THREE WHO ATE 277
And of a sudden the Rabbi grows as white as chalk, and lets his head fall on his breast. There is a groan from one end of the Shool to the other, and after the groan the people are heard to murmur among them- selves.
Then the Rabbi, like one speaking to himself, says :
"It is God's will. I am eighty years old, and have never yet transgressed a law. But this is also a law, it is a precept. Doubtless the Almighty wills it so ! Beadle !"
The beadle comes, and the Rabbi whispers a few words into his ear.
He also confers with the Dayonim, and they nod their heads and agree.
And the beadle brings cups of wine for Sanctification, out of the Rabbi's chamber, and little rolls of bread. And though I should live many years and grow very old, I shall never forget what I saw then, and even now, when I shut my eyes, I see the whole thing : three Rabbis standing on the platform in Shool, and eating before the whole people, on the Day of Atonement !
The three belong to the heroes.
Who shall tell how they fought with themselves, who shall say how they suffered, and what they endured?
"I have done what you wished," says the Rabbi, and his voice does not shake, and his lips do not tremble.
"God's Name be praised!"
And all the Jews ate that day, they ate and wept.
Rays of light beam forth from the remembrance, and spread all around, and reach the table at which I sit and write these words.
