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Concerning that ornamentation it is written (Jer. ii. 6): “No man passed through it; and where no man dwelt.” Man is without, man is not included therein; much less the male.

Like as it is written, Jer. xxxii. 17: AHH ADNI IHVH, Ahah, Adonaï, Yod He Vau He: “Ah, Lord Jehovah,” &c., where there is a cohesion of the connecting links (that is, in the word AHH, Ahah, those two HH, He's, are combined which elsewhere are the media of the connecting path). For by the spirit is made the connection of the balanced equilibria (that is, of the combinations as well of the father and mother as of the Microprosopus and his bride).

The curls of His hair hang down in order, and pure like unto (pure) wool, even unto His shoulders. Say we unto His shoulders? Nevertheless, even unto the rise of His shoulders, so that His neck may not be seen, because of that which is written, Jer. ii. 27: “Because they have turned away from Me the neck and not the face.”

This is the same which is written, Jer. iii. 3: “Yet thou hadst the forehead of a shameless woman, thou refusedst to be ashamed.”

Also it is written, Jer. xxxii. v. 19: “Whose eyes are open.”

“Because it is thus written, Jer. xxxi. 34: ‘A man shall no more teach his neighbour, &c., because all shall know Me, from the least of them even unto the greatest of them.’

Rabbi Chiya arose, and, commencing, said, Jer. i. 6: “AHH ADNI IHVH, Ahah Adonai Tetragrammaton! ‘Ah, Lord Tetragrammaton! behold, I cannot speak, for I am a child.’

“Also it is written, Jer. x. 2: ‘Be ye not dismayed at the signs (or influences) of the heavens.’ Because if they exist in holiness, in the same way they must depend from the Influx.

Like as it is written, Jer. iii. 3: “And thou hadst the forehead of a woman who is a whore, thou refusedst to be ashamed.”

Whence it is written, Jer. xxxi. 20: “Therefore My bowels are troubled for him, I will surely have mercy upon him, saith Tetragrammaton.”

What is Yobel? As it is written, Jer. xvii. 8: “VOL IVBL, Va-El Yobel, And spreadeth out her roots by the river;” therefore that river which ever goeth forth and floweth, and goeth forth and faileth not.

Why does one read these two sections every day? Rebbi Simon says because they mention lying down and getting up. Rebbi Levi said, because the Ten Commandments are contained in them. “I am the Eternal, your God.” - “Hear, o Israel, The Eternal, our God.” “You should not have any other gods before me.” - “The Eternal is One.” “Do not take the name of the Eternal, your God, in vain.” - “You must love the Eternal, your God.” He who loves the king will not swear in his name and lie. “Remember the Sabbath day to sanctify it.” - “So that you shall remember;” Rebbi said: that is the commandment of Sabbath which is as important as all other commandments of the Torah together, as it is written (Neh. 9:14): “You informed them about Your Sabbath, commandments, laws, and Torah you commanded them, …” to show that it is as important as the other commandments of the Torah. “Honor your father and mother” - “So that your days and the days of your children should increase.” “Do not murder” - “You will soon be lost.” He who kills will be killed. “Do not commit adultery” - “Do not stray after your hearts and after your eyes.” Rebbi Levi said: heart and eye are the two agents of sin. It is written (Prov. 23:26) “My son, give Me your heart; your eyes should watch My ways.” The Holy One, Praise to Him, says: If you give me your heart and eyes I know that you are mine. “Do not steal” - “You shall harvest your grain,” not your neighbor’s grain” “Do not testify against your neighbor as a false witness,” - “I am the Lord, your God.” And it is written (Jer. 10:10) “But the Lord is the God of truth.” What is truth? Rebbi Abun said: that (Jer. 10:10) “He is God of life and king of the world.” Rebbi Levi said: The Holy One, praise to Him, said, if you gave false testimony against your neighbor, I count that against you as if you gave testimony against Me that I did not create heaven and earth. “Do not covet your neighbor’s house” - “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house,” your house and not your neighbor’s house.

Why does one read these two sections every day? Rebbi Simon says because they mention lying down and getting up. Rebbi Levi said, because the Ten Commandments are contained in them. “I am the Eternal, your God.” - “Hear, o Israel, The Eternal, our God.” “You should not have any other gods before me.” - “The Eternal is One.” “Do not take the name of the Eternal, your God, in vain.” - “You must love the Eternal, your God.” He who loves the king will not swear in his name and lie. “Remember the Sabbath day to sanctify it.” - “So that you shall remember;” Rebbi said: that is the commandment of Sabbath which is as important as all other commandments of the Torah together, as it is written (Neh. 9:14): “You informed them about Your Sabbath, commandments, laws, and Torah you commanded them, …” to show that it is as important as the other commandments of the Torah. “Honor your father and mother” - “So that your days and the days of your children should increase.” “Do not murder” - “You will soon be lost.” He who kills will be killed. “Do not commit adultery” - “Do not stray after your hearts and after your eyes.” Rebbi Levi said: heart and eye are the two agents of sin. It is written (Prov. 23:26) “My son, give Me your heart; your eyes should watch My ways.” The Holy One, Praise to Him, says: If you give me your heart and eyes I know that you are mine. “Do not steal” - “You shall harvest your grain,” not your neighbor’s grain” “Do not testify against your neighbor as a false witness,” - “I am the Lord, your God.” And it is written (Jer. 10:10) “But the Lord is the God of truth.” What is truth? Rebbi Abun said: that (Jer. 10:10) “He is God of life and king of the world.” Rebbi Levi said: The Holy One, praise to Him, said, if you gave false testimony against your neighbor, I count that against you as if you gave testimony against Me that I did not create heaven and earth. “Do not covet your neighbor’s house” - “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house,” your house and not your neighbor’s house.

Ben Zoma said: There will be a future time when Israel will no longer mention the Exodus. What is the reason? (Jer. 23:7–8) “Therefore, days will come, says the Eternal, that one no longer will say, by the Eternal Who brought the Children of Israel up from Egypt, but rather, by the Eternal Who raised and brought the descendants of the House of Israel from the Northern land …” They said to him, not that the Exodus will be eliminated but the Exodus will be additional to the Kingdoms. The Kingdoms will be principal and the Exodus additional. And similarly it was said (Gen. 35:10): :Your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name.” Not that the name Jacob will be taken away but Jacob will be additional to Israel. Israel will be principal and Jacob additional. And so it says (Is. 43:18–19): “Do not remember the first things”; this means the Egyptians, “And what was earlier do not dwell on”; this means the Kingdoms, “Behold, I create something new, now it will grow”; this refers to Gog. They gave a simile: to what can this be compared? To someone who encountered a wolf and was saved from it. He started telling about the wolf when he encountered a lion and was saved from it. He forget about the wolf and started telling about the lion.After that, he encountered a snake and was saved from it. He forgot about both of them and started telling about the snake. So it is with Israel, the last troubles make them forget the earlier ones.

HALAKHAH: Rebbi Levi said, the reason of Rebbi Yehudah: (Num. 15:41) “I am the Eternal, your God”, and it is written (Jer. 10:10) “But the Eternal is the true God”.

Rebbi Joshua ben Levi said: They learned prayers from the patriarchs. Morning prayer from our father Abraham (Gen. 19:27): “Abraham got up early to the place where he had stood there in the presence of the Eternal.” Standing means praying, as it says (Ps. 106:30) “Phineas stood and prayed.” Minḥah prayers from our father Isaac. (Gen. 24:63) “Isaac went out to speak on the field.” Speaking means praying, as it says (Ps. 102:1) “A prayer of the deprived one when he faints and pours out his speech before the Eternal.” Evening prayer from our father Jacob. (Gen. 28:11) “He entreated at the Place.” Entreaty means prayer, as it is said (Jer. 27:18) “Please, let them entreat the Eternal of hosts.” And it says (Jer. 7:16): “Do not lift for them (your voice in) a cry and do not entreat me.”

Rebbi Joshua ben Levi said: They learned prayers from the patriarchs. Morning prayer from our father Abraham (Gen. 19:27): “Abraham got up early to the place where he had stood there in the presence of the Eternal.” Standing means praying, as it says (Ps. 106:30) “Phineas stood and prayed.” Minḥah prayers from our father Isaac. (Gen. 24:63) “Isaac went out to speak on the field.” Speaking means praying, as it says (Ps. 102:1) “A prayer of the deprived one when he faints and pours out his speech before the Eternal.” Evening prayer from our father Jacob. (Gen. 28:11) “He entreated at the Place.” Entreaty means prayer, as it is said (Jer. 27:18) “Please, let them entreat the Eternal of hosts.” And it says (Jer. 7:16): “Do not lift for them (your voice in) a cry and do not entreat me.”

The maternal uncle of Rebbi Ada had rolled up the kaftan of Rav on the Great Fastday. He said to him: When you see the sun on top of the date palms, give me my kaftan so that we may pray Minḥah. And when the sun is on top of the date palms it is daytime. As Rebbi Yoḥanan said (Is. 44:27): “He Who said to the deep: dry up!”, that is Babylonia, the filth of the world. Rebbi Yoḥanan said: Why is it called “the deep”, because there the dead of the Deluge were submerged, (Jer. 51:49) “Also in Babylonia the slain of Israel will fall, also in Babylonia the corpses of all the earth did fall.” It is written (Gen. 11:2) “They found a valley in the land Shinear and dwelt there.” Rebbi Simeon ben Laqish said, why is it called Shinear? Because there the dead of the Deluge were thrown. Another explanation: Because they die in strangulation, without light or public baths. Another explanation: Shinear, because they are stripped of miẓwot, without terumah and without tithes. Another explanation: Shinear, because its rulers die as youths. Another explanation: Shinear, because it produced a hater and enemy of the Holy One, praise to Him. Who is that? That is Nebuchadnezzar the evil one.

Rebbi Yasa, Rebbi Ḥelbo. Rebbi Berekhiah, Rebbi Ḥelbo comes to it in the name of Rebbi Eudaimon from Ḥaifa: A person has to turn his face to the wall in order to pray. What is the reason? (Is. 38:2) “Hezekiah turned his face to the wall.” Which wall did he lift his eyes to? Rebbi Joshua ben Levi said, he lifted his eyes to Raḥab’s wall, (Jos. 2:15) “For her house was on the wall of the fortification.” He said before Him: Master of the world, Raḥab the inn-keeper saved two souls for You, and see how many souls You saved for her. [That is what is written (Jos.6:23): “The youths came, etc.” Rebbi Simeon bar Yoḥai said, even if her family was 200 persons strong and they furthermore were related to another 200 families, all of these were saved by her merit.] My forefathers who brought to You all these proselytes, so much more. Rebbi Ḥananiah bar Pappus said, he lifted his eyes to the wall of the Temple. (Ez. 43:8) “When they put their lintel next to My lintel, their doorposts next to My doorpost, with the wall between Me and them.” They were important people, they could not go and pray in the Temple every time, so they prayed in their house and the Holy One, praise to Him, considers it as if they had prayed in the Temple. My fathers who built for You all this glory, so much more. Rebbi Samuel bar Naḥman said, he lifted his eyes to the wall of the woman from Sunem, as it was said (2Kings 4:10): “Let us make a small upper storey on the wall”. He said before Him: Master of the world, the woman from Sunem made one wall for Elisha and You revived her son. My forefathers who built for You all this glory, so much more that You should give me my life. The rabbis say, he lifted his eyes to the walls of his heart. (Jer. 4:19) “My innards, my innards I make tremble, the walls of my heart are in uproar.” He said before Him: Master of the world, I checked all my 248 limbs that You gave me and I did not find one of them I offended You with; so much more that You should give me my life.

It is stated: “One should pray neither out of conversation, nor out of jokes, nor out of frivolities, nor out of idle occupations, but out of words of Torah. Similarly, one should not take leave from one’s friend either out of conversation, or out of jokes, or out of frivolities, or out of idle occupations, but out of words of Torah, since we find that the earlier prophets were closing their words with expressions of praise and consolation.” Rebbi Eleazar said, except for Jeremiah who closed with words of reprobation. Rebbi Yoḥanan said to him, still he closed with words of consolation and said (Jer. 51:64) “So Babylon shall sink.” Because Jeremiah continued to prophesy about the Temple. One could think that he closed with the destruction of the Temple, but the verse states (Jer. 51:64) “So far the words of Jeremiah,” he finished with the downfall of its destroyers, he did not close with words of reprobation. But is it not written (Is. 66:24): “They will be a horror for all flesh?” That verse deals with Gentiles. But is it not written (Lament. 5:22): “But You much despised us”? (Lament. 5:21) “Make us return” replaces “But You much despised us”. Also Elijah did take leave from Elisha only out of words of Torah, (2Kings 2:11) “they walked talking.” What did they talk of? Rebbi Aḥawa the son of Rebbi Zeïra said, they discussed the recitation of Shema‘, (Deut. 6:7) “you should talk about them.” Rebbi Judah ben Pazi said, they were discussing Creation, (Ps. 33:6) “through the word of the Eternal the heavens were made.” Rebbi Yudan, the son of Rebbi Ayvu, said, they were occupied with the consolations of Jerusalem, as you say (Is. 40:2) “Speak to Jerusalem’s heart.” But the rabbis say, they were occupied with the Divine Chariot, as you say (2Kings 2:11) “behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire, etc.”

It is stated: “One should pray neither out of conversation, nor out of jokes, nor out of frivolities, nor out of idle occupations, but out of words of Torah. Similarly, one should not take leave from one’s friend either out of conversation, or out of jokes, or out of frivolities, or out of idle occupations, but out of words of Torah, since we find that the earlier prophets were closing their words with expressions of praise and consolation.” Rebbi Eleazar said, except for Jeremiah who closed with words of reprobation. Rebbi Yoḥanan said to him, still he closed with words of consolation and said (Jer. 51:64) “So Babylon shall sink.” Because Jeremiah continued to prophesy about the Temple. One could think that he closed with the destruction of the Temple, but the verse states (Jer. 51:64) “So far the words of Jeremiah,” he finished with the downfall of its destroyers, he did not close with words of reprobation. But is it not written (Is. 66:24): “They will be a horror for all flesh?” That verse deals with Gentiles. But is it not written (Lament. 5:22): “But You much despised us”? (Lament. 5:21) “Make us return” replaces “But You much despised us”. Also Elijah did take leave from Elisha only out of words of Torah, (2Kings 2:11) “they walked talking.” What did they talk of? Rebbi Aḥawa the son of Rebbi Zeïra said, they discussed the recitation of Shema‘, (Deut. 6:7) “you should talk about them.” Rebbi Judah ben Pazi said, they were discussing Creation, (Ps. 33:6) “through the word of the Eternal the heavens were made.” Rebbi Yudan, the son of Rebbi Ayvu, said, they were occupied with the consolations of Jerusalem, as you say (Is. 40:2) “Speak to Jerusalem’s heart.” But the rabbis say, they were occupied with the Divine Chariot, as you say (2Kings 2:11) “behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire, etc.”

Rebbi Jonah in the name of Rebbi Tanḥum ben Rebbi Ḥiyya, He who sees a disquieting dream must say: “May it be Your pleasure, o Eternal, my God and God of my fathers, that all my dreams that I dreamed, in this night or in any other night, whether I dreamed or others dreamed about me, if they are good they should be fulfilled for me in enjoyment and joy, blessing and life. If they are something else then, just as You turned bitter water to sweet waters, the waters of Jericho to sweet ones through Elisha, and the curse of the son of Beör to a blessing, so may You turn all bad dreams, including what others dreamed about me, to good, blessing, healing, life, joy and enjoyment, and peace. (Ps. 30:12–13) ‘You turned my wailing into a dance, you opened my sackcloth and girded me with joy. So that the liver may sing to You and never be silent; o Eternal, my God, I shall eternally thank You! (Deut. 23:6) The Eternal, your God, refused to listen to Bileam, the Eternal, your God, turned curse into blessing since the Eternal, your God, loves you. (Jer. 31:12) Then the maiden will rejoice in dance, young and old men together; I shall turn their mourning to enjoyment and I shall console them and give them joy out of their hurt.’ ”

It is written (Neh. 8:6): “Ezra praised the Eternal, the great God.” In what did he declare Him great? He declared Him great by the Explicit Name. Rav Mattanah said, he declared Him great by a benediction. Rebbi Simon in the name of Rebbi Joshua ben Levi: Why are they called the Men of the Great Assembly? Because they returned the Crown to its former status. Rebbi Phineas said, Moses fixed the formula of benediction, (Deut. 10:17) “the Great, Strong, and Awesome God.” Jeremiah said (Jer. 32:18): “the Great, Strong God,” but he left out “Awesome.” Why did he say “the Strong”? He may rightly be called strong because He sees the destruction and is silent. And why did he not say “the Awesome”? Awesome is only the Temple, as it is said (Ps. 68:36): “Awesome is the Eternal from Your holy place.” Daniel said (Dan. 9:4): “the Great and Awesome God,” he did not say “the Strong”; His sons are put in neck-irons, where is His strength? Why did he say: “the Awesome?” He may well be called “the Awesome” by the wonders He did for us in the fiery oven. But when the Men of the Great Assembly came,they restituted Greatness to its former place, “the Great, Strong, and Awesome God.” Does flesh and blood have power to set limits in these matters? Rebbi Isaac ben Eleazar said, the prophets know that their God is Truth and they will not fawn before him.

Rebbi Aḥa said, “Who is it that has been connected?” Even those that stretched out their arms against the Sanctuary have certitude. It is impossible to bring them near since they stretched out their arms against the Sanctuary. It is impossible to keep them far since they repented. On them it says (Jer. 51:39): “They will sleep eternal sleep and never awake.” The rabbis of Caesarea say, Gentile minors and the armies of Nebuchadnezzar will not live, but never will they be judged. On them Scripture says: “They will sleep eternal sleep, etc.”

Elijah, may he be well remembered, asked Rebbi Nehorai: Why do earthquakes occur in the world? He said to him, because of sin concerning heave and tithes. One verse says (Deut. 11:12): The eyes of the Eternal, your God, are permanently on it. Another verse says (Ps. 104:32): He who gazes on the Earth and it trembles, He touches mountains and they smoke. How can these two verses coexist? If Israel fulfill the will of the Omnipresent and separate their tithes following the rules, “the eyes of the Eternal, your God, are permanently on it from the start to the end of the year” and they will not be hurt by anything. If Israel do not fulfill the will of the Omnipresent and do not separate their tithes following the rules, “He gazes on the Earth and it trembles.” He said to him, my son, that is the reasonable explanation. But the main thing is that if the Holy One, praise to Him, sees theatres and circuses existing in safety and quiet, but His temple is destroyed, He is menacing His world to destroy it; that is what is written (Jer. 25:30): “He will roar on His Place,” about His place. Rebbi Aḥa said, because of homosexual activity. The Holy One, praise to Him, said: You made your member tremble for something that is not for you; by your life, I shall make My world tremble because of that man. But the rabbis said, because of quarrels (Zach. 14:5): “You will flee by the valley of the mountains, for the valley of the mountains will reach Aẓel.” Rebbi Samuel said, an earthquake presages a change of government, as one says (Jer. 51:29): “The earth quaked and trembled,” why? “for the intentions of the Eternal overtake Babylon.”

Elijah, may he be well remembered, asked Rebbi Nehorai: Why do earthquakes occur in the world? He said to him, because of sin concerning heave and tithes. One verse says (Deut. 11:12): The eyes of the Eternal, your God, are permanently on it. Another verse says (Ps. 104:32): He who gazes on the Earth and it trembles, He touches mountains and they smoke. How can these two verses coexist? If Israel fulfill the will of the Omnipresent and separate their tithes following the rules, “the eyes of the Eternal, your God, are permanently on it from the start to the end of the year” and they will not be hurt by anything. If Israel do not fulfill the will of the Omnipresent and do not separate their tithes following the rules, “He gazes on the Earth and it trembles.” He said to him, my son, that is the reasonable explanation. But the main thing is that if the Holy One, praise to Him, sees theatres and circuses existing in safety and quiet, but His temple is destroyed, He is menacing His world to destroy it; that is what is written (Jer. 25:30): “He will roar on His Place,” about His place. Rebbi Aḥa said, because of homosexual activity. The Holy One, praise to Him, said: You made your member tremble for something that is not for you; by your life, I shall make My world tremble because of that man. But the rabbis said, because of quarrels (Zach. 14:5): “You will flee by the valley of the mountains, for the valley of the mountains will reach Aẓel.” Rebbi Samuel said, an earthquake presages a change of government, as one says (Jer. 51:29): “The earth quaked and trembled,” why? “for the intentions of the Eternal overtake Babylon.”

What says he who passes between graves? Praised are You, Eternal, Who makes the dead live. Rebbi Ḥiyya in the name of Rebbi Yoḥanan: Who is true to His word and makes the dead live. Rebbi Ḥiyya in the name of Rebbi Yoḥanan: He Who knows your number will wake you up and remove the dust from upon your eyes. Praised are You, Eternal, Who makes the dead live. Rebbi Eleazar in the name of Rebbi Ḥanina: Who created You by judgment, fed you by judgment, and removed you by judgment, He will in the future make you live by judgment. He Who knows your number will remove the dust from upon your eyes. Praised be He Who makes the dead live. That is, for Jewish dead. But for the dead of the Gentiles, he says (Jer. 50:12): Your mother is very shameful, the one who bore you is ashamed ….

In the house of Yannai they said, if she is sitting on the birthing stool. Hence, before that he should pray, because of (Jer. 18:6) “Lo, like clay in the potter’s hand …” Rebbi Yehudah ben Pazi in the name of the house of Yannai: The main pregnancy of Dinah was as a male. After the prayer of Rachel, she became a female. That is (Gen. 30:21): “Afterwards, she gave birth to a daughter and called her name Dinah.” After the prayer of Rachel, she became a female. And Rebbi Yehudah ben Pazi in the name of the house of Rebbi Yannai: Our mother Rachel was of the early prophetesses. She said, another one will be from me. That is what is written (Gen. 30:24): “May the Eternal add me another son.” She did not say other sons, but another son will be from me.

“And Torah study.” Rebbi Berekhiah and Rebbi Ḥiyya from Kefar Teḥumin. One said that the entire world is not worth even one saying of the Torah. The other said that even all commandments of the Torah are not worth even one saying of the Torah. Rebbi Tanḥuma and Rebbi Yose ben Zimra, one said like the first and one said like the second. Rebbi Abba, father of Rebbi Abba bar Mari, in the name of Rebbi Aḥa: One verse says (Prov. 8:11) “all desirables do not equal it;” the other verse says (Prov. 3:15) “your desirables do not equal it.” “Desirables” are gems and pearls, “your desirables” are the words of the Torah, for it is written (Jer. 9:23): “For these I desire - saying of the Eternal.”

MISHNAH: He who has 50 zuz and uses them for trade should not take. One who has no need to take but takes will not die of old age until he needs the creatures. One who has need to take but does not take will not die of old age until he can provide for others from what is his; for him is was said (Jer. 17:7): “Blessed be the man who will be confident in the Eternal, the Eternal will be his trust.” The same applies to a judge who delivers strictly true judgment. But one who is neither lame nor blind nor limping and presents himself as such will not die from old age until he will be one of them, as it is said (Deut. 16:20): “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” But every judge who takes bribes and bends the law will not die from old age until his eyes are dimmed, as it is said (Ex. 23:8): “Do not take bribes, for bribes blind the eyes of the seeing.”

Rebbi Aḥa in the name of Rebbi Ḥinena, so is the Mishnah: Everybody who needs to take and does not take commits suicide and one may not have mercy on him. If he does not care for himself, would he care for others? Everybody who has no need to take but takes will not die of old age until he needs the creatures. Everybody who needs to take but does not take will not die of old age until he can provide for others from what is his; on him is was said (Jer. 17:7): “Blessed be the man who will be confident in the Eternal; the Eternal will be his trust.”

It is written (Jer. 20:6–7): “But you, Pashḥur, and all inhabitants of your house will go into captivity. You will come to Babylon, die there, and be buried there.” Rebbi Abba bar Zemina said, Rebbi Ḥelbo and Rebbi Ḥama bar Ḥanina. One of them said, if somebody dies there and is buried there, he has two [detriments] in hand. If he dies there and is buried here, he has one [detriment] in hand. The other one said, burial here atones for death there.

Rebbi Bar Qiria and Rebbi Eleazar were talking a walk on the road when they saw coffins being brought into the Land from abroad. Rebbi Bar Qiria said to Rebbi Eleazar: What good is that going to do them? I am reading for them (Jer. 2:7) “My inheritance your considered an abomination” during your lifetime, “you came and made My Land impure” in your death. He said to him, when they arrive in the Land, one takes a lump of earth and puts it on the coffin, as it is written (Deut. 32:43) “His earth atones for His people.”

The rabbis of Caesarea say, Gentile minors and the armies of Nebucadnezzar will not live and will not be judged; about them it says (Jer. 51:39,57): “They will sleep an eternal sleep and never wake up.” From when do Jewish minors live? The elder Rebbi Ḥiyya and Rebbi Simeon ben Rebbi, one said from when they are born, the other said from when they talk. He who says from when they are born (Ps. 22:32): “they shall come and tell His justice to the born people He made.” He who says from when they talk (Ps. 22:31): “Seed will worship Him, it will by told to the Master by the generation.” It was stated in the name of Rebbi Meïr: From the time [the child] knows to answer Amen in the synagogue. What is the reason? (Is. 26:2) “Open the gates, let the just people come who keep trust.” There they say, from when they are circumcised (Ps. 88:16): “I carried your fear, I cease” But the rabbis from here say, from when they are born (Ps. 87:5): “He will say to Zion, everybody [who] was born [is] in it.” Rebbi Eleazar says, even the still-born, what is the reason? (Is. 49:6) “The watched ones of Israel to return”, the created ones of Israel to return.

How does Rebbi Yose bar Ḥanina explain “In view of all this”? Since they accepted [the obligations] with good grace, the verse credits it to them as if they had accepted it voluntarily. How does Rebbi Eleazar explain “more than your forefathers?” He explains it for the future since Rebbi Ḥelbo, Simeon bar Abba said in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan: Your forefathers inherited the land of seven peoples, but you will in the future inherit the land of ten peoples. The three others are (Gen. 15:19) “the Qenites, the Qenizites and the Qadmonites.” Rebbi Jehudah said, [these are] Arabia, Salmaia and Nabataea. Rebbi Simeon says, Asia, Spain, and Damascus. Rebbi Eliezer ben Jacob says, Asia, Cartagena, and Thrace. Rebbi says, Edom, Moab, and the best of Ammon. “More than your forefathers”: Your forefathers, even though they were redeemed, were later subjugated again. But you when you are redeemed will not be subjugated again. What is the reason? (Jer. 30:6) “Inquire and see whether a male gives birth.” Just as a male cannot give birth so you, after you are redeemed, will not be subjugated again.

This means that buttocks are no sex organs. That is, for benedictions, but to look at them in any way is forbidden. As it was stated: He who looks at a woman’s heel is as if he looked at her genitals and he who looks at her genitals is as if he had intercourse with her. Samuel said, a woman’s voice is a sex organ. What is the reason? (Jer. 3:9) “From the sound of her whoring the land became polluted, etc.”

MISHNAH: How does one bring First Fruits? All villages in the ma‘amad district come to its central city. They stay overnight in the city square and do not enter houses. In the morning, the organizer says to them (Jer. 31:5): “Get up and let us ascend to Zion, to the Eternal’s, our God’s, House.”

It is written (Jer. 20:6–7): “But you, Pashḥur, and all inhabitants of your house will go into captivity. You will come to Babylon, die there, and be buried there.” Rebbi Abba [bar Zemina] said, Rebbi Ḥelbo and Rebbi Ḥama bar Ḥanina. One of them said, if somebody dies there and is buried there, he has two [detriments] in hand. If he dies there and is buried here, he has one [detriment] in hand. The other one said, burial atones for their death.

Rebbi Bar Qiria and Rebbi Eleazar were taking a walk on the road when they saw coffins being brought into the Land from abroad. Rebbi Bar Qiria said to Rebbi Eleazar: What good is that going to do them? I am reading for them (Jer. 2:7) “My inheritance your considered an abomination” during your lifetime, “you came and made My Land impure” in your death. He said to him, when they arrive in the Land, one takes a lump of earth and puts it on the coffin, as it is written (Deut. 32:43) “His earth atones for His people.”

How does Rebbi Yose bar Ḥanina explain “In view of all this, we execute a contract and sign”? Since they accepted [the obligations] with good grace, the verse credits it to them as if they had accepted it voluntarily. How does Rebbi Eleazar explain “more than your forefathers?” He explains it for the future since Rebbi Ḥelbo, Simeon bar Abba said in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan: Your forefathers inherited the land of seven peoples, but you will in the future inherit the land of ten peoples. The three others are (Gen. 15:19) “the Qenites, the Qenizites and the Qadmonites.” Rebbi Jehudah said, [these are] Arabia, Salmaia and Nabataea. Rebbi Simeon says, Asia, Spain, and Damascus. Rebbi Eliezer ben Jacob says, Asia, Cartagena, and Thrace. Rebbi says, Edom, Moab, and the best of Ammon. “More than your forefathers”: Your forefathers, even though they were redeemed, were later subjugated again. But you when you are redeemed will not be subjugated again. What is the reason? (Jer. 30:6) “Inquire and see whether a male gives birth.” Just as a male cannot give birth so you, after you are redeemed, will not be subjugated again.

His opinion is certainly that there are three watches in the night ; but his intention is to inform us that there are watches in heaven as on earth. For there is a teaching : R. Eliezer says : There are three watches in the night, and at each watch, the Holy One, blessed be He, sits enthroned and roars like a lion ; as it is said, "The Lord doth roar from on high, and utter His voice from His holy habitation ; He doth mightily roar because of His fold " (Jer. xxv. 30). A sign for the matter [of the three earthly night-watches] is :

A certain Elder taught in the name of R. Simeon b. Johai : It is to be derived from the occurrence of the same word 'awon "iniquity" in the following passages : "By mercy and truth iniquity is expiated" (ibid. xvi. 6) and "Who recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children" (Jer. xxxii. 18).

R. Helbo also said in the name of Rab Huna : Whoever partakes of the festivity of a bridegroom without felicitating him transgresses the five "voices" ; as it is said, "The voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that say. Give thanks to the Lord of Hosts" (Jer. xxxiii. 11).

R. Abbahu said : [If he felicitates the bridegroom] it is as though he had brought a thanksgiving offering ; as it is said, "Even of them that bring offerings of thanksgiving into the house of the Lord" (Jer. l.c.). Rab Nahman b. Isaac said : It is as though he had rebuilt one of the ruins of Jerusalem ; as it is said, "For I will cause the captivity of the land to return as at the first, saith the Lord" (ibid.).

R. Simeon b. Lakish said : Whoever has a Synagogue in his town, and does not enter it to pray, is called "an evil neighbour"; as it is said, "Thus saith the Lord, As for all Mine evil neighbours, that touch the inheritance which I have caused My people Israel to inherit" (Jer. xii. 14). More than that, he causes exile to come upon himself and his sons ; as it is said, "Behold, I will pluck them up from off their land, and will pluck up the house of Judah from among them" (ibid.).

What means kir? R. Simeon b. Lakish said: [He prayed] from the chambers [kirot] of his heart; as it is said, "My bowels, my bowels! I writhe in pain! the chambers of my heart, etc." (Jer. iv. 19).

There is a teaching to the same effect : We do not say "With everlasting love," but "With abounding love." But the Rabbis declare that "With everlasting love" [is to be recited] ; for so it is said, "Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love ; therefore with affection have I drawn thee" (Jer. xxxi. 3).

GEMARA There is a teaching : Ben Zoma said to the Sages : Will the exodus from Egypt be mentioned in the days of the Messiah ? Has it not long ago been declared, "Therefore behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that they shall no more say. As the Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt ; but, as the Lord liveth, that brought up and that led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all the countries whither I had driven them" (Jer. xxiii. 7f.)?

"The Lord God is the true God" (Jer. x. 10).

There is a teaching : R. Judah b. Batyra used to say : The words of Torah do not contract defilement. It happened that a disciple was speaking indistinctly over against R. Judah b. Batyra. He said to him : My son, open thy mouth and let thy words issue forth clearly, because words of Torah cannot contract defilement; as it is said, "Is not My word like a fire? saith the Lord" (Jer. xxiii 29) — as fire does not contract defilement, so also words of Torah do not contract defilement.

R. Abba was avoiding Rab Judah because he wished to go up to the land of Israel ; for Rab Judah declared : Whoever goes up from Babylon to the land of Israel commits a transgression because of [the injunction] which is stated, "They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be, until the day that I remember them, saith the Lord" ( Jer. xxvii. 22). R. Abba said : I will go and hear some teaching from him at the seminary and then I will depart.

Jacob instituted the evening Tefillah ; as it is said, "And he lighted [paga'] upon the place, and tarried there all night" (Gen. xxviii. 11) — "alighting" means prayer; as it is said, "Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession [paga'] to Me" (Jer. vii. 16).

Rabban Gamaliel said to him, "But has it not been said, 'Afterward I will bring back the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith the Lord' (Jer. xlix. 6) ? and therefore they have returned !"

He answered, "Thou hast reminded me of something which R. Jose b. R. Hannina said, viz. : What means that which is written, 'Through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt' (Jer. ii. 6) ? Since no man passed through it, how could anyone dwell there ! But it intends to tell us that every land concerning which Adam decreed that it should be inhabited has become inhabited, and every land concerning which Adam did not so decree has not been inhabited."

first, that which is written, "Her that I have afflicted" (ibid.); second, that which is written, "Behold as the clay in the potter's hand, so are ye in My hand, O house of Israel" (Jer. xviii. 6) ; third, that which is written, "I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh" (Ezek. xxxvi. 26).

"The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream ; and he that hath My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What hath the straw to do with the wheat ? saith the Lord" (Jer. 23:28). What connection has "straw and wheat" with a dream ? But said R. Johanan in the name of R. Simeon b. Johai : Just as one cannot have wheat without straw, similarly it is impossible for a dream to be without something that is vain.

Three verses in which "turn" occurs — "Thou didst turn for me my mourning into dancing ; Thou didst loose my sackcloth and gird me with gladness" (Ps. xxx. 12); "Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old together; for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow" (Jer. xxxi. 12); "Nevertheless the Lord thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the Lord thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee" (Deut. xxiii. 6).

Who dreams of grapes should on rising say, "I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness" (Hos. ix. 10) before another verse occurs to him, viz.: "Their grapes are grapes of gall" (Deut. xxxii. 32). Who dreams of a mountain should on rising say, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger of good things" (Is. lii. 7), before another verse occurs to him, viz.: "For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing" (Jer. ix. 9).

Who dreams of a dog should on rising say, "But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog whet his tongue" (Exod. xi. 7), before another verse occurs to him, viz. : "Yea, the dogs are greedy" (Is. Ivi. 11). Who dreams of a lion should on rising say, "The lion hath roared, who will not fear?" (Amos iii. 8), before another verse occurs to him, viz. : "A lion is gone up from his thicket" (Jer. iv. 7) [is gone up] [a lion from his thicket].

Who dreams of shaving should on rising say, "And [Joseph] shaved himself and changed his raiment" (Gen. xli. 14), before another verse occurs to him, viz. : "If I be shaven, then my strength will go from me" (Judges xvi. 17). Who dreams of a well should on rising say, "A well of living waters" (Cant. iv. 15), before another verse occurs to him, viz. : "As a cistern welleth with her waters, so she welleth with her wickedness" (Jer. vi. 7). Who dreams of a reed should on rising say, "A bruised reed shall he not break" (Is. xlii. 3), before another verse occurs to him, viz. : "Behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed" (ibid, xxxvi. 6).

Who dreams of olives, if small, his business will be fruitful and multiply and endure like olives. But this applies only to [dreaming of] the fruit ; if [he dreamt] of olive-trees, then he will have numerous offspring; as it is said, "Thy children like olive-plants, round about thy table" (Ps. cxxviii. 3). Some say that he who dreams of the olive, a good name will proceed from him; as it is said, "The Lord called thy name a leafy olive-tree, fair and goodly fruit" (Jer. xi. 16). Who dreams of olive-oil may hope for the light of Torah ; as it is said, "That they bring unto thee pure olive-oil beaten for the light" (Exod. xxvii. 20). Who dreams of palms, his iniquities will be ended; as it is said, "The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion" (Lam. iv. 22).

Rab Hamnuna also said : Who beholds crowds of Israelites should say "Blessed... Who art wise in secrets"; but [on beholding] crowds of idolaters he says, "Your mother shall be ashamed" etc. (Jer. 1. 12).

Our Rabbis have taught: "Who beholds the graves of Israel says: "Blessed... Who formed you in judgment, Who nourished you in judgment, sustained you in judgment, and gathered you in judgment, and will hereafter raise you in judgment." Mar b. Rabina concluded the benediction in the name of Rab Nahman : "And knowest the number of you all in judgment, and will hereafter restore you to life and cause you to survive. Blessed... Who quickenest the dead." [Who beholds] the graves of idolaters says, "Your mother shall be sore ashamed" (Jer. 1. 12).

Rab Kattina himself explained [that the phenomenon was due to God] clapping His hands ; as it is said, "I will also smite My hands together, and I will satisfy My fury" (Ezek. xxi. 22). R. Nathan says : The rumbling is due to His sighing; as it is said, "I will satisfy My fury upon them, and I will be eased" (ibid. v. 13). The Rabbis say : He treads upon the firmament ; as it is said, "He giveth a noise, as they that tread grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth" (Jer. xxv. 30). Rab Aha b. Jacob said : He presses His feet beneath the Throne of Glory ; as it is said, "Thus saith the Lord, the heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool" (Is. Ixvi. 1).

And for thunders. What is thunder? Samuel said : The clouds in a whirl ; as it is said, "The voice of Thy thunder was in the whirlwind ; the lightnings lighted up the world, the earth trembled and shook" (Ps. Ixxvii. 19). The Rabbis say : The clouds pouring water one into the other; as it is said, "At the sound of His giving a multitude of waters in the heavens" (Jer. x. 13). Rab Aha b. Jacob said : It is a mighty lightning-flash which strikes against a cloud and the latter is shattered into hail-stones. Rab Ashe said : The clouds are hollow and a blast of wind comes and blows across their mouths, so it is like a blast across the mouth of a jar. The most probable view is that of Rab Aha b. Jacob, that the lightning strikes, the clouds are made to rumble and rain descends.

"Attend [hasket]" — i.e. "form classes" and occupy yourselves with Torah, because Torah is only acquired in a class. This is in accord with the statement of R. Jose b. R. Hannina who said : What means that which is written, "A sword is upon the boasters [baddim] and they shall become fools" (Jer. 1. 36)? A sword is upon the enemies of the disciples of the wise who sit separately [bad wa-bad] and study Torah. Not only so, but they become foolish ; for it is written here "And they shall become fools" and in another passage it is written, "For that we have done foolishly" (Num. xii. 11). [not translated]

while 'urpilla (a drizzling rain) is helpful even to the kernel under hard clods. What is (the etymology of) 'urpilla? Said R. Mesharshaya, it is a combination of 'ûrû and pîlê (wake up, ye cracks). Raba further said, a young scholar is like the kernel under a clod which, having once sprouted, grows fast. Raba further said, when a scholar is hot-tempered, it is the Torah that boils within him, as it is said (Jer. 23.29): "Is not My word like as fire and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? saith the Lord."

R. Samuel b. Nahamani said in the name of R. Jonathan, three men expressed their request in careless language; two of them were answered favorably, but the third was answered unfavorably. They are: Eliezer the servant of Abraham, Saul the son of Kish, and Jephthah the Gileadite. As to Eliezer, Scripture says (Gen., 24.14): "So let it come to pass that the damsel to whom I shall say, let down thy pitcher," etc. These words include one that is lame or blind. He was answered, however, favorably, in that he happened upon Rebekah. As to Saul, Scripture says (I Sam., 17.25): "And it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter." This might include a slave or a bastard, but he was answered favorably in that he happened upon David. As to Jephthah, Scripture says (Jud., 11.31): "Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, it shall be the Lord's and I will offer it up for a burnt-offering." This may mean even something unclean (unfit for a sacrifice), and, indeed, he was answered unfavorably, in that it was his daughter who came out of the house. It is with reference to this event that the prophet said to Israel (Jer., 8.22): "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?" Hence it is also written (ibid., 19.5): "Which I commanded not, nor spoke it, neither came it into My mind." "I commanded not" refers to the son of Mesha king of Moab, for it is said (II Kings, 3.27): "Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt-offering upon the wall. And there came great wrath upon Israel"; "nor spoke it" refers to the daughter of Jephthah; "neither came it into My mind" refers to Isaac the son of Abraham.

R. Naḥman further asked R. Isaac, how do you explain the verse (Jer. 10.8): "But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the vanities by which they are instructed are but a stock"? "Thus said R. Johanan," replied R. Isaac, "there is one thing that sweeps the wicked into Gehenna, and that is idolatry; for Scripture has here: 'the vanities by which they are instructed are but a stock,' and elsewhere (ib., 10, 15): 'They are vanity, a work of delusion.'"

R. Naḥman and R. Isaac were dining together; said R. Naḥman to R. Isaac, tell me something haggadic, to which the latter replied: Thus said R. Johanan, one must not converse while eating, because the windpipe might open before the gullet and thus endanger one's life. After they had dined, R. Naḥman said again: Tell me something haggadic. R. Isaac then replied: Thus said R. Johanan, our father Jacob did not die. R. Naḥman thereupon asked, was it for nought that the embalmers embalmed and the wailers wailed? R. Isaac replied: Thus said R. Johanan, I am only interpreting a verse (Jer., 30.10): "Fear thou not, O Jacob My servant, saith the Lord; neither be dismayed, O Israel, for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity." This verse compares Jacob to his seed—just as his seed will then be alive, so will he be alive.

Rabbah b. Bar Ḥana said: Why have the words of the Torah been likened unto fire, as it is said (Jer., 23.29): "Is not My word like as fire?" In order to indicate that just as fire does not burn when isolated, so will the words of the Torah not be preserved when studied by oneself, alone. It is in keeping herewith that R. Jose b. Ḥanina said: What is the meaning of the verse (ibid., 50.36): "A sword is upon the boasters, and they shall become fools"? It means: a sword upon the necks of the enemies of the learned who are occupied in the study of the Torah each one by himself. Nay, more, they become dull, as it is said: "And they shall become fools." The same idea may be derived from the following verse (Is., 19.13): "The princes of Zoan are become fools."

R. Salla said in the name of R. Hamnuna: Rain is withheld only on account of the insolent people, as it is said (Jer., 3.3): "Therefore the showers have been withheld, and there hath been no latter rain; yet thou hadst a harlot's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed." R. Salla further said in the name of R. Hamnuna: Everyone who is insolent will in the end fall a victim to sin, as it is said: "Thou hadst a harlot's forehead." R. Naḥman said, it is certain that he has already fallen a victim to sin, as it is said: "Thou hadst a harlot's forehead," it is not said thou wilt have, but thou hadst.

R. 'Ami said: Rain is withheld only as a punishment for violence, as it is said (Job, 36.32): "He covereth His hands with the lightning." Now, "hands" stands for violence, as it is said (Jon., 3.8): "And from the violence, that is in their hands," and "lightning" signifies rain, as it is said (Job, 37.11): "He spreadeth abroad the cloud of His lightning." What is the remedy? The people should pray fervently, as it is said (Job, 36.32): "And giveth it a charge that it strike the mark." Now pegi'ah means prayer, as it is said (Jer., 7.16): "Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to Me."

3. These are the additional benedictions: the Zikrōnōt, the Shōfārōt, and Psalms 120, 121, 130, 102. R. Judah said, he does not have to recite the Zikrōnōt and the Shōfārōt, but, instead, he recites the passages: I Kings, 8. 37-41, and Jer., 14. 1-10. To each of these six he adds the appropriate concluding eulogy.

When the soul of R. Joshua ben Chănania was departing, they said to him, O our Rabbi, what will become of us at the hands of the Epicureans? He said to them, "Is counsel perished from the sons, is their wisdom vanished?" (Jer. xlix. 7) When counsel has perished from the sons, the wisdom of the peoples of the earth has vanished. Or, if you like, draw comfort from this passage, "And he said, Let us take our journey and let us go, and I will go before thee" (Gen. xxxiii. 12).

"But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride" (Jer. xiii. 17). R. Samuel bar Inia in the name of Rab said, The Holy One, blessed be He, has a place, and its name is "secret places." What is the meaning of "for your pride"? R. Samuel bar Isaac said, For the glory of Israel, because it was taken away from them and given to the peoples of the world. R. Samuel bar Nachmani said, On account of the glory of the kingdom of heaven. And how is there weeping in the presence of the Holy One, blessed be He, seeing that R. Papa said, There is no tribulation in the presence of the Holy One, blessed be He. For it is said "Honour and majesty are before him, strength and beauty are in his sanctuary" (Ps. xcvi. 6). There is no difficulty. The one has to do with the inner, the other with the outer side of the Divine Being. Is there then no weeping on the outer side? And yet it is written, "And in that day did the Lord, the LORD of hosts, call to weeping and to mourning and to baldness and to girding with sackcloth" (Is. xxii. 12). That is a different matter, viz., the destruction of the Temple, for for this even the angels of peace wept, as it is said, "Behold, their valiant ones cry without: the angels of peace weep bitterly" (Is. xxxiii. 7).

"And mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the Lord's flock is taken captive" (Jer. xiii. 17). R. El'azar said, Wherefore these three tears? One for the first Temple, and one for the second Temple, and one for Israel, because they are gone into captivity from their place. And there are some who say, One for the neglect of the Law. This is all right according to those who explain, For Israel, because they are gone into captivity. This is that which is written, "because the Lord's flock is taken captive." But according to those who explain, For the neglect of the Law, what is the connexion of this with "because the LORD's flock is taken captive" (Jer. xiii. 17)? Since Israel are gone into captivity from their place, thou canst have no neglect of the Law greater than this.

"And mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the Lord's flock is taken captive" (Jer. xiii. 17). R. El'azar said, Wherefore these three tears? One for the first Temple, and one for the second Temple, and one for Israel, because they are gone into captivity from their place. And there are some who say, One for the neglect of the Law. This is all right according to those who explain, For Israel, because they are gone into captivity. This is that which is written, "because the Lord's flock is taken captive." But according to those who explain, For the neglect of the Law, what is the connexion of this with "because the LORD's flock is taken captive" (Jer. xiii. 17)? Since Israel are gone into captivity from their place, thou canst have no neglect of the Law greater than this.

R. Simeon ben Jochai says, One does not say, Investigate a camel, investigate a pig, but investigate a lamb. And what kind of person is this? This is the pupil of a wise man, who has separated himself from the Law. R. Jehudah ben Lakish said, Every pupil of a wise man, who has separated himself from the Law, to him does the passage refer, which says, "As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place" (Prov. xxvii. 8), and that which says, "What unrighteousness have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me?" (Jer. ii. 5) There is no difficulty. The one case has to do with his unmarried sister, the other with another man's wife. And, if you like, I will say that both of them have to do with another man's wife, and yet there is no difficulty. The one is

There is a certain passage which says, "Thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him" (Dan. vii. 10), and there is a certain passage which says, "Is there any number of his armies?" (Job xxv. 3) There is no difficulty. The one was at the time when the Holy House was standing, and the other was at the time when the Holy House was not standing. As though it were possible to say that the family of the Most High was diminished. There is a Baraitha, Rabbi says in the name of Abba Jose ben Dosai, "Thousand thousands ministered unto him," this is the number of one troop, but of His troops there is no number. And R. Jeremiah bar Abba said, Thousand thousands ministered unto him at the fiery stream, as it is said, "A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him" (Dan. vii. 10). Whence does it come forth? From the perspiration of the living creatures. And upon what is it poured? R. Zot'ra bar Tobiah said that Rab said, Upon the heads of wicked men in Gehenna, as it is said, "Behold the tempest of the LORD, even his fury, is gone forth, yea, a whirling tempest; it shall burst upon the head of the wicked" (Jer. xxiii. 19). And R. Acha bar Jacob said, Upon those who were held back, as it is said, "Who were held back before their time, whose foundation was poured out as a stream" (Job xxii. 16). There is a Baraitha to the effect that R. Simeon the Holy said, These are nine hundred and seventy-four generations, which were held back from being created

R. Kattinah said, Even at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem there did not cease from them faithful men, as it is said, "When a man shall take hold of his brother in the house of his father, saying, Thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler" (Is. iii. 6). Let things which are hid from the children of men, as a garment hides, be under thy hand. "And this ruin." What is the meaning of the expression "and this ruin"? Words which the children of men cannot understand, but if one tries, he stumbles over them, they are under thy hand. "In that day shall he swear, saying, I am not an healer, for in my house is neither bread nor clothing. Ye shall not make me ruler of the people" (Is. iii. 7). "Shall he swear" is simply a term expressing an oath, as it is said, "Thou shalt not swear falsely by the name of the LORD thy God" (Exod. xx. 7). "I am not an healer," i.e., I have not been of those that heal a college. "For in my house is neither bread nor clothing," i.e., There is not in my hand either Torah or Mishnah or Gemara. And perhaps it is different here. For if he had said to them, I teach Gemara, they would have said to him, Tell us something. But no, he cannot have feared detection, for he might have said, that he had learned it but had now forgotten. What is the meaning of the words "I am not an healer"? They mean, I am not a healer at all. But, after all, behold Rabba said, Jerusalem was not laid waste till there ceased from it honest men, as it is said, "Run ye to and fro in the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that doeth justly, that seeketh truth, and I will pardon her" (Jer. v. 1). There is no difficulty.

Acher cut the plants. It is of him that the Scripture says, "Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin" (Eccles. v. 6). What was the matter referred to? He saw the Metatron, to whom is given the permission to sit to record the merits of Israel. He said, We are taught that in heaven there is no sitting down nor anger nor back nor weariness. Are there—God forbid!—two First Principles? They brought out the Metatron and gave him sixty strokes with a lash of fire. They said to him, What is the reason that, when thou sawest him, thou didst not rise up before him? He was given permission to strike out the merits of Acher. There came out a Bath-Kol and said, "'Return, O backsliding children' (Jer. iii. 14), except Acher." He said, Inasmuch as that man is excluded from yonder world, let him go and enjoy himself in this world. Acher went forth into evil courses. He went forth and met a loose woman. He solicited her. She said to him, Art not thou Elisha ben Abuyah? He pulled up a radish from the garden on the Sabbath and gave it to her. She said, He is another.

Acher asked this question of R. Meir, after he (Acher) had gone forth into evil courses, and said to him, What is the meaning of the passage, "God hath even made the one side by side with the other?" (Eccles. vii. 14) He said to him, Every thing which the Holy One, blessed be He, created, He created with its counterpart. He created mountains, He created hills. He created seas, He created rivers. He said to him, R. Akiba thy teacher did not say so, but he explained it as meaning that He created righteous, He created sinners. He created the garden of Eden, He created Gehenna. To every individual belong two shares, one in the garden of Eden, and one in Gehenna. If a man is meritorious and righteous, he receives his own portion and also the portion of his neighbour in the garden of Eden. If he has incurred guilt, and is a wicked man, he receives his own portion and also the portion of his neighbour in Gehenna. R. Mesharshia said, What is the Scripture proof? As regards the righteous, it is written, "Therefore in their land they shall possess double;" (Is. lxi. 7) as regards the wicked it is said, "And break them with a double breach" (Jer. xvii. 18).

Acher asked this question of R. Meir, after he had gone forth into evil courses. What is the meaning of the passage, "Gold and glass cannot equal it: neither shall the exchange thereof be vessels of fine gold" (Job xxviii. 17). He said to him, These are the words of the Law, which are difficult to buy as vessels of gold and vessels of pure gold, and are easily lost as vessels of glass. He said to him, R. Akiba thy teacher did not say so, but he explained it as meaning that as vessels of gold and vessels of glass, although they are broken, may be mended, so a disciple of the wise, although he have sinned, may be mended. He said to him, Do thou also turn thyself back. He said to him, I have already heard from behind the curtain, "'Return, O backsliding children' (Jer. iii. 14), except Acher."

Our Rabbis have taught thus, There is a story about Acher, that he was riding upon his horse on the sabbath, and R. Meir was walking behind him to learn the Law from his mouth. He said to him, Meir, turn thee backwards, for I have already measured by means of my horse's hoofs up to this point the limit of a sabbath day's journey. He said to him, Do thou also turn thyself back. He said to him, And have I not already said to thee, I have already heard from behind the curtain, "'Return, O backsliding children,' except Acher?" He forced him to enter a place of instruction. He said to a child, Repeat for me thy verse. He said to him, "There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked" (Is. xlviii. 22). He brought him into another synagogue. He said to a child, Repeat for me thy verse. He said to him, "For though thou wash thee with lye, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me" (Jer. ii. 22). He brought him into another synagogue. He said

to a child, Repeat for me thy verse. He said to him, "And thou, when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with scarlet, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou enlargest thine eyes with paint, in vain dost thou make thyself fair, etc." (Jer. iv. 30) He brought him into another synagogue, until he had brought him into thirteen synagogues. They all repeated to him in the same way. In the last one he said to him, Repeat for me thy verse. He said to him, "But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, etc.?" (Ps. l. 16) That child was a stammerer. It sounded as if he had said to him, And to Elisha said God. Some say that there was a knife by his side, and that he cut him in pieces and distributed him among the thirteen synagogues, but some say that he only said, If there had been a knife in my hand, I would have cut him in pieces.

R. Jehudah in the name of R. Nachmani the interpreter of Resh Lakish expounded this question, viz., What is the meaning of that which is written, "Trust ye not in an evil one, put ye not confidence in a guide?" (Mic. vii. 5) It means, if the evil imagination say to thee, Do thou sin and the Lord will forgive, be not persuaded, as it is said, "Thou shalt not trust in an evil one," and "an evil one" is nothing but the evil imagination, as it is said, "for that the imagination of man's heart is evil," (Gen. viii. 21) and there is no "guide" but the Lord, as it is said, "Thou art the guide of my youth" (Jer. iii. 4). Perhaps thou wilt say, Who witnesseth against me? The stones of a man's house and the timbers of his house, these witness against him, as it is said, "For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it" (Hab. ii. 11). And wise men say, The spirit of a man witnesseth against him, as it is said, "Keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom" (Mic. vii. 5). What is this that lieth in a man's bosom? One says, This is his spirit; R. Zarika says, The two angels of the ministry which lead him, these witness against him, as it is said, "For he shall give his angels charge of thee, to keep thee in all thy ways" (Ps. xci. 11). And wise men say, A man's limbs testify against him, as it is said, "Therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and I am God" (Is. xliii. 12).

R. Abohu said that R. Eliezer said, As to the disciples of the wise, the flame of Gehenna has no power over them. For this is shewn by an a fortiori argument drawn from the salamander. And what is the salamander? It is a creature of fire. He that anoints himself with its blood, flame has no power over him. How much more the disciples of the wise, whose whole body is fire, as it is written, "Is not my word like as fire, saith the LORD?" (Jer. xxiii. 29) Resh Lakish said, The flame of Gehenna has no power over the transgressors of Israel. How much less over the altar of gold! As in the case of the altar of gold, upon which is only about the thickness of a denarius of gold, for ever so many years the flame has had no power over it, how much less can it have power over the transgressors of Israel, who are full of the commandments as a pomegranate is full of seeds, as it is written, "Thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate" (Cant. iv. 3). Read not, "thy temples" but, the vain fellows that are in thee.