Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-07-02
9eIectco hIisrtlImp.
RABBI RASCHI.

Maimoun or Maimonides of European
fame, stands Raschi, or as he was more
properly called, Schlono- ben Isaac. He
wrote a commentary on Thora 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 reverenced for his ssnctity and
asceticism.
His parents lived in Toulon, but Raschi
was born in Troyes, and this is the reason
why his father Isaac and his mother left
Toulon. Shortly before the birth of the
child the good woman walked down q
narrow street. A cumbrors wagon was
being drawn along it by four stout horses,
and the wagon filled the street, SO as to
make it impossible to pass. Seeing this,
the woman turned - Geek side street,
but at that moment the car of young
nobleman drove up the lane toward her.
The timid woman ran from side to side in
quest of a corner irto which she might re-
treat from the danger of being crushed by
one of the vehicles. s
"Look at the Jewessr' exclaimed the
driver of the nobleman's car; chow
frightened she isl
"Whip the horses and run her down" !"
said his master.
The two vehicles approached, and the
poor creature, findi no place of retreat,
with piteous cry shrank against the wall
AT that 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 stood secure
"Sofcer and more yielding are these
stones than your hearts, ye Christians u
she exclaimed.
No Al, ,;roo 10 L. "a
was at once concluded that it was wrought
by magic, and Isaac, fearing lest it should
be the cause of their being both brought
to the stake, fled precipitately to Troyes
and there Raschi was born. ttH' =
When Raschi was an old man, and was
renowned everywhere for his vast learn
ing and profound wisdom and above all
for his great holiness, the school wherein
he taught was crowded with pupils, and
his sayings we're treasured as though they
were precious like gold He tasted con.
tinuously, only eating what was Just suff1
cient to keep life in, and what he ate was
of poor quality, and was mingled with
ashes He drank nothing save water, and
of that only little, once day. He re.
IN lined whole nights in prayer, and when
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 ever
in the days of the prophets greater saint
than is this Rabbi Raschi?"
To which the other replied, "Surely fol
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 O
God, and he wondered who would be hit
companion in the Land of Light, and sit
at his side in Paradise. With his thought!
fixed on this 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, kindlinG
the finely y-attenuated vapor which hung il
the air, and making the blue Of HEAVIER
green as grass. Level bars of elouC
burned like gold in furnace, and small
misty fragments glowed scarlet, like fierN
lilies growing in field of suDlit grass be
tween strips of yellow crocuses. 70
AS the old man stood with his eye
fxed on the west, and his mind revolving
the thoughts suggested by the speakers, b.
saw the western. sky. undergo. DsuddeI
transformation the golden clouds becani
steps of light in pavement of amethyst
and on these platforms were placed pair
of golden thrones with gorgeous robes o
ruby tissue cast over them, and in thes
robes diamonds were set, and as the ligh
changed they twiukled like sparks tina
wander about the ashes of consumed
paper. Upon each throne name wa
written with lightning brilliancy. AM
the Rabbi saw on two of the highest-tw,
that stood side by side on the same stag
nf
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
that the stars were shining in the darl
vault. So he shut his window, and b
busted himself through the night in gath
ering together few necessaries for iouI
ney, for he was resolved ere break @
day to start for Barcelona, and to max
the acquaintance of Abraham ben Gersor
who was to be his companion in Paradise
After tedious journey, Rsschi arrive
in Barcelona, his feet sore with walking
aud his palm fretted with the staff he held
and his shoulders CALLED with the straps q
the little knapsack which held his clothe
and provisions. AS he entered the tow
ne thought to himself, II will not mer
tion the holy man by name, but will sc
whether the Hebrews here know of hi
high merit and future exaltation" TheI
meeting Jewish wood cutter, he stoppe
him, and said; -
Friend, who is the most pious of tn
faithful in this city ?"
The wood-cutter replied, Rabbi Jon,
than"
"Who IS the next greatest saint in tn
cityS"
HLsvi ben Nathan" .-s.-t
"H4ve you other wise, just and hol
men hereS" "A,
"Certainly; there is Ismael Zadil
there Is JehOshua ben kmnon, Samu'
the Learned, Mordecai Cohen"
"But stay" interrupted Raschi; "tf
one I mean, l suppose must be very ol
man, with pale face, bowed knees, . lon
white beard, eyes red with tears fro
much weeping for the transgressions
Iarael man ever engaged in praye
who a,Acerates his body and trains b
soul"
There Is no such a man in Barcelons
answered the wood cutter, Farewell,
"Stay," exclaimed the Rabbi, detainiI
him; can you tell me aught of Abraha
ben GersOns"
-' "Abraham ben Gerson 7" echoed Il
labOrer; he is no saint He is q Til
man, a delicate liver, keeps much eoI
pany. and is 10 high favor with the Ge
tiles"
SWhere does he live, frieDdl"
"FOllow me, and l will show you"
The Rabbi Raschi was broug
by the wood cutter before mari
palace. Gayly- -oaparisoned horses sto
At the door, held by pages in gallant ii
eries He hastened up The flight Of ste
lT.ding 70 the entrance, and entered I
aall. IL was paved with colored mar bls
the walls Were encased with alabasI
richly sculptu,ed, and silk curtains hu