The Washington times., 1903-07-12


struct them in their laws and was
person of no ordinary qualifications.
When the Jewish council was assembled
the Haham arose and addressed them in
this manner: Men OF Israeli the God
Of our ancestors IS omniscient. and there
is no one who can say why dost thou
this? This day He commands us TO die
for His law; for that law which we have
cherished from the first hour II was
given. which we have preserved pure
throughout our captivity IN all nations.
and which for the many consultations it
has given us. and the eternal hope II
communicates. can we do less than die ?
Posterity shall behold this book Of
truth, sealed with cur blood: and our
death. while IL displays our sincerity.
shall imDart confidence to the wanderer
we have only to choose an honorable
and easy one II we fall into the hands
of our enemies. which you know we
cannot escape. our death will be igno-
miniOus and cruel: for these Christians
who picture the spirit Of God in a dove
and conflde in the meek Jesus are athirst
for our blood. aud prowl around the cas-
tie like wolves. Il is therefore my ad-
vice that we elude their tortures: that
we ourselves should be our own execu-
TONERS. and that we voluntarily surren-
der our lives to our Creator. We trace
the invisible Jehovah in His acts. God
seems to call for US, but let us not he
unworthy of that call Suicide. on oc-
casions like the present. Is both rational
and lawful. Many examples are not
wanting among our forefathers. As I ad-
wise men of Israel. they have acted on
similar occasions"
Having said this the old man sat down
and wept
The assembly were divided in their
| opinions. Men of fortitude applauded its
wisdom. but the weak murmured that it
was a dreadful council Again the rabbi
| arose and spoke these few words in a
firm and decisive jtone: my children
since we are not unanimous in our
topinions, let those who do not approve Of
my advice depart from this assembly"
| Some departed. but the greater number
attached themselves to their venerable
priest They now employed themselves
in consuming their valuables by fire:
and every man. fearful of trusting to the
timid and irresolute hand of the women.
| first destroyed his wife and children. and
| then himself. Jocenus and the rabbi
alone remained. Their lives were pro-
tracted to the last, that they might see
everything performed according 20 their
] fFo
| distinguished by the last mark of human
| respect in receiving his death from the
! consecrated hand of the aged rabbi. who
| Immediately after performed the melan-
/ choly duty on himself
| All this was transacted in the depth OF
the night. In the morning the walls Of
| the castle were seen wrapped in flames.
/ and only a few weak and miserable be-
ings unworthy OF the sword. we're view
ed on the battlements. pointing TO their
dead brethren. When they opened the
gates Of the castle these men verified the
prediction OF their late rabbi. for the
multitude, bursting through the solitary
courts, found themselves defrauded OF
their hopes. and in a moment avenged
themselves on the feeble wretches who
knew not how to die with honor.
Commenting on this heroic deed. DIS
raeI remarks: Such is the narrative
of the Jews of York, of whom the his
tcrian can only cursOrily observe that
500 destroyed themselves; but it is the
philosopher who inquiries into the causes
and the manner of these glorious sui
cides. These are histories which meet
only the eye Of the few. yet they are of
infinitely more advantage than those
which are read by everyone. We instruct
ourselves in medtating on the scenes
os heroic eXertiOn; and II by such his
tories we make but a slow progress in
chronology our heart Is. however, ex-
panded with sentiment.
II admire not the stoicism Of Cato
more than the fortitude OF the rabbi
or. rather, we should applaud that of the
rabbi much more: for Cato was familiar
with the animating visions Of Plato and
was the associate of Cicero and of
Caesar. TIE rabbi had probably read
only the Pentateuch. and mingled with
companions Of mean occupations and
meaner minds. Cato was accustomed tc
the grandeur Of the mistress of the uni
verse, and the rabbi to the llttleness
of a provincial town. Men, like pic
lures. may be placed in an obscure an,
unfavorable light; but the finest picture
in the unilluminated corner. still re-
tains the design and coloring of the mas
ter. His history is a tale
Which Cato's self had not disdain'd to hear
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