Hebraic Literature 39

Hebraic Literature 39

The mosquito also was of service to David when he entered the camp of

Saul to secure the latter's weapon. While stooping near Abner, the

sleeping man moved and placed his leg upon David's body. If he moved, he

would awake Abner and meet with death, if he remained in that position

morning would dawn and bring him death; he knew not what to do, when a

mosquito alighted upon Abner's leg; he moved it quickly, and David

escaped.

 

Therefore sang David:---

 

"All my bones shall say, O Lord, who is like unto Thee."

 

* * * * *

 

The Israelites were commanded to visit Jerusalem on three festivals. It

happened upon one occasion that there was a scarcity of water in the

city. One of the people called upon a certain nobleman who was the owner

of three wells, and asked him for the use of the water which they

contained, promising that they should be refilled by a stated date, and

contracting in default of this to pay a certain large amount in silver

as forfeit. The day came, there had been no rain, and the three wells

were dry. In the morning the owner of the wells sent for the promised

money. Nakdemon, the son of Gurion, the man who had undertaken this

burden for his people's sake, replied, "The day is but begun; there is

yet time."

 

He entered the Temple and prayed that God might send rain and save him

all his fortune which he had ventured. His prayer was answered. The

clouds gathered and the rain fell. As he passed out of the Temple with a

grateful heart, he was met by his creditor, who said:--

 

"True, the rain has refilled my wells, but it is dark; the day has gone,

and according to our agreement thou must still pay me the promised sum."

 

Once more Nakdemon prayed, and lo, the clouds lifted and the sinking sun

smiled brightly on the spot where the men stood, showing that the

sunlight of day was still there, though the rain-clouds had temporarily

obscured its gleams.

 

* * * * *

 

There was a certain family, the family of Abtinoss, the members of which

were learned in the art of preparing the incense used in the service.

Their knowledge they refused to impart to others, and the directors of

the Temple, fearing that the art might die with them, discharged them

from the service, and brought other parties from Alexandria, in Egypt,

to prepare the sweet perfume. These latter were unable to afford

satisfaction, however, and the directors were obliged to give the

service back into the hands of the family of Abtinoss, who on their part

refused to accept it again, unless the remuneration for their services

was doubled. When asked why they so persistently refused to impart their

skill to others, they replied that they feared they might teach some

unworthy persons, who would afterward use their knowledge in an

idolatrous worship. The members of this family were very particular not

to use perfume of any kind themselves, lest the people should imagine

that they put the sweet spices used in the manufacture of the incense to

a baser use.

 

An exactly similar case to the above occurred with the family of Garmah,

which had the monopoly of the knowledge of preparing the show-bread used

in the services of the Temple.

 

It was in reference to these cases that the son of Azai said, "In thy

name they shall call thee, and in thy city they shall cause thee to

live, and from thy own they will give thee," meaning that trustful

persons should not fear that others might steal their occupations; "for

in thy name they will call thee," as with the families of Abtinoss and

Garmah; "and from thy own they will give thee," meaning that what a man

earns is his own, and cannot be taken away.

 

* * * * *

 

Rabbi Jochanan, the son of Levi, fasted and prayed to the Lord that he

might be permitted to gaze on the angel Elijah, he who had ascended

alive to heaven. God granted his prayer, and in the semblance of a man

Elijah appeared before him.

 

"Let me journey with thee in thy travels through the world," prayed the

Rabbi to Elijah; "let me observe thy doings, and gain in wisdom and

understanding."

 

"Nay," answered Elijah; "my actions thou couldst not understand; my

doings would trouble thee, being beyond thy comprehension."

 

But still the Rabbi entreated:--

 

"I will neither trouble nor question thee," he said; "only let me

accompany thee on thy way."

 

"Come, then," said Elijah; "but let thy tongue be mute. With thy first

question, thy first __EXPRESSION__ of astonishment, we must part company."

 

So the two journeyed through the world together. They approached the

house of a poor man, whose only treasure and means of support was a cow.

As they came near, the man and his wife hastened to meet them, begged

them to enter their cot, and eat and drink of the best they could

afford, and to pass the night under their roof. This they did, receiving

every attention from their poor but hospitable host and hostess. In the

morning Elijah rose up early and prayed to God, and when he had finished

his prayer, behold the cow belonging to the poor people dropped dead.

Then the travelers continued on their journey.

 

Much was Rabbi Jochanan perplexed. "Not only did we neglect to pay them

for their hospitality and generous services, but his cow we have

killed;" and he said to Elijah, "Why didst thou kill the cow of this

good man, who--"

 

"Peace," interrupted Elijah; "hear, see, and be silent. If I answer thy

questions we must part."

 

And they continued on their way together.

 

Toward evening they arrived at a large and imposing mansion, the

residence of a haughty and wealthy man. They were coldly received; a

piece of bread and a glass of water were placed before them, but the

master of the house did not welcome or speak to them, and they remained

there during the night unnoticed. In the morning Elijah remarked that a

wall of the house required repairing, and sending for a carpenter, he

himself paid the money for the repair, as a return, he said, for the

hospitality they had received.

 

Again was Rabbi Jochanan filled with wonder, but he said naught, and

they proceeded on their journey.

 

As the shades of night were falling they entered a city which contained

a large and imposing synagogue. As it was the time of the evening

service they entered and were much pleased with the rich adornments, the

velvet cushions, and gilded carvings of the interior. After the

completion of the service, Elijah arose and called out aloud, "Who is

here willing to feed and lodge two poor men this night?" none answered,

and no respect was shown to the traveling strangers. In the morning,

however, Elijah re-entered the synagogue, and shaking its members by the

hands, he said, "I hope that you may all become presidents."

 

Next evening the two entered another city, when the _Shamas_ (sexton) of

the synagogue, came to meet them, and notifying the members of his

congregation of the coming of two strangers, the best hotel of the place

was opened to them, and all vied in showing them attention and honor.

 

In the morning, on parting with them, Elijah said, "May the Lord appoint

over you but one president."

 

Jochanan could resist his curiosity no longer. "Tell me," said he to

Elijah, "tell me the meaning of all these actions which I have

witnessed. To those who have treated us coldly thou hast uttered good

wishes; to those who have been gracious to us thou hast made no suitable

return. Even though we must part, I pray thee explain to me the meaning

of thy acts."

 

"Listen," said Elijah, "and learn to trust in God, even though thou

canst not understand His ways. We first entered the house of the poor

man, who treated us so kindly. Know that it had been decreed that on

that very day his wife should die. I prayed unto the Lord that the cow

might prove a redemption for her; God granted my prayers, and the woman

was preserved unto her husband. The rich man, whom next we called up,

treated us coldly, and I repaired his wall. I repaired it without a new

foundation, without digging to the old one. Had he repaired it himself

he would have dug, and thus discovered a treasure which lies there

buried, but which is now forever lost to him. To the members of the

synagogue who were inhospitable I said, 'May you all be presidents,' and

where many rule there can be no peace; but to the others I said, 'May

you have but one president;' with one leader no misunderstanding may

arise. Now, if thou seest the wicked prospering, be not envious; if thou

seest the righteous in poverty and trouble, be not provoked or doubtful

of God's justice. The Lord is righteous, His judgments all are true; His

eyes note all mankind, and none can say, 'What dost thou?'"

 

With these words Elijah disappeared, and Jochanan was left alone.

 

* * * * *

 

There was once a man who pledged his dearest faith to a maiden,

beautiful and true. For a time all passed pleasantly, and the maiden

lived in happiness. But then the man was called from her side, he left

her; long she waited, but he did not return. Friends pitied her and

rivals mocked her; tauntingly they pointed at her, and said, "He has

left thee; he will never come back." The maiden sought her chamber, and

read in secret the letters which her lover had written to her, the

letters in which he promised to be ever faithful, ever true. Weeping she

read them, but they brought comfort to her heart; she dried her eyes and

doubted not.

 

A joyous day dawned for her; the man she loved returned, and when he

learned that others had doubted and asked her how she had preserved her

faith, she showed his letters to him, declaring her eternal trust.

 

Israel, in misery and captivity, was mocked by the nations; her hopes of

redemption were made a laughing-stock; her sages scoffed at; her holy

men derided. Into her synagogues, into her schools went Israel; she read

the letters which her God had written, and believed in the holy promises

which they contained.

 

God will in time redeem her; and when He says:--

 

"How could you alone be faithful of all the mocking nations?"

 

She will point to the law and answer:--

 

"Had not Thy law been my delight, I should long since have perished in

my affliction."

 

* * * * *

 

When God was about to created man the angels gathered about him. Some of

them opening their lips exclaimed, "Create, O God, a being who shall

praise Thee from earth even as we in heaven sing Thy glory."

 

But others said:--

 

"Hear us, Almighty King, create no more! The glorious harmony of the

heavens which Thou hast sent to earth will be by man disturbed,

destroyed."

 

Then silence fell upon the contesting hosts as the Angel of Mercy

appeared before the throne of grace on bended knees.

 

Sweet was the voice which said entreatingly:--

 

"O, Father, create Thou man; make him Thine own noble image. With

heavenly pity will I fill his heart, with sympathy toward every living

thing impress his being; through him will they find cause to praise

Thee."

 

Then the Angel of Mercy ceased, and the Angel of Peace with tearful eyes

spoke thus:--

 

"O God, create him not! Thy peace he will disturb, the flow of blood,

will follow sure his coming. Confusion, horror, war, will blot the

earth, and Thou wilt no longer find a pleasant place among Thy works on

earth."

 

Then spoke in stern tones the Angel of Justice:--

 

"And Thou wilt judge him, God; he shall be subject to my sway."

 

The Angel of Truth approached, saying:--

 

"Cease! O God of truth, with man Thou sendest falsehood to the earth."

 

Then all were silent, and out of the deep quietness the Divine words

came:--

 

"Thou, O Truth, shall go to earth with him, and yet remain a denizen of

heaven; 'twixt heaven and earth to float, connecting link between the

two."

 

* * * * *

 

It was customary in Bithar when a child was born for the parents to

plant a young cedar tree, to grow up with the infant. It happened upon

one occasion when the daughter of the emperor was riding through the

city, that her chariot broke down, and her attendants pulled up a young

cedar tree to use in repairing it. The man who had planted the tree,

seeing this, attacked the servants and beat them severely. This action

incensed the emperor, who immediately dispatched an army of eighty

thousand men against the city. These captured it and killed the

inhabitants, men, women, and children. The rivers ran red with blood,

and 'tis said that the ground was rich and prolific to the farmers for

seven years, from the bodies of those who perished, said to be four

hundred thousand Israelites.

 

* * * * *

 

When the guilt of the Israelites grew too great for the forbearance of

the Most High, and they refused to listen to the words and warnings of

Jeremiah, the prophet left Jerusalem and traveled to the land of

Benjamin. While he was in the holy city, and prayed for mercy on it, it

was spared; but while he sojourned in the land of Benjamin,

Nebuchadnezzar laid waste the land of Israel, plundered the holy Temple,

robbed it of its ornaments, and gave it a prey to the devouring flames.

By the hands of Nebuzaradan did Nebuchadnezzar send (while he himself

remained in Riblah) to destroy Jerusalem.

 

Before he ordered the expedition he endeavored by means of signs, in

accordance with the superstition of his age, to ascertain the result of

the attempt. He shot an arrow from his bow, pointing to the west, and

the arrow turned toward Jerusalem. Then he shot again, pointing toward

the east, and the arrow sped toward Jerusalem. Then he shot once more,

desiring to know in which direction lay the guilty city which should be

blotted from the world, and for the third time his arrow pointed toward

Jerusalem.

 

When the city had been captured, he marched with his princes and

officers into the Temple, and called out mockingly to the God of Israel,

"And art thou the great God before whom the world trembles, and we here

in thy city and thy Temple!"

 

On one of the walls he found the mark of an arrow's head, as though

somebody had been killed or hit near by, and he asked, "Who was killed

here?"

 

"Zachariah, the son of Yehoyadah, the high priest," answered the people;

"he rebuked us incessantly on account of our transgressions, and we

tired of his words, and put him to death."

 

The followers of Nebuchadnezzar massacred the inhabitants of Jerusalem,

the priests and the people, old and young, women, and children who were

attending school, even babies in the cradle. The feast of blood at last

shocked even the leader of the hostile heathens, who ordered a stay of

this wholesale murder. He then removed all the vessels of gold and

silver from the Temple, and sent them by his ships, to Babel, after

which he set the Temple on fire.

 

The high priest donned his robe and ephod, and saying, "Now that the

Temple is destroyed, no priest is needed to officiate," threw himself

into the flames and was consumed. When the other priests who were still

alive witnessed this action, they took their harps and musical

instruments and followed the example of the high priest. Those of the

people whom the soldiers had not killed were bound in iron chains,

burdened with the spoils of the victors, and carried into captivity.

Jeremiah the prophet returned to Jerusalem and accompanied his

unfortunate brethren, who went out almost naked. When they reached a

place called Bet Kuro, Jeremiah obtained better clothing for them. And

he spoke to Nebuchadnezzar and the Chaldeans, and said, "Think not that

of your own strength you were able to overcome the people chosen of the

Lord; 'tis their iniquities which have condemned them to this sorrow."

 

Thus the people journeyed on with crying and moaning until they reached

the rivers of Babylon. Then Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Sing, ye

people,--play for me,--sing the songs ye were wont to sing before your

great Lord in Jerusalem."

 

In answer to this command, the Levites hung their harps upon the willow

trees near the banks of the river, as it is written, "Upon the willows

in her midst had we hung up our harps." Then they said, "If we had but

performed the will of God and sung His praises devoutly, we should not

have been delivered into thy hands. Now, how can we sing before thee the

prayers and hymns that belong only to the One Eternal God?" as it is

said, "How should we sing the song of the Lord on the soil of the

stranger?"

 

Then said the officers of the captors, "These men are men of death; they

refuse to obey the order of the king; let them die."

 

But forth stepped Pelatya, the son of Yehoyadah, and thus he addressed

Nebuchadnezzar:--

 

"Behold, if a flock is delivered into the hands of a shepherd, and a

wolf steals a lamb from the flock, tell me, who is responsible to the

owner of the lost animal?"

 

"Surely the shepherd," replied Nebuchadnezzar.

 

"Then listen to thine own words," replied Pelatya. "God has given Israel

into thy hands; to Him art thou responsible for those who are slain."

 

The king ordered the chains to be removed from the captives, and they

were not put to death.

 

* * * * *

 

Through Kamtzah and Bar Kamtzah was Jerusalem destroyed; and thus it

happened.

 

A certain man made a feast; he was a friend of Kamtzah, but Bar Kamtzah

he hated. He sent a messenger to Kamtzah with an invitation to his

banquet, but this messenger making a mistake, delivered the invitation

to his master's enemy, Bar Kamtzah.

 

Bar Kamtzah accepted the invitation, and was on hand at the appointed

time, but when the host saw his enemy enter his house, he ordered him to

leave at once.

 

"Nay," said Bar Kamtzah, "now that I am here, do not so insult me as to

send me forth. I will pay thee for all that I may eat and drink."

 

"I want not thy money," returned the other, "neither do I desire thy

presence; get thee gone at once."

 

But Bar Kamtzah persisted.

 

"I will pay the entire expense of thy feast," he said; "do not let me be

degraded in the eyes of thy guests."

 

The host was determined, and Bar Kamtzah withdrew from the banquet-room

in anger.

 

"Many Rabbis were present," said he in his heart, "and not one of them

interfered in my behalf, therefore this insult which they saw put upon

me must have pleased them."

 

So Bar Kamtzah spoke treacherously of the Jews unto the king, saying,

"The Jews have rebelled against thee."

 

"How can I know this?" inquired the king.

 

"Send a sacrifice to their Temple and it will be rejected," replied Bar

Kamtzah.

 

The ruler then sent a well-conditioned calf to be sacrificed for him in

the Temple, but through the machinations of Bar Kamtzah the messenger

inflicted a blemish upon it, and, of course, not being fit for the

sacrifice it was not accepted.

 

Through this cause was Cæsar sent to capture Jerusalem, and for two

years he besieged the city. Four wealthy citizens of Jerusalem had

stored up enough food to last the inhabitants a much longer time than

this, but the people being anxious to fight with the Romans, destroyed

the storehouses and brought dire famine upon the city.

 

A certain noble lady, Miriam, the daughter of Baythus, sent her servant

to purchase some flour for household use. The servant found that all the

flour had been sold, but there was still some meal which he might have

purchased. Hurrying home, however, to learn his mistress's wishes in

regard to this, he discovered on his return that this too had been sold,

and he could obtain nothing save some coarse barley meal. Not wishing to

purchase this without orders he returned home again, but when he

returned to the storehouse to secure the barley meal, that was gone

also. Then his mistress started out herself to purchase food, but she

could find nothing. Suffering from the pangs of hunger she picked from

the street the skin of a fig and ate it; this sickened her and she died.

But previous to her death she cast all her gold and silver into the

street, saying, "What use is this wealth to me when I can obtain no food

for it?" Thus were the words of Ezekiel fulfilled:--