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You begin by saying, that when, in my discussion with our friend Bassus, I used the Scripture which contains the prophecy of Daniel when yet a young man in the affair of Susanna, I did this as if it had escaped me that this part of the book was spurious. You say that you praise this passage as elegantly written, but find fault with it as a more modern composition, and a forgery; and you add that the forger has had recourse to something which not even Philistion the play-writer would have used in his puns between prinos and prisein, schinos and schisis, which words as they sound in Greek can be used in this way, but not in Hebrew. In answer to this, I have to tell you what it behoves us to do in the cases not only of the History of Susanna, which is found in every church of Christ in that Greek copy which the Greeks use, but is not in the Hebrew, or of the two other passages you mention at the end of the book containing the history of Bel and the Dragon, which likewise are not in the Hebrew copy of Daniel; but of thousands of other passages also which I found in many places when with my little strength I was collating the Hebrew copies with ours. For in Daniel itself I found the word “bound” followed in our versions by very many verses which are not in the Hebrew at all, beginning (according to one of the copies which circulate in the churches) thus: “Ananias, and Azarias, and Misael prayed and sang unto God,” down to “O, all ye that worship the Lord, bless ye the God of gods. Praise Him, and say that His mercy endureth for ever and ever. And it came to pass, when the king heard them singing, and saw them that they were alive.” Or, as in another copy, from “And they walked in the midst of the fire, praising God and blessing the Lord,” down to “O, all ye that worship the Lord, bless ye the God of gods. Praise Him, and say that His mercy endureth to all generations.” But in the Hebrew copies the words, “And these three men, Sedrach, Misach, and Abdenego fell down bound into the midst of the fire,” are immediately followed by the verse, “Nabouchodonosor the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors.” For so Aquila, following the Hebrew reading, gives it, who has obtained the credit among the Jews of having interpreted the Scriptures with no ordinary care, and whose version is most commonly used by those who do not know Hebrew, as the one which has been most successful. Of the copies in my possession whose readings I gave, one follows the Seventy, and the other Theodotion; and just as the History of Susanna which you call a forgery is found in both, together with the passages at the end of Daniel, so they give also these passages, amounting, to make a rough guess, to more than two hundred verses.

And in many other of the sacred books I found sometimes more in our copies than in the Hebrew, sometimes less. I shall adduce a few examples, since it is impossible to give them all. Of the book of Esther neither the prayer of Mardochaios nor that of Esther, both fitted to edify the reader, is found in the Hebrew. Neither are the letters; nor the one written to Amman about the rooting up of the Jewish nation, nor that of Mardochaios in the name of Artaxerxes delivering the nation from death. Then in Job, the words from “It is written, that he shall rise again with those whom the Lord raises,” to the end, are not in the Hebrew, and so not in Aquila’s edition; while they are found in the Septuagint and in Theodotion’s version, agreeing with each other at least in sense. And many other places I found in Job where our copies have more than the Hebrew ones, sometimes a little more, and sometimes a great deal more: a little more, as when to the words, “Rising up in the morning, he offered burnt-offerings for them according to their number,” they add, “one heifer for the sin of their soul;” and to the words, “The angels of God came to present themselves before God, and the devil came with them,” “from going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.” Again, after “The Lord gave, the Lord has taken away,” the Hebrew has not, “It was so, as seemed good to the Lord.” Then our copies are very much fuller than the Hebrew, when Job’s wife speaks to him, from “How long wilt thou hold out? And he said, Lo, I wait yet a little while, looking for the hope of my salvation,” down to “that I may cease from my troubles, and my sorrows which compass me.” For they have only these words of the woman, “But say a word against God, and die.”

THOSE hairs cover not the lips, and the entire lips are red and rosy. As it is written, Cant. v. 13, “His lips as roses.” (In the ordinary version ShVShNIM, Shushanim, is translated “lilies,” not “roses.”)

“And Havdalah in “He Who in His grace grants knowledge”, the words of the Sages. Rebbi Aqibah said: one says it as separate fourth benediction” Rebbi Jacob bar Aḥa in the name of Samuel: He says it as fourth benediction. Rebbi Yudan says, the text of the benediction and after that he says Havdalah. His version agrees with Rebbi, since Rebbi said: I wonder why they eliminated “He Who in His grace grants knowledge” on Sabbath; if there is no knowledge, where is prayer? And here, if there is no knowledge, where is Havdalah? Rebbi Isaac ben Eleazar said, he says Havdalah and afterwards adds the text of the benediction.

Rebbi Yudan in the name of Rebbi Isaac said in another version: Flesh and blood has a protector. When they tell him, your client was arrested, he will say: I will protect him. When they tell him, he is going before a court, he will say: I will protect him. When they tell him, he is being thrown into the water, where is he and where is his protector? But the Holy One, praise to Him, saved Jonah from inside the fish, since it says (Jonah 2:11): “The Eternal commanded the fish and it threw Jonah up.”

Rebbi Yudan in the name of Rebbi Isaac in another version. Flesh and blood has a protector. When they tell him, your client was arrested, he will say: I will protect him. When they tell him, he is going before a court, he will say: I will protect him. When they tell him, he is being thrown into fire, where is he and where is his protector? But the Holy One, praise to Him, saved Ḥananiah, Mishael, and Azariah from the fiery oven; this is what is written (Dan. 3:14): “Nebucadnezzar declared and said, praised be the God of Shadrakh, Meshakh, and Abed Nego, etc.”

Rebbi Yudan in the name of Rebbi Isaac said in another version: Flesh and blood has a protector, etc. until: he is being thrown to the wild beasts. But the Holy One, praise to Him, saved Daniel from the lions’ den. That is what is written (Dan. 6:23): “My God sent his angel who closed the mouth of the lions, etc.”

“If an Israel received (as sharecropper) a field from another Israel on condition that the tithes go to a certain person, that clause is forbidden; on condition that I shall take them and deliver them to a certain person, that clause is permitted.” Is the second version not identical with the first? Rebbi Aḥa said, “if you agree” makes the difference. Rebbi Yose said, you say it is permitted if it follows the standard sharecropper’s contract. You say it is forbidden if it does not follow the standard sharecropper’s contract. It turns out that Rebbi Yose holds with Rebbi Joḥanan and Rebbi Aḥa with Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Ḥanina. As Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Ḥanina said, a person gives his tithes for the benefit of goodwill. Rebbi Joḥanan said, a person may not give his tithes for the benefit of goodwill. What is the reason of Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Ḥanina? (Num. 5:10) “Everybody shall be the owner of his holy things.” What does Rebbi Joḥanan with this? He may give them to whomever he likes.

Rebbi Eleazar said, this is from Rebbi Meïr since Rebbi Meïr says that you accept only the very first version. There, we have stated: “This one shall be a substitute for a burnt offering and for an offering of well-being, then it is a substitute for a burnt offering, the words of Rebbi Meïr.” Rebbi Yose said, we were of the opinion that Rebbi Meïr and the Sages disagree only after the time for speech, but not within the time for speech. Since Rebbi Eleazar said, the Mishnah is Rebbi Meïr’s, it means that even within the time of speech he cannot retract.

This is the Mishnah: “Their tithes are tithes for each basket in the other one, he gave it a name,” because he declared both names at the same time. One after the other you accept only the very first version. Rebbi Abuna said, the Sages agree with Rebbi Meïr about him who says “this heave substitutes for Second” (that he is guilty). “This animal instead of well-being offerings,” he is obligated for two since he declared two names at the same time; hence, one after the other you accept only the very first version. Not so, said Rebbi Samuel bar Rav Isaac who said in the name of Rav Huna: “This one shall be a substitute for a burnt offering,” he may retract that within the time for speech. That is, if he wants to retract, there if he wants to add. If one said, “this is heave,” even within the time of speech he cannot retract. A person can be asked about his dedication but nobody can be asked about his heave.

This is the Mishnah: “Their tithes are tithes for each basket in the other one, he gave it a name,” because he declared both names at the same time. One after the other you accept only the very first version. Rebbi Abuna said, the Sages agree with Rebbi Meïr about him who says “this heave substitutes for Second” (that he is guilty). “This animal instead of well-being offerings,” he is obligated for two since he declared two names at the same time; hence, one after the other you accept only the very first version. Not so, said Rebbi Samuel bar Rav Isaac who said in the name of Rav Huna: “This one shall be a substitute for a burnt offering,” he may retract that within the time for speech. That is, if he wants to retract, there if he wants to add. If one said, “this is heave,” even within the time of speech he cannot retract. A person can be asked about his dedication but nobody can be asked about his heave.

One does not save from a fire. For him who says, they render hands impure, one saves them from a fire; but for him who says, they do not render hands impure, one does not save them from a fire. They objected: Is there not a Hebrew book which was written in Aramaic; it will not render hands impure but one saves it from a fire, since we have stated: “even though they are written in any language they have to be hidden.” The Mishnah follows Rebbi Simeon, since Rebbi Simeon said, nothing forbidden only rabbinically stands in the way of Holy Scriptures. Do they disagree? There it is because of their degradation, but here everybody agrees that one saves them from a fire. For whom is it needed? For Rabban Simeon ben Gamliel. Even though Rabban Simeon ben Gamliel said, “also Hagiographa they permitted only that they could be written in Greek,” would he agree here that one saves them from a fire? “It happened that Rabban [Simeon ben] Gamliel was supervising builders on the the Temple Mount when he an Aramaic version of Job was brought to him. He told the builder to hide it under a row of stones.”

Rebbi Jeremiah in the name of Rebbi Ze‘ira had a different version: Rebbi Eleazar asked Rebbi Joḥanan, what is the rule about a dough widow? He said to him, she is qualified. What about her daughter? He said to him, the one who declares her to be qualified, declares her daughter to be qualified. They wanted to say, according to Rebbi Eleazar, a child of unknown paternity is disqualified; according to Rebbi Joḥanan, a child of unknown paternity is qualified. Rebbi Joḥanan also holds that in some cases a child of unknown paternity is disqualified; he answered [Rebbi Eleazar] following the latter’s reasoning: Since you reason that the child is simply of unknown paternity, we find that a child of unknown paternity can be High Priest! How is this possible? A group of Cohanim was passing by, one of them came and had sexual relations; it turns out that the child of unknown paternity can be High Priest.

HALAKHAH: “Neither the cistern,” etc. Then why did he write “its bottom and height”? That if he wants to dig down, he may dig down and if he wants to increase its height, he may increase its height. Rav Abba bar Rav Huna in the name of Rav: Practice follows Rebbi Aqiba in our version which is following the rabbis in Rebbi Ḥiyya’s version. Rebbi Ze‘ira, Rav Jeremiah in the name of Rav: Practice follows Rebbi Aqiba in Rebbi Ḥiyya’s version which is following the rabbis in the Babylonians’ version.

HALAKHAH: “Neither the cistern,” etc. Then why did he write “its bottom and height”? That if he wants to dig down, he may dig down and if he wants to increase its height, he may increase its height. Rav Abba bar Rav Huna in the name of Rav: Practice follows Rebbi Aqiba in our version which is following the rabbis in Rebbi Ḥiyya’s version. Rebbi Ze‘ira, Rav Jeremiah in the name of Rav: Practice follows Rebbi Aqiba in Rebbi Ḥiyya’s version which is following the rabbis in the Babylonians’ version.

HALAKHAH: “Neither the cistern,” etc. Then why did he write “its bottom and height”? That if he wants to dig down, he may dig down and if he wants to increase its height, he may increase its height. Rav Abba bar Rav Huna in the name of Rav: Practice follows Rebbi Aqiba in our version which is following the rabbis in Rebbi Ḥiyya’s version. Rebbi Ze‘ira, Rav Jeremiah in the name of Rav: Practice follows Rebbi Aqiba in Rebbi Ḥiyya’s version which is following the rabbis in the Babylonians’ version.

HALAKHAH: “Neither the cistern,” etc. Then why did he write “its bottom and height”? That if he wants to dig down, he may dig down and if he wants to increase its height, he may increase its height. Rav Abba bar Rav Huna in the name of Rav: Practice follows Rebbi Aqiba in our version which is following the rabbis in Rebbi Ḥiyya’s version. Rebbi Ze‘ira, Rav Jeremiah in the name of Rav: Practice follows Rebbi Aqiba in Rebbi Ḥiyya’s version which is following the rabbis in the Babylonians’ version.

The poor man and the priest have the same standard of time ! Against this I quote : From what time do we begin to read the Shema' in the evening ? From the time that the day becomes hallowed on the Sabbath-eve. These are the words of R. Eliezer. R. Joshua says : From the time the priests become ritually clean to partake of their Terumah. R. Meir says: From the time the priests bathe so as to be able to partake of their Terumah. (R. Judah asked him, "But do not the priests bathe while it is yet day ?") R. Hannina says : From the time the poor man goes home to eat his bread with salt. R. Ahai (another version : R. Aha) says : From the time when the majority of people go home to have their evening repast.

Another version is : R. Abba b. Kahana said : This applies even to words of Torah ; how much more so to worldly matters !

Rab Isaac b. Adda (another version : Rab Isaac b. Rab Iddi) said : What Scriptural authority is there for the story of David's harp? "Awake, my glory ; awake, psaltery and harp; I will awake the dawn" (Ps. lvii. 9).

R. Isaac said : Whoever reads the Shema' upon his bed is as though he holds a two-edged sword in his hand; as it is said, "Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand" (Ps. cxlix. 6). How is this inferred ? Mar Zotra (another version : Rab Ashe) said : From what precedes ; for it is written, "Let the saints exult in glory, let them sing for joy upon their beds" (ibid. v. 5), and this is followed by "Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand."

R. Zera (another version : R. Hannina b. Pappa) said : Come and see that the attribute of a human being differs from that of the Holy One, blessed be He. What is the attribute of a human being ? When a man sells a valued article to his fellow, the seller grieves and the purchaser rejoices. But with the Holy One, blessed be He, it is not so. He gave the Torah to Israel and rejoiced; as it is said, "For I give you good doctrine ; forsake ye not My teaching."

Raba (another version : Rab Hisda) said : Should a man see sufferings come upon him, let him scrutinise his actions ; as it is said, "Let us search and try our ways, and return unto the Lord" (Lam. iii. 40). If he has scrutinised his actions without discovering the cause, let him attribute them to neglect of Torah; as it is said, "Happy is the man whom Thou chastenest, and teachest out of Thy law" (Ps. xciv. 12).

It happened to Rab Huna that four hundred flasks of wine turned sour. There visited him Rab Judah the brother of Rab Sala Hasida and other Rabbis. (Another version : Rab Adda b. Ahaba and other Rabbis.) They said to him, "The master should look into his actions." He answered them, "Have I aroused suspicion in your eyes?" They retorted, "Is the Holy One, blessed be He, to be suspected of passing an unjust judgment?"

There is a teaching : Abba Benjamin said : Throughout my life I was most anxious about two things, viz., that my Tefillah should be recited before my bed, and that my bed should be placed between North and South. "That my Tefillah should be recited before my bed." What means "before my bed" ? Is it to be supposed that it was actually in front of the bed? But Rab Judah has said in the name of Rab (another version : R. Joshua b. Levi): Whence do we learn that when one prays, there should be nothing intervening between him and the wall? As it is said, "Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed" (Is. xxxviii. 2)! Do not read "before my bed" but "near my bed."

One of the Rabbis said to Rab Bebai b. Abbai (another version : Rab Bebai said to Rab Nahman b. Isaac) : What means, "When vileness is exalted [kerum] among the sons of men" (ibid.)?

R. Abba b. Kahana said : Such a man is equal in worth to the whole world. R. Simeon b. 'Azzai (another version: R. Simeon b. Zoma) said : The whole world has only been created to be subservient to him.

How long does His execration last? A moment. And how long is a moment? R. Abin (another version : R. Abina) said : The moment lasts as long as it takes to utter the word.

Rab Shimi b. 'Ukba (another version : Mar 'Ukba) was frequently in the company of R. Simeon b. Pazzi who used to arrange the Aggadah in the presence of R. Joshua b. Levi. He asked him : What means that which is written, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name" (ibid. ciii. I)? He replied : Come and see that the attribute of man is not like the attribute of the Holy One, blessed be He. It is an attribute of man to draw a figure on a wall, but he is unable to endow it with breath and soul, with inward parts and bowels. But with the Holy One, blessed be He, it is not so. He draws a figure within a figure, and endows it with breath and soul, with inward parts and bowels. That is what Hannah said, "There is none holy as the Lord, for there is none beside Thee ; neither is there any rock like our God" (I Sam. ii, 2).

Abbai (another version : Rab Isaac) said : Whoever wishes to take advantage [of an offer of hospitality] may do so like Elisha ; and whoever does not wish to accept may do so like Samuel of Ramah ; as it is said, "And his return was to Ramah, for there was his house" (I Sam. vii. 17), and R. Johanan said : Wherever he went, he took his house with him.

As the Rabbis departed from the school of R. Ammi (another version: R. Hannina's school), they said to him: Mayest thou see thy world in thy life-time, and may thine end be in the life of the world to come and thy hope throughout the generations. May thy heart meditate in understanding, thy mouth speak wisdom, thy tongue abound in joyful songs, thine eyelids set thy glance straight before thee, thine eyes be illumined with the light of the Torah, thy countenance shine like the splendour of the firmament, thy lips utter knowledge, thy reins exult with up-rightness, and thy feet run to hear the words of the Ancient of days.

As the Rabbis departed from the school of Rab Hisda (another version : the school of R. Samuel b. Nahmani) they said to him : "Our leaders are well laden ; with no breach, and no going forth, and no outcry in our broad places" (Ps. cxliv. 14).

"Our leaders are well laden" — Rab and Samuel (another version : R. Johanan and R. Eleazar) [differ in interpretation] ; one says, "Our leaders" in Torah "are well laden" with religious duties ; the other says, "Our leaders" in Torah and religious duties "are well laden" with sufferings.

Rab and Samuel (another version : R. Johanan and R. Eleazar) [differ in interpretation]. One says : The whole world is nourished through righteousness, but the "stout-hearted" are nourished by the arm. The other says : The whole world is nourished through their merit, but they are not nourished even by their own merit. This is like the statement of Rab Judah who says in the name of Rab :

R. Jose says : The Ba'al Keri may study what is familiar to him, but he must not expound the Mishnah. R. Jonathan b. Joseph says : He may expound the Mishnah but not the Talmud. R. Nathan b. Abishalom says : Also the Talmud may he expound, but he must not pronounce the name of God when it occurs. R. Johanan the Sandal-maker, disciple of R.'Akiba, said in the name of R.'Akiba : Such a man should not enter upon study at all. Another version of this statement is : Such a man should not enter a House of Study at all. R. Judah says : He may study the Halakot of Derek Eres.

When Ze'iri came [from Palestine] he said : The Rabbis have abolished immersion. Another version is : [he said :] The Rabbis have abolished the washing of the hands. He who says, "The Rabbis have abolished immersion" agrees with the view of R. Judah b. Batyra. He who says, "The Rabbis have abolished the washing of the hands" is in accord with Rab Hisda who cursed the man who went looking for water at the time of prayer.

Our Rabbis have taught : If a man feels the need to relieve himself, he should not say the Tefillah; and if he does, his prayer is an abomination. Rab Zebid (another version : Rab Judah) said : This teaching is meant to apply only to one who is unable to contain himself; but if he is able to contain himself, his Tefillah is valid.

Rab Assi (another version: Rab Hannina b. Pappa) said: Take heed to thy orifices at the time when thou standest in prayer before Me.

The question was raised : May a man, wearing his Tefillin, enter a regular privy for the purpose of urinating? Rabina permitted it; Rab Adda b. Mattena prohibited it. The question was put to Raba, and he replied : It is forbidden, because we are afraid that he may relieve himself otherwise while wearing them. Another version is : [We are afraid] that he may break wind while wearing them.

Mar Zotra (another version: Rab Ashe) said : Thou mayest infer that this is so from the fact that small vessels protect [the contents from contracting defilement] in the tent of the dead.

He went and found a Tanna teaching the following in the presence of Rab Judah : If one was standing in the Tefillah and broke wind, he should wait until the odour passes off and then resume the prayer [from where he interrupted it] ; another version is : If he was standing in the Tefillah and felt the need to break wind, he should step back four cubits and having relieved himself, wait until the odour passes off and then resume his prayer, saying, "Lord of the universe ! Thou hast created us with many orifices and vessels. Revealed and known to Thee is our shame and confusion in our lifetime, and in our end we are but worm and vermin"; he then resumes at the place where he interrupted.

Another version is : Rabbah b. Bar Hannah said in the name of R. Joshua b. Levi : If one is walking in filthy courtways, he should place his hand over his mouth and read the Shema'. Rab Hisda said to him, "By God ! if R. Joshua b. Levi had told me that himself, I would not have listened to him !"

Rab Judah said : If one is uncertain whether excrement is present, it is forbidden [to read the Shema']. If one is uncertain whether urine is present, it is permitted. Another version is : Rab Judah said : If one is uncertain whether excrement is in the room, it is permitted [to read it], but by an ash-heap it is forbidden. If one is uncertain whether urine is present, even by an ash-heap it is permitted.

Rabina said : I was once standing before Rab Jeremiah of Difti ; he noticed some excrement, and he said to me, "See whether its surface has hardened or not." Another version is : He said to him, "See whether it has become cracked."

R. Eleazar (another version : R.Aha b. Abba b. Aha in the name of our master) said : The teaching here refers to turbid water which is to be considered like the solid earth, so that his heart does not see his nakedness.

It was different with him, because he had already commenced it. For Rab Judah in the name of Rab (another version : R. Joshua b. Levi) said : This teaching applies only to one who has not commenced it ; but if he had commenced it, he may finish it.

Another version is : Rab Nahman b. Isaac said : The statement that if he had not moved his feet, he returns to the sixteenth benediction applies only to one who is accustomed to offer personal supplication at the conclusion of the Tefillah ; but if that be not his practice, he goes back to its commencement.

R. Joshua says : If one is journeying in a place of danger, he should offer a short prayer, saying : "Save, O Lord, Thy people, the remnant of Israel ; in all times of crisis may their needs be before Thee." What means "times of crisis ['ibbur]"? Rab Hisda said in the name of Mar 'Ukba : Even at the time when Thou art full of wrath ['ebrah] against them like a woman big with child ['ubberet], may all their needs be before Thee. Another version is : Rab Hisda said in the name of Mar 'Ukba : Even at the time when they transgress ['oberim] the words of Torah, may all their needs be before Thee.

Raba (another version : R. Joshua b. Levi) said : The Halakah is in agreement with Rabbi.

R. Abin (another version : R. Abina) said : What Scriptural authority is there for this ? "Thy neck is like the tower of David, builded with turrets [talpiyyot] (Cant, iv. 4), i.e. a heap [tel] for all mouths [piyyot].

Rab Mordecai accompanied Rab Ashe from Hagronya to Be-Kipe ; another version : to Be-Dura.

anything that is unseemly, he must rebuke him. "And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord" (ibid. v. 15) — 'Ulla (another version: R. Jose b. R. Hannina) declared : She said to Eli, "Thou art not 'a lord' in this affair, nor does the Holy Spirit rest upon thee, seeing thou hast suspected me of this thing."

R. Jose b. R. Hannina said : Why is "Thy handmaid" repeated thrice ? Hannah spake before the Holy One, blessed be He, "Lord of the universe ! Three breaches [bidke] through which death comes hast Thou created in a woman ; (another version : Three causes [dibke] of death), viz, : neglect of the laws concerning menstruation, Hallah and kindling the Sabbath-lights. Have I transgressed any of them?"

It has been similarly reported : R. Benjamin b. Jephet said : R. Assi asked R. Johanan in Zidon (another version : R. Simeon b. Jacob of Tyre asked R. Johanan), "But I have heard that one who says the 'Division' in the Tefillah must say it again over the cup of wine ; or is it not so?" He replied, "Yes, he must say the Habdalah over the cup of wine."

But this is self-contradictory ! Thou declarest, "He who pronounces the 'Division' in the Tefillah is more praiseworthy than he who says it over the cup of wine"; hence it is sufficient to say it in the Tefillah alone ! And then he teaches, "But if he says it in both, may blessings alight upon his head"; but since he has fulfilled his obligation with the former, he is exempt and [the latter] will be a superfluous benediction, and Rab has declared (another version : R. Simeon b. Lakish ; or R. Johanan and R. Simeon b. Lakish both declare) : Whoever utters a superfluous benediction commits a transgression because of [the injunction], "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain" (Exod. xx. 7) !

(Another version is : What is there for thee to say? The man intended it as a food, and it became a remedy of itself ; so here also [the Shattit] was intended as a food, and it became a remedy of itself.)

But R. Judah declares : "...Who createst divers kinds of herbs." R. Zera (another version : R. Hinnana b. Pappa) said : The Halakah is not in accord with R. Judah. R. Zera (another version: R. Hinnana b. Pappa) also said: What is R. Judah's reason? The Scriptures state, "Blessed be the Lord day by day" (Ps. Ixviii. 20) — are we to bless Him by day and not by night ! Nay, it means to tell thee : Day by day give Him the appropriate blessing ; so here also, for every species of food give Him an appropriate benediction.

But R. Judah declares : "...Who createst divers kinds of herbs." R. Zera (another version : R. Hinnana b. Pappa) said : The Halakah is not in accord with R. Judah. R. Zera (another version: R. Hinnana b. Pappa) also said: What is R. Judah's reason? The Scriptures state, "Blessed be the Lord day by day" (Ps. Ixviii. 20) — are we to bless Him by day and not by night ! Nay, it means to tell thee : Day by day give Him the appropriate blessing ; so here also, for every species of food give Him an appropriate benediction.

R. Zera (another version : R. Hinnana b. Pappa) also said : Come and see that the attribute of the Holy One, blessed be He, is not like that of the human being. The attribute of the human being is to support the empty vessel but not the full ; but the Holy One, blessed be He, is not so — He supports the full vessel, not the empty. As it is said, "And He said. If hearing, thou wilt hear" (sic ! Exod. xv. 26) — i.e. if thou wilt hear [once], thou wilt hear again; but if not, thou wilt not hear. Another explanation is : If thou wilt hear the old, thou wilt also hear the new; but should thine heart turn aside [from the Torah], thou wilt never again hear.

Another version : It is quite right according to him who says nobelot means "Fruit scorched by the sun" that over it we pronounce the benediction "...By Whose word"; but according to him who says [it means] "Dates blown from the tree by the wind" the benediction "...By Whose word" should rather be "...Who createst the fruit of the tree" !

for Rab Joseph (another version : R. Isaac) said : Whatever is given precedence in the Scriptural verse must take precedence for the benediction ; as it is said, "A land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig-trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey" (Deut. viii. 8).

Rab Hisda and Rab Hamnuna were sitting at a meal, when dates and pomegranates were set before them. Rab Hamnuna took and pronounced the benediction over the dates first. Rab Hisda said to him, "Does not the master agree with the statement of Rab Joseph (another version : R. Isaac), viz. : That which is given precedence in the verse (Deut. viii. 8) must precede for the benediction?"

(Another version : Rab said : This teaching applies only to bread where it is beneficial to recline, but with wine it is not beneficial to recline. R. Johanan, however, said : Even with wine it is likewise beneficial to recline.)

According to one version of Rab's statement, viz. : "This teaching applies only to bread for which reclining is necessary, but for wine reclining is not necessary," the first part [of this Baraita] is in disagreement!

And according to the other version of Rab's statement, viz. : "This teaching applies only to bread where it is beneficial to recline, but with wine it is not beneficial to recline," the latter part [of the Baraita] is in disagreement !

R. Hiyya b. Abba b. Nahmani stated that Rab Hisda said in the name of Rab (another version : Rab Hisda said in the name of Ze'iri) : Overall kinds of perfumes the benediction is "...Who Greatest fragrant woods," excepting musk which comes from a species of animal and its benediction is "...Who createst various kinds of spices."

Rab Zotra b. Tobiah also said in the name of Rab (another version : Rab Hanna b. Bizna in the name of R. Simeon Hasida ; still another version : R. Johanan said in the name of R. Simeon b. Johai) : It were better for a man to cast himself into the midst of a fiery furnace rather than cause the face of his fellow-creature to blanche in public. Whence is this derived ? From Tamar ; as it is said, "When she was brought forth" etc. (Gen. xxxviii. 25).

Rab Zotra b. Tobiah also said in the name of Rab (another version : Rab Hanna b. Bizna in the name of R. Simeon Hasida ; still another version : R. Johanan said in the name of R. Simeon b. Johai) : It were better for a man to cast himself into the midst of a fiery furnace rather than cause the face of his fellow-creature to blanche in public. Whence is this derived ? From Tamar ; as it is said, "When she was brought forth" etc. (Gen. xxxviii. 25).

R. Tarphon says : "...Who createst many living beings and their wants." Raba b. Rab Hanan said to Abbai (another version : to Rab Joseph) : How is the Halakah? He replied : Go and see how the people act.

Rammi b. Hamma refused to include for Zimmun Rab Menashya b.Tahlifa who taught Sifra, Sifre and the Halakah. When Rammi b. Hamma departed this life, Raba said : He only died because he refused to include Rab Menashya b. Tahlifa for Zimmun. But there is a teaching : Others declare ; Even if one has studied Torah and Mishnah but has not ministered to the disciplas of the wise, he is an 'Am ha'ares ! It is different with Rab Menashya b. Tahlifa because he did minister to the Rabbis, but Rammi b. Hamma failed to make careful inquiry about him. Another version is : Rab Menashya heard the teachings from the mouth of the Rabbis and studied them, and therefore was like a Rabbinical scholar.

Rab Huna said : Nine and the Ark may be reckoned together for a quorum. Rab Nahman asked him : Is the Ark a man ! But, said Rab Huna, since nine look like ten, they may be reckoned together. Another version is : When they are gathered together; another version is : When they are scattered.

Rab Huna said : Nine and the Ark may be reckoned together for a quorum. Rab Nahman asked him : Is the Ark a man ! But, said Rab Huna, since nine look like ten, they may be reckoned together. Another version is : When they are gathered together; another version is : When they are scattered.

Another version : R. Abba said in the name of Samuel : This is what he teaches [in our Mishnah] : Three who sat down to eat together, although each partakes of his own loaf, are not permitted to separate [before saying Grace]. Or also [he means to inform us] the same as that which Rab Huna said : Three persons who came together from three parties are not permitted to separate [before saying Grace].

R. Ishmael b. Elisha said : Three things Suriel, the Prince of the Presence, related to me: Do not take thy shirt in the morning from the hand of the attendant and put it on; do not let thy hands be washed by one who has not washed his own ; and do not return the cup of asparagus-beverage except to him who handed it to thee, because a band of demons (another version : a company of angels of destruction) lies in wait for a man, saying, "When will he commit one of these acts and be trapped ?"

R. Zera said in the name of R. Abbahu (another version: it was taught in a Baraita) : Ten things are said with reference to the cup used for the Grace after meals : It requires washing and rinsing, undiluted [wine] and must be full, crowning and covering ; he takes it with both hands and places it in the right hand, raises it a handbreadth from the floor and gazes at it. Some also say : He sends it as a present to his household,

R. Abbahu said (another version : it was taught in a Baraita) : He who eats while walking should say Grace standing ; but he who eats standing should sit to say Grace ; and when he reclines at the meal, he should sit up to say Grace. The Halakah in every case is : He sits and says Grace.

If one ate and forgot to say Grace, etc. Rab Zebid (another version : Rab Dimai b. Abba) said : The dispute is only in the case of one who has forgotten ; but if he omitted it intentionally, all agree that he must return to his place and say Grace.

Rab Jemar b. Shelamya said to Mar Zotra (another version : Rab Jemar b. Shezbi to Mar Zotra) : Did R. Simeon b. Lakish say that? For lo, R. Ammi declared in the name of R. Simeon b. Lakish : What is the length of time for food to be digested ? Sufficient time for a person to walk four Mil !

Rab Nahman b. Isaac said : I know neither Zilai nor Ziwai nor Zohamai ; but I know the following teaching : Rab Judah said in the name of Rab (another version : it is taught in a Baraita) : "Sanctify yourselves" (Lev. xi. 44) — i.e. the washing before the meal ; "and be ye holy" (ibid.) — i.e. the washing after the meal ; "for holy" (ibid.) — i.e. the oil ; "I am the Lord your God" — i.e. the Grace.

Rab Joseph said : Who dreams of a goat, the year will be blessed for him; of goats, years will be blessed for him ; as it is said, "And there will be goat's milk enough for thy food" (Prov. xxvii. 27). Who dreams of the myrtle, his business undertakings will prosper ; and if he has no business undertakings, an inheritance will fall to his lot from some other place. 'Ulla said (another version : It was taught in a Baraita) : This only applies when he sees [the myrtle] on its stem. Who dreams of a citron, will be honoured before his Maker; as it is said, "The fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm-trees" (Lev. xxiii. 40). Who dreams of a palm-branch has but one heart for his Father in Heaven.

Rab Pappa and Rab Huna b. Rab Joshua had a dream. Rab Pappa [dreamt that he] walked into a pool and was appointed the Principal of a Seminary, and Rab Huna b. Rab Joshua that he walked into a forest and was made the head of the Collegiates. Another version is : They both [dreamt that they] walked into a pool; but Rab Pappa, who was wearing a drum around his neck, was made Principal of the Seminary, whereas Rab Huna b. Rab Joshua, who had no drum around his neck, was made the head of the Collegiates. Rab Ashe said : I [once dreamt that I] walked into a pool, with a drum around my neck, and I made a noise therewith.

For rain and good tidings he says, "Blessed... Who art good and dispensest good." But is the benediction for rain "Who art good and dispensest good"? For lo, R. Abbahu has said (another version : It was taught in a Baraita) : From what time do we say the benediction over rain ? From the time the bridegroom goes forth to meet his bride ;

Another version : Rab Huna said : his only applies where he did not buy and make a further purchase ; but if he bought and made a further purchase, there is no necessity for a benediction. R. Johanan said : Even if he bought and made a further purchase, it is necessary to say the benediction. From this it is to be deduced that if he possesses vessels and purchases more, all agree that he must say the benediction.

It is quite right according to the first version ; for then Rab Huna agrees with R. Meir and R. Johanan with R. Judah. According to the latter version, however, it is right that Rab Huna agrees with R. Judah, but with whom is R. Johanan. in agreement? Neither with R. Meir nor R. Judah!

It is quite right according to the first version ; for then Rab Huna agrees with R. Meir and R. Johanan with R. Judah. According to the latter version, however, it is right that Rab Huna agrees with R. Judah, but with whom is R. Johanan. in agreement? Neither with R. Meir nor R. Judah!

Another version is : Rab Mattenah said : Even in a town where they administer justice and sentence to death [the prayer is necessary] ; because sometimes there may not chance to be anybody to plead in his favour.

Another explanation of "And He made [lit. built]" — Rab Hisda said (another version : It was taught in a Baraita) : This means that the Holy One, blessed be He, fashioned Eve like a store-building ; as the store is narrow above and broad below so as to receive the fruits, similarly is a woman narrow above and broad below so as to receive the child.

"And the Lord spoke unto Moses face to face" (ibid. v. 11). R. Isaac said : The Holy One, blessed be He, spake unto Moses, "Moses, I and thou will discuss aspects of Halakah." Another version : Thus spake the Holy One, blessed be He, unto Moses, "In the same manner that I have shown thee a cheerful countenance, do thou likewise show Israel a cheerful countenance, and restore the tent to its place."

Another version: R. Abba said to him: Who holds this opinion? He [Rav Shmuel bar Yitzchak] said to him: ‘Beth Shammai, and do not change from it’. (I.E. to Bais Hillel)

Another version: Rav Judah said in the name of Shmuel: It is permitted to sleep in a bridal-bed in a Sukkah, since it has no roof, even though it is ten [handbreadths] high

Another version: R. Matanah said: Such an incident happened to me, and when I came before Shmuel he told me: They are invalid forever.

Another version: goes well according to Shmuel, who says that the dispute is where there are not four [handbreadths], but where there are four, all agree that it is invalid. What is meant by ‘combine’? That they combine to form four cubits at the side.

It is well according to that version which says that Rav says that ‘whether in the middle or at the sides [it invalidates only] if it is four cubits wide;’ What does it mean by ‘combine'? They combine to make four cubits. But, according to the version which says that Rav says that, in the middle [even] four handbreadths [width of invalid skhakh] invalidates, what kind of boards are we to imagine? If they are each four handbreadths wide, why do they need to combine? And if they are each less than four handbreadths wide, they are mere sticks!

It is well according to that version which says that Rav says that ‘whether in the middle or at the sides [it invalidates only] if it is four cubits wide;’ What does it mean by ‘combine'? They combine to make four cubits. But, according to the version which says that Rav says that, in the middle [even] four handbreadths [width of invalid skhakh] invalidates, what kind of boards are we to imagine? If they are each four handbreadths wide, why do they need to combine? And if they are each less than four handbreadths wide, they are mere sticks!

In Sura they taught these statements in the above form. In Pumbedita they taught [it as follows]: If a man placed skhakh over an exedra which has no pillars, it is invalid according to all. If it has pillars: Abaye declares it valid, while Rava declares it invalid. Abaye declares it valid, since we apply the law of lavud. Rava declares it invalid, since we do not apply the law of lavud. And the law is according to the former version.

What [practical difference] is there between [the two versions]? The practical difference between them is where he set up a Sukkah wall with an inflated skin. According to the one who which says a partition which is upheld by wind is not a valid partition, [this one is invalid] since it is upheld by wind; According to the version which says ‘not made by the hands of man’ it is valid,

Another version: The Amoraim understood

R. Aḳiba happened to come to Ginzak (Gazaka), where he was asked the following questions: Does fasting by hours count or not? When may the wine-vessels of idolaters be used? In what garments did Moses officiate during the seven days of consecration (Lev., 8. 33)? He had no answer and went to the Bet ha-Midrash for information, where he was told: The law is that fasting by hours counts; wine-vessels of idolaters may be used after twelve months; Moses officiated during the seven days of consecration in a white frock. R. Kahana's version is: In a white frock without border.

Some give the passage in the following version: Raba said, a mourner is not allowed to bathe either in warm or in cold water during the seven days. Why should bathing be different from the enjoyment of meat and wine? In the case of meat and wine, indulgence is permitted because it is done merely to lessen the mourner's suffering, while bathing is a matter of (avoidable) pleasure. Is not Raba's statement supported by the following passage: "A maiden that has reached maturity should not neglect herself during the days of her mourning for her father?" This wording certainly indicates that a maiden who did not yet reach maturity is in duty bound to neglect herself. Now, what is meant by neglect? Does it mean abstaining from bathing in warm water? Is a maiden of maturity, then, not allowed so to neglect herself? Did not R. Ḥisda say, a mourner is not allowed to put even a finger into warm water? You must therefore admit that the prohibition of neglect refers only to bathing in cold water! Answer: No, by neglect is meant painting her eyelids and fixing her hair.

Some give the foregoing passage in the following version: As is stated in a Baraita, he recites before them twenty-four benedictions, namely, the eighteen daily benedictions, to which he adds six more. Where are the latter inserted? Between "Redeemer" and "Healer." The benediction of redemption is prolonged and Amen is responded after each benediction. This was the custom in the country, but in the Sanctuary they used to say: "Blessed is the Lord our God, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting, blessed art Thou, O Lord, who redeemest Israel," whereupon the congregation responded: "Blessed is the Name of His glorious kingdom for ever and aye," because it was not customary to respond Amen in the Sanctuary. And whence do we know that it was not customary to respond Amen in the Sanctuary? For it is said (Neh., 9. 5): "Stand up and bless the Lord your God from everlasting to everlasting; and let them say: 'Blessed be Thy glorious Name, that is exalted above all blessing and praise.'" One might think that there was one general doxology pronounced after all the benedictions, Scripture therefore says, "exalted above all blessing and praise", which means to say: Give praise after each blessing (benediction). Thus before closing the first he says: Blessed is the Lord our God, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting, blessed art Thou, O Lord, who redeemest Israel, to which the congregation responds: "Blessed be the Name of His glorious kingdom for ever and aye!" The sexton of the synagogue then says: "Blow, ye priests, blow!", whereupon the reader repeats: "He who answered Abraham on mount Moriah", etc. They then blow, sound the alarm and blow again. The second he closes by saying: "Blessed is the Lord our God, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting, blessed art Thou who rememberest things forgotten," to which the congregation responds: "Blessed be the Name of His glorious kingdom for ever and aye," whereupon the sexton of the synagogue says: "Sound the alarm, ye sons of Aaron, sound!" The reader then repeats: "He who answered our fathers on the Red Sea", etc. This order is observed in all benedictions, namely that in connection with one he would say first "blow!" and with the other "sound the alarm," until he had finished them all. R. Ḥalafta in Sepphoris and R. Ḥanina b. Teradyon in Siknin introduced the same order, but when the matter came before the other Sages they said, this was customary only before the Eastern Gates and on the Temple mount.