Chapter I: Was Left Behind, Gazing Out of the Window at the Funeral Procession (3)

Rabbi Akiba did not seem to notice the excitement created by his entrance, but walked ahead to the door of the main _salon_. Here stood several gentlemen in evening dress. They were the reception committee, appointed to welcome the arriving guests. They gazed with amazement at the venerable figure approaching, and bade him good-evening in subdued voices. He answered their greeting and strode into the _salon_. The dance had just begun, and the floor was crowded with gentlemen in evening dress and ladies in handsome _décolleté_ gowns and elegant coiffures. The appearance of the rabbi gave rise to a scene of extraordinary excitement and confusion. Both men and women had no other thought but that their venerable spiritual chief had come there to rebuke them for their pursuit of unseemly and impious fashions; that he would denounce them in fiery words as recreants to the faith, as sinners in Israel. In those days men and women still trembled when the rabbi uttered bitter words of reproof; and it was, therefore, only natural that a sort of panic seized those who knew that they had transgressed against the strict rules of propriety of their faith, and saw before them one who could call them to account. Some of the women fled to the other end of the room, followed by their escorts; others endeavored hastily to cover up their bare breasts and arms; others again stood as if rooted to the spot and unable to move. But Rabbi Akiba uttered no word of rebuke. He stood still, gazing with a benevolent smile at the scene of confusion which his advent had caused. Several moments of embarrassment and constraint passed before a few of the gentlemen present plucked up courage to approach the rabbi, bid him welcome, and inquire the reason of his visit to the ball. At their head was Herr Pringsheim, the banker and president of the community, who, by reason of his prominent station, acted as spokesman.

“Peace be unto thee, honored rabbi,” he said, with a low and reverential bow. “We welcome thee to our festivity. But may I inquire what has brought us the honor of thy presence this evening? We had hardly thought that festivities such as this met with thy approval.”

“Curiosity, merely curiosity, friend Pringsheim,” answered the rabbi, with a reassuring smile. “I wanted to know what our Jews are doing in these new-fashioned days. One must know everything. Our sages, of blessed memory, tell us: ‘Know what thou shouldst answer to the Epicurean.’ But how can one know what to say to the Epicureans unless one knows what they do? Just think: I have grown so old and have never seen a ball and know nothing, except by hearsay, of what is done in a casino or clubhouse. Now, let the dance go on. Do not interrupt your proceedings on my account. I shall not scold you to-night, although what I may do some other time I shall not say.”

A gasp, indicating wonderment and only partial reassurance, escaped from the breasts of the rabbi’s hearers at these words. There was nothing to do, however, except to follow his suggestion. Herr Pringsheim signalled to the musicians, who had ceased playing, to resume, and most of the dancers also resumed their places, showing, however, by their embarrassed air that they were ill at ease and not at all comfortable under the rabbi’s gaze. It was a singular sight, the venerable rabbi whose whole appearance bespoke the house of worship and the study chamber, and recalled memories of centuries long past, standing in a modern ball-room, critically inspecting the motions of the gayly clad crowd, who bowed and _chasséed_ and changed partners and swung around in the most approved style, but who could not help showing by their sheepish looks how keenly they felt the absurdity of their position.

The dance over, Herr Pringsheim asked the rabbi if he had now satisfied his curiosity. “Oh, no,” answered Rabbi Akiba, “unless this is all that takes place here. But there must surely be more going on in a casino than merely dancing, or you could not use so many rooms.”

“But there is really nothing else,” answered Pringsheim, “except the card-playing. Those gentlemen who do not dance play various games of cards until supper-time, which comes at midnight. But I hardly suppose, worthy rabbi, that you take any interest in games of chance?”

“Ah, but I do,” answered the rabbi, with sudden animation. “That is just what I want to see. I want to know what there is about games of chance which so fascinates men that they will stake their money, their health, the happiness of their families, even their lives, upon the issue of a game of cards. By all means bring me where they play cards.”

With a gesture of despair and an illy suppressed groan, Herr Pringsheim led the way to the card-room. The entrance of the rabbi into the elegantly furnished card-room produced a sensation similar to that which had been caused by his appearance in the ball-room. A number of gentlemen were sitting around the green-covered tables, deeply engrossed in their hazardous and exciting pastime; but no sooner did the tall, venerable figure of the aged ecclesiastic appear amid the thick clouds of tobacco smoke which filled the atmosphere of the room than all paused in astonishment and rose to their feet in varying attitudes and aspects of amazement and consternation. Like their companions of the ball-room they were apprehensive of a fierce denunciation of their ungodly doings, and half expected to be peremptorily ordered home. Herr Pringsheim hastened to relieve their apprehensions.

“Retain your seats, gentlemen,” he said, “and do not interrupt your game. Our honored rabbi has come here this evening impelled by a desire to see for himself how modern society amuses itself. He does not wish to disturb or interfere with you in any way. Resume your playing, therefore, and we shall remain here as mere spectators.”

The effect of these words was that the players resumed their seats and began again their interrupted games. The ban of the rabbi’s presence rested, however, heavily on all, and the playing, like the dancing in the ball-room under the same influence, became spiritless and perfunctory in the extreme. The players removed their cigars from their mouths, the erstwhile boisterous voices became subdued, and all animation departed from the scene. After silently watching the proceedings for a few moments the rabbi said to Herr Pringsheim: “Do you know, friend Pringsheim, I do not seem to gain any insight into a gambler’s feelings from merely looking on. To me the whole thing seems a merely mechanical proceeding. One makes one move and the other another move. I cannot make out what it is all about, and I believe that I shall never have any conception of what card-playing is, or wherein the fascination lies unless I play a game or two myself. Would you mind playing with me?”

“Not at all, rabbi,” said Pringsheim, highly amused at the request. “What game shall it be?”

“That is all the same to me,” answered the rabbi. “I do not know one from the other. You choose any one you please and you will be kind enough to teach it me. I think I shall be able to learn it.”

“Very well,” said Pringsheim, laughing heartily. “I don’t doubt but you will make a famous card-player. Where there is _Torah_ there is _Chochmah_.”

“But one thing I must tell you,” said the rabbi. “We must play for money. I could never get the real feeling of the gambler, the thrill and the tension which he feels, unless there was the hope of gain and the risk of loss. So we must not play a mere formal game, but there must be a real stake involved.”

“Very well, rabbi,” said Pringsheim, still smiling. “How large shall the stake be, a gulden or five gulden?”

“Oh, that would never do,” said the rabbi. “I could not get the right idea with such a trifling sum, which is of no consequence whether won or lost. Let us play for a thousand gulden. I shall put my five hundred gulden on the game and you put in five hundred gulden also.”

THE GAME WHICH ENSUED WAS HIGHLY INTERESTING

_Page 287_]

The effect of this proposition was naturally startling. Pringsheim stared at the rabbi for a moment as though he could not trust his ears. But he was, to put it in modern parlance, game. “As you wish, rabbi,” he said, quietly. “We shall play for a stake of a thousand gulden.”

The game which ensued was highly interesting. Writer deponeth not, nor is it essential to the purposes of this veracious history to state whether the game was klabberyas, pinocle, skat, euchre, or poker. Pringsheim taught Rabbi Akiba its rules and the game began. With one accord all the other players suspended their games to contemplate the spectacle of a rabbi in _jubitza_, _streimel_, and _peoth_ engaged in a game of cards with a society gentleman in swallow-tail and bare head. Of the result there could be no doubt. Pringsheim, of course, had no intention of either defeating the rabbi or taking his money. After various more or less intricate manœuverings Rabbi Akiba won.

“Well, rabbi, you have won. Here are your winnings,” said Pringsheim; and he took out his wallet, and extracting therefrom five hundred gulden notes, handed them to the rabbi, who took them with great complacency and stowed them carefully away in his purse. “I think you must understand now a gambler’s feelings, at all events when he wins.”

“So far, so good, friend Pringsheim,” answered the rabbi; “but this is not quite experience enough for me. I want to know how a gambler feels when he risks the possessions he has gained so easily. If you do not mind, therefore, I should like to play one more game, staking the amount I have just won.”

“I shall have to beg to be excused this time, worthy rabbi,” said Herr Pringsheim, with an amused chuckle. “You are too good a player for me. Let some one else take my place. Herr Commerzienrath Hamburger, perhaps you will oblige our honored _Rav_ and play a game with him on the same terms as the first one.”

Herr Commerzienrath Hamburger, a stout man with a bald head and a smooth face, who, like Pringsheim, was one of the _Vorstand_ or trustees of the community, came forward, somewhat reluctantly, at these words and signified his willingness to do as requested. The issue of the second game was the same as that of the first. The rabbi’s good luck did not desert him, and a few moments later he rose from the table with the handsome sum of a thousand gulden in his purse. He thanked Messrs. Pringsheim and Hamburger for the instructive experience which they had been the means of affording him, bade the other gentlemen good-night, and turned to depart. He was escorted to a private exit by Herr Pringsheim, who had him placed in a carriage, and the rabbi was whirled to his home, leaving behind him a much puzzled and mystified company of his congregants.

On the following day Mosheh Labishiner called on Rabbi Akiba. He was in a state of wretchedness bordering on utter despair. He had been forced to yield to the repeated entreaties of his wife and daughter, and had permitted the date of the wedding to be set, and had assured his intended son-in-law that the dowry would be ready a few days before the marriage. But he had not the faintest idea whence he could derive the needed funds; and he did not believe that Rabbi Akiba, in view of the restriction he had placed upon him, would be able to assist him. His visit to the rabbi was more with a vague idea of obtaining some comfort from the rabbi’s friendly words than of anything more material. As soon as the rabbi caught sight of Mosheh’s distressed countenance he cried out: “Mosheh, don’t look so black. A man who is going to marry his daughter to a fine young _bochur_ must look happy. Have you set the date of the wedding yet?”

“Yes, rabbi, but the _Neduniah_?”

“Oh, don’t let that worry you. Here it is.” And the rabbi drew forth his purse, and taking therefrom ten hundred gulden notes, placed them in the hands of the bewildered Mosheh.

“O rabbi, a thousand thanks! But how in the world did you get it, since you had not the money and I had insisted that you must not collect for us?”

“Oh, that was easy. I won it at cards.”

“At cards!” and Mosheh stared at the rabbi with a look of blank amazement and non-comprehension.

“Yes, at cards,” said the rabbi. “I am a famous card-player. Whenever any of my good friends cannot find the dowry of his daughter, I go and win it at cards. Why not? Do I not cause the card-players to do a _Mitzvah_? And is that not in itself a _Mitzvah_?” And the rabbi laughed long and heartily.

“Rabbi, I do not understand thy words,” said Mosheh; “but I know thou hast been my saviour, and the saviour of my family. I would fain show my gratitude. How can I thank thee?”

“I want no thanks,” said the rabbi. “All I want is that thou shouldst respect my ability as card-player and give me the privilege of a _Mitzvah_ dance at the wedding.” And the rabbi laughed again.

GLOSSARY OF HEBREW AND OTHER NON-ENGLISH TERMS.

ABAYE AND RABA, Two distinguished rabbis of the
Talmud.

ANGENEHME RUHE, Pleasant rest.

ANI YEHUDI, BO IMMI ACHI, I am a Jew. Come with me, O my
brother.

APOLOGIA PRO LIBRO SUO, Apology or defence of his book.

AUF WIEDERSEHEN, Good-by; au revoir.

BACHURIM, Talmud students.

BOCHUR, Talmud students.

BORUCH HASHEM, Praised be the Lord.

BAAL HAB-BAYIS OR BAAL HA-BAYITH, Householder, burgher.

BAALE BATIM, Members of the congregation.

BAUERNGUT, Peasant estate, farm.

BETH HA-MIDRASH, House of study, where the study of
the law and worship are
conducted.

CHAUSSÉE, Highway.

CHARIF, Sharp, keen-witted.

CHAVER, Friend, companion.

CHAZAN, See Hazan.

CHOCHMAH, Wisdom.

DEITCH, German: Polish-Jewish term for a
Jew who has adopted Gentile dress
and ways.

ETHROGIM, Fruit of the citra species, used on
the Feast of Tabernacles, Lev.
xxiii. 40.

EINGELEGTE GÄNSEBRUST, Goose breast preserved in fat.

ERSTE DAME, First Lady; Prima Donna.

ETERNAL HOUSE, English rendition of Beth Olam, one
of the many touching Hebrew names
for the Jewish Cemetery.

FULDA RAV, Officiating rabbi of Fulda.

GALOSCHINER CASINO UND VEREINSHAUS, Galoschin Casino and Club House.

GAN EDEN, Paradise.

GEBIRGE, Mountain range.

GEFÜLLTE FLANKEN, Stuffed flanks or navel pieces.

GEMARA, Main portion of the Talmud.

GESETZTE BOHNEN, Beans placed in the oven on Friday
and left there till the next day.

GESETZTES ESSEN, Food treated as preceding.

GET, Divorce.

GRUESSE GOTT, Be greeted in the name of God.

GRUENKERN SUPPE, Soup made from a peculiar kind of
green kernels.

GUTEN MORGEN, Good morning.

GUTEN TAG, Good day.

GUT WOCH, Good week.

HAFTARAH, Prophetic portion.

HAKAMIM, The sages, the rabbins.

HALACHAH, Religious rule or decision.

HAZAN, Reader or Precentor.

HEREIN, Come in.

ILLUY, Bright scholar.

JUBITZA, Long robe worn by the Polish and
Russian Jews.

KADDISH, A prayer recited by sons during the
eleven months after the death of
a parent.

KALLAH, Bride.

KEHILLAH, Congregation.

KIDDUSH, Benediction by which the Sabbath or
festivals are introduced.

KIDDUSH-BEAKER, Cup containing the wine of the
blessing.

KETUBAH, Marriage certificate.

KOSHER, Ritually clean.

KRETCHM, Tavern, inn.

“L’ETAT, C’EST MOI,” The State, I am it.

LEBE WOHL, Farewell.

LEF, A heart.

LINK, Irreligious.

LOEFFEL, A spoon.

MAARIV, Evening service.

MAGGID, Preacher.

MALACH, Angel.

MASSIG GEVOOL, Interference with the business of
another.

MAZZOL TOV, Good luck, a form of
congratulation.

MECHULLEH, A bankrupt.

MEHUTTANIM, Relatives by marriage.

MELAMMEDIM, Hebrew teachers.

MESHOLIM, Stories or parables.

MESHUMMAD OR MESHUMMED, A renegade, a pervert from Judaism.

MINCHAH, Afternoon service.

MISHNAH, Portion of the Talmud.

MISHPOCHOH, Family connections, relationship.

MITZVAH, Meritorious action, good deed.

NEDUNIAH, Dowry.

NEFOSHOS, Souls.

NIGGUN, Melody.

OVEL, A mourner.

PARNASS, President of the congregation.

PARNOSO, Livelihood, sustenance.

PEOTH, Ear curls.

PLETT, A ticket.

RACONTEUR, FEM.—_euse_, Teller of tales and anecdotes.

RAV, Official or communal rabbi.

RISHUS, Wickedness, enmity; Hebrew term for
anti-Jewish prejudice.

ROSH CHODESH, First of the Jewish month.

ROSHO, Wicked man, Jew-hater.

SCHEITEL, A cloth or wig with which religious
Jewesses cover their heads.

SCHLAFE WOHL, Sleep well.

SCHNORRERS, Beggars.

SEDRAH, The part of the Pentateuch read in
the synagogue.

SHABBOS KUGEL, Sabbath pudding.

SHAMMAS, Synagogue attendant; sexton.

SHIDDUCH, Marriage.

SHIUR, A selection from the Talmud or
devotional books.

SHIVAH, The prescribed mourning period of
seven days during which the
mourner sits on the earth and
does not leave the house.

SHOOL, Synagogue.

SOPHER, Scribe.

TAANIS, A fast day.

TALLETHIM OR TALLITHOTH, Robes or shawls worn during
services.

TEPHILLIN, Phylacteries.

PROSELYTE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, English rendition of Ger Tsedek, a
Gentile who enters into the
covenant of Judaism in all
sincerity and lives a
consistently pious and religious
life.

TORAH, The Law.

TREFAH OR TREFOTH, Forbidden food.

VIS Á VIS DE RIEN, Over against nothing—_i. e._, at a
loss, unable to do anything.

VODKA, Russian whiskey.

YEHUDI, A Jew.

YEHUDI ATTAH? Art thou a Jew?

YESHIBAH, Talmudic Academy.

ZWIEBEL TÄTCHER, Onion cake.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Transcriber’s note:

1. Silently corrected typographical errors and variations in spelling.

2. Retained anachronistic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings as
printed.