Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 21, 2025
What possible harm can it do you or your religion if you shave your beard or abandon your jargon for the language of the people among whom you live?" "It would make us undistinguishable from the goyim," answered Bensef. "The sooner such a distinction falls the better," said Philip.
"Are they not restricted in their privileges and deprived of every possibility of rising in station? Is their lot any happier than ours in this village, where, at all events, we are not troubled with the envy which the sight of so much luxury must bring with it?" "It will not always be so," said Bensef, confidently.
Shabbes must not be neglected, happen what may. Suddenly there was an unusual commotion in the narrow lane in which stood Bensef's house. The door was hastily thrown open and in rushed Itzig, the messenger to Tchernigof, followed by a dozen excited, gesticulating friends. Bensef ran to meet them, but when he saw his messenger already returned his countenance fell.
As parnas he must be the first to do him honor and after the services were at an end the invitation was extended and accepted. It was a pleasant assemblage that gathered at Bensef's house. Miriam was an excellent provider and on this occasion she fairly outdid herself. "Perhaps," thought Bensef, "there still lingers in her breast a spark of affection for the man who is now so greatly honored."
At times the wedding of a wealthy Jew, or the funeral of some eminent man, demanded his services and for a week or more money would be plentiful and happiness reign supreme. Hirsch Bensef entered the hut and found Jentele, Maier's wife, perspiring over the hearth which occupied one corner of the room. She was preparing a meal of boiled potatoes.
It also made it lawful for Jews and Christians to live in the same building, a privilege hitherto withheld. Many were the Jews who availed themselves of their new privileges. Bensef was among the first. His house, since the arrival of Mendel's parents, had been too small for comfort and the wealthy man desired a dwelling befitting his means.
But the boy was now delighted with the idea of accompanying his uncle. He asked a thousand questions concerning the wonderful town of Kief, which suddenly became the goal of all his hopes and ambitions. Bensef took the boy upon his lap and told him all about the great city, which had once been the capital of Russia. Mendel listened and sighed. His eyes beamed with pleasurable anticipation.
"Reb Bensef being very much distressed by the death of Rabbi Jeiteles, went to Tchernigof to ask counsel of the bal-shem and has just returned." "Well, what did the wise man advise?" asked Jentele, burning with impatience, while her partially washed baby lay kicking in her arms. "Listen, I am coming to that," answered Itzig, with provoking slowness.
Bensef sighed at the recollection of the sad parting and tearfully related the events of that memorable night. "After the soldiers had carried you off," he said, "the little band that followed you to the confines of the village, returned sorrowful to their homes. I need not tell you of our misery. It appeared as though God had turned his face from his chosen people.
Thanks to the offerings of Hirsch Bensef and his friends, money was not lacking and willing hands were found to supply the necessary manual labor. Where wretched huts and unpainted hovels had offended the eye, unpretentious but clean and comfortable dwellings now were seen. The lower portion of the town had been entirely remodelled and vied in point of neatness with the more aristocratic quarter.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking