POETRY.
THE FORGOTTEN RABBI.
(" Nis memory for a blessing I")
Ream BEN SECALON'S wisdom none but his scholars know. • (High let his spirit journey, e'en as his flesh lies low !) He, ere he spake the " Shema," prayed that his fame might
cease :—
"How shall I give you blessing if you begrudge me peace ?"
Rabbi Ben Shalom's teaching clings to his scholars still. Oft to his school came, fasting, those who had dreamed of ill :- God in such dreams had spoken,—how could they answer best? " Laugh at the fear ! " said Rabbi. "God has a right to jest 1 "
Rabbi Ben Shalom's kindred long in his ear deplored Alms they had spent to nourish one with a secret hoard; Who of their daily table—robber of God !—had taste :— " Have I not heard," said Rabbi, "God has enough to waste ?"
Rabbi Ben Shalom, silent, sat with a dead man's son. "1 at his grave, 0 Rabbi, knew what my sins had done ! Great but for me, how humbled ! . . . Can I appease the dead ?" " Cherish his seed !" said Rabbi. "Strive to be great instead I " Rabbi Ben Shalom's coming mirth unto mirth could bring,— Fill him the cup, he'd drain it ; strike on the harp, he'd sing ! Blind seemed his joy to many, when on his brows death sat,—; Only the few knew better ; knew he rejoiced—in that Thus have Ben Shalom's scholars dug him a lowly bed,—
(How can the soul and body ever a like path tread ?) Thus, when in Shool they slight him, say that "his fame should cease," Whoso gainsays their folly grudges his master peace !
G. M. H.
Previous page
