  The Oral Law—Its Transmission—Names of the “Receivers”—Maxims—Apothegms—Wisdom of the Wise. Chapter I1. Moses received the Oral Law from Sinai and delivered it to Joshua, and Joshua delivered it to the elders, and the elders to the prophets, and the prophets to the men of the great synagogue.467 They said three things, “be deliberate in judgment, raise up many disciples, and make a fence for the law.” 2. Simon the Just was one of the last of the men of the great synagogue. He used to say that the world stood on three things—“on the law, the service, and the acts of the pious.” 3. Antigonus of Soco received (the law) from Simon the Just. He used to say, “be not as servants, who serve their master for the sake of receiving a reward, but be like servants who serve their master without the view of receiving a reward; and let the fear of heaven be upon you.” 4. JosÉ, son of Joezer of Zeredah, and JosÉ, son of Jochanan of Jerusalem, received (the oral law) from him. JosÉ, son of Joezer of Zeredah, said, “let thy house be a house of assembly for the wise, and dust thyself with the dust of their feet, and drink their words in thirstiness.” 5. JosÉ, son of Jochanan of Jerusalem, said, “let thy house be wide open, and let the poor be thy children. Discourse not much with women, not even with thy wife, much less with [pg 200] 6. Joshua, son of Perechiah, and Natai the Arbelite received the oral law from them. Joshua, son of Perechiah, said, “get thyself a master, and obtain a companion, and judge all mankind with favor.” 7. Natai the Arbelite said, “withdraw from an evil neighbor, and associate not with the wicked, neither flatter thyself to escape punishment.” 8. Judah, son of Tabai, and Simon, son of Shetach, received it of them. Judah, son of Tabai, said, “consider not thyself as the arranger of the law, and when the parties are before thee in judgment, consider them as guilty; but when they are departed from thee, consider them as innocent, when they have acquiesced in the sentence.” 9. Simon, son of Shetach, said, “be extremely careful in the examination of witnesses, and be cautious in thy words, lest they from thence should learn to utter a falsehood.” 10. Shemaiah and Abtalyon468 received it from them. Shemaiah said, “love thy business and hate dominion, and be unknown to government.” 11. Abtalyon said, “ye Sages, be cautious of your words, lest ye be doomed to captivity, and carried captive to a place of bad waters, and the disciples who follow you should drink of them, by which means the name of God may be profaned.” 12. Hillel and Shammai received it of them. Hillel said, “be thou of the disciples of Aaron, who loved peace, and pursued peace, so that thou love mankind, and allure them to the study of the law.” 13. He used to say, “whoever aggrandizes his name, destroys his name, and he who does not increase his knowledge in the law, shall be cut off, and he who does not study the law, is deserving of death, and he who serves himself with the crown of the law, will perish.” 14. He also said, “if I perform not good works myself, who can do them for me?” and “when I consider myself, what am I?” and “if not now, when shall I?” [pg 201]15. Shammai said, “let thy study of the law be fixed, say little and do much, and receive all men with an open, pleasant face.” 16. Rabban Gamaliel said, “procure thyself an instructor, that thou mayest not be in doubt, and accustom not thyself to give tithes by conjecture.” 17. Simon, his son, said, “I have all my life been brought up among wise men, and never found anything so good for the body as silence, neither is the study of the law the principal thing, but its practice,” and “whoever multiplies words causes sin.” 18. Rabban Simon, son of Gamaliel, said the duration of the world depends on three things, justice, truth, and peace, as is said, “judge truth, and justice, and peace in your gates.” Chapter II1. Rabbi Judah said, “which are the most eligible paths for man to choose? All such as are an ornament to those who tread therein; and get them honor from man. Be also as careful of the observance of a light precept, as of a weighty one; because thou knowest not the due reward of the precepts, and balance the loss sustained by the omission of a precept against its recompense, and the reward of sin against its loss of happiness. Consider also three things, and thou wilt not transgress. Understand what is above thee: an All-seeing Eye and a Hearing Ear; and that all thy actions are written in a Book.” 2. Rabban Gamaliel, the son of Rabban Judah the Prince, said, “that the study of the law and intercourse with the world are commendable together, as the joining of these two annihilates sin; and all the study of the law, that is not supported by business, will become of none effect, and will be the cause of sin; and whoever is engaged in the service of the congregation, ought to act for God's sake, then will the merit of their ancestors support them, and their charitable deeds exist to eternity; and I (God) shall account you deserving of a great recompense, as if ye had actually done it.” 3. “Be ye warned of following princes, as they only bestow favors on men for their own interest. They show themselves [pg 202] 4. He used to say, “do His will as if it were thine own will, that He may accomplish thy will as if it were His will; abolish thy will for the sake of His will, that He may abolish the will of others for the sake of thy will.” Hillel said, “separate not thyself from the congregation, nor have confidence in thyself, until the day of thy death. Judge not thy neighbor till thou art in his situation, neither utter a sentence as if it were incomprehensible, that afterward may be comprehended, nor say, when I shall have leisure I shall study; mayhap thou wilt not have leisure.” 5. He also said, “a boor cannot be fearful of sin, nor can a rustic be a saint; the bashful will not become learned, nor the passionate man a teacher; neither will he, who is much engaged in traffic, become wise; and where there are no men, strive thou to be a man.” 6. He having also seen a skull floating on the water, said, “because thou didst make others float, have they floated thee! and the end of those who made thee float will be that they will float.” 7. He also said, “he who increases flesh, increases worms; he who increases riches, increases care; he who increases wives, increases witchcraft; he who increases female servants, increases lewdness; he who increases men servants, increases robbery; but he who increases his knowledge of the law, increases life; he who increases his study in college, increases wisdom; he who increases counsel, increases prudence; he who increases justice, increases peace; if a man have gained a good name, he has gained it for himself; if he have gained the words of the law, he has gained for himself everlasting life in the world to come.” 8. Rabbi Jochanan, son of Zaccai, received the oral law from Hillel and Shammai. He used to say, “if thou hast spent much time in the study of the law, yet pride not thyself thereon, because for that wast thou created.” Rabbi Jochanan, son of Zaccai, had five disciples, and these are they: Rabbi Eleazar, son of Hyrcanus, Rabbi Joshua, son of Chananya, Rabbi JosÉ the priest, Rabbi Simon, son of Nathanael, Rabbi Eleazar, son of Arach. He used thus to estimate their merits: [pg 203] 9. He also said to them, “go forth and consider which is the good path for man to cleave to?” To this R. Eleazar answered, “a good eye.” R. Joshua said, “a good companion.” R. JosÉ said, “a good neighbor.” R. Simon said, “he who foresees the future.” R. Eleazar said, “a good heart.” He then said to them, “I prefer the words of R. Eleazar, son of Arach, above yours, as his words include yours.” He also said to them, “go forth and consider which is the bad way that man should shun”; to which R. Eleazar said, “a bad eye.” R. Joshua said, “a bad companion.” R. JosÉ said, “a bad neighbor.” R. Simon said, “he who borrows and pays not; for when one borrows from man, it is as if he borrows from God, as is said, ‘The wicked borroweth and payeth not again; but the righteous showeth mercy and giveth.’ ”469 R. Eleazar said, “a bad heart.” He then said to them, “I prefer the words of R. Eleazar, son of Arach, above yours, as his words include yours.” 10. They also said three things. R. Eleazar said, “let the honor of thy companion be as dear to thee as thine own; and be not easily moved to anger; and repent one day before thy death; and warm thyself by the fire of the Sages, and be careful that their coal does not burn thee, for their bite is as a bite of a fox, and their sting is as the sting of a scorpion, and their burn is the burn of a fiery serpent, and all their words are as fiery coals.” 11. R. Joshua said, “the bad eye, the bad thought, and envy of companions, cause the death of man.” 12. R. JosÉ said, “let thy companion's property be as dear to thee as thine own; and prepare thyself to study the law, as it [pg 204] 13. R. Simon said, “be careful of reading the ‘Hear,’470 etc., and the other prayers; and when thou art praying consider not thy prayer as fixed, but as supplicating mercy in the presence of the Supreme, as is said, ‘For He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness, and repenteth Him of the evil’;471 and be not impious in thine own sight.” 14. R. Eleazar said, “be diligent to study the law, that thou mayest know how to confute the Epicurean; consider also in whose presence thou art laboring, for the Master of thy work is faithful to pay thee the reward of thy labor.” 15. R. Tarphon said, “the day is short, the labor vast, but the laborers are slothful, though the reward is great, and the Master of the house presseth for despatch.” 16. He used to say, “it is not incumbent upon thee to complete the work, neither art thou free to cease from it. If thou hast studied the law, great shall be thy reward; for the Master of thy work is faithful to pay the reward of thy labor; but know that the reward of the righteous is in the world to come.” Chapter III1. Akabia, son of Mahallalel, said, “ponder on three things, and thou wilt not be led to the commission of sin; consider from whence thou comest, and whither thou goest; and in whose presence thou must in futurity stand to account in judgment. From whence comest thou? from a foul drop. And whither goest thou? to a place of dust—worms—and reptiles; and in whose presence art thou in future to account in judgment? even before the King Who is King of kings, and the HOLY ONE, blessed be He.” 2. Rabbi Chanina, suffragan of the priests, said, “pray for the peace of the kingdom, for, were it not for its fear, men would swallow each other alive.” Rabbi Chanina, son of Theradion, said, “two who are sitting together and speak not of the law are an assembly of scorners; as is said, ‘Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.’ ”472 But two who sit together, [pg 205] 3. Rabbi Simon said, “three who have eaten at one table and have not spoken of the law, are to be considered as if they had eaten of the sacrifices of the dead, for it is said, ‘For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.’475 But three who have eaten at one table and have spoken of the law, are considered as if they had eaten at GOD'S table, as is said, ‘And he said unto me, This is the table that is before the LORD.’ ”476 4. R. Chanina, son of Chanina, said, “he who wakes in the night and travels in the road alone, and turns his heart to vanity, is guilty of the death of his own soul.” 5. R. Nechunya, son of Hakana, said, “whoever lays on himself the yoke of the law is relieved from the yoke of the kingdom and the yoke of the custom of the world, and whoever breaks off the yoke of the law, imposes on himself the yoke of the kingdom and the yoke of the custom of the world.” 6. R. Chalaphta of the village of Chananya said, “ten men who assemble together and study the law, the Shechinah rests among them, as is said, ‘God standeth in the congregation of the mighty.’ ”477 And hence it is inferred that it is also so with five, because it is said, “and hath founded his troop in the earth.”478 And hence it is inferred that it is likewise so with three, because it is said, “He judgeth among the gods.”479 And hence it is inferred that it is also thus with two, because it is said, “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and the Lord hearkened and heard, etc.”480 And [pg 206] 7. R. Eleazar of Barthota said, “give unto Him of His own, for thou and all that thou hast are His.” And thus said David, “For all things come of Thee, and of thine own have we given Thee.”482 R. Simon said, “he who journeys on the road, meditating on the law, and ceases therefrom to admire this beautiful tree or that beautiful fallow ground, is considered in Scripture as endangering his life.” 8. R. Dosthai, the son of Jonai, in the name of R. Meier, said, “whoever forgetteth anything of what he had obtained by study, is considered in Scripture as having endangered his life”; as is said, “Only take heed to thyself and guard thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen.”483 “Perhaps his study has been too powerful for him?” “But it is said, ‘And lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life.’ ”484 Hence he endangers not his life, till he deliberately removes them from his heart. 9. Rabbi Chanina, son of Dose, said, “whosoever's fear of sin precedes his wisdom, his wisdom will remain; but whosoever's wisdom precedes his fear of sin, his wisdom will not remain.” He used to say, “whosoever's good deeds exceed his wisdom, his wisdom will remain; but whosoever's wisdom exceeds his good deeds, his wisdom will not remain.” 10. He also used to say, “with whomsoever the spirit of his companions is gratified, the Spirit of God is gratified; but with whomsoever the spirit of his companions is not gratified, the Spirit of God is not gratified.” R. JosÉ, son of Harchinas, said, “that morning sleep, noontide wine, childish conversation, and the assembly of the ignorant, take man out of the world.” 11. R. Eleazar Hamodai said, “he who profanes the holy offerings, despises the solemn feasts, puts his neighbor to shame in public, makes void the covenant of our father Abraham, and expounds the law contrary to its true sense, although he be well learned in the law and possessed of good deeds, yet has he no share in the world to come.” [pg 207]12. R. Ishmael said, “be humble to thy superior, and affable to thy inferior, and receive all mankind with joy.” 13. R. Akiba said, “laughter and levity accustom mankind to lewdness, tradition is a fence to the law, tithes are a fence to riches, vows are a fence to abstinence, the fence to wisdom is silence.” 14. He used to say, “man is beloved as he was created in the image of God, but an additional love was shown to him that he was created in the image of God, as is said, ‘In the image of God he made man.’485 Beloved are Israel in that they are called the children of God, but an additional love was shown to them in that they are called the children of God, as is said, ‘Ye are the children of the Lord your God.’486 Beloved are Israel, to whom was given the desirable vessel wherewith the world was created, but an additional love was shown unto them, that the desirable vessel wherewith the world was created was given unto them, as is said, ‘For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.’ ”487 15. “Everything is seen by God, though freedom of choice is given unto man; the world is judged in goodness, though all is according to the greatness of the work.” 16. He used to say, “everything is given to man on pledge, and a net is spread over all living; the shop is open, and the merchant credits; the ledger is open, and the hand records, and whosoever chooses to borrow may come and borrow, as the collectors are daily coming round and getting payment of man, whether with his consent or without it, for they have good authority to support them, and the judgment is true justice, and all things are ready for the feast.” 17. R. Eleazar, son of Azariah, said, “if there be no law, there is no morality, and if there be no morality, there is no law; if there be no wisdom, there is no reverence, and if there be no reverence, there is no wisdom; if there be no understanding, there is no knowledge, and if there be no knowledge, there is no understanding; if there be no meal, there can be no study of the law, and if there be no law, there will be no meal.” He used to say, “to what may he be likened whose wisdom exceeds his goods deeds? To a tree whose branches are many and his roots few, so that the wind comes and plucks [pg 208] 18. R. Eleazar, son of Chisma, said, “sacrifices of doves and observance of times are important constitutions. Astronomy and geometry are the ornaments of wisdom.” Chapter IV1. The son of Zoma said, “Who is wise? He who is willing to receive instruction from all men, as is said, ‘Than all my teachers.’490 Who is mighty? He who subdues his evil imagination, as is said, ‘He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.’491 Who is rich? He who rejoices in his lot, as is said, ‘For thou shalt eat the labor of thine hands, happy shalt thou be and it shall be well with thee’;492 happy shalt thou be in this world, and it shall be well with thee in the world to come. Who is honorable? He who honors mankind, as is said, ‘For them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.’ ”493 2. Ben Asai said, “run to the performance of a slight precept as though it were a grave one, and flee from transgression, for the performance of a precept causes another precept, and transgression causes transgression, as the reward of a commandment is a commandment, and the reward of transgression is transgression.” 3. He used to say, “despise not all men, nor oppose all [pg 209] 4. Rabbi Levitas of Jabneh said, “be very humble of spirit, as all the hope of man is to be food for worms.” Rabbi Johanan, son of Beroka, said, “whosoever profanes God's name in secret will be punished publicly, whether it be done ignorantly or presumptuously, it is all one in the profanation of God's name.” 5. Rabbi Ishmael, his son, said, “he who learns that he may be able to teach others, will be enabled to study and to teach others; but he who studies in order to perform the precepts, will be enabled to study, teach, observe, and do the commandments.” Rabbi Zadok said, “make not the study of the law subservient to thy aggrandizement, neither make a hatchet thereof to hew therewith.” And thus said Hillel, “whosoever receiveth any emolument from the words of the law deprives himself of life.” 6. Rabbi JosÉ said, “he who honors the law, his person shall be honored by mankind; and he who profanes the law, his person shall be dishonored by mankind.” 7. Rabbi Ishmael, his son, said, “he who avoids being a judge, delivers himself from enmity, robbery, and false swearing; but he who is arrogant in judging, is a proud wicked fool.” 8. He used to say, “judge not alone, for none ought to judge alone save ONE; neither say, receive ye my opinion, for they are at liberty to accept it, but thou canst not compel them.” 9. Rabbi Jonathan said, “whosoever performs the law in poverty, shall in the end perform it in riches; but he who neglects the law for riches, will in the end neglect it for poverty.” 10. Rabbi Meier said, “diminish your worldly affairs and engage in the study of the law, and be humble in spirit before all men; and if thou neglect the law, there are many hinderances to oppose thee, but if thou hast labored in the study of the law, there is much reward to be given thee.” 11. Rabbi Eliezer, the son of Jacob, said, “he who performs but one precept gains for himself an advocate; and he who commits a single sin, gains for himself an accuser; repentance [pg 210] 12. Rabbi Eliezer, son of Shamua, said, “let the honor of thy disciple be as dear to thee as thine own, and the honor of thy companion as the fear of thy master, and the fear of thy master as the fear of God.” 13. Rabbi Judah said, “be careful in doctrine, for an error in doctrine is presumptuous sin.” Rabbi Simon said, “there are three crowns—the crown of the law, the crown of the priesthood, and the crown of monarchy, but the crown of a good name is better than all of them.” 14. Rabbi Nehorai said, “flee to a place where the law is studied, and do not say that it will follow thee, for thy companions will establish it for thee, and lean not to thine own understanding.” 15. Rabbi Janai said, “the prosperity of the wicked and the chastisements of the righteous are not in our hands.” Rabbi Mathia, son of Charash, said, “be forward to greet all men, and be rather as the tail of the lion, than as the head of the foxes.” 16. Rabbi Jacob said, “this world may be likened to a courtyard before the world to come, therefore prepare thyself in the hall, to enter into the dining-room.” 17. He used to say, “one hour employed in repentance and good deeds in this world is better than the whole life in the world to come; and one hour's refreshment of spirit in the world to come is better than the whole life in this world.” 18. Rabbi Simon, son of Eleazar, said, “try not to pacify your neighbor in the moment of his anger, and do not console him while his dead lies before him; inquire not of him in the moment of his vowing, nor desire to see him in the time of his calamity.” 19. The younger Samuel used to say, “rejoice not when thine enemy falls, and let not thy heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and it be evil in His sight, and He turn His wrath from him.” 20. Elisha, son of Abuya, said, “he who teaches a child, is like to one who writes on clean paper; but he who teaches [pg 211] 21. Rabbi Eleazer Hakapher said, “envy, lust, and ambition take men out of the world.” 22. He used to say, “those who are born are doomed to die, the dead to live, and the quick to be judged, to make us know, understand, and be informed that He is God. He is the Former, Creator, Omniscient, Judge, Witness, and Claimant, and He will judge thee hereafter, blessed be He; for in His presence there is no unrighteousness, forgetfulness, respect of persons, or acceptance of a bribe, for everything is His. Know also that everything is done according to the account, and let not thine evil imagination persuade thee that the grave is a place of refuge for thee, for against thy will wast thou formed, and against thy will wast thou born, and against thy will dost thou live, and against thy will shalt thou die, and against thy will must thou hereafter render an account and receive judgment in the presence of the King of kings, the Holy God, blessed be He.” Chapter V1. With ten expressions494 the world was created. “But wherefore is this taught, since God could have created it with one expression?” “This is to punish the wicked, who destroy the world that was created with ten expressions, and to reward the righteous who establish the world created with ten expressions.” 2. There were ten generations from Adam to Noah, to let us know that God is long-suffering, as all those generations provoked him before he brought the deluge upon them. There [pg 212] 3. Our father Abraham was proved with ten trials, and in all of them he stood firm; to let us know how great was the love of our father Abraham to God. 4. Ten miracles were wrought for our fathers in Egypt, and ten at the Red Sea. Ten plagues did the blessed God send on the Egyptians in Egypt, and ten at the Red Sea. Ten times did our fathers tempt the blessed God in the wilderness, as is said, “And have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice.”495 5. Ten miracles were wrought for our fathers in the holy temple—no woman miscarried from the scent of the flesh of the sacrifices; nor did the flesh of the sacrifices ever stink; nor was a fly seen in the slaughter house; nor did legal uncleanness happen to the high priest on the day of atonement; nor did the rain extinguish the fire of the wood arranged on the altar; nor did the wind prevent the straight ascension of the pillar of smoke; nor was any defect found in the omer, the two loaves, and the showbread; and though the people stood close together, yet when they worshipped there was room enough for all; nor did a serpent or scorpion injure a person in Jerusalem; nor did a man say to his neighbor, I have not room to lodge in Jerusalem. 6. Ten things were created on the eve of the Sabbath in the twilight, and these are they—the mouth of the earth; the mouth of the well; the mouth of the ass; the rainbow; the manna; the rod of Moses; the shameer;496 the letters; writing; and the tables of stone. And some say also the demons; and the grave of our lawgiver Moses; and the ram of our father Abraham; and some say the tongs, the model of the tongs. 7. Seven things are to be met with in a rude person, and seven in a wise man. The wise man will not speak before one who excels him in wisdom and years; nor will he interrupt his companion in his discourse; nor is he in haste to answer; he inquires according to the subject, and answers according [pg 213] 8. Seven kinds of punishment are brought on the world for seven important sins; for when a part of the people give tithes and the others do not, a scarcity and a dearth ensue, so that some are filled and others suffer hunger; but when the whole agree not to give tithes, a famine of dearth and confusion ensues. If they offer not up the “cake,”497 confusion and fire ensue. Pestilence comes into the world for the commission of sins said to be punished with death in the law, but which are not recognized by our judges; and for not observing the law concerning the fruits of the Sabbatical year. The sword enters the world on account of the delay of justice and its perversion; and on account of those who explain the law contrary to its true sense. 9. Evil beasts come into the world on account of false swearing, and the profanation of God's name. Captivity enters the world on account of idolatry, immorality, bloodshed, and not suffering the land to rest on the Sabbatical year. At four seasons the pestilence is prevalent—in the fourth year, the seventh, and the end of the seventh, and the end of the feast of tabernacles in every year. In the fourth year, for not giving the poor's tithe of the third year; in the seventh, for withholding the poor's tithe of the sixth year; and at the end of the seventh, on account of the fruits of the Sabbatical year; and at the end of the feast of tabernacles yearly, on account of robbing the poor of the gifts due to them. 10. There are four sorts of men: He who says, that which is mine is mine, and that which is thine is thine, is a passable custom, and some say this was the custom of Sodom. He who says, what is thine is mine, and what is mine is thine, is the custom of the ignorant. He who says, what is mine is thine, and what is thine is also thine, is the custom of the pious. He who says, what is mine is mine, and what is thine is mine, is the custom of the wicked. 11. There are four sorts of passionate men: He who is [pg 214] 12. There are four sorts of disciples: He who is quick to hear and quick to forget loses more than he gains; he who is slow to hear and slow to forget gains more than he loses; he who is quick to hear and slow to forget is wise; he who is slow to hear and quick to forget has an evil portion. 13. There are four sorts in those who bestow charity: He who is willing to give but does not wish that others should give, has an envious eye toward others; he who likes to see others give but will not give, has an evil eye toward himself; he who is willing to give and that others should also give, acts piously; he who will not give and likes not that others should give, acts wickedly. 14. There are four sorts in those who go to college: He who goes but does not study, has only the reward of going; he who studies and does not go, has the reward of action; he who goes and studies, is pious; he who neither goes nor studies, is wicked. 15. There are four sorts in those who sit before the Sages: Those who act as a sponge, a funnel, a strainer, and a sieve; as a sponge which sucks up all, as a funnel which receives at one end and lets out at the other, as a strainer which lets the wine pass through, but retains the lees, and as a sieve which lets the bran pass through but retains the fine flour. 16. Every affection that depends on some carnal cause, if that cause ceases the affection ceases, but that which does not depend on such a cause will never cease. Where do we meet with an affection dependent on a carnal cause? Such was the love of Ammon to Tamar; but that which does not depend on such a cause was the love of David and Jonathan. 17. Every dispute that is carried on for God's sake, will in the end be established; but that which is not for God's sake, will not be established. “What may be considered a dispute for God's sake?” “Such as the disputes of Hillel and Shammai; but that which was not for God's sake was the contention of Korah and all his company.” [pg 215]18. He who by his conduct justifies the public, no sin will be caused through his means, and whosoever causes the public to sin is not suffered to repent. Moses acted justly and caused the public to obtain merit: the merit of the public was attributed to him, as is said, “He executed the justice of the Lord and his judgments with Israel.”498 Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, sinned, and caused Israel to sin: the sin of the public was attributed to him, as is said, “Because of the sins of Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to sin.”499 19. He who possesses these three virtues is of the disciples of our father Abraham, and he who is possessed of the three opposites is of the disciples of the wicked Balaam. The disciples of our father Abraham possess a benevolent eye, a humble spirit, and a contented mind. The disciples of Balaam have an evil eye, a haughty spirit, and a narrow mind. “What is the difference between the disciples of our father Abraham and the disciples of the wicked Balaam?” “The disciples of our father Abraham eat of the fruit of their good works in this world, and inherit the future one, for it is said, ‘That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance, and I will fill their treasures.’500 But the disciples of the wicked Balaam inherit hell and descend to the pit of destruction, as is said, ‘But Thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction; bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in Thee.’ ”501 20. Judah, son of Tamai, said, “be bold as a leopard, light as an eagle, swift as a roe, and strong as a lion, to do the will of Thy Father, who is in heaven.” He used to say, “the impudent are for hell and the modest for paradise. May it be acceptable in Thy presence, O Lord our God! that Thy city may speedily be rebuilt in our days, and let our portion be in Thy law.” 21. He also said, “at five years of age a child should study the Bible; at ten he should study the Mishna; at thirteen he should observe the precepts; at fifteen he should study the Gemara; at eighteen he should get married; at twenty he should study the law; at thirty he is arrived at full strength; at forty he is arrived at understanding; at fifty he is able to give counsel; at sixty he is accounted aged; at seventy he is hoary; at [pg 216] 22. The son of Bagbag said, “ponder the law again and again, for all things are in it; contemplate it always, and depart not from it, for there is nothing to be preferred to it.” 23. The son of Haha said, “the reward is proportioned to the labor.” Chapter VI1. The Sages studied in the language of the Mishna; blessed be He who made choice of them and their learning. R. Meier said, “he who is engaged in the study of the law for its own sake merits many things, and not only so, but the whole world is under the greatest obligation to him; he is called a dear friend, dear to God and dear to mankind; he rejoices God and rejoices His creatures. It clothes him with meekness and the fear of God, and directs him to become just, pious, righteous, and faithful; it removes him from sin, and brings him near to merit, and the world is benefited by his counsel, sound wisdom, understanding, and strength; as is said, ‘Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength.’503 It also bestows on him empire, dominion, and perception in judgment. It reveals the secrets of the law to him, and he shall be an increasing fountain, and a never-failing river; and it will cause him to be modest, slow to anger, and ready to pardon an injury done to him; and it will magnify and exalt him above all things.” 2. R. Joshua, son of Levi, said, “every day a Divine voice (bath kol) proceeds from Mount Horeb, which proclaims and says, ‘Woe be to those who contemn the law; for whoever is not engaged in the study of the law may be considered as excommunicate’; for it is said, ‘as a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion’;504 and it is said, ‘And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.’505 Read not graven but freedom; for who are counted free but those engaged in the study of the law, and whoever is engaged [pg 217] 3. He who learns from his companion one chapter, sentence, verse, or expression, ought to behave toward him with respect; for thus we find by David, King of Israel, who having learned only two things from Ahitophel, called him his teacher, guide, and acquaintance, as is said, “But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.”507 Hence it may be deduced that if David, King of Israel, who having learned only two things from Ahitophel, called him his “teacher, guide, and acquaintance,” how much more ought he who learns from his companion a single chapter, sentence, verse, or expression, to show him the utmost respect? And there is no glory but the knowledge of the law; as is said, “The wise shall inherit glory”;508 and the perfect shall inherit the good; but nothing is really good but the law, as is said, “For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.”509 4. Thus is the law to be observed: Thou shalt eat bread and salt, and water by measure shalt thou drink; on the earth shalt thou sleep, and a life of trouble shalt thou live; and thou shalt labor in the study of the law. If thou doest thus, thou shalt be happy, and it shall be well with thee; thou shalt be happy in this world, and it shall be well with thee in the world to come. 5. Seek not grandeur for thyself, neither covet more honor than thy learning merits. Crave not after the tables of kings; for thy table is greater than their table, and thy crown is greater than their crown; and the Master who employs thee is faithful to pay thee the reward of thy labor. 6. The law is more excellent than the priesthood and royalty; for royalty is acquired by thirty properties, and the priesthood by twenty-four; but the law is acquired by forty-eight things, and these are they—with study, attention, eloquence; an understanding heart, an intelligent heart; with dread and meekness, fear and joy; with attendance on the Sages, the acuteness of companions, and disputations of the disciples; with sedateness, the study of the Bible, and the Mishna; in purity, in taking little sleep, in using little discourse, in being little engaged in traffic, in taking little sport, in enjoying little [pg 218] 7. Great is the law, which bestows life on the doers of it, both in this world and in the world to come; as is said, “For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.”511 And it is said, “It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.”512 And it is said, “She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her; and happy is everyone that retaineth her.”513 And it is said, “For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.”514 And it is said, “She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.”515 And it is said, “Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honor.”516 And it is said, “For length of days and long life, and peace shall they add to thee.”517 8. Rabbi Simeon, son of Judah, in the name of Rabbi Simeon, son of Jochai, said, “beauty, strength, riches, honor, wisdom, age, hoariness, and many children, are suitable for the righteous, and suitable for the world; as is said, ‘The [pg 219] 9. Rabbi Simeon, son of Manasya, said, “those seven qualities which the Sages counted as proper for the righteous, were all established in the Rabbi (Judah) and his children.” Rabbi JosÉ, son of Kishma, said, “I was once travelling along the road and met a certain person, who saluted me with peace, and I returned his salutation. He then said to me, ‘Rabbi, whence art thou?’ I answered him, ‘from a great city abounding in sages and scribes:’ said he to me, ‘if thou be willing to dwell with us in our city, then will I give thee a thousand thousand golden dinars, and precious stones and pearls.’ To this I answered, ‘if thou wouldst give me all the silver and gold, and precious stones and pearls in the world, I would only dwell in a place where the law is studied; because at the time of man's departure from this world he is not accompanied either with silver and gold, and precious stones and pearls, but with the law and good deeds alone, as is said, “When thou goest it shall lead thee: when thou sleepest it shall keep thee: and when thou awakest it shall talk with thee.” ’ ”521 “When thou goest it shall lead thee,” that is in this world. “When thou sleepest it shall keep thee,” in the grave; “and when thou awakest it shall talk with thee,” in the world to come. And thus it is written in the book of Psalms by the hand of David, King of Israel, “The law of thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver.”522 And it is said, “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of Hosts.”523 10. Five possessions hath the Holy One, blessed be He, obtained in this world, and these are they—the law is one possession; heaven and earth another; Abraham another; Israel another; and the holy Temple another. Now whence is it to be proved that the law is one possession? Because it is written, “The LORD possessed me in the beginning of [pg 220] |
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