desire. 247 untoerfrf)Ietetie Same. 8d)lt)armerifd) gieng bie 9Jad)t boriiber, 936feft)id)t nafmt bie 33eute fie gefangen ^tniiber Sim SP^arft gum 23erfauf fiir Scute. @^ fteflte fid) aud) balb ein Warm ein SSon befonberer aBlic^feit, S)er meljr geglic^en git einem Cber gur 3Iffen=9?Qff'=(i)on^eit. 2)en ^Berfciufer er befragt SBarum er bie efang'ne bod) Sefleibet fjatte gar fiebenfad) Unb i^r efid^t berljMt and) ,,%a, bie fdjonfte S^au auf biefer SSelt ^ft biefe ^ubenbeute I)ier, 6ine fd^one grofee (Summe elb (Sott fie nadjfyer einbringen mir." SDiefer abidjeulid) o toilb gereigt QU 9Jeugierbe SSottt bom SSertlje nid^t roiffen gefri^dtjt SBottt nur entblofeen bie 3ierbe. 248 THE UNVEILED LADY. Like a nightmare, the night was passing, The fair crushed flower lay like one dead, The heathen with vileness surpassing, To the slave-market his victim led. Ill chance brought unto that slave station, The most monstrous being e'er was seen, Swine-like in form and deformation, The vile heathen gazed at beauty's queen. He asked why the slave's face was hidden, Underneath such a covering thick, How see for what was to be bidden, Or know if that is the slave to pick? "The most beautiful woman living, Is this Jewess, thou seest, my prize, And a good round sum will be giving, Whoever upon her will set eyes. This vilest of hideous creatures, His curiosity now quite keen, Desired to uncover her features, The vaunted features of beauty's queen. 249 ie un&erfdjfcicrte amc. ,,iefer tuarb einft erfranft unb fii^Ite frfjledjt. tiid)tig[ten Stergte be SanbeS bort llnb bte giirforge feiner tenerfdjaft ^onnten i^m nid)f $tlfe sufiifjrcn fort Unb inurbe nadjljer fefir fd)UiQd) unb franff)aft. Iie fogar anorbnen unb fommen au ben entfernteften Sanbern SDod) and) biefe erFIdrten beflommen, Sa menfd^Iidje ^ilfe c nidjt anbern. ber ^auptftobt afte 9Wcnfd)en Betriibt reid) Bi arm, jung unb alt, grofj unb flcin il)n alle fo innig geliebt Unb nid)t minbcr gugetfjan attgemein. GineS age erfd)ien ein frember 33au'r vin ber ^auptftabt ganj einfad) jugereift r fragt ben SSirt, bie Urfadje ber ^rau'r, kronen erluiberte biefer breift: 252 THE HAPPY MAN'S SHIRT. A famous king, whose fame was built on love, Thw love of subjects by his justice won, Whose goodness was prized all else above, Was once by severe sickness all undone. Skillful physicians, the best iu the land, With the greatest haste ^o the king were called. A world of medicine at their command, . But all in vain, the doctors were appaled. To foreign lands for physicians they sent, For greatest specialists, whose fame world-wide, Guaranteed success wherever they went, They could do nothing after all they tried. The capital city was plunged in gloom, Sorrow was universal and sincere, In the king's sickness each one saw his doom, For the king was to all so very dear. One day a peasant came to the city, An ordinary traveler, strange to all, He saw the sadness of all with pity, And asked his host what trouble did befall. 253 ctncsi ,,Unfer geliebtcr omg i[t fel)u frauf llnb iiicntanb auf Grbcn fnnn i()it vcttcu, (%ofu' '"Mofnnmg itnb Ijcr^iidjcn Taut' bio, bte cin Wittcl fitr ifjn I)iittcu." ,,' v x sd) bin jluar fciu 5trgt, nud) nid)t lion s ^in jebod) fo 311 fngen erral)rcn " Grtnibert bcr grembe," g bicfem ik'Ijitf gifletdjt fonn id) cin $?ittcl anpoorcn." an ^ranfcnlafjer (jtn Unb bcr 6nig er^iifjlt if^ni ben llntftonb, (Spnnncnb crinortctcn bic 3Jftnift'r brin d) be S^anncS bom frcmbcn 2nnb. ,ih-and)()cit ift nid)t fo SBerfdjnfft Gud) nur ba $cmb cincr fcin 3iUtnfd), unb iljm allc cntbcfirltd); iilic^t em ie fanben unter ber grofeen Std)e einer ^iitte einerralt'n 2>?onn fcin, Sort fafe toie ein giirft in fcinem s Jleid)c. bu ber 9}Jann, ber bort gefungen ^at llnb fid) fo iiberaus gliidlid) gefiifIt? " a, ber bin id), nnb fein giirft in ber SCfjat mir gleidjen, iro^in er imtner luofjl, berfefct einer ber 25onn Derfanfc unb gib un bein ir unfern guten 6nig, id)' bringe, SBeldjer fo geftifyrlid) fronf liegt immer! Senn nnffe, nur ba $>entb ein'S ^Tann unb hiirb i^n ttrieber gefunb madjen, 2)ein 2o^n foil bafiir fein im 3BirfIid)en olb, ilber, liter nnb aubre adjen." 258 THE HAPPY MAN'S SHIRT. The ministers listened with glad surprise, Could their search have been rewarded at last? Their one great hope did they now realize, To obtain that shirt after all that passed? In high spirits through the thicket they went, And found sititng 'neath a large shady tree, An old man whose small hut w r as adjacent, Sitting as though lord of all he did see. ''Art thou the man who sang in such a strain, Of real happiness, genuine content?" ''That I am, and no prince in his domain Can boast of happiness so permanent!" ' ' Well then ! ' ' one of the courtiers exclaimed, "Sell us thy shirt, my man, we'll pay thee well, Our king is so sick, the good and well-famed, And thy shirt his sickness will soon dispell. For know thou the shirt of a happy man Is the only remedy for our king, From this moment thy good fortune began, We'll give thce gold and every precious thing." 259 ,,5D?eht $emb? fdjrte ber ornte 2Hte, v,d) babe bod) gar fein ^emb, 9InfprudiIo id) lualt' inib fd)alte, ilebrtgc tft mtr frcmb." 93ou biefer Slnttoort betroffen SMjrten fie banu betriibt juriidf, $erid)ten bem S?onig offen SQ fie erfuljren iibcr &IM. Se alten 2>ianne efdjtdjtc (Sab bem Stb'ntg niel 311 ben!cu, jHidjtct fein Seb'n nad) Seriditc 80 einfad) ein rnit S3cfd)ranfcit. Seine 33ebiirfniffc er angeftrcbt 2(uf ba all'r fleinftc WaaJ ( ^t befdjranfcu Hub untrbe gefunb nnb bat fortgelebt iic' nur 311 benfcn. 260 THE HAPPY MAN'S SHIRT . "My shirt?" cried the happy Sage of the woods, "I have no shirt, for I do not wear it, I have no claim on the world and its goods, And if I have it not, I can spare it." Struck by the happy Sage's answer unique, To their city in sadness they returned, They called upon the king who still was sick, And related to him all they had learned. O'er the old man's words long pondered the king, In his tale he was much interested, He guessed frugality healing would bring, Of his luxuries to be divested. His necessities, too, he caused to shrink, To a proportionately small degree, Became healthy and strong, could eat and drink, And lived to ripe old age, from sickness free. 261 luctfc ffin&fct nnb bcr $Ijttofojjfj. grid)ijd)e SMttueife, Wonie nnbefnnnt, S)er feincit Jjafj itnb bclnjtignng bctrin fanb ie Stalhtiibifien ntit SeligtonSfrageji 311 bejtinnen nnb fie innner plcigen. eincm JWobbi cr cincv Jaiic^ jo jpradj: $anblunflmcijc bcineS licbcn @otte nnd) mir, jo ,yi janon, nnino'alidi iiefnllen cr jid) bcr li-ijcrtnillc i'tbcr Illicit! men n bein Wott jo aUnuiditifl nnb jo grojs jprid)t SBarum bernid)tet er bit 1 jreinben hotter nid)t? " arauf tl)at il)in bcr J)hibbi ontiuorten, namltd): ,,(5inen viiinger bcr 2Sei*(K'it tfinjt bit nenncn bid)? SBciljrenb in bcincn Morten nnb iin ^erlialten S^eber cine (r injid)t nod) ^erjtanb entl)altcn. . SDaljer id) bir aud) ctlua crsdfjlcn mage $n tucldicni nieinc trijtigc 9fntuiort Inge: . lebtc ein gutcr ^onig im Worgcnlnnb' $att' ein en einjig'n ofjn, tnar jeine red)tc ,ljUofoj)Ij. 23itrben biefe fold)e otter fonft bere^ren, 2eld)e nid)t 3itm SSoljIe ber Wefammt()eit So toiirbe @ott biefelben gemiB auflofen, 3)a fie aber fonft alfe nihjlidic ^efcn y Tie notl)iDenbtg sum 58cftanb iiottlid) uerclircit WitRte @ott ber iRnrur luenen fie entbeliren, 2ein er^aLu'iicc- ^erf ganj 311 Wnmbe riditen! Tic ^elt tint ifir Wanfl unb 9?arr'u JRed)enfrf)aft ,,^a, nur nod) etnc fti'ciQC crlaubc id) mir S)iefemal 311 ftcUeu unb 311 riditen an bir: ^nbem e fo Ijeifet in nrcn ^e()ri]e]"d)id)toii: SSenn bie @cfamtf)eit in ben s .Vccinniui5-?fnfid)ten 9?id)t 3itr ^ereiniciuiui fonnncn fonncn Inelinal @o rid)tet fid) nad) ber Weiuie, bie 9hm bie eiben iibertreffen (iutd) an ber omit aiebt ifir ben o'rtern ben 35or3iu] einmal! " er toeife 9iabbi on ifym je^t ftellt bie grage: ,,$at bid) @ott oud) mit inber gefegnet? fage!" " ^a, id) rjabe fogar Diele Slinber 31: !gau> Stntoortet ber $eibe mit <3d)merfc, Summer garau 2)ie fogar bent djeine nad) in %ueben leben Sobalb fie bod) sum ebete fid) begeben Siebt fid) funb eine befonb're 3errittung bann Giner ruft Jupiter' ber SInbre ,^eptun' an. THE WISE RABBI AND THE PHILOSOPHER. If the idols that these creatures worshipped were such That with human well-being they came not in touch, Those idolatrous objects God would then destroy, But inasmuch as these things constitute man's joy, And he thanks God for placing them at his command, God would not overthrow Nature's system so grand, Shall II is great work for the sake of fools go for r. aught? The world pursues its course and the fools will be taught." " 'Tis so! but one more question allow me to ask. And kindly excuse me for taking you to task, Now inasmuch as by your law it is decreed, That when the judges of a case have not agreed. Then it is decided by the majority, Whatever the opinions of the few may be; Now the heathens by millions outnumber your race, Hence you ought to accept their idols with good grace." The wise Rabbi for answer this question addressed: "Tell me, O philosopher, art thou with children blessed?" "Yes, I have quite a number of children at home," Answered the heathen whilst his brow clouded with gloom, "Who apparently live in peace and harmony, Until their various Gods bring infelicity, For one worships Jupiter, another the moon, Whilst the third one addresses his prayers to Neptune. 2ti7 toetfc SKabbt itnb bcr Gin jeber tr>itt feinen Sruber in 2)rang @eft>altfam gtoingen in aber unb eine Grintradjt, fciit Jvriebe line Sitte v x sii meinem aufe unb tfyrer Wittel " ,,Unb bu al 33atcr bet fold) 3?ift nid)t imftanbe fie au^ ,,SBoffer unb geu'r Icifet fid) Dereinigen iljre 9J?einung nid)t befrfjleinigen." foil bir oben 3iir ^ntmort bienen: 6ine SWefyrjaf)!, bie in ifjren SKienen er Religion fo jerfplittert finb 3SerIiert jebe ^raft al ein fleine ^inb lleber bie 2)?inberja^I beren lieber Sltte nad) einem Siel ftreben lin'eber. 2Bir ^siiben finb iwnig, finb nut ein 3pott, inb ab'r einig unb Ijab'n nnr einen (^iott! SSoIIt Sfyr aber gegen un figreid) fein 5>?it Gner 9)?QJoritQtredit fid) freit'n, 2)Hiften bann alle einjelne (Slieber id) je fritter bereinigen toieber, onft finb luir bie auertt>tif)Iten ^inber Unb bilb'n in ber SBelt ein S^uft'r nid)t tninber, 93i fonft jene 3^it foil unb Uiirb fommen, affe oit roirb ^eifeen millf onrmen ! " 268 THE WISE RABBI AND THE PHILOSOPHER. Each wants to force his convictions on the other, Thus raising the hand of brother against brother, Xo considerations for each other's belief, When they assemble at my house, peace comes to grief." ''And thou, as their father, in their time of discord, Art thou not able to bring them all in accord?" "Water and fire may be made to mingle with ease, But the clash of their opinions never will cease." "As an all sufficient answer thy words shall serve, As majority whose opinions e'er will swerve From the path of unity cannot have the right To claim that because of their mimbers they have might, To force their opinions on the minority, Since naught but dissention in their ranks thou canst see, We Jews are but few in numbers, despised and odd, In our faith we are, united and have one God ! However, if against us you wish to succeed, As a great majority let all be agreed On one form of worship that no rupture there be, Amongst your large numbers to mar your harmony, Otherwise, behold us, the truly chosen race, Who in the world's ranks occupy the highest place, Though now you confess it not there will come the day, That is when all the nations to one God will pray. 269 SUtenlefjre. 33enetbe beinen 9?ad)ften nid]t, SSenn ifyn s erbtenfte Ijeben, 2Benn Sob fitr feine fjaten fprtd)t, Itnb tnurben iftn umgeben Grregc niemalS C^roII unb ilicib Sci fern non aCem 3nfe; Unb aber, iWeuterei imb Strett Set niemalS bcin cbanfe. nid^i burc^ 3Sort uub SBeirfje Dom 3Serbred)en; bie boj'c aat mirb Si'tnbc rcidjcn! >effentlid) gur djait flcitcflt, bid] 311 fdjoncn nur @d)mad) Don oiler SSelt SDcine 93osl)ett lofjnen! o foi bcnn bit Don fritfjer Ter fficblicfyfeit ergeben -rt]litI)e ftet fiir 9ted)t unb Jugenb, Unb e^re fie im Seben. bofe Ijat unb Jrug Deriiben llnb llnbeil fdilau OoHbrinaen 2Birb immer rt)o^I bic 5Ru^e iritben nie fann fie gelingen! 270 MORAL INSTRUCTION. Envy not thy "lucky" neighbor, For recompense he hath obtained, For the praise received for labor, For all the honors he hath gained, Rouse not jealous rancor's venom, With poison deadly it is fraught, To its stirring ever be numb, Let it ne'er hatch within thy thought. Sin neither through thy word or deed, Shun the channels of transgression, Scatter not the criminal seed, Beware God's sure retribution; In open judgment wilt be placed, With no favors shown to spare thee, For all the world wilt be disgraced, Thy wickedness will ensnare thee. Then ever from thy early youth, To honesty be devoted. Let thy heart be fired for the truth, And to honor consecrated; For wicked deeds, deceitful ways, All misfortunes bring, all sorrow, They rob the rest that is to-day's, And happiness of the morrow, 371 tttcnlc^rc. Seite beine SUMQQ an, 2Bcrf)rf)eit nur 311 fpredrjen Siige nie in eitlem 28afyn Siige ift 25erbrerf)en. Unb ba SBort, ba btr entfu&r ftet bercljre; treulidf) beinen rfitrur! @o totn'S @otte Sefjre. joUft bu beirQ3ruber er cjegen ^idf) gefe^It; Sern mit Siebe i^n umfaffen, SSenn cr je bid^ l^at gequtilt. 2BoljI fannft bit i^m [dfionenb fagen, ein 2?ergeF)en oF)ne cfjeii; orf) ben ^afe i^m nadj^iitragen, blicbc nic^t don trafc frci. 2Bie bid^ felbft ben iKadrtten lieben, im fieben bir aur ^flidfjt; gegen ttnt gu iiben, bem @Iauben frag' i^n nid^t! (Sfenb milbern, 2Bunben ^eilen, er in ($efaljren fd^luebt; ber ilf entgegen eilen au @ott er^ebt. 272 MORAL INSTRUCTION. Lead thy tongue in the path of truth, Let but verity guide thy speech, Lie not! for falsehood is, forsooth, An act of crime a moral breach, Let the word thou utterest now, Be honored from its inception, Keep it as sacred as a vow, In God's law 'tis the conception. Thou shalt never hate thy brother, If e'er against thee he did wrong, Learn with love the wrong to smother, Its ill effects not to prolong, Canst reprove, rebuke him gently, His wrong toward thee, him frankly tell, But to hate him consequently, Is to prepare for thee a hell. As thy own self love thy neighbor, Make it thy duty that he live, For his good be all thy labor, Ask not his faith whom thou dost give, Misery lightening, wounds healing, When one midst danger's breakers drifts, Quickly answer cries appealing, All this is what to God uplifts. 273 Sittenldjrc. Sn ber Bunge liegt ba Sebeu, 2lud) ber obt in ifjrcr raft; ie fann tooljl ba @Iiicf bir geben, od) aurf) betben fie berfdiafft. 2)nrum ftrenge iuieg bie ber meife ftonic? fet an fetnem Drte Sluf bie 3wnge lege nid)t bet beinen iegen ileber getnbe in ber @d)Iad)t; SBenn fie faflen, unterltegcn gielen fie burd) otte 5)?Qd)t. 5sn ben <3tnfen follft bu reid)en milb bie 33rubcrl)anb ; geinbfdjaft mufe bann lt)eid)en, 9Senn fid) 16ft ba rbenbanb. 3W6geft bu bid) ftet erbarmen, 2)etner 3?ritber grofeen 9iot^; 2J?6geft ^elfen bit ben Slrmen, a^ilbe fd)it^t bon e^ig'n ^obt. @ie begleitet bid) im terben gef)t einft in'S rob mit bir; bleibt swriid ben Grben, llnb bu fdjeibeft nacft t)on fyier. 274 MORAL INSTRUCTION. With life's force the tongue is pregnant. Power of death upon its tip, For success the tongue is regnant, And failure lies within its slip, Therefore weigh your words exactly, As the wisest of all kings states, Keep each word in place compactly, I T pon your tongue place reason's weights. Do not triumph in thy conquest. ( ) Vr thy enemies in thy fight, Though they fall yet be thou impressed, That they have fallen through (iod's might, As they sink, then, do thou reach them A mild and kindly brother-hand, Enmity should not impeach them, When falls apart the earthen band. Let compassion be forever Thy balm, thy brother's wound to heal, Help the poor, his bonds to sever, Ilis bonds of woe, work for his weal; Kindness saves from death eternal, Alone escorts thee to thy borne. Naught else counts in life supernal, Thou partest bare as day wast born. 275 (Sittenfefjrc. cig'ncn 23ruber fdjonet nid)t, 28er $ofe unb treit nur briitet; Unb tt)cr ftet rug unb Citgen tyridjt 33or bent cud) forgram Iju'tet! (-r ftbret inandje |iifee liiif 3crtriintnicrt mandje greubcn, !Tod) fief)! e fatten balb ^itriicf ?(uf ir^n gar oft bie Seibcn. 5>atcr! nur aHein bein egen n 9lHen HidE unb $eil; and) $icnfd)en 336fe fjegcn, SBirb bod) uteS un gu ^cil. SWogen S^inbe immer flurfjcn Unfer $eil fommt nur don bir; Ifb'gen unfern ^nH fie fudjen 9htr burd) bid) bcfte^en Uiir. 9Wcin $err unb 5Boter! bir nlletn Hub beincr fjciligen 2ef)rc oH meine B^t geiDei^et fein @o fyeifd)t e beine Ce^re. 3u f reifen bid} ift meine $flid)t @o long' id) Seben fjabe; ^m Xob', mein ott! bermag id) nidjt, lobt nidjt me^r im rabe! 276 MORAL INSTRUCTION. His own brother he's not sparing, He who envious fury breeds, Who is falsely speaking, swearing, Of such a one the prudent heeds; He mars the sweetest happiness, The most delightful joys he spoils, But there's one thought of cheerfulness, On his own head, oft, th'ill recoils. Father! Thine alone 's the blessing, Prospers us, in our salvation, 111 designs of foes oppressing, Turns to good their machination, Though enemies curse, revile us, Our salvation comes but from thee, They may seek to throw, defile us, Through Thy help alone, firm stand we. My Lord and Father, Thee alone, And the sacred law thou gavest, Is consecrated time I own, As in Holy Law thou cravest, To praise Thee whilst I have the breath, Is my duty's noblest culture, For God I cannot praise in death, Nor adore in the sepulcher. 277 fttenldjrc. enf o iWcnfd), 311 jeber Stunbc 2)afe al Ambling bit intr Ijier; Safe ber 2obt ftet mad)t bic JJtunbe, >eute ifym unb morgen bir! enf, bafe alle greuben fdjtninben, 2Sie ein 3djattcn jebe C^Iiirf- Tann tutrft Ieid)t bit iibertninbcit, ber Ic^tc 33cod)te ftet ben SdiatJ ber Jngcnb 2?elnaf)re bie ^5erle, bie bid) jicrt, Sic glaujt fd)6n im 3d)inucf ber Cs ein ut, ba nie ben SBert^ Derlicrt. Unb tnageft bn and) unter alien ?tn 9tei3 f)erDor, ftoljiere .nid)t ! So niandjc rofee ift gefallen, Cf'rlojdjen fdjnell jo mand)C Sid)t. fiird)te nid)t toenn ^einbe tobcn, fnrditbar grofe ifire 5U?ad)t; ld)iit3t eine (jofyre . ben fjeifeen Xurft btr ftiKt, Unb bie falte nacfte Grbe artc Saflcr bir aetunfjrt, 28cnn fofort be-in (\au^ 2e5cn 9itd)t5 aly .Qiiiiuncr bir fonn gc&en Unb bit bod) bei idimcrctn 2etben, 9cic mirft Don bcr ora [d)ctbcn .^etl bir bnnn bnrd) @ottes Sort, if bir Ijier, lyeil btr bort! nid)t ber Soljn mitfj foramen, er tuof)I nod) fo feljr, Unb gert)if ift er ben Srommcn, nnd) s ^Inc] nnb Wiifje i"d)iner. nid)t, bir tnirb bcrgeltcu bie reid)c 5tugcjtbfaoi, Scnit nid)t bn in jenen Helton mufe folgen anf bie Xtljat. 282 MORAL INSTRUCTION. When with distress the struggle dread, Provides thee naught but crust of bread, With pinch of salt for condiment, Gives thee thy only nourishment, When from the well the water fresh, Thy burning thirst doth slake, refresh, And on the cold and barren ground A rocky couch by night hast found, Even when in thy entire life, Thou findest naught but care and strife, Unheeding woes that they impart, From the Torah thou dost not part, All hail to thee by God's command, All hail thee here, hail thee beyond ! Doubt not thy reward for merit, Though in coming it doth tarry. It is sure, thou wilt inherit, Though affliction thee doth harry. Doubt not, wilt be compensated, By God with fruit of virtue's seed. Beyond! if here 'tis not fated, Reward must surely follow deed! '283 Sittenftmdjf. )er Sfteidje mit bem Strmen bertr-agen fidj nidjt, %ener iibt Unrest unb trofct gegen jebe $flid)t. Ssa, biejer leibet unb mufj nod) bafiir banfen Unb Sener toeibet auf be Sfrmen ebanfen. olange er i^jn gebraudjt unb QuSnii^en fann er ityn aud^ lueitcr 311 feinert er e ntdtjt me^r er i^n nimmer. olange einer 33ermogen befi^t 3ft er be 9teid^en efeUfd^after ifct; ^at er ifjn einmal auSgeleert @o 3iefjt er nitf ifjn nod) fcin d^)uertt). SJarum lafe bid) bon il)m nid)t betfjo'ren llnb bon feiner Sift follft bu bid) rt)df)ren! 9tuft er bid), fo fei nur Befdjeiben! >e me^r er bid) ruft, i^n nur meiben! fottft bu bid:) if)n aufbringen! <3onft ^at er bid) bei ben @d)Iingen. ^olte bid^ aber aud) nid)t fern (Sonft er bid) fjaffet miHiggern. iite bid^, ifyn ju begegnen al bein' Unb toenn er freunblid) fbrid)t, foHft il)n nur 2)enn nur um bid) au3uforjd)en fprid)t er fo biel Seine efmnung 511 erfafyren, ift fein QieL 284 MORAL MAXIMS. Antipathy between the rich and poor man lies, To practice injustice, all duties to despise, Is the nature of one, whilst the other must bear Th' insolence of arrogance that falls to his share. When he can use him he considers him a tool, And when through with him he casts him off as a fool; Let him serve him at his best, do all that he can, He'll be his tool, not a fool, but never a man! When property in the poor man's possession came, To his sociability the rich man laid claim, But when it changed possessors, the rich man's "reward," The poor man 's rich companion 'gainst him turned the sword, Therefore his sociability do thou forebear, Thy companion's duplicity thou must beware! If he will invite thee, his invitation shun, The louder he calls thee, the faster thou must run. Never upon the man of wealth thy presence force ! Or else he'll have thee by the throat in time's due course; Yel hold not thyself from him too greatly estranged, Or he will hate thee and for the slight be avenged, But ne'er on an equal footing him shalt thou meet, And when towards thee he makes advance, do thou retreat; His volubility towards thee is to explore, The hidden recesses of thy mind, thy heart's store. 285 3ttteniprid)e. G tocrtrnnt fid) fonft ber Sfrnte ntit bem Mcidjcu "HI* bie .sMnine niit bem .sMmbe ini WIeidjen. $Me bio uiilben Gfel ber Vouien Wnub finb So uierb'n bie 3fniieit no in Neidni no mint ber SRetdjc, iuirb cr gcftii^t balb, Tor xHnno, nod) ncbriicft ,yir Wctunlt. 8prid)t ber JHcidjc, finbet er ^eifnll bei nllen Sonar fcine <}eiitbe i^m nud) ^oifnll fd)aUcn. WefcUe bid) inmicr 311 beineS Icid)en! SSirft bu iinmcr bcinc (^rc crretd^en. .s>a)v> etneii "Hubeni naditriiat fid) fclbft djaben ouferlegt. on, cin Alicnfd) trh\U bent Unbent Wnd)e nnd) llnb Derlnnnt Don (#ott 9>criicbiuig ricnuid). Tcr 3nnt'fid)tit]e licbt Streit unb nbcr ($r nertrrt nnd) "-Britber gcg'n einnnber. (fin ^eitfd)cnfd)Infl bernrfnd)t unb ntnd)t Stitrnte iHbcr ein 3uQcnf)teb scrfdjntettert f)urme. SikMin bu nnf bcineni Ok'lbe (enft einen ^'eflc nnd) nuf beinem Wunbe Sd)Iofe unb ^Beffer unter feinem Obbnd) fd)Ied)t gu Ie6en 211s fllnit3enbe 2J?nf)Ie in ^rentb'n anb be med)anifdien So finb bic 9Kcnfdjen in ber ettmlt be @d)5bfer. iWan id)afct ben STrmen feineS 23erftanbe toegen ilnb ben jfteirfjen JDCiien fciner liter @egen. v JT?ancf)er ift untoiffenb unb ift bon iinben frei ilnb ntanrfier ^at biel @d)arffinn unb ift d^alf bobei. Grfyre ben '^Trjt bebor bit fciner notfjig Fjaft! fein 9Imt ift bon (Sott begritfet, fein 33ote faft. Ueber ben obien flogt man nur fieben age on einem 28eibe, bon einer ^rau $at bie iinb' i^ren Urfprung gennu. Unb burd) biefen g-rau'n fterben inir aHe, urd) fie bernid)tet mit einem male. 3u berftofeen einen greunb ^eift entlaffen einen geinb. ^n eingufjolen bift bu fo imftanb 5TI ben entflofj'nen SSog'I auB beiner ."ganb. SSie bie 53iene ben inen ftirfjt Unb bem 3(nbern onig giebt bidjt (So 9teid)t6um ben (Jinen berfd)afft 3Sergniigen Unb ben SInbern Summer unb orgen toiegen. 288 * MORAL MAXIMS. As clay in the hand of the potter plastic lies, So are men in the power of God, the All-wise. The poor man by his knowledge is estimated, The rich man according to his wealth is rated. Many a man is ignorant and from sin is free, And many a man's knowledge is for duplicity. Honor the physician ere his advice dost need! For God blesses his mission, his word and his deed. O'er the dead person only seven days we mourn, But his entire life-time over the fool forlorn. It is better with lions and dragons to dwell, Than with a quarrelsome wife in conjugal hell. Prom one woman a wife came that destructive force, Of sin and its great sorrow, woman is the source; And through women we die, nor escape can we find, Prom their destroying power of matter and mind. To repulse a friend is equal in verity, To setting free a new created enemy, Thou art as able to recall him 'gain to thee, As a bird thou hadst in thy hand, which thence did flee. As the busy bee that on one alights and stings, Whilst to another its sweetness of honey brings, So do riches to one bring unalloyed pleasure, To the other corroding care without measure. 289 3ld), au be SDie ber falte 9Jorbtinnb briicft! 6nnt id) bod) ben Slusgang finben ^d), toie fiiljlt' id^ mic^ begliidft! S)ort erblirf' id) fdgone fitbanon, 3ion, fc^on grim! att' id) ditDtngen, ^att 1 id) ben ^iigeln gog' idg ^i Stimme fyor' id) fingen Stone fiifeer SutunftZmfy, llnb bie Ieid)ten SBinbe brtngen ber iifte ^alfam 311. olbne griid)te fef)' id) gliifjen SBinfenb sluifdjen bunfeln Saub, llnb Me Slumen bie bort bliiljeri, 28erben feine SBinter 2Tdj, hrie fd)6n reijenb iener Stag SBenn nur ett)ig Sonnenjd)ein, efronteS ^fra'I beleud)t'n mag Unb (id) befjerrfdjen allein. 5Dod) e tobet etn 3)e ro^en SnftinftS gt)pter ^eim, aud) au id) in ^fra'I t^at bermifd)'n. 290 HOME-SICKNESS. From the lands where as outcast, unkind As the northwinds they me press, If but an escape I could find, Of joy I would feel the excess ! See! there across my vision springs, Lebanon, Zion, mountains green, O would to heaven, I had wings, To fly at once upon that scene ! ! Zion's sweet voice in song I hear, In tones of future promise bright, The balmy wind that wafts them here, Fills my being with sweet delight; Goldeii fruit on trees are glowing, Glittering through thick foliage, And the flowers there are growing, Fear naught of Winter 's vassalage ! how beautiful is the day , When rays of an eternal sun, On crowned Israel shines alway, Who self -rule's crown alone has won! But how it froths ! chaotic foam, Of wild instincts, rough and rending! Vile seed of Egypt and of Rome, That in Israel had its blending! 291 Suftfd)iff ftwrbe entfenbet 23ereint bon after SBelt gleidj, SWit 9iad)e belab'n e fanbet S)er Senfer gielt, fampft entgegen S)er roljen, ttrilb'n 9}2orbe 3u rett'n ^fra'I ifym gelegen ie^! er ergreift bie unb ^afen rote mid) ber Sar berja^rt? 33alb luirb unb mufe ber orn blafen llnb Sure d^QuIuft aerftort! 33alb=balb fommt bom $immel oben 2)a ^o^e eric^t gu gefj'n Unb mid) ^ab'n ^inaugeF)oben SSon meinen unfeglid^'n S fittjret mid) im ^eimatlanb SSo id) einft tear geboren Unb iljr bleibet mit i^mad) unb 3d)anb llnb ba 3or'nreid) bciioren. 292 HOME-SICKNESS. An air-ship wings its way with ire, Sent by the world from near and far, Laden with revenge, hot as fire, 'Gainst the despotic realm of Czar! Fierce the battle will be waging, 'Gainst murderer-bands from height of skies, To save Israel he is raging But alas!- -he turns tail and flies! O ye lions with hearts of harei Ye see me mangled, see me torn, Ye will not save me from the "Bear" Beware, for soon will blow the horn, Full soon will come from heaven's throne, From heaven's highest tribunal, Command that justice shall be shown, To save me from the Czar-land hell. Command that to the home I claim, The home where first I saw the light. Ye help me go and leave the shame, The Czar-land, devil's satellite! 293 cjleid)t ber SKorgenfonne, @ie aleidjt ber iMume am gefdjmiirft'n Sie inirb er^og'n jur uft unb 2Bonnc, vsa, niir bit' ^sitgenb Itebt bie SBcnn bie ergieftimg bie Wutt'r fticfet llnb ber Skter mit 3"<^t fie fdjmiicfet ber Sefirer bos 2irf)t ber fie impfen bis jur f)6rf)ften n fa mnnrfier oiigcnb licgt ein Seint Tor erliob'nftcn eifte5= s Ka(^t berborn'n ^n mandj'r ^ugenb liegt ein ^onigfeim, Ter mit 2iinigfeit un fonnt ocrforg'n! 3ie trirb aber burdE) maud)' llmftanben Xer GItcrn, fo bod) and) bwrd) gremben -^n il)ren .^eint gelaffen erftirft llnb nie bie 3trnbi'n ber Sonne erblirft! Tarnni bit ungefdjItffeneS 3iet) in' 2Beite mit bem Weere gleid], 5vlief)e unb lauf jur 3d)ii(e gefd)minb! Xort merbcft 'bit gliirflidi, merbeft reid). ^a, mit ben fdjonften reirfjiten Wabcn 3?efd)enft fie bid) miitterlid), Sierj, bit ttiirft immer nod) tooll'n fjaben Hub nennen nod) geisig bid). 294 YOUTH. Youth is like unto the morning sun, Like unto the flower in the field, Only for joy is its life begun, Joy to Youth alone doth Nature yield. When the training of the mother palls, Or the father's teaching is severe, Let the teacher light the intervals, With the knowledge of a higher sphere. In many a youth there lies the seed, Of highest culture deftly concealed. In many a youth ferments the mead, That sweetest honey will later yield. But circumstances oft destroying The youth's seed of promise ere it thrives, Through parents or strangers employing, Means that forever mar youthful lives. Fly then O my youth, uncultured,* wild [. Swift as the sea in its onward course, Run quick to the school, my darling child. Of glory, of wealth wilt find the source. With finest talents she'll endow thee, As the best of mothers, loving wise, More she'll love thee, the more she'll know thee, Her too thou wilt learn to idolize. 295 ette. Sinie. gefjler. Correct. 18 13 fofttt fottft 18 16 SSerbair ^erfatt 99 15 murbe tnitrbe 42 21 ! : 42 22 !" / 48 3 er au^ijetaffen 56 6 djapfen Sc^opfen 56 15 bei bei 56 16 in Stanb tmftanb 62 5 bergingen dergtengen 114 Site! 3ac^aria Sec^aria 124 2 feinem feinen 124 9 nid^ mid) 130 23 cnnu^tigt ermutljtgt 136 21 fc^r fe^r 188 Xitel SBubnermiicc^e iffiunbermudfe 154 1 ff)one fd^onen NAMES OF PATKONS. $5.00. Mr. Ph. Tanenbaum, Mr. J. W. Berger, Mr. Max Eichner, Mr. W. Herskowitz, Mr. J. Schwartz, Mr. Michael Sameth, Mr. Max Sameth, New York, Mr. Emil Sameth, Perth Amboy, Mr. Shuck, Brooklyn, N. Y., Mr. Shonfeld, Brooklyn, N. Y. $3.00. Mr. J. Roseman, New York, Mr. Max Buttenstein, Dr. Kleinman, New York, Mr. Joseph Jacobson, Mr. Max Abraham, Mr. Ed. Goodharcl. Mr. M. Goldsmith, Mr. Max Karnet, Mr. A. S. Rosen, Mr. Furmansky, M. Isr. Cantor. Mr. Finkelstein, Mr. H. Asthma, Mr. H. Weiss, Mr. Lindner, Mr. Nayer, M"r. Jelin, Dr. Wolf, Tbe Friedman Print, Bowery cor. Rivington. UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY A 000 048 407 1 University of California SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1388 Return this material to the library from which it was borrowed.