The Sabbath Question in Sudminster by Israel Zangwill

'_Simeon_ and Levi are brethren. into their assembly be not thou united: in their self-will they digged down a wall.'

The _Parnass_ applauded mentally. The text, from Jacob's blessing, was ingeniously expurgated to meet the case. The wall, he perceived at once, was the Sabbath -- the Jews' one last protection against the outer world, the one last dyke against the waves of heathendom. Nor did his complacency diminish when his intuition proved correct, and the preacher thundered against the self-will -- ay, and the self-seeking -- that undermined Israel's last fortification. What did they seek under the wall? Did they think their delving spades would come upon a hidden store of gold, upon an ancient treasure-chest? Nay, it was a coffin they would strike -- a coffin of dead bones and living serpents.