Israel’s Heritage

HOW shall we spend, O Lord,

Our priceless heritage;

The wealth of Holy Writ (Thy Word),

Bequeathed from age to age.

How shall we use the garnered store

Of Israel’s ancient song and lore?

Shall we, like misers, hoard

The jewels in our care;

The gems, by Seer and Prophet stored,

That all mankind might share;

The law from Sinai’s summit hurled

To speak in thunder to the world.

Shall we not spread broadcast

This wealth that shall endure?

These seeds of Faith, that in the past

Burst into blossoms pure:

Whose roots were nourished through the years

By martyred Israel’s blood and tears.

Heirs or thy Love are we,

The First-born, chosen race;

Holding in trust the legacy

No tyrant can efface!

Life of our life, breath of our breath,

Outliving scorn, and hate and death!

O let our Fathers preach

Thy glory and Thy fame!

O let our tender mothers teach

Their babes to lisp thy name;

That Israel in each coming age

May claim its precious heritage!