The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-10-29

A JEWISH Legend.

AAONe tuc mo0t tc8Iueo 8Lf0 pl08e eW8
Of the twelfth century, next b the great
Maimoun or Maimonides Of European
fame, stands Raschi, or - he was more
properly called, 6chlono ben Isaac. He
wrote . commentary on .Thofa and on
several Of the books OF the Prophets, and
also one on the Talmud. He was great
mathematician, and among his own peo-
pie was reyerenced for his sapctity and
asceticism.
His parents lived In Toulon, but Rsschi
was born in Troyes, and this il the reason
why his father Isaac and his mother left
Toulon. Shortly before the tirth Of the
child the good woman walked down q
narrow street. A crmbrors wagon was
being drawn along it by four stout horses,
and the wagon filed the street, 60 as to
make it impossible to pass. Seeing this,
the woman turned to seek side street,
but at that moment the car of o young
noblemsn drove up the lane toward her.
The timid woman ran from side to side In
quest Of corner into which she might re-
treat from the danger of being crushed by
one Of the vehicles
"Look at the Jewess!" exclaimed the
driver Of the noblemanS carl "kow
frightened she Isl f''
whip the horses and fun her down.
said his master.
The two vehicles approached, and the
poor creature, fndieg 40 place of retreat,
with ptseous cry shrank against the wall.
At that mo;nent the huge wheel of the
wagon .olled toward her almost Grazing
The kouso wall. Then, suddenly, the wall
bowed inward and formed little recess,
IN which the Iewess stood secure.
"Sofer and more yielding are these
stones than your hearts, ye Christians "
she exclaimed.
Now when this miracle was known, /,
was at once concluded that II was Wrought
BY magic, and 1sssc, fearing lest it should
oe the casse of theiI being both brought
TO the stake. fed precipitately to Troyes
and there Raschi was born.
When Rsschi WAS an old man, and wa.
renowned everywhere for his vast learn
ing and profound wisdom, and above al
for his great holiness, the school wherein
he taught was crowded with pupils, and
his sayings were treasured Al though they
we're precious iks gold. He tasted con
tinuously, only eating what was Just sufh
cient to keep life in, and what he ate Tsi
of poor quality. and was mingled witt
ashes. He drank nothing save water, and
Of that only little, once q day. he re
mained whole nights in prayer, and wter
not engaged in teaching. during the day
he stood rapt in meditation.
| As he stood at his window one evening
two Jews passed, and they were speaking
of him.
One said to the other, "Was there eve
in the days of the prophetss greater sain
than is this Rabbi Raschis
To which the other replied, 'Burely fol
him there must be prepared one of th,
most exalted stationB In Paradise"
Then the Rabbi fell to musine on th,
place that was to be his in the kingdom O
God, and he wondered who would be hi
companion in the Land of Eight, ard 81,
at his side in Paradise. With his thought
fixed on thin theme, he stood long at hi
window gazing out over the vineclad hills
toward the horizon where the sun had set
and where its rays shot upward, kindlin,
the finely -attenuated vapor which hung il
the air, and making the blue of hesvel
green Is grass. Level bars of clou,
burned like gold in furnace, and small
misty fragments glowed scarlet, like fer,
lilies growing in field Of suplit grass be
. tween strips Of yellow crocuses.
As the old man stood with his eye
liked on the west and his mind revolvin
the thoughts suggested by the speakers, b
saw the western sky undergo . suddel
transformation the golden clouds becam
steps of light in pavement of amethys
and on these platforms were placed pair
of golden thrones with gorgeous robes @
ruby tissue cast over them, and in thes
robes diamonds were set, and as the ligh
changed they twinkled like sparks tha
wander about the ashes of consume
paper. Upon each throne q name wa
written with lightning brilliancy. An
the Rabbi saw on two of the highest-tw
that stood side by side on the same stag
-Rsschi ben Isaac, of Reeensburg, An
Abraham ben GersOn, of Barcelona. A
soon as the old man had made out thes
names the light faded, and he found ths
. the sky was dark, that only faint ambe
glow remained above the horizon, an
sh.t the stars were shining in the dar
vault. So he shut his window, and b
busted himself through the night in gail
ering together few necessaries for q jou
, ney, for he was resolved ere break {
. day to start for Barcelona, and to mah
r the acquaintance of Abraham ben Gersol
who was to be his companion in Paradis
| After tedious journey, Raschi arrive
in Barcelona, his feet sore with walkinI
, and his palm fretted with the staff he he'll
. and his shoulders CALLED with the straps
f the little knapsack which held his cloth'
. and provisions. As he entered the tow
> he thought to himself, ~ will not mel
!. ton the holy man by pame, but will 81
whether the Hebrews here know of b
high merit and future exaltstion-" The
. meeting Jewish wood cutter, he stoppe
\ him. and said:
E "Friend, who is the most pious Of Il
i faithful in this city,"
+ The wood-cutter replied, Rabbi Jon
: than"
r "who is the next greatest saint in th
$ city," 49, n.,.nn
"Have you other wise, just and hol
men heref"
Certainly; there is Ismael Zadi
there is Jehoehua ben Amnon, Ssmu
!. the Learned, Mordecai Cohen"
|. "But stay" interrupted Raschi; "t
e one mean, l suppose must be very o
b man, with pale face, bowed knees, Ion
# white beard, eyes red with tears fro
much weeping for the transgressions
I. Israel: man ever engaged in praye
who macerates his body and trains
soul"
n "There is no such man in Barcelona
answered the wood cutter. Farewell.
"Stay," exclaimed the Rabbi, detainiI
d him; "can you tell me aught of Aoraha
n ben Gersonf'
abraham ben Gerson 2" echoed {
n laborer; "he is no saint. He isfa ri
=. man, q delicate liver, Keeps much col
n pany, and is in high favor with the Ge
d tiles"
.. "Where does he live, friends"
r "Follow me, and will show you"
% The Rabbi Rsschi was broue
~ bv the wood cutter before q ms RI
'e palace. Gayly- -esparisoned horses sto
: at the door, held by pages in gallant
cries. He hastened up the flight OF ste
leading to the entrance, and entered
hall. It was paved with colored marble
,r the walls we're encased with alabas
n richly sculptured, and silk curtains hu
re before the doors. Noblemen waited the
\. Iounuiug on velvet sofas till the master
of the house should attend to them. s
e wants elittering with gold lace hurri
s. about, bearing salvers OF the most pfecie
e, metal, on which were goblets full OF ls
P. wines, and plates with delicious soni
d, tions, which they handed to the lliustrle
re visitors.
he Travel stained and ust-begrimed, lei
oe ing on his rude staff, his gaberdine in
ut ters, his long, white beard untrimmed, q
to the white hair of his head in tang
We locks, unattended to, the wondering Ras'
d. seemed entranced. A servant approach
e. him with golden salver, on which VI