"O luckless, luckless was the hour, and cursed was the day
When I was born to have the power of this great seigniory;
Unhappy me that I should live to see the sun go down this night,
O Death, why now so slow art thou, why fearest thou to smite?"
CHAPTER VI.
A SABBATH EVE IN CORDOVA.
THE SYNAGOGUE OF CORDOVA.—THE DAUGHTERS OF ISRAEL PREPARING FOR THE SABBATH.—THE THRONE OF THE "NASI."—RABBI MOSES BEN CHANOCH.—THE ELOQUENCE OF SILENCE.—A TEARFUL SCENE.—THREE RABBIS TAKEN CAPTIVE BY PIRATES.—EVIL DESIGNS AGAINST CHANOCH'S YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL WIFE.—SOLD AS SLAVE TO CORDOVA.—HIS MIRACULOUS RISE.
A paved walk, guarded on each side by majestic cypress trees, winding its course along terraced gardens and near refreshing fountains, leads up to the lofty eminence on which stands the only synagogue of Cordova. Almost breathless we reach the height. We express our surprise that the Synagogue, visited twice daily, and thrice on the Sabbath day, should have been located so inconveniently, to which our distinguished friend Dunash ben Labrat replies: "Such is the custom in Israel, both Solomon[7] and Ezra[8] have established the custom of building the Synagogue on a lofty eminence, and the Talmud teaches: "The city whose houses are higher than its houses of worship will be destroyed."[9]