The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1869-07-03
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RABBI EGsUHI, ,Tg@


M the twelfth century, next to the great
aimoun or Maimonides of European
he, stands Rasohi, or as he was more
9perly called Schlomo ben Isaac. He
kote commentary on Thora and on
geral of the hooks of the Prophets, and
aluo one on the Talmud. He was a great
athematiCian, and among his own peo-
ID was Uevcrenced for his sanctity and
cekicism.
His parents lived in Toulon, but Rsschi
Fas born 10 Trnyes, and this is the reason
by his father Isaac and his mother left
oulou Shortly before the birth of the
thsd the COED woman walked down q
aEr0w street. A cumbrOua wagon was
being drawn along II by four stout horses,
and the wagon filed the street, so as to
make It impossible to pass. Seeing this,
the woman turned to seek 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 in
quest of a corner into which she might re-
treat from the danger of being crushed by
one of thevehicles.
"Look at the Jewess" exclaimed the
driver Of the nOblemans carr chow
frightened she is !"
said his master.
The two vehicles approached, and the
poor creature, finding 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 little recess,
i'm which the Jewess stood secure.
"Softer and more yielding are these
stones than your hearts, ye Christians )"
she exclaimed.
Now when this miracle was known, it
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, fed precipitately to Troyes
and there Rsschi was born. 'a'
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 were treasured as though they
were precious like gold. He tasted con.
ltlnuously, only eating what was Just sufl
0lent to keep life in, and what he ate was
OF poor quality, and was mingled with
ashes. He drank nsthing save water, and
OF that only little, once day. He re-
mained whole nights in prayer; and when
not engaged in teaching during the day,
3 he stood rapt in meditation. m. .,
As he atood at his window one evening.
two jews passed, aud 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 Ragchi?"
To which the otter replied, "Surely for
him there must Re prepared one of the
most exalted cations in Paradise"
Then the habbi fell to musing on the
pace that. was to be his in the kingdom OF
Goo, ard he wondered who would be his
com mr,dniOn in the Land of Light, and sit
at nis side in Paradise. With his thoughts
dxed on this theme, he stood long at his
window gazing out over the Vineclad hills
toward the horizon where the sun had set
and where its rays shot upward, kindling
the fnely.attenuated vapor which hung in
the air, and making the blue of HEAVIER
green as grass. Level bars of cloud
burned like gold in furnace, and small
misty fragments glowed scarlet, like fiery
lilies growing in field of suDlit grass be
tween strips of yellow crocuses
As the old man stood with his eye
hxed on the west, and his mind revolving
the thoughts suggested by the speakers, he
saw the western sky undergo suddeI
transformation the golden clouds became
steps Of light in . pavement of amethyst
md on these platforms were placed pair
81 golden thrones with gorgeous robes o
ruby tissue cast over them, and in thest
robes diamonds were set, and as the ligh
changed they twinkled like sparks tina
wander about the ashes OF consumed
paper Upon each throne name wa
written with. lightning brilliancy. Ant
the Rabbi saw on two Of the highest-twt
that stood side by side on the same stag
--Raschi ben Isaac, of Regensburg, AM
Abraham ben Gerson, of Barcelona. A
soon as the old man had made out thes
names the light faded and he found tha
the sky was dark, that only q faint ambe
glow remained above the horizon, an
that the stars were shining in the dar
vault. So he shut his window, Gnd h
busted himself through the night in gath
ering together few necessaries for ioul
ney, for he was resolved, ere break Z
day to start for Barcelona, and to max
the acquaintance of Abraham ben Gersor
who was to be his companion in Paradis,
After d tedious journey, Raschi arrive
in Barcelona, his feet sore with walkin,
and his palm fretted with the staff he he'll
and his shoulders CALLED with the straps
the little knapsack which held his cloth
and provisions. AS he entered the tow
he thought to himself II win not mel
ton the holy man by name, hut will 8,
whether tho Hebrews here know Of h
high merit and future exaltatiOnn The
.,oott,,s, q " 81 ~ "A ,,gff a. IA t1t,,,,
him, and said;
"Friend, who is the most pious of tt
faithful In this city,"
The wood-cutter replied, Rabbi Jon
than" fs3@ a1
"Who Is the next greatest saint in Il
cityT y,
SLevi ben Nathan
Have you other wise, just and no
men here?"
"Certainly; there is Ismael Zsdi
there is Jehoshua ben Amnon, SamU
the Learned, Mordecai Cohen"
"But stay" Interrupted Raschii ~
one mean, | supposemust be very 0
man, with pale face, bowed knees, q Ion
white beard, eyes red with tears fro
much weeping for the transgressions
Israel man ever engaged In pray
who macerates his body and trains
soul"
1There ID no such man in Barcelona
answered the wood cutter. " Farewell
STAY exclaimed the Rabbi, detaini
him; "can you tell me aught Of Abrah'
ben GersonY'
HAbtahafn ben Geraonp n echoed
Iaborer sehe il no saint. he is 4 y
man, q delicate liver, keeps much GO
many, and Is Ia high favor with the q
tiles" 80
aWhere does nd live, friend N
aFollow me, and 1 viii show you"
The Rabbi Raschi was broui
by the wood cutter before o mar
palace. Gayly caparisoned horses stC
al the door, Held by pages in gallant
cries ne hsetened Up the fight Of st
leading 10 the entrance, and entered
halL II MAS paved With colored marbl
the walls were encased With alahas
richly aculptured, and silk curtains BY