(Fol. 134a) We are taught that Rabban Simon b. Gamaliel says: "Every commandment which Israel took upon themselves with joy as for instance, circumcision, concerning which it is written (Ps. 119, 162.) I am rejoiced over Thy promise, is still observed with joy; but all such commandments which were received with discord, as for instance, the law of incest, concerning which it is written (Num. 11, 10.) And Moses heard the people weep according to their families, i.e., on account of the family establishments (intermarriages), is still observed reluctantly; for there is no marriage contract at which the parties do not quarrel."
We are taught that R. Simon b. Elazar said: "Every commandment for which Israel was ready to die [when a prohibitory decree was promulgated for its observance] as for instance the decree of idolatry and Milah (circumcision) are still punctually observed; but all those commandments for which Israel was not ready to die, as for instance Tephilin, are but feebly observed nowadays; for R. Janai said, 'Tephilin requires a clean body such as Elisha, the man of wings, possessed.'" What is meant by a clean body? Abaye said, "It means literally a clean body." But Raba said, "Not to become drowsy while wearing the Tephilin." And why was he called the man of wings? The government of Edom had once decreed against Israel, that whoever would wear Tephilin on his head, would be punished by piercing out his marrow. Elisha put on his Tephilin and went out on the street. A Quaestor saw him [wearing the Tephilin] and Elisha fled before him. The officer pursued him. When he was caught, R. Elisha removed them from his head and kept the Tephilin in his hand. "What have you in your hand?" was the Quaestor's question? "Wings of a dove," replied Elisha. The Quaestor stuck out his hand to investigate and he found them to be wings of a dove; therefore he was called 'Elisha, the man of the dove wings.' Why did he choose to say wings of a dove? Because Israel is likened to a dove, as it is said (Ps. 68, 14.) The wings of the dove covered with silver and her pinions shining with flaming gold, i. e., just as the dove defends herself with her wings [not with her bcak] so does Israel defend itself by its Torah.
(Fol. 133b) We are taught: He is my God and I will beautify Him (Ex. 15, 2), i.e., beautify yourself before Him with commandments; make a beautiful Succah, a beautiful Lulab (palm tree on Tabernacles), a beautiful Sophar (kornet), beautiful Tzitzith and a beautiful Torah, and write the Torah with good ink, with a good pen, with an artistic scribe, and wrap it around with handsome ribbons. Abba Saul said: "I will beautify Him, means just as He is merciful and gracious, so shalt thou be merciful and gracious."
(Fol. 134a) Abaye said: "My mother told me that if an infant appears red all over his body, it is a sign that the blood is not absorbed within the organs of the body, and hence circumcision should be postponed until the blood be absorbed within him. If an infant has a yellow or greenish appearance, it is a sign that he is impoverished of blood and circumcision should be postponed until he becomes richer of blood, for it was taught that R. Nathan said: I once went to the sea towns and there appeared before me a woman whose first and second sons both had died in consequence of circumcision. She brought to me her third son and when I looked at him, I noticed that he was quite red. I told her to postpone [the circumcision] until the blood should be absorbed within him. She did so and then circumcised him, and the child lived. The child was then named after me 'Nathan, the Babylonian.' At another occasion, I came to the country of Cappadocia and there appeared before me a woman whose first and second sons both had died in consequence of circumcision. And the third she brought to me. Noticing that he had a greenish appearance, I looked at him and said that he did not have [sufficient] blood for circumcision, so I told her to wait until the child should have sufficient blood. She did so, and the child was circumcised and lived. She named him after me and called the child 'Nathan, the Babylonian'"