Year: 1869







Among the most learned and pious
Jews of the twelfth century, next to the
great Maimen, or Maimonides, OF Eu.
ropean fame, stands Raschi, or, as he
was more properly called, Schlomo ben
lsasc. He wrote commentary on Tho
ra and on several of the books of the
Prophets, and also one on the Talmud.
He was great mathematician, and among
his own people was reverenced for his
sanctity and asceticsm.


His parents lived in Toulon, but Ras-
chi was born in Troyes, and this is the
reason why his father Isaac and his moth.
er left Toulon. Shortly before tho birth
of the child the good woman walked
down narrow street A cumbrous wag-
on was being drawn along 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 q
young nobleman drove up the lane to-
wards her. The timid woman ran from
side to side in quest Of q corner into
which she might retreat from the two We
hicles.


"Look at the Jewess !" exclaimed the
driver of the nobleman's car; "how
frightened she is.'


"Whip the horses and run her down."
said hi, master.


The two vehicles approached, and the
poor creature, finding no place Of retreat,
with a piteous cry shrank against the
wall. At that moment the hugh wheel
Of the wagon rolled towards her, almost
grazing the house wall Then, suddenly,
the wall bowed inwards and formed lit
tie recess in which the Jewcss stood Sc
cure.


Softer and moro yielding are these
stones than your hearts, We Christians J"
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 both
being brought to the stake, fed precipit
ately to Troycs, and there Rascal was
born.


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 where
in he taught was crowded with pupils, and
his savings were treasured as though
they were precious like gold. He tasted
continuously, only eating what was just
sufficient to keep life in, and what he ate
was of poor quality, and was mingled
with ashes. He drank nothing save wa
ter, and Of that only little, once day
He remained whole nights in prayer, and
when not engaged in teaching during the
day, he stood wrapt in meditation.


As he stood at his window one even
ing, 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 this Rabbi Raschi p


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 side in Paradise. With his
thoughts fixed on this theme, he stood
long at his window gazing out over the
vineclsd hills, towards the horizon where
the sun had set, and where its rays shot
upwards. kindling the finely attenuated
vapor which hung in the air and making
the blue of heaven green as grass. Level
bars Of cloud burned like gold in a fur
mace, and small misty fragments glowed
scarlet, like fiery lilies growing in field
of sunlit grass between strips of yellow
crocuses.


As the old man stood with his eyes fix
ed on the west, and his mind revolving
the thoughts suggested by the speakers,
he saw the western sky undergo sudden
transformation the golden clouds be-
came steps Of light in pavement OF
amethyst, and Oh these platforms were
pairs of golden thrones with gorgeous
robes Of ruby tissue cast over them, and
in these robes diamonds were set, and as
the light changed they twinkled like
sparks that wander about the ashes Of
consumed paper. Upon each throne n
name was written with lightning brillian
cy. And the Rabbi saw two ofthc high
est--two that stood side by side on the
same stage-Raschi ben Isaac, Of Regcns
burg, and Abraham ben Gerson, of Bar
celona. As soon as the old man had
ma 10 out these names the light faded,
and he found that the sky was dark, that
only faint amber glow remained above
the horizon, and that the stars were shin
ing in the dark blue vault. So he shut
his window, and he busted himself
through the night in gathering together
few nccessaries for the journey, for he
was resolved ere break Of day, to start
for Barcelona, and to make the acquaint-
ancc Of Abraham ben Gerson, who was
to be his companion in Paradise.


After q tedious journey, Raschi arriv-
ed in Barcelona, his feet sore with walk.
ing, and his palm frctted with the staff
he held, and his shoulders CALLED with
the straps of the little knapsack which
held his clothes and provisions. As he
entered the town he thought to himself,
Il will not mention the holy man by
name, but will see whether the Hebrews
here know Of his high merit and future
exaltation." Then, meeting a Jewish
wood d.cutter, he stopped him, and said,


Friend, who is the most pious Of the
faithful in this city .


The wood cutter replied, " Rabbi Jona'
thau "