A merico "(wish periodical Coda

CLIFTON AVINIJI • CINCINNATI 20, OHIO

PAGE THREE

THE piETROtTJEMISHOIRONICUI

15Indc4=1Wii
7

iparmitPltratTelfeitreitZ

A Romance Of Marriages

wu

I

I

THE EVER LIVING

HEBREW LANGUAGE

By MARY SINGER

I

•

. -- St

Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Segal

By J. M. Alkow.

"So be it. The law grants it you."
"Dearest, I love you!"
Hebrew is the eternal expression
And so it came to pass that Ruth's
"And I love you!"
father had a handsome ring made, of the peculiar spirit of the people
"Then let's get married!"
Al-
MUM'S, such be- that adopted it as its language.
which
he
presented
to
Follows a period of hasty prepara-
ing the custom of the day, While though it originated ages before the
tions and—it's over. Married!
Jewish people became conscious of
the
ring
was
made
of
heavy
gold
and
In such a manner as this do our
was richly ornamented, having a fac- its existence, it nevertheless became
modern-schooled offspring dispense
with the formalities of marriage. In simile of the Temple of Jerusalem so moulded and intertwined with the
Moses suffered 'soul of the people that they became
a few minutes they conceive and con- worked out upon it,
dude romances that in the past have agonies each time he put it on. The inseparable. llaving become insep-
been the topics of two-part volumes prongs and projecting points of the arable, nothing on earth could uphold
ornamentation dug into his flesh and the life of one if the other withered,
and the ultimate result of years of
hope, longing, despair and struggle. tore it till the blood ran. Nor did thus forming a oneness unlike any
And yet these same hasty lovers the sprig of myrtle which was placed other language and soul of people in
ere descendants of that Sarah and inside the ring tend to the alleviation the history of mankind.
It is, therefore, a fallacy for any
Reuben who in Talmudic days am. of his pain. Tiffany's forerunner was
one to think that Hebrew ever be- r
preached the holy state of matrimony as yet unskilled in his art.
at the mature age of 12. Reuben's But Moses married Ruth and on the came or is now a dead language, for
chief stock in trade consisted of a very same day of the ceremony pre- if it would have become a dead Ian-
TIL few precepts on the treatment of his sestet her with an engagement ring. guage, there would be no living Jew-
better half, which contained such ad- It was on a Friday—a most auspi- ish people to remember it today. The
fact is, and history proves it, that
monitions as "A man must not make emus day.
a woman weep, for God counts her With the early dawn Moses pro- Hebrew just as Palestine never be-
tears."Sarah's security lay in the ceeded to the courtyard of the sync- came a dead object to the Jew. Just
' marriage contract which secured for gogue escorted by his father and as the Jew always thought of Pales-
her respect and maintenance as his , male friends, and there awaited the tine, even 00 did the conscientious,
coming of his betrothed. Over his thinking Jew always think in He-
lawful wife.
For the rest, well—
1
' garments he wore a cow or mourn- brew.
In the middle ages, when Hebrew
I Did not Sarah's father confer with fnagl. sack which was sprinkled with
the parent of Reuben some years be- ashes. Under her white dress Ruth, was least used as a means of com-
munication, the golden period of Ile-
fore and decide that such a union too, wore her shroud.
brew literature was created. It was
would indeed be blessed? And did:
„ Ile fruitful and multiply," pro-
RANDOLPH 4026
541 W. CONGRESS ST.
TI , not, exactly a year before, Reuben
at that time, when it was more im-
and his parentsarrive at Sarah's claimed the rabbi, and immediately possible to find people conversing in
arr
the witnesses set up much rejoicing, Hebrew than it is today to find peo-
'
trothal
contract
was
where amid
a be much feasting and babbling, singing and dancing, while
duly made
i , home
ple conversing in Latin, that such
poets as Jehudah Ilalevi, Ibn Gabriel
singing. And for a full twelvemonth Moses and
Ruth
sat
and for
held
hands,
were
led
home
the
great
Erg.kr.WM17, kr.
and the other "God-intoxicated men"
was she not kept from the sight of till they
ec r
which
was to follow.
•i
made Ilebrew their main, if not only,
Reuben so that he was a total stran- feast
,
Ruth's great, great, great grand- medium for expression. Evidently
I, ger on their wedding day?
[1 With such an air of mystery about, daughter, it was in the seventeenth Hebrew could not have been a dead
each other, they could not help but century, who tasted the wine of a language if it was the channel
be happy—at least till they knew real romance, beautifully conceived through which were carried on the
most living, pulsating thoughts and
each other better. , and concluded.
Tall, majestic, pliant as a slender- feelings of those poets and thinkers
And such opportunities as they ,
then had to be in each others coin- stemmed lily, Judith was a fit subject who had put them into such a beau-
iiany! If they had not glimpsed each for love and poetry. To her the young tiful Hebrew form that Heine and in-
other before the marriage, they now I Yehuda poured out the innermost numerable others went into ecstasy
'had a surfeit. Reuben did not have longings of his soul in tenderly ad- over them. In the poem which he
to dash off to business, leaving a I dressed billet-doux. It was not 'per- dedicated to Halevi, the most lyrical
hasty but dutiful peck on the tip of mitted that he chant orally of his of medieval poets, Heine, the most
lyrical poet of Germany, said that
Sarah's nose; nor did he watch the l great passion.
hands of the clock go around to 5:30 .
Come finally the day of their mar- Helevi was born with a kiss of God,
when he would grab his hat, yank on 1 riage and all of Yehuda's friends thus paying the highest tribute to the
his coat, and hustle for the 5:45 to I turned out in their utmost gayety to great genius of Hebrew poetry.
Hebrew, the language of the proph-
1 Middle Village. Not at all! The I do the occasion justice. Bedecked in
' way the two of them were left stric tl ylfinery, escorted by jubilant crowds of ets, sages and martyrs of the Jewish
people,
was the golden chain that
I alone would make you think they I horsemen and lance breakers, the pro-
were on Crusoe's Island and Friday cession made its way through the united the scattered intellectual ele-
ments of Judaism into one spiritual
I had gotten lost in a storm.
, Jewish quarters of the town. Laugh-
On Friday
afternoon
Reuben and
bor. ing children dressed in holiday attire force. It always refreshed the drying
rowed
one of
Sarah's aprons
ran before and threw flowers in Ju- bones of the Jewish people. Palestine
I dith's path while the young men would never have become once more
in to get the home in shape
I 4 for arted
the land for the Ilebraic spirit if not
the Sabbath. Very painstakingly danced Pend sang.
crockery
he would pull down all the crockery ) I
from the synagogue, the for the Ilebrew, which had reani-
and carefully wash plates, jars, cups
to a delicious mated the Jewish spirit and through
it finding a revival for its own poten-
and pots, replacing them with scrupu• guests were bidden
With infinite zeal he feast at which wine and syrups flowed tialities as a most beautiful, expres-
Fowl, fruits, dainty
! l oos exactness.
sionful language.
settle down on
his knees
like water.
' I would
w
hastening
in and
his sweets
were dispensed with a lavish
If, therefore, we are sincere in our
I scour son e saucepans
might be ready to hand and offerings of money were desire for a national Jewish life,
work so
that
he
arah set the table for the Se- made to the poor. And then came which will enable us to remain a liv-
help S l the great feature of the evening—the
ing power among the nations, then
bath meal.
we must turn once more to the one
Now it so happened that Reuben, play!
visit in an-; Gabriel, the student, had been en- and only source for the true Jewish
In—. • a. g
I had to leave Jerusalem to vi
lother town. It being the first year I gaged to write it, and a splendid per- life and inspiration, which is Hebrew.
of his marriage, such an act was in- formance he made of it. With many It is for this reason that those who
an allegory, deftly and subtly drawn, want to have the survival of the Jew-
539 Michi an
deed unusual and very much against ,
' he characterized the virtues of the ish people should unite their efforts
the commandments of the laws.
newly-wedded pair. With fair words
"Most loyal of wives," began Reu• ' he foretold the glorious future that to make it possible for the Ilebrew
language to reinject the true Jewish
ben, "I must leave thee for a while I
A. to visit abroad." lay in store for them. The maidens life into the Jewish-less Jews, espe-
I "Then give a conditional divorce danced and pranced for joy, while the
cially of America.
I stating that if thou dost not return youths sang of Judith's charms:
within a certain period, I am to be I
free, and thy house and treasure , Thy breath is far sweeter than honey,
Thy radiance brightens the day,
therein to be mine."
"Granted. Let us go to the rabbi ' Thy voice is e'en softer than lyre
Reb Shlomka Goldes Yerusalimsky
note,
where the paper may be properly
was known and famous not only as a
Y et hear I its echo always
drawn up and signed."
rabbi
and scholar, but especially as a
And so it was. Thy wit is as pure as thy witchery,
great welts-mensch (practical man of
As it happened, the conditional di- And both in thy face are displayed.
vorce was not needed. Reuben and Alas! Mid the maze of thy pleasance, worldly affairs).
Whenever he was in company he
Sarah fulfilled the laws of the Tal- From the path to thy heart I have liked to discuss nothing else but busi-
mud, their kin increased, so that by strayed.
ness. This did not suit the Parnasa of
the tenth century A. D. they had a de-
And they lived happily ever after- Boiberick, where Reb Shlomka was
scendant, Simeon by name.
rabbi; this Parnass, Reb Velvel Me-
Now Simeon had a daughter fast wards!
By the time the eighteenth century yuchas, although a layman, was al-
approaching
the
marriage
age
of
12,
ways fond of discussing topics from
Specialty.
Two and Four-Family Flats a
for whom he had put aside quite a was reached the glory and pomp of the Torah. He once remarked to Reb
neat little dowry. Which fact should' their nuptial day was forgotten and Shlomka: "Do you know, rabbi, that
have set him at ease concerning her their descendants, Isaac and Blume, people say it is a wonder to them
Phone Hemlock 9288
15310 Idaho at D. T. R. R.
future, but which, oddly enough, re• were quite content to be married in that you, the rabbi, discuss nothing
; what was considered a conventional,
doubled his discomfort.
ibut business, while I, a layman, dis-
"Wherefore," soliloquized Simeon, suppressed manner.
cuss nothing but Biblical subjects."
..,
In the courtyard of the synagogue,
"should I lie awake nights pondering
"By the general rule," answered
over the future of my daughter untillthe entire community looking on the rabbi, "it is proper that I should
she reaches a mature womanly age?from
I
the balconies, the children discuss business and you the Torah."
By that time the Christians may have I scrambling upon the ground in their
Our Best Wishes for
"By what rule?" asked the Par-
to catch the bits of sweet-
made a pogrom and robbed me of her
meats cast to them by the matron o nass.
A Happy and Prosperous New Year.
en.
portion. What will I do
"By the rule," answered the rabbi,
honor;
the
groom
with
his
long
beard
must confer with the rabbi."
"that people are usually fond of dis-
"Foolish man," answered the sage and earlocks waiting under the can- cussing subjects they know least
upon consultation. "Why wait longer? opy between his father and best man; about."—Rabbi S. M. Neches.
Marry her off now, while you have the bride, bedecked in white with a
the money. Once she is betrothed long veil covering her features, ad-
and married, and the dowry in the wincing weeping, while her escortagei
Greetings of the Season.
hands of her husband, you need not of relatives and maiden friends pir-
ouetted and cantered about her; the
worry, pogrom or no pogrom."
RUGGLES DETROIT
whole scene emblazoned by torches
"Good! 'Tis well advised."
TRUCK SALES
"And furthermore, Simeon, in. carried in the hands of the guests,
e cy.-Treas.
Samuel Foreman, Proprietor
stead of making the betrothal and the the ceremony took place.
HARRY .1. MARKS, Pre.. LOUIS E. FISKE, S
Thence to the Tanzhaus, where the
wedding on two separate days, with
49 EAST CANFIELD
a long period intervening, let both be supper was laid out and the rejoicing
West 2903
Glendale 9167
consummated on the same day. It
-- continued with many a dance. Nor
2503-2507 Twenty-fourth St.
will save you the price of a second was this prosaic marriage ceremony
banquet." yet concluded until the "Marshallik,"
"Excellent. Still more wisely con- or jester, had his little quip and laugh
raised." at the expense of the blushing
And so it was that the long year couple. Now often amid his raillery
between the betrothal and the mar- did he interpolate a stinging truth!
riage WAS eliminated, and Rebecca,
"Beautiful she is as the day—
aged 12, went as wife to Abraham, when the rain is falling."
aged 16.
"Ah! now is our Isaac blessed in-
In the fifteenth century lived Ab- deed. Such a wife! A tongue that is
raham's descendant, by name Moses,
razor edged, but then a man must
a boisterous youth of 17. Him the have a bit of excitement to keep him
Shadchen singled out as his next
source of revenue and hastened to from boredom."
"True, she is not too dazzling. Her
his father with his proposition.
"Your Moses," he stated, "is of skin is a bit pock-marked and her
marriageable age. Does not our Tal. nose rather large. But her eyes. Ah!
mud say, 'It is the duty of every man Does not our own Bible say, 'A wom-
to marry a wife in his eighteenth, an who has beautiful eyes needs no
; year; but he who anticipates and mar.' further recommendation?' "
So the raillery and good-natured
ries earlier is following a more laud-
jesting continued until the rosy-hued
able course?"
' dawn warned the frolickers that it
"True."
"I have long thought this matter was time to return for a hasty nap
before the trials of the day's work
over. Israel, the tailor, has a beauti-
, ful daughter, Ruth. She is as fair as i set In.
And with this history of romance
Moses is dark; as short as he is tall;1
Irvingan
ustom
i as quiet as he is fiery. It is truly as land
c behind them,
if Heaven had meant them for eachAnna can deliberately choose the
CLENDALI
subway in place of the bridal cano-
other. What say " you? I
I pied litter, the music of the elevated
"I am willing."
"My fee is 2 per cent of the dowry, I train and the chugging automobile
instead of the escortage of fiddlers
bestowed by both parties."
and pipers, a Hooverized meal minus

Grectiqs

We Wish All Our Jewish Friends
and Patrons a Happy and Pros-
perous New Year.

2420 West Boston Boulevard

Wish Their Friends and Relatives

A ifiumip Neat War

G. E. McKeever & Co.

Stoneware
Dinnerware
Glassware

(Crocks and Jugs.)

May We Extend Our Best Wishes
for the
NEW YEAR

PITTS REALTY CO.

REALTORS

GENERAL MOTORS BLDG.

EMPIREA22

raT,%155

THE SEASON'S GREETINGS
Among our assests we like

to count your good will.

Please accept this as a personal
hand-shake full of warmth, sin-
cerity and wishing you a Happy
and Prosperous New Year.

~

Av-Bet.la & 2

Season's Greetings

— FROM —

East Side BottlingWorks

MORRIS J. NEWMAN, HYMAN GREENBERG, Prop..

CHERRY 6404

688 E. COLUMBIA ST.

We Wish All Our Friends and Patrons

A HAPPY NEW YEAR

HU LET

TOP & BODY CO.

Builder. of

HIGH GRADE COMMERCIAL BODIES
Phone Melrose 0815
576-78 Garfield Avenue

A GENERAL RULE

GREETINGS OF THE SEASON

Soothers Cut Stone Co.

CUT STONE WORK

NATURAL INDIANA LIME STONE

THE MARKS-FISKE ZEIGER CO.

ROSH HASHONAH GREETINGS
70 EVERYBODY

To our many friends and patrons
who are readers of this publication
we extend best wishes for a Happy
and Prosperous New Year.

R,AY
REFRIGERATOR CO.

M C C

Refrigerators for All Purposes.

36 EAST ELIZABETH STREET

DETROIT, MICH.

Telephone: Main 2178

Mr. Isadore Wolf, Branch Manager.

ALHAMBRA'

THEATER

"ACO PEA

l

i

2821

8641

BROOKLYN AV&

warming liquors in lieu of the feast

II . of fowl and wine, and a three-room

SEASON'S GREETINGS

New Year' Greetings

Royce & Passmore, Inc.

Dealers in

Canaries, Parrots and Gold-Fish

JAMES E. CUMMINS

Income Tax Advisor

Also Bird, Fish, Dog and Poultry Supplies.

ARTHUR A. CURD

119 East Jefferson Ave.

HIRAM JACKSON

Phone Main 2330

Opposite Interurban Station.

213 HAMMOND BLDG.

Cherry 9273

flat in the Bronx in place of a newly
i boarded pine dwelling.
iTo such has romance dwindled
i And such will be our contribution in
, the way of customs to the future
' generations.
I

WANT STEIGER TRIAL MOVED

i 1 LEMBERG.—(J. T. A.)—The mo- 1
' tion made by the counsel for the de-I
tense in the trial of a number of Jew-
ish citizens here in connection with
i the Steiger affair was rejected by the
high court. The defense demanded
that the trial be transferred to an-
other city outside of Lemberg for the
purpose of providing a calmer atmos- i
phere for the court proceedings. I

1,Zxtenbs Greetings of tiF *non to
jirienbs an1 3atrons

NAY TILE NEW YEAR BRING TO YOU A FULL MEASURE OF

HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY.

In presenting pictures, we do our utmost to get what we think our patrons want,
however, if at any time you have any suggestions to offer, we shall be glad to hear

from YOU.

ALFRED LANE, Manager.

Woodward at Kenilworth

