"How different this is," he said, "from the contaminated air one breathes in the narrow lanes of our quarter."
"You have travelled much, Rabbi," said the boy. "Tell me, are the Jews treated as cruelly all over the world as they are in Russia?"
"Unfortunately they are, in some other countries. Why do you ask?"
"Because I think—Rabbi, are we not ourselves to blame for our wretched existence?"
Jeiteles looked at the boy in surprise.
"That is a very grave question for a boy of your age," he said. "What gave you such an idea?"
"I have been thinking very much of late that if we were more like other people we might be made to suffer less."
"God forbid that we should become like them," answered the Rabbi, hastily. "Israel's greatest calamities have been caused by aping the fashions of other nations. Our only salvation lies in clinging to our customs and faith. Do not attempt to judge your elders until you are more conversant with your own religion. Obey the Law and do not trouble yourself concerning the religious observances of your people."
The boy took the rebuke meekly and the two walked on in silent meditation. After a pause, Mendel again took up the conversation.
"In to-day's lesson," he said, "we learned that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom; that study is God's special command. A wise Rabbi furthermore said upon this subject: 'He gains wisdom who is willing to receive from all sources.' Am I right?"