Yeshiva University - Masmid Yearbook (New York, NY)

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M A SMID iioing application of its principles in daily life. The triumph of Pharisaism paved the way for the development of the Rabbinic tradition as the very basis of Judaism. The acceptance of the Oral Law and of innovation made of Judaisin a living and vibrant religion, one that was developed to meet the exigencies presented by varying en- vironments, rather than remaining a static entity conflicting with its surroundings. The enthusiasm for the Law manifested itself in increased ac- tivity and interest in editing and collecting the Holy Writings. The Prophetic Works became of prime importance in Jewish teaching and the ideals of these great leaders rendered Jewish life richer and more meaningful. The threat to the Hebrew language of extinction at the hands of the Aramaic was repulsed by the feverish preoccupation with the Sacred Writings. It became as of old the tongue of the people. The crystallization and strengthening of the Messianic ideal that later became one of the basic tenets of the Jewish faith can be traced directly to the period under con- sideration. And finally, the awakening of the stupefied national sentiment kindled in the Jews the race consciousness and the desire for inde- pendence that enabled them to preserve their iden- tity throughout centuries of exile and that has re- cently burst forth in the form of the greatest of modern miracles, the return of the nation to Eretz Israel and to freedom. Jn 1 outh and Age Dear child, if childish eagerness essayed To drink unbidden from the cup of wine Some adult has prepared . . . when youths incline Their heads aloft to where ideals have strayed, And clutching fingers on a peak are stayed ; If youthful hearts make quite unpeered design Upon the nymphs born of supernal line, — Should age laugh at the insolence displayed? Or can a stripling scale the laddered heights Dividing young from old and old from young, — • Till, like in footing, striving side by side. They quaff together from earth ' s cupped delights, As peers lamented, and on par unsung. Till pitted combat halts their bumptious stride? Bernard Dov Milians Twenty

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M A S M I D To Ihc Jews, tlic predictions ol the I ' topin is ,is in Israel ' s punishment seemed to have been luHilled in the |iersetutions of Antioihiis, Their ixpaiia lions as to the desirability ol obedieiue to the Law and exhortations as to the results of dis obedience to it were in accord with the new jiosi lion occupied by the Law in Jewish life. A more intense and active preoccupation with the tradi lional sacred literature became evident. The de sire to collect and to edit the Holy Writings marked the beginning of the choice between the religious books which afterwards was to result ill the fixing of llic third group of books in die Bible, The Sacred Writings. We are indebted to the literary activity of this period for the present form of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekial, the Twelve Minor Prophets, and possibly the Psalms, as well as for the writing of Daniel and of several books of the Apocrypha. The reaction against Hellenism expressed itself in a strengthening of characteristically Jewish modes and customs. The interest in editing the Scriptures led to an increased popular use of and important developments in the Hebrew language. The close contact of the people with the Asiatic nations had witnessed the supersession of the Hebrew by the Aramaic. The more intense pre- occupation with the Biblical works effected a renaissance in the Holy language. It underwent a rejuvenation and became for a second time, albeit in an altered form, the popular language of the people. The attempt to crush the Jews as a national group had ended in failure. The projected death- blow to their religion met with even less success. The Jews were thus inspired with renewed con- fidence in God and faith in their destiny. Their successful opposition to the vastly superior forces of Syria was ample proof to them that Divine Providence had intervened to save them from extinction. Their message, the Jews were con- vinced, was one of truth; they were destined to preach it to humanity. This period, with its alternation of persecution and freedom, of defeat and victory, also witnessed .1 very important development in (he Messianic iiKil, During the dark days of the persecution. the Jews sought solace in their visions of the Mes- sianic era when Israel would preach God ' s message to mankind. The assumption by Simon and Aris- lobulus II of complete civil power lent fuel to their Messianic hopes. A King was seated on the Throne of David. True, he was not of David ' s lineage; nevertheless, the people rejoiced in his presence on the throne and eagerly anticipated the day when the Messiah, a true decendant of David, would rule in Israel. Those of the Psalms written during this period give expression to these eschatological hopes. Henceforth, the vision of the Messianic Redemption was always to be for the Jews a ray of light and comfort shining through the dark clouds of oppression. The Hasmonean period awakened, as well, a new spirit of national consciousness. The triumph of the Maccabeans and the Hasmoneans over the powerful armies of Syria and the people ' s first taste of real independence sent the life blood of national sentiment coursing through their veins. The little country which for years had been the football of the great powers in their international play began to feel a sense of its own importance. The first development of a national sentiment that kindled in the Jewish people a desire for national prestige and political autonomy can thus be traced to the Hasmonean era. It is evident that the developments of this period are for Judaism of profound importance. Jewish life and Jewish religion owe much to the Hasmonean era. The expulsion of the Hellenistic influence permitted Judaism to remain a pure and unique entity. The Jews were enabled to retain their distinctive religious life and to preach to the world the message of Judaism. The strengthening of their faith tightened the bonds that united the people and proved to be a vital factor in the na- tional survival of the Jewish people. The new- zeal for the Law made religion the concern of every individual and achieved a more thorough- Sineteei

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M ASM I D Uuh by IJlUNAKI) l)ii Mil lANS Tlic summcTy breeze of tlic cvcniiiL; PlaycJ vvitli tlic i old ol her li.iir. She smiled to tlie stars all ai;limmer — Smiled to the Bull and the Bear . . . Her lover had whispered a secret, Adam had whispered of love; The flowering chestnut had listened, Bending his branches above, — So Lilith heard nought of the mutter. Of a darkly lurking form, She heard but the passionate murmurs Catching her up in their storm. 2 Beloved, beloved, — he whispered, Many the times you have passed. Fading away in the darkness, But I have caught you at last. Escape is shut off from the arbor, Useless to dream of escape — For now I have found you, my darling. Angel in womankind shape . . . Sweet creature you never shall leave me. Love will us ever combine. Encircling with soul-girdling branches. Tangling with clambering vine . . . 3 Madly I rushed where you led me. Slipping untouched from my grasp. Luring me on with your laughter — Too distant removed from iny clasp. Love, never — I never shall leave you. Pure one who lie by my side. Dream only of gentle surrender, Serenely engarbed as my bride . . . She laughed, and in whispers she told him Of yearnings she dared not confess — She laughingly whispered . . . and Adam Embraced her with loving caress . . . The delicate meshes that Cupid Spins like a silken cocoon Ensnared me with myriads of fibres, Me and my handsome dragoon. How gently the fibres were tightened! Love tightened his net round my soul . . . I struggled ... he drew the strands firmly, Thrilling, caressing my whole . . . A sweet serenade in the twilight. C learly the nightingale sings Accompanied there by my lover, Plucking at love ' s dainty strings. 5 Thy footsteps I often have followed, Listed each footfall at night — And, hidden I followed your glances Shielded by throngs from your sight . . . Each movement of passionate fer -or Stealthily viewing, each turn, Coquettishly fading, appearing. Causing your ardor to burn. And now, gentle night, I am taken, . drift in a billow-crest sea, I yield unreserved to your kisses, Joining myself unto thee. 6 Forever, beloved, she murmured, Forever, he whispered, for aye — Though earth should be crusted beneath us With love we shall ever essay . . . Each eve in the calm of the arbor They met in a passioned embrace. Oft uttering pledges eternal. Laughing at time ' s hoary face . . . Ah never, I never without you Shall inhabit the reaches of earth, Our souls are as one, for in loving We give life its minikin worth. Ttveniyone