Year: 1870




Among the most learned and pious Jews of
the twelfth century, next to the great Malmoun,
or Matmonides, of European fame stands Ras-
chi, or as he was more properly called, Schlomo
ben Isaac. He wrote comentary on Thorn,
and on several books of the prophets, and also
one on the Talmad. lie was great mathema-
tician, and among his own people was rever-
ence for his sanctity and ascetism.
| His parents lived in Toulon but Raschi was
born in Troyes, and this is the reason why his
father Isaac and his mother left Touon :
Shortly before the birth of the child the good
woman walked down narrow street. A cum
brous 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 nobleman drove
up the lane toward her. The timid woman ran
from side to side in quest of corner into which
she might retreat from the two vehicles.


''Look at the Jewess /" exclaimed the driver
of the nobleman' S car; chow frightened she is.


"Whip the horses and ran her down." said
his master.


The two vehicles approached, and the poor
creature, finding no place, with piteous cry
shrank against the wall. At that moment the
huge wheel rolled toward her. almost grazing
the house wall. Then suddenly the wall bowed
inward and formed little recess () in which
the Jewess stood secure |





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 both being brought to the stake, fled pre-
cptately to Troyes, and there Rasch was born.


When Rasch was an old man, and was re-
moved everywhere for his vast learning aud pro-
found wisdom, and above all, for his great holi-
ness the school wherein he taught was crowded
with pupils, and his sayings were measured as
though they were precious like gold. He tasted
| continually, 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 but water, and Of that only little, once
a day. lie remened 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 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 this
Rabbi RaschiP'


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 ia 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 vine
clad hills, toward the horizon WI here the sun had
set, and where its rays shot upward, kindlng
the finely ly-attenuated vapor which hung in the
air, and making the hue of heaven green AS
grass. Level bars of clod burned like gold in a
furnace, and small, misty fragments glowed
scarlet, like fiery lilies growing Ia a field of sun
| lit grass between strips of yellow crocuses. AS
the old man stood with his eyes fixed on the
west, and his mind revolving the thoughts sug-
gested by the speakers, he saw the western sky
undergo a sudden transformation the golden
clouds became steps of light in a pavement OF
amethyst, and on these platforms were placed
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. On each throne a
name was written with lightning brllianey
And the rabbi saw on the two highest-twO that
stood side by side on the same stage-kaschi
ben Isaac, of RegenbuTg, and Abraham ben
Gerson, of Barcelona. As soon as the old man
had made out these names the light faded, and
he found that the sky was dark-ihat only a
faint amber glow remained above the horizon,
and that the stars were shining in the dark-blue
vault. SO he shut his window, and he busted
himself through the night in gathering together
a few necesssaries for journey, for he was re-
solved, ere bReEk of day, to start for Barcelona,
and to make the acquaintance of ben GersOn,
who was to be bis companion in paradise.


After a tedious journey, Raschi arrived in
Barcelona, his feet sore with walking and his
palm fretled with the staff he held, and his
shoulders CALLED with the little knapsack that
held his clothes and provisions, As he entered
the town lie thought to himself, "I will not
mention the holy man by name, but will see
whether the Hebrews here know of his high
merit and future exaltaton." Then, meeting a
Jewish wood-cutter, he stopped him and said:


"Friend, who is the most pous of the faithful
in this city p


The wood-cutter replied, Rabbi Jonathan" 4"


Who is the next greatest saint in the city p
| "Levi ben Nathan"


Have you any other wise, just aud holy men
here p