(Fol. 49) We are taught in a Baraitha, R. Juda says: "Whoever translates a Biblical verse as it is formed (i.e., word for word without regard to idiomatic differences) is considered a liar; and whoever adds explanations unto a Biblical verse [which is not the true meaning] is considered as if he would blaspheme and revile the Lord."
Ten measures of wisdom came down to the world; the land of Israel received nine and one was left for the rest of the world. Ten measures of beauty came down to the world; Jerusalem received nine and one was left for the rest of the world. Ten measures of richness came down to the world; Rome received nine and one was left for the rest of the world. Ten measures of poverty came down to the world; nine fell to the lot of Babylon and one to the rest of the world. Ten measures of haughtiness came down to the world; Elam appropriated nine and one was left to the rest of the world. And haughtiness, you say, was not frequent in Babylon? Behold it is written (Zech. 5, 9) Then did I lift my eyes and looked, and behold, there came out two women, having the wind in their wings, and they had wings like the wings of a stork; and they lifted up the Ephah between the earth and the heaven. Then said I to the angel that spoke to me, whither are these bearing away the Ephah? And he said unto me: 'To build a home for it in the land of Shinar.' R. Jochanan explained: "These two women refer to hypocrisy and haughtiness, which came to Babylon." [Hence haughtiness came to Babylon]? Yea, their intention was to go to Babylon, but they were dragged along to Elam. This could be proved from the passage itself, for it says to build a house in the land of Shinar, [which they had intended]. The inference is sustained. But is then haughtiness not frequent also in Babylon? Behold the master said: "The symptom for haughtiness is poverty," and [nine out of the ten measures of] poverty went to Babylon. The poverty mentioned here refers to the Torah, as it is written (Songs 8, 8) We have a little sister, and she has yet no breasts, whereupon R. Jochanan said: "This refers to Elam, which was successful to [have scholars to] learn, but not to teach others." Ten measures of bravery came down to the world; Persia obtained nine and one was left to the rest of the world. Ten measures of vermin came to the world; nine measures fell to the lot of the Modeans and one to the rest of the world. Ten measures of sorcery came down to the world; Egypt received nine and one was left to the rest of the world. Ten measures of plagues came down to the world; nine measures were assigned to the swine and one was left to the rest of the world. Ten measures of fornication came down into the world; nine of these are in possession of the Arabs and one was left to the rest of the world. Ten measures of impudence came down into the world; Mishan appropriated nine and one was left to the rest of the world. Ten measures of talk came into the world; women possess nine and one was left to the rest of the world. Ten measures of blackness came into the world; nine were assigned to the Ethiopians and one was left to the rest of the world. Ten measures of sleep came down to the world; servants took nine and one was left to the rest of the world.
(Fol. 53) We are taught in a Baraitha: The conscientious priests withdrew altogether from it (the priestly shares); but the glutonous would accept and eat it. It once happened that a priest took his own share and his fellow's; he was nicknamed Ben Chamtzan (grasper) (Ib., b) till his death. Rabba b. R. Shila said: Which is the passage that proves this (that a Chamtzam is a disgraceful man?' It is said (Ps. 71, 4) O! my God, release me out of the hand of the wicked, out of the grasp of the uprighteous and violent (Chametz) one. Raba said from here (Is. 1, 17) Learn to do well; seek for justice, relieve the oppressed.
(Fol. 22b) We are taught that Simon of Amsuni, and others say Nehemiah of Amsuni, was accustomed to interpret every Eth. When he reached the Eth of (Dev. 10, 20) Thou shalt fear the Lord, thy God, he refrained (did not interpret it). "Why, Rabbi," said his disciples to him, "what will become of those 'Eths' thou didst interpret?" Whereupon he answered: "Just as well as I will be rewarded for making those interpretations, so will I be rewarded for refraining in this case." But when R. Akiba came, he interpreted: "The Eth [of Thou shall fear the Lord, thy God], includes the scholars."
(Fol. 49b) Our Rabbis were taught in a Baraitha: After the death of R. Maier, R. Juda instructed his disciples that none of R. Maier's disciples should be allowed to enter his college because they were disputatious and did not come to learn, but to overwhelm him with citations of traditions [in order to prove him to be ignorant]. Sumchuss, however, squeezed himself through and entered. He said to R. Juda: "Thus was I taught by R. Maier: 'A priest who betroths a wife with his share of the sacredotal meat, whether it be of the most consecrated or of the ordinary, she is not betrothed through it.'" R. Juda became enraged and said: "Have I not warned you not to give admission to disciples of R. Maier, because they are disputatious and they do not come to learn but merely to overwhelm me with citations of traditions [in order to prove me to be ignorant]? Is then a woman allowed to enter the sanctuary? [Hence how could such an incident happen]?" R. Jose then said: "Now that R. Maier is dead and R. Juda is enraged], what will people say: 'Maier is dead, Juda is enraged, and Jose is silent. What will remain of the Torah?'"