THEEE WHO ATE 275
"And men shall live by My commandments, and not die by them. There are times when one must turn aside from the Law, if by so doing a whole community may be saved."
I stand shaking with fear. What does the Rabbi want? What does he mean by his words? What does he think to accomplish ? And suddenly I see that he is weeping, and my heart beats louder and louder. What has happened ? Why does he weep ? And there I stand in the corner, in the silence, and I also begin to cry.
And to this day, if I shut my eyes, I see him standing on the platform, and he makes a sign with his hand to the two Dayonim to the left and right of him. He and they whisper together, and he says something in their ear. What has happened? Why does his cheek flame, and why are theirs as white as chalk ?
And suddenly I hear them talking, but I cannot understand them, because the words do not enter my brain. And yet all three are speaking so sharply and clearly !
And all the people utter a groan, and after the groan I hear the words, <r With the consent of the All-Present and with the consent of this congregation, we give leave to eat and drink on the Day of Atonement."
Silence. Not a sound is heard in the Shool, not an eyelid quivers, not a breath is drawn.
And I stand in my corner and hear my heart beating : one two one two. A terror comes over me, and it is black before my eyes. The shadows move to and fro on the wall, and amongst the shadows I see the dead who died yesterday and the day before yesterday and the
