the Golus does the dependence of the Jewish nation on its national tongue begin. All the translations of the Bible that were in existence in olden times and which played such an important part in devotional services were later crowded out by the original. For the Jews felt or knew that they needed Hebrew for the perpetuation of the historical unity as well as for the binding together of the scattered limbs. Whatever else the Jewish people created in its spiritual life, either has been retained for us through Hebrew translations, or else it was only of local and temporal significance.
Under these circumstances, the blind rage of our "democrats" against the Hebrew language seems to me absolutely inexplicable. Consciously or unconsciously, they simply repeat what the Assimilators have urged against retaining the Hebrew language at all—properly enough from the standpoint of the assimilators. But the Jewish democrats claim to be Jewish nationalists, and even if they consider the Hebrew language superfluous in our national life, they surely do not consider it harmful. Furthermore, it is now unquestionably indispensable, since what the He-
brew language has called forth duringmany centuries would have to be createdanew in the Jargon. No one can be forcedto learn Hebrew—but no one need be prevented from learning it. Besides, it isridiculous that every undertaking that hasfor its object the furthering of Hebrewhas called forth duringmany centuries would have to be createdanew in the Jargon. No one can be forcedto learn Hebrew—but no one need be prevented from learning it. Besides, it isridiculous that every undertaking that hasfor its object the furthering of Hebrewhas called forth duringmany centuries would have to be createdanew in the Jargon. No one can be forcedto learn Hebrew—but no one need be prevented from learning it. Besides, it isridiculous that every undertaking that hasfor its object the furthering of Hebrewliterature is scorned in the Yiddish press.In this way our illiterate brethren areaccustomed to despise knowledge and tolook upon ignorance as bliss. There is nodoubt that such methods may lead to serious consequences, for the “hate that theunlearned feel towards the learned,” as theTalmud expresses it, can easily be stirredup. But that is neither human nor national; it is hideous demagogism. Neverbefore has a nation so undervalued itshistorical possessions, its language, (inwhich is stored its whole cultural life) asis now being done in our democratic circles, which style themselves “national.” Iam very much afraid that this is not national; it is assimilation, and what isworse, the most dangerous kind of assimilation—that from below.
(Karshook—Thistle.)
"Would a man 'scape the rod?" Rabbi Ben Karshook saith, "See that he turn to God The day before his death."
"Ay. could a man enquire When it shall come, I say," The Rabbi's eye shoots fire— "Then let him turn to-day!"
Quoth a young Sadducee: “Reader of many rolls, Is it so certain we Have, as they tell us, souls?”
"Son, there is no reply!"The Rabbi bit his beard:"Certain, a soul have IWe may have none," he sneered.
Thus Karshook, the Hiram's-Hammer, The Right-hand Temple-column, Taught babes in grace their grammar, And struck the simple, solemn. —Robert Browning.