(Fol. 32b) Our Rabbis were taught (Deut. 17, 20) Justice, only justice, shalt thou pursue. This means that one shall follow after celebrated judges, after R. Elazar at Luda and after Rabban Jochanan b. Zakkai at Brur Cheil. We are taught in a Baraitha: if one saw many lights in the city of Burni, it was understood that the ceremony of circumcission took place; and if one saw many lights in Brur Cheil, he undersotod that there was a wedding banquet in that city."
We are taught in a Baraitha: Justice, only Justice, shall thou pursue; i.e., you should always do your best to follow after the sages in assembly, as, for instance, after R. Elazar at Luda; after Rabban Jochanan b. Zakkai at Brur Cheil; after Joshua at Pekiein; after Rabban Gamaliel at Jamnia; after R. Akiba at B'nei B'rak; after R. Matia at Rome; after R. Chanina b. Tradion at Sichni; after R. Jose at Sephorius; after R. Juda b. Bathyra at N'zibin; after R. Joshua, in exile (at Pumpaditha); after Rabbi at Beth-Sh'arim: and [when the Temple was in existence], after the sages at their chamber in the Temple."
(Fol. 34) (Ps. 62) Once hath God spoken, yet twice have I heard it; i.e., one biblical expression may be used for many arguments, but one and the same argument must not be deduced from different biblical expressions. It was taught in the academy of R. Ishmael (Jer. 23, 29) Like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces; i.e., just as the hammer strikes the stone into multitudes of pieces, so also may a biblical passage be interpreted for many arguments.
(Fol. 37) (Songs 7, 3) Thy navel is protected like a round goblet which lacketh not the mixed wine. Navel refers to the Sanhedrin. And why were they called navel? Because they used to sit in the centre (navel) of the world. Is protected — i.e., it protects the whole world. Round goblet — i.e., the Sanhedrin sat in a circle. Which lacketh not the mixed wine — i.e., if one wished to leave, it must be seen that there would remain twenty-three, corresponding to the number of the small Sanhedrin; then he was able to leave. But if there were less, he could not leave. Thy body is like a heap of wheat fenced about with lilies; i.e., just as from a heap of wheat all derive benefit, so all were pleased to hear the reasons given by the Sanhedrin in their discussions. Fenced about with lilies — i.e., even a fence of lilies was not broken by them to go out of it. This is what was said by a certain heretic to R. Cahana: "Your law permits a man to stay alone with his wife during the days of her menstruation. Is it possible that flax and fire should be together and should not burn?" And he answered: "The Torah has testified for us, fenced about with lilies — i.e., even a fence of lilies is sufficient for us — and it will never be broken." Resh Lakish said: "This is inferred from (Ib. 6, 7) Like the half of the pomegranate is the upper part of thy cheek — i.e., even thy lowest are full of meritorious acts — like the pomegranate." R. Zera said: "From (Gen. 27, 27) And he smelled the smell of his garments, etc. Do not read b'gadav (garments), but read bogdav (his transgressors)." There were insolent fellows in the neighborhood of R. Zera, who nevertheless associated with them and showed them respect, so that they should repent. The Rabbis, however, were not satisfied with this. When R. Zera died the insolent fellows said: "Hitherto there was the little man who prayed for us, but now who will do so?" Whereupon they repeated and became righteous.
MISHNAH: How were the witnesses awestruck in criminal cases? They were brought in and warned: Perhaps your testimony is based only on a supposition, or on hearsay, or on that of another witness, or you have had it from a trustworthy man; or perhaps you are not aware that finally we will investigate the matter by examination and cross examination. You may also be aware of the fact that there is no similarity between civil and criminal cases. In civil cases one may repay the money damage and he is atoned; but in criminal cases the blood of the person executed, and of his descendants to the end of all generations, clings to the instigator of his executions, for thus do we find in the case of Cain, who slew his brother, concerning whom it is said (Gen. 4, 10) The voice of the blood of thy brother is crying unto me from the ground. Blood is not mentioned in the singular, but in the plural (bloods), which means his blood and the blood of his descendants. According to others, the bloods of thy brother — i.e., his blood has scattered over all the trees and stones. Therefore the man was created singly, to teach that he who destroys one soul of a human being is considered by Scriptures as if he had destroyed the whole world, and he who saves one soul of Israel, Scripture considers it as if he had saved the whole world. And also in order to preserve peace among creatures, so that one should not say: "My grandfather was greater than yours;" and also that the heretic shall not say: "There are many creators in heaven." And also to proclaim the glory of the Holy One, praised be He! For a human being stamps many coins with one stamp, and all of them are alike; but the King of all the kings, the Holy One, praised be He! has stamped every man with the stamp of Adam the first, and nevertheless not one of them is like the other. Therefore every man may say: "The world was created for my sake, hence I must be upright, just," etc. Should the witness say: (Ib. b) "Why should we take so much trouble upon ourselves?" Behold it is written (Lev. 5, 1) And he is a witness, since he hath seen or knoweth something; if he do not tell it, then he should bear his iniquity. And should you say: "Why should we testify to the disadvantage of that man's blood?" Behold, it has been said (Prov. 11, 10) When the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting.
GEMARA: Our Rabbis were taught: What is the meaning of a supposition? The court says to them: "Perhaps you saw that one ran after his companion to a ruined [house] and you ran after them, and found in the hand of one a sword from which the blood dripped, and you saw the slain struggle? If [you saw] this, you saw nothing [as long as the slain was not killed in your presence]."
There is a Baraitha: Simon b. Shethach said: "May I see the consolation of our people as I did see one who ran after his companion to a ruin. And I ran after him, and saw a sword in his hand from which blood dripped, and the slain was struggling, and I said to him: 'You wicked one, who has slain this man — I or you? But what can I do that your blood is not legally in my hands, for the Torah says (Deut. 17, 6) Upon the evidence of two … be put to death. But he who knows the thoughts of man shall take revenge on this man who has slain his companion.' " It was said that they did not leave that spot until a snake came and bit the guilty one, and he died.
But was this man liable to be killed by a snake? Did not R. Joseph say, and so also it was taught at the college of Hezekiah: Since the Temple was destroyed, although the court of the Sanhedrin has ceased, nevertheless, the punishment of the four kinds of death prescribed in the Scriptures did not cease. How can you say that it has not ceased, when we see that they are indeed abolished? We must therefore say that it refers to the Divine judgment, which takes the place of the form of capital punishment, has not ceased; for he who is liable to be stoned finds his death by falling down from a roof or by being trodden down by a wild beast, which equals stoning; he who is liable to be burned finds likewise his death by fire or by the bite of a snake; he who is liable to be slain by the sword falls either into the hands of the government, [where he is slain], or [he meets his death] by murderers; and he who ought to be hung finds his death either by drowning in the river, or by diphtheria. [Hence a murderer is not liable to the bite of a snake]. This man was liable to be burned for another crime; and the master said elsewhere that he who is guilty of two crimes should suffer the severer penalty.
"You shall be aware," etc., R. Juda b. Chiya said: "Infer [from the verse cited in the Mishnah) that Cain made wounds and bruises on the body of his brother Abel, as he did not know by what member the soul departed until he reached his neck." R. Juda said again in the name of R. Chiya: "From the very day when the earth opened its mouth to receive the blood of Abel, it has not again opened, as it is said (Is. 24, 16) Frum the edge of the earth, etc. Hence it reads from the edge, but not from the mouth. Hezekiah, his brother, however, raised the following objection (Num. 26, 32) And the earth opened her mouth, etc. And he answered: "It opened for a bad cause, but not for a good cause." R. Juda said again in the name of R. Chiya: "Exile atones for every thing, for it is said (Ib. (Gen. 6, 14) And I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, and at last it is written: And he dwelt in the land of Nod (only a vagabond)."
R. Juda said: "Exile atones for three things, as it is said (Jer. 21, 9) He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, or by the famine, or by the pestilence; but he that goeth out and runneth away to the Chaldeans that besiege you, shall remain alive, and his life shall be unto him as a booty." R. Jochanan, however, said: "Exile atones for every thing, for it is said (Ib. 22, 30) Thus hath said the Lord, write ye down this man as childless, as a man that shall not prosper in his days; for no man of his seeds shalt succeed to sit upon the throne of David, and to rule any more in Judah. And after he was exiled it is written (I Chr. 3, 17) And the sons of Yechanyah: Assir, Shealthiel his son. And there is a tradition that Assir and Shealthiel is the same person; he was called Assir, because his mother became pregnant when she was imprisoned; Shealthiel because he was planted by God not in the ordinary way of those that are planted [in prison]. In another way the name, Shealthiel, may be explained, concerning whom the Almighty asked an absolution upon the vow; who was planted in Babel. What was his real name — Nehemiah b. Cha'chalia.
Juda and Hezekiah, the sons of R. Chiya, were sitting at a banquet before Rabbi [the Nassi] and did not utter a word. The Rabbis remarked: "Let the wine get the better of the youngsters (let them become a little merry), so that they shall say something." As soon as they were filled with wine they began sayiug: "Ben David will not come until there will be an end to the two families (dynasties), that of the Babylonian Exilarchs and that of the Princes of Palestine, as it is said (Is. 8, 14) And he will be for a sanctuary; but also for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock to fall over unto the two houses of Israel." Whereupon Rabbi exclaimed: "Children! you are throwing thorns in my eyes!" "Rabbi," remarked they "Yayin (wine) amounts numerically to seventy, and the word Sod (secret) amounts to seventy, hence as soon as wine enters the secret goes out." R. Chisda lectured: "What is the meaning of the passage (Dan. 9, 14) Therefore was the Lord hurried to bring the evil, and He brought it upon us; for the Lord our God is righteous; i.e., is it because the Lord our God is righteous that He hurried to bring upon us the evil? No, this means, the Holy One, praised be He! did charity with Israel in that He caused the exile of Zedekiah to come while those of the exiled of Yechanyah were still alive; as it is said concerning Yechanyah (II Kings 24, 16) And the craftsmen and the locksmiths a thousand; i.e., Cheresh means if they opened a question all became deaf, and Massger (locker) if they closed the argument of a thing none could reopen it." And how many were they? A thousand. Ulla said: "The charity consists in that the Holy One, praised be He! made the exile earlier by two years indicated through the word V'noshantem." R. Acha b. Jacob said: "Infer from this that 'quick' means eight hundred and fifty-two years to the Omnipotent."
Our Rabbis were taught: Adam the First was created singly. Why? So that Minim (disbelievers) should not say there were many creators in heaven. Another reason is because of the righteous and the wicked, that the righteous should not say: "We are the descendants of a righteous man;" and the wicked should not say: "We are the descendants of a wicked man [hence we are not to be blamed]." There is another reason: Because of families, that they should not quarrel, saying: Our parents were better than yours. As we see that when only one man was created there are quarrels of rank, how much the more if many original Adams had been created! Still another reason is: Because of robbers and extortioners. Since, now, when he was created singly, there are robbers and extortioners, how much the more would there be robbers and burglars if they were of different parents!
To show the glory of the Most Supreme King, the Holy One, praised be He! A human being stamps many coins and all are alike, but the Holy One, praised be He! has stamped every man with the stamp of Adam the First, and nevertheless not one is like his neighbor, as it is said (Job 38, 14) She is changed as the sealing clay; and all things stand as though newly clad. And why are not the faces of men alike? Because one might see a nice dwelling or a handsome woman, and say: It is mine, as it is said (Ib. 15) And from the wicked is their light withdrawn, and the high-raised arm is broken. We are taught in a Baraitha: R. Maier used to say: "In three things man differs from his neighbor — in voice, in face, and in mind: in voice and in face, because of adultery; and in mind, because of robbers and extorters."
Our Rabbis were taught: Adam was created on the eve of Sabbath, and why? In order that the Minim shall not say that he (Adam) was a partner to the Lord, in the creation of the world. Another explanation is, if he becomes overbearing, it may be said to him: "The mosquito has been created before thee." Still another explanation is that he should enter immediately [after being created] into a meritorious act [the Sabbath]. According to others that he shall partake of the Sabbath meal immediately. This may be likened unto a frail king who built a palace. After he finished it, he prepared a banquet and then he invited the guests, as it is said (Prov. 9, 1-4) Wisdom hath built her house; she hath hewn out her seven pillars. She hath killed her cattle; she hath mingled her wine; she hath set in order her table. She hath sent forth her maidens; she invited [her guests] upon the top of the highest places of the town. Wisdom hath built her house. This refers to the nature of the Holy One, praised be He! who has created the whole world with wisdom. Seven pillars, refers to the seven days of the creation. Killed her cattle, etc., refers to the seas, the rivers, and all what was necessary for the world. She hath set in order her table, refers to the trees and grass. She sent forth her maidens, refers to Adam and Eve. Upon the top of the highest places: Rabba b. b. Chana propounded a contradiction: It is written On the top of the height, and it is also written (Ib. 14) On the chair in the high places, i.e., first they were placed on the top, and thereafter on a chair, (Ib. 9, 16) Who is thoughtless, let him turn in hither, and as for him who lacks understanding. The Holy One, praised be He! said: "Who made a fool of Adam the First? The woman who told him, etc., as it is written (Ib. 6, 32) Who so committed adultery with a woman lacketh sense." R. Maier used to say: "The dust of which Adam was made was collected from all parts of the world, as it is said (Ps. 139, 16) My undeveloped substance did thy eyes see; and it is written, (Zech. 4, 10) They are the eyes of the Lord, that run to and fro through the whole earth."
R. Oshia said in the name of Rab (Fol. 60b) "The [earth for the] body of Adam was taken from Babylon, [for] his head from Palestine, and [for] all other members, from all other countries;" and [the earth for] his rump, R. Jochanan said: "It was taken from Akra of Agma." R. Acha b. Chanina said: "A day consisted of twelve hours. The first hour the earth for his body was gathered: the second hour it became an unformed body, and in the third his limbs were shaped; in the fourth the soul entered the body, in the fifth he arose on his feet, in the sixth he named all the beasts and animals, in the seventh Eve was brought to him, in the eighth there went to bed two persons, and four persons came out of it; in the ninth he was commanded not to eat of the tree, in the tenth he sinned, in the eleventh he was tried, and in the twelfth he was driven out of the Garden of Eden, as it is said (Ps. 49, 13) And Adam though in his splendor endureth not."
R. Juda said in the name of Rab: "At the time the Holy One, praised be He! was about to create man. He created a division of ministering angels, and said to them: 'Would ye advise Me to create man?' And they said to Him: 'Sovereign of the Universe! what will be his functions?' And He related before them such and such. They then said before Him: (quoting Ps. 7, 5) 'Sovereign of the Universe, what is a mortal, that Thou rememberest him, and the son of man, that Thou thinkest of him?' He then put His little finger among them and they were all burnt. And the same was with the second division. The third one, however, said before Him: 'Sovereign of the Universe! the first angels who protested, what did they accomplish? The whole world is Thine, and all that it pleases Thee Thou mayest do.' Thereafter at the flood and the generation of dispersion whose deeds were criminal, the same ministering angels said before Him: 'Sovereign of the Universe, were not the first angels right in their protest?' And He answered: (quoting Is. 46, 4) 'And even unto old age I am the same, and even unto the time of hoary hairs will I hear.'"
R. Jochanan said: "Every place where the Minim gave their wrong interpretation, the answer of annulling it is to be found in the same place — i.e., they claim from (Gen. 1, 26) Let us make man. [Hence it is in the plural]; however, in (Ib. 27) it reads: And God created in His image (singular) (Ib. 9, 7) Let us go down [plural).] However, (Ib., ib. 5) And the Lord came down [singular]. (Deut. 4, 7) For what great natoin is there that hath gods so nigh unto it? However it reads further on, as is the Lord our God every time we call upon Him. (II Sam. 7, 23) Whom God went? [plural]. However, (Dan. 7, 9) I was looking down until chairs were set down, and the Ancient of days seated Himself [singular]. But why are all the above-mentioned written in the plural? This is in accordance with R. Jochanan; for R. Jochanan said: "The Holy One, praised be He! does not do anything until he consults the heavenly household, as it is said (Ib. 4, 14) Through the resolve of the angels is this decree, and by the order of the holy ones is this decision. However, this answer is for all the plurals mentioned, except the last one, the chairs. Why are they in plural? One for Him and one for David, as we are taught in a Baraitha: One for Him and one for David, so said R. Akiba. R. Elazar b. Azaryah then said to him: "Akiba, how do you dare to make the Shechina so common? It means one chair for Divine judgment and one for Divine righteousness." Did R. Akiba accept R. Elazar's answer, or did he not? Come and listen: from the following Baraitha: R. Elazar b. Azaryah said to him: "Akiba, what hast thou to do with Aggada? Give thy attention to Negaim and Ohaloth. One is a chair and one a footstoll, the chair to sit upon and the footstoll to put the feet upon." R. Nachman said: "He who knows how to give a right answer to the Minim like R. Aidith may discuss with them, but he who is not able to do so, it is better for him not to discuss with them at all." There was a Min who said to R. Aidith: "It is written (Ex. 24, 1) Come up unto the Lord. It ought to be, Come up to Me. [And when God said to him: Come up to the Lord, there must be one lord more]." And he answered: "That is the angel Mattatron, who bears the name of his master, as it is written (Ib., ib. 21) Because My name is in him." "If so," rejoined the Min, "let us worship him." It reads (Ib., ib.) Al tamer bee (Do not exchange Me). Hence Thou shalt not exchange him for Me." The Min said again: "But does it not read he will not pardon your transgression?" And Aidith answered: "Believe me, that even as a guide we refused to accept him, as it is written (Ib. 33, 15) If thy presence go not [with us], carry us not up from, here." A Min asked R. Ishmael b. R. Jose: It reads (Gen. 19, 24) And the Lord rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire. From the Lord, etc. From the Lord! It ought to be from Him [hence there was one more Lord]? And a certain washer said to R. Ishmael: "Let me answer him. It reads (Gen. 4, 23) And Lemech said unto his wives, Adah and Zellah. Hear my voice, ye wives of Lemech, etc. Wives of Lemech! My wives, it ought to be. You must then say that so is it customary in the language of the verse, the same is the case here." And to the question of R. Ishmael to the washer: "Whence do you know this?" he answered: "From the lectures of R. Maier. As R. Jochanan used to say that R. Maier's lectures consisted always of one part Halacha, of another part Aggada, and the rest of parables." R. Jochanan said further: "R. Maier had three hundred fox parables, but we have only three. (Fol. 39) (Ezek. 18, 2) The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the teeth of the children have become blunt; (Lev. l9, 36) Just balances, just weighs, and (Prov. 11, 8) The righteous is delivered out of distress, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
The Caesar said to Rabban Gamaliel: "Your God is a thief, as it is written (Gen. 2, 21) And the Lord God caused a deep sleep … and he slept; and he took one of his ribs." "Let me answer him," said Rabban Gamaliel's daughter to him. And she said to him: "Would you give me a duces to assist me?" "Why ':" asked the Caesar. "Because," said she, "we were visited by thieves last night who stole from us a silver pitcher; however, they left a golden one instead?" And he said to her: "I would like that such thieves would come to me every day." Then said she: "Was it not bettor for Adam that one bone was taken from him, and in its stead a woman was given to him who shall serve him?" The Caesar said: "I mean, why could He not have taken it from Adam when he was awake?" She then asked him to order a piece of meat, and it was given to her. She placed it under the grate in the ashes and when roasted she took it out and offered it to him to eat. "It is repulsive to me," he remarked. Whereupon she said: "Eve would also have been repulsive to Adam should he have seen how she was formed."'
The same Caesar said to Rabban Gamaliel: "I am aware of what your God is doing, and where He seateth now." R. Gamaliel sighed deeply. And to the question: "Why are you sighing?" he said: "I have a son in one of the sea-towns and I am anxious concerning him. Can you inform me of his whereabouts." "Whence shall I know this?" replied he. Whereupon Rabban Gamaliel said: "If you do not know what is in this world, how can you claim to know what is in heaven!" At another time the Caesar said to Rabban Gamaliel: "It is written (Ps. 147, 4) Who counted the number of the stars, etc. What prerogative is this? I also can do this." R. Gamaliel took grain, put it in a sieve, and while straining them told him to count the grain. And he replied: "Let the sieve stand, and I will count it." R. Gamaliel said then to him: "The stars are always moving." According to others, the Caesar asked Rabban Gamaliel to count the stars, and R. Gamaliel answered him: "Can you tell me how many teeth are in your mouth?" He put his hand in his mouth and began to count them. When R. Gamaliel remarked: "If you are not aware of the number of teeth in your mouth, how can you claim to know what there is in heaven!"
The Caesar said to Rabban Gamaliel: "He who created the mountains has not created the wind, and He who created the wind did not create the mountain, for it is written (Amos 4, 13) He that formed the mountains and created the wind." And he answered: "If so, then concerning a man, of whom it reads (Gen. 1, 27) And God created, and (Ib. 2, 7) Arid the Lord God formed, should also mean that he who has formed has not created, and vice versa. There is in the human body one span square, in which two holes are to be found — [one in the nose and one in the ear]. Will you then say that he who created one of them did not create the other, for it is said (Ps. 94, 9) He that hath planted the ear, shall He not hear? Or he that hath formed the eye, shall He not see?" And the Min said: "Yea, I am of this opinion." "How is it," rejoined Gamaliel, "that when death comes, are then both creators agreed, [to kill their creation together]?" A magician said to Rabban Gamaliel: "Thy upper half belongs to Ormuzd, thy lower half to Ahriman." "If this be so," answered he, "why does Ahriman allow Ormuzd to let the water pass through his dominion, to the ground?"
The Caesar said R. Tanchum: "Let us unite and be a people of one and the same creed." And he answered: "Very well; but we who are circumcised cannot be like your people. However, ye are able to be like us if ye will circumsize yourself." And the Caesar answered: "Your answer is right. However, it is a rule that he who conquers the king must be thrown in the vivarium to be devoured by the beasts." He was thrown into the vivarium and was not harmed. "Do you know why they did not devour him?" remarked a Min to the Caesar, "because they were not hungry." They then threw [the Min] in the vivarium and he was devoured. The Caesar said to Rabban Gamaliel: "You say that among every ten Israelites the Shechina is found. How many Sherhmas have you then?" Rabban Gamaliel then called the servant of the atheist, struck him on his neck saying: "Why didst thou permit the sun to enter the house of your master?" His master, however, answered: "The sun shines over all the world." Rabban Gamaliel then remarked: "If the sun, which is only one of the hundred million servants of the Lord, can shine all over the world, how much more can the Shechinah of the Lord Himself!"
A Min said to R. Abahu: "Your God is a jester [makes sport of the prophets]. He commands Ezekiel (Ez. 4, 4) Lie on thy left side and then (Ib.) lie on thy right side." At the same time a disciple came in and questioned him: "What is the reason of the Sabbatical year?" And R. Abahu answered: "I will now say something which will be an answer to both of you. The Holy One, praised be He! said to Israel: "Till the earth for six years and rest the seventh, in order that you may be aware that the earth is mine.' However, they did not do so, but sinned, and were exiled. It is the custom of the world that if a country has rebelled against its frail king he kills all of them if he is a tyrant, and half of them if he is merciful. But if he is very merciful, he chastises the leaders only; so also the Holy One, praised be He! chastised Ezekiel in order to cleanse the sin of Israel."
There was a Min who said to R. Abahu: "Your God is a priest, as it is written (Ex. 25, 2) Bring Me a the'ruma. Now when He buried Moses where did He dip Himself? You cannot say that He did so in the water, because it is written (Is. 40, 12) Who hath measured in the hollow of His hand the waters." And he answered: "He dipped Himself in fire, as it reads (Ib. 66, 15) For behold, the Lord will come in fire." "Is it legal to dip in fire?" the Min asked. "On the contrary," replied R. Abahu, "the principal dipping is in fire, as it is written (Num. 31, 23) And whatsoever doth not come info the fire shall ye cause to go through water."
There was a Min who said to R. Abina: "It is written (II Sam. 7, 23) And who is like Thy people, like Israel, the only nation on the earth? Why do you pride yourself over it? Are you not mingled among other nations, of whom it reads (Is. 40, 17) All the nations are as naught before Him?" And he answered: "A prophet of your own nation has testified concerning us (Ib. b), for it is written (Num. 23, 9) And among the nations it shall not be reckoned." R. Elazar raised the following contradictions: "It is written (Ps. 145, 9) The Lord is good to all, and it is also written (Lam. 3, 25) The Lord is good unto those that hope in Him. This question may be likened to one who possesses a fruit garden. When he waters it, he waters all of the trees, and when he covers up the roots, he does so only to the best of them."
(I. Kings 22, 36) And there went a rinah (song) throughout the camp. R. Acha b. Chanina said (Prov. 11, 10) And when the wicked perish there is rinah; i.e., when Achab, the son of Omri, perished, there was rinah. Is this so? Does then the Lord rejoice over the downfall of the wicked? Behold it is written (II Chron. 20, 21) As they went out before the armed array and said: Give thanks unto the Lord; for unto everlasting endureth His kindness. And R. Jochanan said:"Why is it not said here He is good? Because the Holy One, praised be He! does not rejoice over the downfall of the wicked;" for R. Samuel b. Nachman said in the name of R. Jochanan: "What is the meaning of the passage (Ex. 14, 20) And the one came not near unto the other all the night; i.e., at that time the ministering angels wanted to sing their usual song before the Holy One, praised be He! but He said to them: 'My creatures (the Egyptians) are perishing in the sea, and ye want to sing.' " R. Jose b. Chanina said: "He Himself does not rejoice, but He causes others to rejoice. This can be proved from the following passage (Deut. 28, 63) And it shalt come to pass that as the Lord rejoiced, etc. It is written Yasiss (cause others to rejoice) and not Yassus, will rejoice Himself."
(I Kings 18, 3) And Achab called Obadiah, who was the superintendent of the house. Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly. What was their discussion? R. Isaac said: "Achab said to Obadiah: "Concerning Jacob, it is written (Gen. 30, 27) The Lord hath blessed me for thy sake, and concerning Joseph it is written (Ib. 39, 5) The Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for the sake of Joseph. I, however, keep thee in my house, yet I am not blessed for thy sake. Perhaps thou art not fearing God?" Thereupon a heavenly voice was heard, saying: "Obadiah fears the Lord greatly, but the house of Achab is not destined for blessings." Raba said: "What is said of Obadiah is of greater signifieanee than what is said of Abraliam, for about Abraham it is not written 'greatly,' and about Obadiah 'greatly' is added." R. Isaac said: Why did Obadiah merit to be rewarded with prophecy? Because he hid one hundred prophets in a cave, as it is written (I Kings, 8, 4) And it happened when Isabel cut off the prophets of the Lord that Obadiah took a hundred prophets, and hid them fifty in one cave, and provided them with bread and water." Why fifty?" R. Elazar said: "He learned this from Jacob, as it is said (Gen. 32, 9) Then the other band which is left may escape." R. Abahu, however, said: "Because the cave could not hold more than fifty."
(Ob. 1, 1) The vision of the Lord … concerning Edom. And why did Obadiah prophesy concerning Edom? R. Isaac said: "The Holy One, praised be He! said: 'Let Obadiah, who lived among two wicked people (Achab and his wife) and did not learn their custom, come and prophesy to Esau who lived among two righteous people (Isaac and Rebecca) and did not learn their ways.' " And Ephraim of Kasha, a disciple of R. Maier, said in the name of R. Maier: "Obadiah was an Edomite proselyte. And this is what people say: 'From the very woods shall it go to the hatchet [as a handle to cut the woods].'"
(II Kings, 3, 27) Then took he his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt-offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel. According to Rab, he offered him to Heaven, and according to Samuel, to an idol. It is readily understood, according to the one who says to Heaven, The passage (Ib.) And there was great indignation against Israel. But if to an idol, why was there great indignation against Israel? This is in accordance with R. Joshua b. Levi; for R. Joshua b. Levi raised the following contradiction: "It is written (Ez. 5, 7) According to the ordinances of the nation have ye not acted; and again it is written (Ib. 11. 12) But according to the ordinances of the nations ye have acted. And he himself answered: You did not do according to the good usages among them, but according to these corrupt usages."