The Sabbath - A Book Of Jewish Thoughts

THE SABBATH

NOT for us the Sabbath of the quiet streets,

Sabbath, peaceful o’er the world outspread,

Felt where every man his neighbour greets,

Heard in hush of many a slowly passing tread.

Not the robe of silence for our holy day:

Noisy run the worker and the player;

Toil and stir and laughter of the way

Surge around the steps that seek a place of prayer.

Silent we, while through the thronging street and mart

Work-day clamour of the city rolls:

Cloistered inly, from the world apart,

Ours it is to bear the Sabbath in our souls.

NINA SALAMAN, 1918.

Excerpt From A Book Of Jewish Thoughts Selected And Arranged By The Chief Rabbi - Dr J.H.Hertz