Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/213

 The Well of

the

Covenant

195

would spit upon sore eyes, they would be Therefore Rabbi Meir called out what he did. At healed. But when he had called again first there was no response. the woman came forward, trembling and abashed, and said, "Master, I can heal thine eyes". '*Do so", said Rabbi Meir. With that she spat in his eyes, and immediately he ceased He looked at her for a moment mildly and benevto blink. olently, and then he said, "Go home and tell thy husband certain persons

Rabbi Meir". one time the people of Jerusalem were divided into two factions, which hated each other bitterly and sought each other's destruction by every possible means. At this time there was in Jerusalem a man named that thou hast spat in the face of It

is

also told that at

He was very old to neither party. and so pious that it was commonly believed that One day his prayers were certain to be answered by God. home his from him dragged parties the of one of leaders the faction. the other of destruction for the pray him and bade They ofifered him rich rewards if he would do their bidding, and threatened him with dire punishment, should he Onias,

and

who belonged

frail,

But the old man knew only how to supplicate God Unmoved by either promises or for good and not for evil. threats, he quietly kneeled down amid the surging mob, and refuse.

with eyes raised aloft he prayed, these

are

Thy

children,

"O God

of

and those are Thy

Israel,

since

children

also,

hearken to the evil prayers of neither the one nor the other,

and love". His prayer was drowned by the shouts of the angry mob. Stones fell thick and fast about him, and the life was speedily crushed from the frail body. He died for the sake of the peace for which he had prayed. Thus do the true servants

but grant them

of the

all

Lord ever

Thy

blessings of peace

strive to preserve peace.

Like Abraham, Isaac, too,

is

typical of Israel.

His love

of peace and his willingness to yield his rights repeatedly,

exemplify the love of peace which Israel has constantly ex-