Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 July 1869 — Selected Miscellany. [ARTICLE]

Selected Miscellany.

'RABBI baßchi^sV^;4 S^rtfWieif’tEopfcJ^' Among the moat learned and 4 pious Jews oT the twelfth century, next to the great IfouUnoua or Maimonides of European fame, stands Raschi, or as be was more properly called, Bchlonao ben Isaac. He Wrote, a commentary on Thora and on several of the boohs of the Prophets, and also one on the Talmud. He was a great mathematician, and among his own people was reverenced for his sanctity and Asceticism. His parents lived in Toulon, but Raschi was born in Troyes, and this is the reason Why Ills father Isaac and his mother left Trillion. Shortly before the birth of the child the good’ woman walked down a riafrow street. A cumbrous wagon w&s being "drawn along iu by four stout horses, and the wagon filled the street, so as to mfkhtfß impossible to pass. Seeing this, t§q woijian turned to. seek a side street, but at that moment the car of a young nobleman drove up the lane toward her. The timid ,woman ran from, side to side iu quest of a corner into which she might retreat from the <ff feeing crushed by onb of the vehicles; “JjOQkral the-Jtewqss V? .exclaimed the -driver of the nobleman's par,; how frlglrtenddishe is l” ; '■ <"> *" ’■'? >• - - •• Whip the horses and run hep-down,” ■aid his master. The "two vehicles approached, and the poor creature, find}, g no place of retreat, with a piteous cry shrank against the wall. At tuat moment the huge wheel of the wagon rolled toward, her almost grazing the house wall. Then; suddenly, the wall bowed inward and formed a little recess, In which the Jewess stoqd secure. “ Softer and ms4s yielding are these atones than your hearts, ye Christians! ” n'inexclaiihed. - tiuJ Koyv this mi rad e wag known,, it was at once concluded that it was wrought by magic, and Isanc, fekrlng lest it khtmld be the cause of their being both brought to the stake, fled precipitately to Troyes, And there Rrf**f Wtofbtet When Raschi was an old man, and was renowned everywhere for his vast learn ingandi profound wisdom, and above gll for hi* great hffflness, the school wherein he ttugbt was crowded with pupils; ‘ahd his aiy rngt were treasured as though they were firecious like gold. He fasted continuously, only eating what was just suftl cient to keep life in, and what he ate was of poor quality, and was mingled with ashes. He_ drank nbthlsg save water, and of that only a little, once a day. He remained whole nights in prayer, and when -not esgagqij in teaching during the ,day, lie Stood rapt in meditation. As ho Stood at his window one oveniig, two Jows passed, and they were speaking .of him. One said to the other, “ Wae-there ever In the days of the prophets* greater saint than is this Rabbi Raschi ? ” To which the other replied, “Surely for him there must be' prepared one of the most exalted stations in Paradise." Then the Rabbi fell to musing on the place that was to be his in the kingdom of God, and he wondered who would be his companion in the Land of Light, and sit at his ,*(de in Paradiso. With his thoughts fixed ou this theme, hp stood long at. his window gating but over the vlnoclad hills, toward the herizou where the sun had set, and where its rays shot upward, kindling this fineljrattenuated vapor whiiib Hung'in the air, and making the blue of heaven green as gras*. Level bars of cloud burned like gold in a furnace, and small, misty fragments flowed eflafrlet, like fiery lilies growing* in'a field or minlit grass beiwqSß strips.,>f yellow crocus*sj -• o .. As'the olfi man stood with hie eyes fised bti the west, and bis mlfcri revblvkig tUfu thoughtssuggested.by the speakers,,h» saw the. western *ky undergo a sudden transformation {the golden clouds became steal of light jn a pavement of amethyst, ana.oh these platforms were placed pairs of golden thronto with «*gootfo robes of ruoydistlM) cast, yver them, and in these robot diamonds were set, and as the light cWrtfced they twihkied like-sparks 'that wander about the ashes of, complied paper. Upon each tiirone a name was written with lightning brilliancy.' And the Rabbi saw on two of the highest—two that stood side by side qa the same stage —Raschi ben la*sA Of 'Regensburg, and Abraham b?n Gerson, of Barcelona. As thou as the old mid had ■ made out ’these nafpOi dje light apfi he fount), that the sky kfas,dark, that only & faint amber glow remained above the HbrttnM, find that the stars wore shining in the dark vault. So he shut his window, and he bnsied himself through the night ih gathering together a few necessaries for a jour- * ney, for he was resolved ere break of day to start for Barcelona, and to make the acquaintance of Abraham ben Gerson, who was to be his companion In Paradise - After a tedious Journey, Raschi arrived in Barcelona, his feet sore with walking, and'his palm fretted with the staff he held, apd hia shoulders galled with the strap* of the little knapsack which held his clothes and provisions. As he entered -the town he thought to himself “I will not mention tho holy man by name, but wilt see whether the Hebrews here know of his high merit and future exaltation.” Then, meeting s Jewish wood cutter, he stopped iSirsbd raid:

“ Pricnd Jvkp' k tka .most j plena of the faithful in this city ?” .. ■ The wood-cutter replied, Rabbi Jonathan.” . n,-. i . “Who is the neirl greatest Mint in the City f" * | l;lf 1 111 » “Levi Imn-Natha*." "Have yen.ether wise,just and holy men h/erp r* “Certainly; there is lym&el Zadik, there is Jehoshua ben Amnon, Samuel the Learned, Mordecai Cohen—” ~ “ But stay," interrvpUu RaspW; ” the one I mean, I suppose be * very old man, with pale fapfe. bowed khdes, a long, white beard, eyes tea with tears from much weeping, for the transgressions of l&kel; A ’malt engaged in prayer, who maberateV hls body and trains his soul” ' “ There le bo kiich a man in Bareelona,” him; “ can you tell me aught of Abraham man, a delicate liver, keeps much company, and is in high favor with the Gentiles” i.l : "!• “ Where does be live, friend T” “ Foßdw me, and I will show you.” The Rabbi Raschi was brought by fhb wbOd'cfatter before 1 hr ihafble palace. Gayly caparisoned horses stood at the door, held by pages llw hall, trad'paved with colored iparbles; the walls weie with alabaster richly sculptured, and sflk curtains’bung before the dpqrs. Noblemen waited there, lounging bn velvef soflts All the master of the house should attend to them. Servants glittering with gold lace hurried about, Fearing talkers of the mo#t,precious metal, on, which were goblets rati of tried wines, and plates with delicious confec i ions, which thpy,handed to the illustrious

Travel-Milked Stod ing on his rude staff, his gabenßKnltt,tors, his long, white beard unUtfIHHMH the white hair of bis head ih’foipfled locks, unattendwfto.the wonderinoßaschi seemed entranced. -A servant approached him With a golden solver, on which were Wine*. 1 rhewld min-raised his staff, and with flashing eyes indignantly signed him UeH tinkled. Instantly, all the nobles rose, the servants started 3 tains that screened the asrient, and ranged themselves in a liuq between the stairs and the entrance door., • n i ) Jn, another ftomeht S uobledoeking Jew, 4n-|k crimson velvet dresa, wdl*.gold chains about nis neck, appeared, accompanying a Spanish prince of royal blooth conversing with hist familiarly as they deseW! ““ s servaols, / r *n«ke,way for me." r. The master of the house Mped still and looked at him; then made a sign to the iameattafrinM felkbadf kunf sOtowed ■ his old man to pass. . .*. -•* —,+ Itaschl’s’ cheeks grew crimson. His tiahd trembly as he thrust it forth and laid. lUon the arm of the wealthy Jew. Are>you Abraham, son of Gerson?” be talked In faltering tone*. * “ I am. .What do you want with me, father?” » «s » must speak with you. Lead on to a private chngibw, ,,K TRe mcrdhib* Obeyed, and 4 brought the Rabbi lUtb'kiittle room ’ hyihg wlto, blue silk, tiefM ' “ I am, Rasehi ben imae,*’ said the old man, “ and ?£ qame*duire to- seek you. I hoped to kasre faund*>-pious Jew; I find one living,. *1 potao'wnd worldliness. I hoped to have, ftmfca one'fkMlttg and praying; I find (flkCleadth'imd.Ynflicking, I thought tb hkte fodud one the favorite of God. and I find yn.q tbejpeurted of princes and nobles. Is this a house for -a Jew—a child of a despised and outcast race ? The temple lieth waste,.and shall we live in luxury and splendor T” “ I feel honored in being visited by the illustrious Raschi,” said Abraham. “ Shamed, shamed!” exclaimed the Rabbi. “ Are you not ashamed before me to exhibit all this profusion ?” “ God’s blessing has been on my bus! nesst" said the merchant. ing the Giver, bv squandering the gift. Do you fitoEMag? Do you wear the stones witflHKnees?” ...." My biumiratPcupies my Arne and demands my energies. I pray, hat cannot pray for long. Tcannbt fast, or my business would not be attended to.” YtßOdtMMKmeilk; the flesh of beasts not slain by a Jewish butcher ?” flesh of the ewine ?*' . “ My attendant hL been irregular.” “ Alas, alas I” cried Raschi, throwing down hia staff and raising his hands to heaven. *' Surely there is injustice in Paradise as well as on earth. Here lives a wicked Jew. a breaker of the law, in splendor,as a king; in another place is a pious man, fearing God, macerating his body, in wank and nakedness, crushed by. poverty, and .the kingdom of Heaven receives both, and sets both on a level. Woe is me!" and he would have, rushed froih thh chamber had not the merchant stayed him. “ Rabbi," he raid, t‘ I know my dnty to God and man, and I practice it as best 1 can.” . i ■ “ Profane one!” exclaimed the old man. “Trust ndt your Own strength. When the ungodly are green as the grass, and when all the workers of wickedness do flourish; then shall they he destroyed—” But just then there ’ flashed before the Rabbi’s eyes that golden throne beside bis own, on which (was written the name of the merchant _ „ ,

“Come With me, Mid Abraham, taking the ota man’* hajid; “to-morrow my daughter li to be married, and to-day I am going to make preeenta to the poor of onr tribq. They are now aiaembled to receive my alma. “ And to whom ia your daughter to be married»” asked RaaohL “To a rich Gentile, may beT” . "No, answered the merchant, mildly. “To my dark. He is not wealthy, but he la upright and uaefal, and on his marriage I shall make him my partner.” They descended the stairs to the hall, ia which the poor were assembled. The rich Jew gave them. abundant alnb, and as each reoeiveabb gift he left One old woman remained. She pressed forward,

and Abraham extended to her a little purse. "No!” she exclaimed, thrusting the monejtasidef “I have not come here to beg, but for advice.” • "Speak, wherein can I advise you? Draw nearer to me.” ' The woman approached him, ind began: “I am a poor widow, hardly tup-j porting four children. All my hppes Was fixed on the marriage of my eldest danghter to him to whom my dear husband, now no more, had betrothed her. He was. an orphan; brought up in par house, and when he left us he gained ah honest and.res pec table livelihood; and I hoped, when ho married my Miriam, that We should have been raised from our penury. But, alas! his eyes have been blinded by proeperity, and he is about to marry a rich wife and desert my daughter.”, “Woman! why do you come about this matter to me r asked the merchant: “how can I give yonr Miriam back her betrothed?” ■•. .<£ “You can do so,” replied the widow, “ for that young man will be to-morrow your son-ta-law/’ . > ' Don Abraham started back dismayed. For some moments he did not speak.' After a bhile, however, he broke silence, and said to the old woman, i “ Did the young mau.love your Miriam?” “lam sure, very sure, he did. “I will inquire into the manor,” said the merchant, turning away, “ Well now," Spoke Raschi, m they ascended the stairs together, this is a bad business. However, I see what must be done. Be generous, give the young woman, Miriam, a decent sum of money »» “Come here to-morrow” Interrupted Abraham; he present at the Wedding. By that time I shall have dooMed Cor myself what is best to be done,” On the morrow, at the appointed hour, having finished his morning prayers, the Rabbi Raschi betook himself to the palace of him who was to be his comrade in Paradise. There he found a throng of guests, of all ranks, filling the rooms. Music played, and tobies groaned under viands of the richest and most rare descriptions. Raschi with difficulty pushed his way through the crowd to the chamber of the master. Don Abraham was dressed in a magnificent blue velvet robe, breidered with gold pomegranates, of which the seeds were rubies. Around him were clustered the grandees of the town. On seeing Raschi he, however, advanced toward him and extended to him hi*hand. u. t The wedding ceremony soon began; in thexonrt all was prepared; an awning was spread; the bride, veiled in white, was led forward by two ladies. Then came the) bridegroom accompanied by two gentlemen, and the guests followed, each with a lighted toper in the hand. From a baled- 1 ny a band played, and'chotnwmg. A Rabbi read alcua and distinctly the oontcaat,, and the acceptance of the bridegroom into l partnership with himself; as Abraham’s dotation of the bride. Then the bridegroom took a gold ring and placed it on the bride’s finger, with the words: *Be to me wed by means of this ring, according to the law of Moses and of Israel,” The Rabbi than gave the pair, hia bless--2r jt asftsaa weaf ISa&FafifeF'?i Mtr -Don Abraham, when thig ceremony-was concluded, stepped up to the bridei Sad, gently raised the veil from her face. V] “ God of our fathers 1” pried the bride mom,: staggering backward, “Tt«s The crowd regained silent as th&fl&h turned to stone, for the bride wps not Ahraham’s daughter, but the child of the Jfcttl the merchant, smiling on the company. “ This girl was betrothed to this youth by her father on his deathbed. They were brought up together add loved one another, I knew nothing of this; and when I bond that the young man was worthy and usefhl in the business, I proposed to hiq» that he should become my son-in-law. Out of gratitude for past favors, and in the hope of being able, as my partner, to assist his poor relatives, he yielded to my persuasion, and promised to marry my daughter. Only yesterday did t ascertain the circumstances of his previous engagement; I knew then the reason of his frequent fits of depression. His heart was elsewhere. Through me, however, shall two hearts never be saddened. I have made him my partner and given him the widow’s daughter to wife”’ The uswly-married couple fell at, hisfeet, thanking him with tears, and the people gave a great shout of applause. Then Raschi, laying about him with his staff, beat himself a Way through the multitude, acd pressing up to the merchant, lie buiHt into tears, and throwing himself on his neck embraced him, and raising his hands, cried; “Yes! you are' worthy to reach Gan Eden (Paradise) I Glory be to God, who has given me such a man as thou, to be my companion for eternity ! Glory be to God, whoshaa ndt made one rough rpad aloue to Paradise, hut ba* made many roads besides; who lias prepared a throne, not for the fasting ascetic aud contemplative alone, bat also for him who can do what is right and just freely 1 One* a Week.