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Who crowns Israel with splendor

ho crowns Israel with splendor:

G. K. Chesterton's ''The Man Who Was Thursday," features a plot to infiltrate the Central Council of Anarchists, whose 7 members are named for the days of the week, Sunday, Monday, etc., The main character Gabriel Syme finds himself recruited as a spy first by a regular police officer and then by a mysterious man in a dark room, whose face he never sees.

"Are you the new recruit?" asked the invisible chief, "all right. You are engaged."

Syme, quite swept off his feet, made a feeble fight against this irrevocable phrase.

"I really have no experience," he began.

"No one has any experience," said the other, "of the battle of Armageddon."

"But I am really unfit-"

“You are willing, that is enough," said the unknown.

"Well, really," said Syme, "I don’t know of any profession of which mere willingness is the final test."

"I do," said the other, "martyrs. I am condemning you to death. Good day."

Thus it was that when Gabriel Syme came out again into the crimson light of evening, in his shabby black hat and shabby, lawless code, he came out a member of the New Detective Corps for the frustration of the great conspiracy. Before he had finally left the police premises his friend provided him with a small blue card, on which was written "The Last Crusade," and a number, the sign of his official authority.

There are times when our job as, "A Light unto the nations," seems a death sentence, and yet, we, as does Syme in this story, carry our "small blue card," with pride in our authority as official members of the corps to battle the great conspiracy of evil. We declare with this blessing, the pride of our Crown of Splendor, despite its great costs.


By: Rabbi Simcha Weinberg
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