Sabbath

THE Sabbath is here, and the heavens are beaming,
The Shekinah within us is brooding and dreaming,
The soul found a form and a vestment of glory,
And lo, a new Eden and Genesis story.

Peace in an ecstasy came from the mountains,
And opened the heavens, and bliss flows in fountains;
The earth is a heaven, for man has ascended,
And the soul and Shekinah in rapture are blended.
The cherubim young-eyed around us are winging,
My soul is among them; to heaven 'tis clinging;
My soul is on wings now, a soul that is singing;
Holiness, poesy won their sceptre.

And man, man, himself, is a Biblical chapter.
Our souls, we discovered-to-day we have two,
The new life is old, and the old life is new;
O, see how the spirit is wooing God's beauty,
Rapt lovers are we. Our love is a duty,
Songs of songs our souls are; the heart is a canticle,
In the sunshine of Sabbath, our joy is nigh frantical,
Our transport of peace, it is sweet without cloyance,
We are kings, we are queens, we are princes of joy-

ance;

The swords are withdrawn and the goal is attained, One is all mankind, the Eden regained,

The wine of the Kiddush pour forth to o'erflowing, And sing hymeneals, sing "Zmiroth" all glowing, For lo, it is Sabbath, the day of God's dreaming, The day of the perfect-a day without schemingOur soul is in heaven, the Star of the Seven, Then sing like an angel at the gateway of heaven! ALTER ABElson.

C

The Day of Rest

'OME, O Sabbath day, and bring Peace and healing on, thy wing,

And to every troubled breast

Speak of the divine behest:
Thou shalt rest!

Earthly longing bid retire,
Guard our passions' hurtful fire;
To the wayward, sin-oppressed,
Bring thou the divine behest;
Thou shalt rest.

Wipe from every cheek the tear:
Banish care, and silence fear;
All things working for the best,
Teach us the divine behest,
Thou shalt rest.

GUSTAV GOTTHEIL.

When Is the Jew in Paradise?

WHEN is the Jew in Paradise,

Unchained from want and care; When joy wings word of happiness And peace perfumes the air? When is the hour his heart is light And slow he is to grieve? The Jew has but one Paradise, And that is Friday eve.

A noble queen, she comes to bless
And bear his cares away.

To every home this Princess comes
And sanctifies the day.

The rich and poor, both old and young,
With gratitude receive

The Sabbath Princess of the Jew,
Their guest of Friday eve.

Who sees her face, Shekinah-like,
He lives a hundred years;
His children's children bless her name
And all that she endears;
Her sacred, silent footsteps pass
Through every heart and leave

A thousand blessings for the joy

She gives on Friday eve.

JOSEPH LEISER.

Sabbath Thoughts

I BLESS Thee, Father, for the grace
Thou me this day hast given,
Strengthening my soul to seek Thy face,
And list the theme of heaven.

I bless Thee that each work-day care
Thy love hath lull'd to rest,

And every thought whose wing has prayer
Thine answering word hath blest.

I bless Thee, Father! Those dark fears.
That linger'd round my heart,

That called for murmurs, doubts and tears,
Thy mercy bade depart.

O Thou alone couldst send them hence
On this blessed day of peace,

And with Thy spirit's pure incense

Bid work-day turmoil cease.

GRACE AGUILAR.

God of the World

(A Sabbath Hymn)

OD of the World, eternity's sole Lord!

GOD

King over kings, be now thy Name adored!

Blessed are we to whom thou dost accord

This gladsome time thy wondrous ways to scan!

God of the World, eternity's sole Lord!

Early and late to thee our praises ring,
Giver of life to every living thing!

Beasts of the field, and birds that heavenward wing,
Angelic hosts and all sons of man!

God of the World, eternity's sole Lord!

Though we on earth a thousand years should dwell,
Too brief the space, thy marvels forth to tell.
Pride thou didst lower, all the weak who fell
Thy hand raised up e'er since the world began

God of the World, eternity's sole Lord!
Thine is the power, thine the glory be!
When lions rage, O deign thy flock to free!
Thine exiled sons O take once more to thee,

Choose them again as in thine ancient plan!

God of the World, eternity's sole Lord!
Turn to thy city, Zion's sacred shrine!
On yon fair mount again let beauty shine!
There, happy throngs their voices shall combine,
There, present joy all former ill shall ban!

God of the World, eternity's sole Lord!
King over kings, be now thy Name adored!

ISRAEL NAGARA. (Translated by Israel Abrahams.)

A Sabbath of Rest

(A Sabbath Hymn)

THIS day is for Israel light and rejoicing,

A Sabbath of rest.

Thou badest us standing assembled at Sinai That all the years through we should keep thy behest

To set out a table full-laden, to honor

The Sabbath of rest.

This day is for Israel light and rejoicing,

A Sabbath of rest.

Treasure of heart for the broken people,

Gift of new soul for the souls distrest, Soother of sighs for the prisoned spiritThe Sabbath of rest.

This day is for Israel light and rejoicing,

A Sabbath of rest.

When the work of the worlds in their wonder was finished,

Thou madest this day to be holy and blest,

And those heavy-laden find safety and stillness,
A Sabbath of rest.

This day is for Israel light and rejoicing,

A Sabbath of rest.

If I keep Thy command I inherit a kingdom,

If I treasure the Sabbath I bring Thee the bestThe noblest of offerings, the sweetest of incense— A Sabbath of rest.

This day is for Israel light and rejoicing,

A Sabbath of rest.

Restore us our shrine-O remember our ruin
And save now and comfort the sorely opprest