Year: 1869

AMON0 tuC ulOct iCdI duu UlOuS u cWS
of the twelfth century, next to the great
Maimoun or Maimonides of European
fame, stands Raschi, or as he was more
properly called, Schlomo 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 a great
mathematician, and among his own peo-
pie was reverenced for his sanctity 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 a
narrow street. A cumbrous 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 to seek side street,
but at that moment the car of young
nOblemsn 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 the vehicles.


Look at the Jewess !" exclaimed the
driver of the nObleman's car; chow
frightened she is |"


Whip the horses and run her down."
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,
In 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 Raschi was born.


When Rsschi 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
tinuously, only eating what was just suffi
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
mained whole nights in prayer, and wher
not engaged in teaching during the day
he stood rapt in meditation.


As he stood at bis window one evening
two Jews passed, and they were speaking
of him.


One said to the other, "Was there evel
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 hi:
companion in the Land of Light, and sit
at his side in Paradise. With his thoughts
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 wnere Its rays shot upward, kindline
the finely attenuated vapor which hung in
the air, and making the blue of HEAVIER
green as grass. Level bars of cloud
burned like gold in a 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
nxed on the west, and his mind revolvine
the thoughts suggested by the speakers hi
saw the western sky undergo suddeI
transformation the golden clouds becam,
steps of light in a pavement of amethyst
and on these platforms were placed peft
of golden thrones with gorgeous robes o
ruby tissue cast over them, and in thes
robes diamonds were set, and as the lph
changed they twinkled like SPARKS tina
wander about the ashes of consume
paper. Upon each throne n 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
-Raschi ben Isaac, of Regensburg, an
Abraham ben GersOn, of Barcelona A
soon as the old man had made out thes
names the light faded, and he found tbs
the sky was dark, that only a faint ambe
glow remained above the horizon, an
that 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 necessares for a joul
ney, for. he was resolved ere break {
day to start for Barcelona, and to max
the acquaintance of Abraham ben Gersor
VINO Was to be his companion in Paradis,


After tedious journey, Raschi arrive
In Barcelona, his feet sore with watkins
and his palm fretted with the staff he hel(
and his shoulders CALLED with the straps {
the little knapsack which held his clotht
and provisions. AS he entered the tow
he thought to himself, "I will not mer
ton the holy man by name, hut will Sc
whether the Hebrews here know of n
high merit and future exaltation.n The,
meeting a Jewish wood-cutter, he stoppe
him, and said;