Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/86

 The Book of Genesis

68

they can realize the true ideal of existence, only

we

that

belief,

when are

they

come

life,

the true purpose of

to believe,

and

to live their

The Psalmist

our brother's keeper.

all

has truly said. Behold how good and how pleasant it is For l.rethren to dwell together in unity For there the Lord commanded the blessing, Even life forever. !

Perhaps not all this can be taught to little children, at once, nor just in the w^ay outlined in the preceding These were intended primarily for the teacher, that she stand aright the full Jewish interpretation of the great brotherhood, and that she might, out of the fulness of all

edge, select just the material she stories

lesson

about brothers nia_

children

l)e

may

the beauty,

all

principle

of

her knowl-

would give to the children. Many and the instruction of this first Gradually the

these subsequent lessons.

l-,y

come

paragraphs.

may under-

follow,

will

amplified

thrs

at least not

to

feel

with the teacher

all

the

truth,

all

the glory of this sublime Jewish message of brother-

hood.

Another

significant

thought

by the outcome of the story.

is

suggested

The verse

The words,

itself

by is

v.

7

and

difficult of

not be lifted up?" it meaning of a Hebrew word in the sentence, which, as it stands, is corrupt and absolutely untranslatable. It is probably as good a guess as any other. However, the general meaning of the verse and its context seems clear. God chides Cain for his unwarranted jealousy of his brother, and says to him, "If thou doest what And is right, shalt thou not receive reward from the Lord? for lieth in wait right, then sin if tliou dost not do what is Neverthethee, and its desire is for thee to overcome thee. It is the thought less thou mayest gain the mastery over it". of the story of the Garden of Eden in a somewhat new dress. Man is endowed by God with the power to choose between good and evil. And not only has he this power, but sooner or later he is forced in some way or other to make

exact translation.

are a pure guess at the possible

"shall