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The IVooing of Rebckah

175

says so beautifully and expressively, ''Isaac brought her into his

mother Sarah's

tent,

and he loved her".

In her answer-

ing love he found solace for the loss of his mother.

And,

as

the rabbis told, the cloud, symbolizing the presence of God,

which had hovered over the tent throughout Sarah's lifetime, had departed at her death, once more returned the light which Sarah had kindled on the eve of every Sabbath, again shone forth the blessing which had rested upon the dough was renewed, and the doors of the tent were again opened wide for the needy. Once more God's blessing of love and happiness rested upon that home, and radiated far and wide to all who came under its influence. It was the type of what the true Jewish home has ever been, just as Sarah and Rebekah were the types of the true Jewish wife and mother. Of them, as of every such wife and mother in Israel the beautiful words of Proverbs are eternally true, but





A woman

of valor

For her price

Her children Her husband

is

who

can

.find?

far above rubies.

and call her blessed and he praiseth her 'Many daughters have done valiantly. But thou excellest them all'. rise up, also,

For, as was said in the last lesson, it is above all else our Jewish wives and mothers who make the real Jewish home. From them radiate all our sacred home love and joy and blessing, and all the noble influences which help to make of their sons and daughters true Jewish men and women. As they kindle the Sabbath lights on Friday eve,

they symbolize

all

that

it

pure, noble,

vidual lives and in the collective

life

The Kiddush ceremony on Sabbath eve household

and holy

in

our

indi-

of the Jewish people. in

every pious Jewish

home, but of and mother, the guardian angel who makes and protects and blesses the home, who keeps far from its doors all evil and defilement, and permits only beauty, holiness, and the wife

is

a sanctification, not only of the