"Will I not cast them away. . . ." "Aye, aye," meditate the Rabbanim, "we learned this in the days of the Chaldeans, when Daniel and his companions were appointed to deliver us."
..’ Netther will I loathe them.... .” “True,” meditate the Rabbanim. “In the time of the Syrians he sent us Matthias, his sons, and their comrades to lead us to wvietory.”’
"To destroy them. . . ." "No, never," declare the Rabbanim. "In the time of Haman he sent us Mordecai and Esther to rescue us."
"To break my covenant with them. . . ." "No, forsooth, in the time of the Romans he sent Rabbi Judah and his illustrious associates to be at our head."
"For I am the Eternal, your God." "Amen," echoed the Rabbanim. "In the days to come no nation shall rule over Israel, and the descendants of Jacob shall be restored to their independent state."
Therefore, when we see the lights, let us, too, be encouraged by the example of the Maccabees. Let us feel that we are part of
O lay Thou bare Thy holy arm And bring redemption close and near. Avenge Thy servants that were slain By nations that they long did fear! O Lord, let us not wait in vain, An end put to our grief and pain! The seven shepherds raise again, And may we no more falter!
*First and last stanza translated preserving original meter, by R. F. I.
SING UNTO GOD A NEW SONG
a great race that has been tested in the fires of persecution and found indestructible. Then we can join in singing the old national song with its quaint melody, Maoz, tzur yeshu'ati.*
O Thou, my Stronghold and Defense How sweet it is to sing to Thee! O build again Thy house of prayer, That we may off’rings bring to Thee, Thanksgiving for Thy tender care, And for Thy mercies everywhere, Which saved us from the fowler’s snare We'll build again Thine altar.
Sing unto God a new song, sing no more Those melodies of melancholic strain That mourn the vanished glory that did reign O'er Zion in the golden days of yore. Wherefore forever weep, fore'er deplore Our loss? Vain are our tears, our prayer s vain. Would we our ancient heritage regain, Then must our song on faith's own pinions soar. Sing then to God a joyous song. Yea sing Redemption's sun new-risen in the East, A song of triumph till the echoes ring Back from the ample heavens' azure dome, For yet shall we, from evil's chains releast, Zion, to thee return, our hallowed home.
—EUGENE Kohn.