ay to Abraham that my sacrifice hath exceeded his. He built
one altar whereon to sacrifice Isaac; thy mother hath built seven altars
and sacrificed seven Isaacs in one day. He was but tempted; thy mother
hath performed."

After the execution of her last son, Hannah became insane, and threw
herself from her house-top. Where she fell, she expired.

Happy are ye, ye seven sons of Hannah; your portion in the future world
was waiting for you. In faithfulness ye served your God, and with her
children shall your mother rejoice forever in the eternal world.

* * * * *

Moses Maimonides, one of the greatest of Jewish commentators, and a
descendant of Rabbi Judah, the compiler of the Mishna, was born in the
city of Cordova, Spain, March 30, 1135. His father was somewhat advanced
in life when he married, and it is said that he entered into the
conjugal state through having dreamed several successive times that he
was wedded to the daughter of a butcher in his neighborhood; the lady
whom he did actually marry.

Moses was the only child of this lady, who died shortly after his birth.
His father lamented her demise for about a year, and then married again,
several children being the result of this second union.

Moses displayed no love for study in his youth; a fact which grieved his
father much. All efforts to induce him to become more studious failed;
his brothers called him "the butcher's boy," as a term of reproach for
his dullness; and finally, in anger, his father drove him from his home.

While traveling, entirely friendless, Moses fell in with a learned
Rabbi, and admired his wisdom and knowledge so much that he resolved to
study zealously and emulate such attainments.

Many years after this a new preacher was announced to lecture in the
synagogue, at Cordova, upon a designated Sabbath. Numerous rumors of his
wonderful learning and eloquence were rife, and all were anxious to hear
him. In matter, delivery, earnestness, and effect, the sermon excelled
all that the people had before listened to, and to the amazement of
Maimonides the elder, and his sons, they recognized in the man all were
eager to honor, their outcast relative.

The first commentary of Maimonides is upon the Mishna, and it concludes
with these words:--

"I, Moses, the son of Maymon, commenced this commentary when
twenty-three years of age. I have finished it at the age of thirty in
the land of Egypt."

Maimonides fle