To this question the following answer was returned: "As water runs down
from an eminence (the mountains), and rests in a low place (the sea), so
the law, emanating from Heaven, can remain in the possession of those
only who are humble in spirit."
Another Rabbi inquired, "Wherefore has the Word of God been likened to
wine and milk?" The reply made was, "As these fluids cannot be preserved
in golden vessels, but only in those of earthenware, so those minds will
be the best receptacles of learning which are found in homely bodies."
Rabbi Joshua ben Chaninah, who was very homely in appearance, possessed
great wisdom and erudition; and one of his favorite sayings was, that
"though many have exhibited a vast amount of knowledge, notwithstanding
their personal attractions, yet had they been less handsome, their
acquirements might have been more extensive."
The precepts are compared to a lamp; the law of God to a light. The lamp
gives light only so long as it contains oil. So he who observes the
precepts receives his reward while performing them. The law, however, is
a light perpetual; it is a protection forever to the one who studies it,
as it is written:--
"When thou walkest, it (the law) will guide thee; when thou liest down,
it will watch over thee; and when thou awakest, it will converse with
thee."
When thou walkest it will guide thee--in this world; when thou liest
down, it will watch over thee--in the grave; when thou awakest, it
will converse with thee--in the life to come.
A traveler upon his journey passed through the forest upon a dark and
gloomy night. He journeyed in dread; he feared the robbers who infested
the route he was traversing; he feared that he might slip and fall into
some unseen ditch or pitfall on the way, and he feared, too, the wild
beasts, which he knew were about him. By chance he discovered a pine
torch, and lighted it, and its gleams afforded him great relief. He no
longer feared brambles or pitfalls, for he could see his way before him.
But the dread of robbers and wild beasts was still upon him, nor left
him till the morning's dawn, the coming of the sun. Still he was
uncertain of his way, until he emerged from the forest, and reached the
cross-roads, when peace returned unto his heart.
The darkness in which the man walked was the lack of religious
knowledge. The torch he discovered typifies God's precepts, which aided
him on the way until he obtained the blessed sunlight, compared to God's
holy word, the Bible. Still, while man is in the forest (the world), he
is not entirely at peace; his heart is weak, and he may lose the right
path; but when he reaches the cross-roads (death), then may we proclaim
him truly righteous, and exclaim:--
"A good name is more fragrant than rich perfume, and the day of death is
better than the day of one's birth."
Rabbi Jochanan, the son of Broka, and Rabbi Eleazer, the son of Chismah,
visited their teacher, Rabbi Josah, and he said to them:--
"What is the news at the college; what is going on?"
"Nay," they answered, "we are thy scholars; it is for thee to speak, for
us to listen."
"Nevertheless," replied Rabbi Josah, "no day passes without some
occurrence of note at the college. Who lectured to-day?"
"Rabbi Eleazer, the son of Azaryah."
"And what was his subject?"
"He chose this verse from Deuteronomy," replied the scholar:--
"'Assemble the people together, the men, the women, and the children;'
and thus he expounded it:--
"'The men came to learn, the women to listen; but wherefore the
children? In order that those who brought them might receive a reward
for training their children in the fear of the Lord.'
"He also expounded the verse from Ecclesiastes:--
"'The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails fastened (are the
words of) the men of the assemblies, which are given by one shepherd.'
"'Why is the law of God compared to a goad?' he said. 'Because the goad
causes the ox to draw the furrow straight, and the straight furrow
brings forth a plenty of good food for the life of man. So does the law
of God keep man's heart straight, that it may produce good food to
provide for the life eternal. But lest thou shouldst say, "The goad is
movable, so therefore must the law be," it is also written, "as nails,"
and likewise, as "nails fastened," lest thou shouldst argue that nails
pounded into wood diminish from sight with each stroke, and that
therefore by this comparison God's law would be liable to diminution
also. No; as a nail fastened or planted, as a tree is planted to bring
forth fruit and multiply.
"'The men of assemblies are those who gather in numbers to study the
law. Frequently controversies arise among them, and thou mightest say,
"With so many differing opinions how can I settle to a study of the
law?" Thy answer is written in the words which are given by one
shepherd. From one God have all the laws proceeded. Therefore make thy
ears as a sieve, and incline thy heart to possess all these words.'"
Then said Rabbi Josah, "Happy the generation which Rabbi Eleazer
teaches."
* * * * *
The Rabbis of Jabnah expressed their regard for all human beings,
learned and unlearned, in this manner:--
"I am a creature of God and so is my neighbor. He may prefer to labor in
the country; I prefer a calling in the city. I rise early for my
personal benefit; he rises early to advance his own interests. As he
does not seek to supplant me, I should be careful to do naught to injure
his business. Shall I imagine that I am nearer to God because my
profession advances the cause of learning and his does not? No. Whether
we accomplish much good or little good, the Almighty will reward us in
accordance with our righteous intentions."