"But, my children," continued Eleazar, "not only is Israel unsettled
and roaming on the earth, but all nations are in a state of wandering.
The difference between them and us is that their gods are mortal,
while Israel's God lives. Where is Zeus, the god of the Greeks?
Where is the Romans' Jupiter? Where are the Egyptians' Isis, Osiris,
and Ptha? Where is the Woutan of the Germans, the Teutates of the
Gauls? They are all dead, but Israel's God lives; He cannot die.
We are at any rate in Canaan, in our fathers' land, even if Zion is
no longer ours, and we cannot forget the goodness which the Lord has
shown us."
The last cup was drunk, and after another psalm the festival was at
an end.
"Now, Jacob," said Eleazar, "you want to talk. You come from a
journey, though somewhat late, and have something new to tell us.
Hush! I hear steps in the garden!"
All hurried to the window, for they lived in troublous times; but,
as no one was to be seen outside, they sat down again at the table.
"Speak, Jacob," Eleazar said again.
"I come from Antioch, where the Crusaders are besieged by Kerboga,
the Emir of Mosul. Famine has raged among them, and of three hundred
thousand Goyim, [Footnote: Gentiles.] only twenty thousand remain."
"What had they to do here?"
"Now, on the roads, they are talking of a new battle which the Goyim
have won, and they believe that the Crusaders will march straight on
Jerusalem.
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