(Fol. 82a) (Mishnah) R. Akiba said: "Whence do we learn that if one carries an idol, he is as ritually unclean as a Niddah? It is said (Is 30, 22.) Thou wilt cast them away as a Niddah, get thee hence, wilt thou say unto him, i.e., just as a Niddah defiles him who carries her, so does an idol defile him who carries it."
(Ib. b.) (Gemara) Rabba said: "The passage, Thou wilt cast them away as a Niddah, means, Remove them from thee like a strange (disgusting) thing. Get thee hence, wilt thou say unto him but Come in shalt thou not say unto him."
(Fol. 83b) We are taught: And they made Baal-b'rith for a god unto themselves (Jud. 8, 33). This refers to Zebub, the idol of Ekron. We learn from this that each and every one made an image of his idol [in miniature] and kept it in his pocket; whenever he was reminded of it, he took it out from his pocket and embraced and kissed it.R. Chanina b. Akabia said: "Why did the Rabbis say that a ship of the Jordan is subject to the statute of levitical uncleanliness? Because it is generally loaded on the shore and carried into the water owing to its small size." R. Juda in the name of Rab said: "Never shall a man absent himself from the house of learning, not even for a while; for the above Mishnah (regarding a ship of the Jordan) had been taught at the house of study for many years, and not one knew the reason for it, until R. Chanina b. Akabia came and explained it." R. Jonathan said: "Never shall a man absent himself from the house of learning and of learned words, even though he be at the point of death; for it is said (Num. 19, 14.) This is the Torah, when a man dieth in a tent, i.e., even at the point of death shall a man study the Torah." Resh Lakish said: "The words of the Torah will not endure except with him who is ready to die for it; as it is written. This is the law, when a man dieth in a tent."
(Fol. 85a) R. Chiya b. Abba said: "What is meant by the passage (Deut. 19, 14.) Thou shalt not remove thy neighbor's landmark, which the people of old have set, i.e, Thou shalt not go beyond what is limited by those of old." What have those of old limited? R. Samuel b. Nachmeini, in the name of R. Jochanan, said: "It is WTitten (Gen. 36, 20.) These are the sons of Seir the Chorite, who inhabited the land. Did the rest of mankind inhabit heaven? But [it means that] they were experts in agriculture. 'This measure [of ground],' they would say, ' is adequate for [the planting of] olive trees; this measure of ground for wines, and this measure for dates.'" What does V'chori mean? This means they used to smell the earth. And what means Ve'chiri? R. Papa said; "They tasted the earth [to know for what it would be adequate] as a serpent does." R. Acha b. Jacob said: "Chori means they became freed of their wealth [because they lost it]."
(Fol. 86a) R. Ada b. Ahaba said: "Moses ascended [Mt. Sinai] early in the morning and descended early the [next] morning. He ascended early in the morning, as it is written (Ex. 34, 4.) And Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto Mt. Sinai; he descended early in the morning, as it is written (Ib. 19, 24.) Go, get thee down, and then shall thou come up, thou, and Aaron with thee. We compare the Yerida (descent) to the Aliya (ascent); just as the ascent was made early in the morning, so also was the descent made early in the morning." (Ib. b) Our Rabbis taught: "On the sixth day of the month [Sivan] the ten commandments were given to Israel. R. Jose said: 'On the seventh day of the month.'" "All agree," said Raba, "that on the first day of the month the Israelites arrived at the wilderness of Sinai, for it is written (Ex. 19, 1.) On this day they came into the wilderness of Sinai; and it is written there (Ib. 12, 2.) This month (Nisan) shall he unto you the chief of the months. [We draw an analogy from the word Haze (this) used in both places]; just as in the latter instance the word Haze (this) refers to the first of the month [as it plainly says], so does it also in the former instance refer to the first of the month; and furthermore all agree that the Torah was given to Israel on the Sabbath, for it is written here (Ex. 20, 8.) Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. and it is written there (Ib. 13, 3.) And Moses said unto the people remember this day, etc. [We derive by drawing an analogy from the words zachor (remember) used in both places]; just as in the latter case, zachor (remember) alludes to the very day of their coming out of Egypt, so also does it allude in the former case to the very day of Sabbath. The Rabbis and R. Jose differ though as to what day was the first of that month. R. Jose is of the opinion that the first of that month was set on the first day of the week, and that on this day no commandments were given because the Israelites were tired from their long journey. On the second day of the week the Lord said to them (Ib. 19, 6.) And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests. (Fol. 87a) On the third day [of the week] He warned them to keep away from the mount; on the fourth, to keep apart from the wives [three days, until the Sabbath]. But the Rabbis are of the opinion that the first of that month was set on the second day of the week; that on this day no commandments were given them because the Israelites were tired from their journey. On the third day [of the week] the Lord said unto them (Ib. ib. ib.) And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests. On the fourth, He warned them to keep away from the mount. On the fifth, to keep apart from their wives [two days, until the Sabbath]." The following objection was raised: And sanctify them to-day and to-morrow (Ib. ib.). This contradicts the opinion of R. Jose [who says that three days were set aside for sanctification]. R. Jose might explain it that Moses added one day upon his own recognizance, as it is taught: "Three things did Moses do upon his own authority, and the Holy One, praised be He! sanctioned them: Moses added one day [of separation] upon his own authority; he separated himself from his wife, and he broke the Tablets." He added one day upon his own authority; what verse did he interpret [to induce him to add one day]? Today and to-morrow, were in the Lord's commandment. To-day must be equal (in duration) to to-morrow; just as to-morrow includes day and night, so also must to-day include the day and night; the night, however, having already passed, so another day (a third) must be added in order to make up for the lost night. Whence do we learn that the Holy One, praised be He! agreed with him? Because the Shechina did not appear [on Mt. Sinai] until the Sabbath morning. And he separated himself from his wife, what verse did he interpret [to guide him in his action]? He applied the order given to Israel [to separate themselves from their wives] to himself, through the measure of the rule drawn from minor to major, thus saying: "If Israel with whom the Shechina did not converse but once at a certain time, is commanded by the Torah to separate themselves from their wives, I, with whom the Shechina converses constantly without having an appointed hour, should most certainly then separate myself from my wife." And whence do we learn that the Holy One, praised he He! agreed with him? It is written (Deu. 5, 27.) Go, say to them, return ye unto your tents, and immediately following, it is written: But as for thee, remain thou here with me. According to others, the sanction of God is derived from (Num. 12, 8.) Mouth to mouth do I speak with him. He broke the Tablets. What verse did he interpret [to guide him in his action]? He said to himself: "If concerning the Passover sacrifice, which is only one of the six hundred and thirteen commandments, it is said in the Torah (Ex. 12, 43.) No stranger shall eat thereof, how much more then should this be applied to the entire Torah considering that all Israel were apostates?"' Whence do we learn that the Holy One, praised be He! sanctioned this act? It is said (Ib. 34. 1.) Which thou didst break, whereupon Resh Lakish said: "It means 'Thanks for having broken it.'" Come and learn! And they shall he ready for the third day (Ib. 19, 11). Is this not in contradiction to R. Jose's interpretation? [According to him, it should have been on the second day.] We have already explained that Moses added one day upon his own recognizance. Come and learn! We are taught: "The third (day) of the third month and on the third day of the week." Does this not contradict the opinion of the Rabbis? The Rabbis might say this Baraitha is in accordance with the opinion of R. Jose.
We are taught: And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord (Ex. 19, 8.). It is also written (Ib. ib. ib.) And Moses communicated the words of the people unto the Lord. "What did the Holy One, praised be He! say unto Moses? What did Moses say unto Israel? What answer did Israel make unto Moses? And what reply did Moses bring unto God? 'It was all concerning the setting of the boundary for the people (how far to approach Mt. Sinai).' This is according to the opinion of R. Jose b. Juda; but Rabbi says: 'God at first explained the punishment [for those who transgress the Torah], as it is written (Ib. ib. ib.) And Moses returned, etc., i.e., words which chasten the mind of man [threats of punishment]. And finally he explained its rewards; as it is written (Ib. ib. ib.) And Moses returned, etc., i.e., words which draw (attract) the heart of man like a lecture.' Some say: 'At first He explained to them its rewards, for it is written. And Moses returned; Yashab (returned) alludes to words which may quiet the mind of man; then He explained to them its punishment, for it is written (Vayaged) And Moses told, i.e., words (of warning against punishment) which are as hard (distasteful) to man as worm-wood.'" Come and learn! From the following Baraitha: "The sixth, in the sixth day of the month and on the sixth day of the week." This is in contradiction to the opinion of the Rabbis [who say that it was on the seventh day of the month]. This Baraitha is also in accordance with the opinion of R. Jose [the Rabbis however, disagree with it]. What is meant by The sixth? Raba said: "The sixth of their encampment," and R. Acha b. Jacob said: (Ib. b) "The sixth day of their journey." And they differ regarding the Sabbath for which Israel was commanded in Marah; for it is written (Deu. 5, 12.) Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord, thy God, hath commanded thee. And R. Juda in the name of Rab said: As He commanded thee in Marah." R. Acha is of the opinion that in Marah the Israelites were instructed on the principal laws of the Sabbath, but not concerning the Sabbatical-walking limits; but Raba is of the opinion that Israel was also instructed concerning the Sabbatical walking limits."
Come and learn! From the following Baraitha: "On the fourteenth day of the month of Nisan, during which (month) the Israelites went out of Egypt, they killed the Passover sacrifice, and on the fifteenth day they went out. On this eve the first-born (of the Egyptians) were slain." How can you think that the plague of the first-born took place the night following Israel's exodus? We must therefore say that it refers to the previous night [following the fourteenth]. "That day (the fifteenth) was the fifth of the week." Since the fifteenth of Nisan was on the fifth day of the week, we must certainly say that the first day of Iyar (the following month), fell on the Sabbath; and the first of Sivan (the succeeding month) fell on the first day of the week: this then is in contradiction to the opinion of the Rabbis [who hold that the first day of Sivan of that year occurred on the second day of the week]. The Rabbis might explain this that the month of Iyar was an intercallary month [thus making the first of Sivan to be declared on the second day of the week]. Come and learn! And it came to pass in the first month in the same year, on the first of the month, that the Tabernacle was put up (Ex. 40. 17). We are taught: "That day was crowned tenfold; it was the first day of the creation; the first of the days on which the first prince presented his offerings on the altar [at the dedication of the Tabernacle]; the first of the days on which the Priests (Aaron and his sons) did their work in the Tabernacle; the first day on which the offering [of the congregational sacrifices] took place in the Tabernacle; the first day on which the Heavenly fire descended upon the altar [devouring the offerings]; the first day on which the priests were permitted to eat the sacrifices in the Tabernacle; the first day on which the Shechina appeared in the Sanctuary; the first day on which the High Priest blessed the children of Israel in the Tabernacle; the first day on which sacrifices upon elevated places were prohibited; and the first day of the first of the month." Now, if the first day of Nisan of that year was on the first day of the week, we must conclude that the first Nisan of the preceeding year fell on the fourth day of the week for thus have we been taught: "Acherim say that there can be no more than four days difference between the Feast of Weeks of one year and the Feast of Weeks of another year; between one New Year's day and another; and if a leap year should intervene, then there may be a difference of five days." According to this, we must conclude that the first day of the month of lyar fell on the sixth day of the week, and the first day of the month of Sivan fell on the Sabbath. Hence this contradicts both the Rabbis and R. Jose. Aye, according to R. Jose, there were seven short months [of twenty-nine days] (Fol. 88a) in that year [making a difference between that year and the previous one of but three days], and according to the Rabbis there were eight short months [consequently the difference between that year and the preceding year was a matter of but two days, and the first day of the month of lyar of that year fell on a Friday].
Come and learn! We are taught in Sedar Olam: "On the fourteenth day of the month of Nisan, during which Israel went out of Egypt, they killed the Passover-sacrifice; on the fifteenth day they went out. and that day was Friday." Now. since the first day of the month of Nisan of that year had fallen on Friday, we must conclude that the first day of the month of lyar (the following) fell on the first day of the week, and the first of the succeeding month, Sivan, fell on the second day of the week; and this is contrary to the opinion of R. Jose. R. Jose might explain that the Sedar Olam is in accordance with the opinion of the Rabbis [he, however, disagrees with them]. Come and learn, from the following R. Jose says: "On the second day (of the week) Moses ascended [Mount Sinai] and came back, and on the third day, he ascended it and came back, but on the fourth day he came down but did not go up." Since he did not go up, whence did he come down? We must therefore conclude that it means thus: "On the fourth day, he went up and came down [and then did not go up any more]; on the fifth day he built the altar upon which he offered sacrifices, on the sixth day he had no time." Shall we assume that he had no time because on that day the Torah was given to Israel? [If so, then it will contradict the opinion of Raba, who said that according to all opinions, the Torah was given on the Sabbath.] Nay, he had no time, because ho was busy with [preparations for the Sabbath]. A certain Galilean lectured in the presence of R. Chisda: "Praised be the merciful God who gave a triple Torah (Pentateuch, Prophet and Hagiagrapha) unto a triple people (Cohanites. Levites and Israelites) through a man who was the third child of his parents (Aaron, Miriam and Moses) on the third day after being separated from their household and in the third month." We understand from this (after two days being separated) that the Galilean represents the opinion of the Rabbis. And they stood at the foot of the mountain (Ex. 19, 17.) "We learn from this passage," said R. Dimi b. Chassa. "that the Holy One, praised be He! arched the mountain over them like a tank and said to them: 'If you accept the Torah then it is well, but if not, there shall be your graves.'" R. Acha b. Jacob said: "This is a great protest against [the forcible influence] concerning the acceptance of the Torah." "However," said Raba, "at the time of Ahasuerus (King of Persia) Israel accepted it voluntarily, for it is written (Est. 9, 27.) The Jews confirmed it as a duty, and took upon themselves, i.e., they confirmed (the Torah) what they had taken long ago."
Hezekiah said: "What is meant by the passage (Ps. 76, 9.) From heaven hast Thou caused (Thy) sentence to be heard; the earth feared and became silent. [How is it possible for both these things to happen simultaneously?] If it feared, it then trembled and was not silent? Or if it was silent, then it did not fear and tremble? We must conclude that it feared at the beginning but at the end it became silent." What caused the fear? As Resh Lakish said: What is meant by the passage (Gen. 1, 31) And it was evening and it was morning the sixth day. The Hay (the article) of the word Hashishi (the sixth) is unnecessary." We infer from this that the Holy One, praised be He! made a condition with Creation and said unto it, 'If Israel will accept the Torah, you shall endure, but if they do not I shall return you all into emptiness and void.' "
R. Simai expounded: "At the time when Israel in their eagerness first said We will do, and We will hear, there came down sixty myriads of ministering angels and they crowned each and every Israelite with two crowns, one for We will do, and one for We will hear. But when later Israel sinned, there came down one hundred and twenty myriads of angels of destruction, and took the crowns off their heads, as it is said (Ex. 33, 6.) And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments at Mt. Horeb." R. Chama b. Chanina said: "At Mt. Horeb they crowned (angels put crowns on their heads), and at Mt. Horeb they were uncrowned (angels took their crowns off). At Mt. Horeb they were crowned, as above; at Mt. Horeb the crowns were taken off., — as it is written (Ib. ib. ib.) And the children of Israel stripped themselves." R. Jochanan said: "All these crowns Moses merited and took them, as it is written immediately after this: And Moses pitched his tent." Resh Lakish said: "The Holy One, praised be He! will, however, in the future, return them to us, for it is said (Is. 35, 10.) The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to join with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads, i.e., the joy they had upon their heads in the days of yore." R. Elazar said "At the time when Israel in their eagerness preferred to say We will do and then We will hear, a heavenly voice went forth and said, 'Who revealed unto my sons this mystery which only the ministering angels are practicing,' as it is written (Ps. 103, 20.) Bless the Lord, ye, his angels, mighty in strength, that execute His word, hearkening unto the voice of His word, i.e., first to execute, then to hearken."
R. Chama b. Chanina said: "What is meant by the passage (Songs 2, 3,) Like an apple tree among the trees of the forests? etc. Why has Israel been likened unto an apple tree? Because as an apple tree produces its buds first, and then its leaves, even so Israel said first We will do and then We will listen." A certain Sadducee once noticed that Raba was studying with such eager attention that he held his finger between his knees and rubbed it so hard that blood spurted from the finger. He said to Raba: "Rash people! Whose mouths preceded your ears. You still persist in your impetuousness. Better had you listened first to learn whether you could or could not accept it." Raba thereupon answered: "We who are upright men trust Him, as it is written (Pr. 11, 3.) The integrity of the upright guideth him; only to those who walk in perverse ways, the other half of the passage: But the cunning of the treacherous destroyeth them, can be applied."
(Ib. b) R. Samuel b. Nachmeini said: "What is meant by the passage (Songs 4, 9.) Thou hast ravished my heart, O my sister, thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, i.e., at first [when thou hast received the Torah] it was [considered but] with one of thy eyes; but when thou didst obey it, it became with both of thine eyes." Ulla said: "Impudent is the bride who commits an act of prostitution immediately after her wedding." R. Mari, the son of Samuel's daughter, said: "Where is the Biblical passage to prove it? (Ib. 1, 12.) While the king sat at his table, my Valerian sendeth forth their smell" Rab said: "However, it speaks with courtesy about us (Israel), for it is written, Send forth [in a delicate language] and it does not say stench."
Our Rabbis taught: "Those who are being humiliated by others, but do not humiliate others; who listen to their reproaches without even answering them; who perform their duties because of love for their duty, and rejoice in spite of all their pains [because of the reproaches], concerning them, Scripture says, But may those that love Him, be as the rising of the sun in his might (Judg. 5, 31)."
R. Jochanan said: "What is meant by the passage (Ps. 68, 12.) The Lord gave (happy) tidings; they were published by the messengers, a numerous host? This is to mean that every single utterance which went forth from the mouth of the Almighty was heralded into seventy languages." It was taught, in the academy of R. Ishmael: "Like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces (Jer. 23, 29), i.e., just as the hammer strikes the stone into multitudes of pieces, so was every utterance which proceeded from the mouth of the Holy One, praised be He! heralded into seventy languages." R. Chananel b. Papa said: "What is meant by the passage (Pr. 8, 6.) Hear! For of noble things will I speak. Why are the words of the Torah compared unto a nobleman? Just as a nobleman has it in his power to dispose of one's death or life, so also have the words of the Torah that power." That is also meant by Raba, who said: "To those who study the Torah in the right way, it will prove to be an elixir of life, but to those who study it in the left (wrong) way it will prove to be a deadly poison." The word Negidim (nobleman) may also be explained in another way, that every single utterance which came forth from the mouth of the Holy One, praised be He! was provided with two crownlets." R. Joshua b. Levi said: "What is meant by the passage (Songs 1, 13.) My uncle is as a bundle of myrrh that resteth on my bosom, unto me, i.e., the Congregation of Israel said before the Holy One, praised be He! 'Sovereign of the universe, although my uncle (God) distresseth and embittereth me, still He resteth on my bosom. A kopher-cluster is my uncle unto me in the (Keremyards) of En-gedi, i.e., He, who possesseth everything in the world, will forgive me for the sin of the kid (golden calf) which I piled (stored up) for me (for future punishment)." What evidence is there that the word Kerem means piling? Mar Zutra, the son of R. Nachman, said: "For we are taught (in a Mishnah), 'The big board upon which the laundryman piles (Shekormin) all the clothes (to press them).'"R. Joshua b. Levi said further: "What is meant by the passage (Ib. 5, 13.) His cheeks are as a bed of spices, i.e., every utterance that came forth from the mouth of the Holy One, praised be He! filled the entire globe with an aromatic odor of spices. Since the world was filled with aromatic odor of spices arising from the first utterance, where could the aromatic odor of spices arising from the second utterance go? The Holy One, praised be He! sent forth the wind of His store-houses which wafted away the aromatic odors, one by one, as it is written (Ib. ib. ib.) His lips like lilies, dropping with fluid myrrh. Do not read Shoshanim (lilies) but read it Sheshonim (who were teaching)." R. Joshua b. Levi further said: "Every single utterance that came forth from the mouth of the Holy One, praised be He! caused the failing of the soul (death) of Israel, as it is said (Ib. ib. 6.) My soul failed me when He was speaking. And since their souls failed them on the first utterance, how then could they hear the second utterance? The Lord sent down the dew, with which He is destined to revive the dead in the future, and revived them, as it is written (Ps. 68, 10.) Rain of beneficence didst Thou pour down, O God, whereby Thou didst truly strengthen thine inheritance when it was weary." R. Joshua b. Levi said also: "At every single utterance which came forth from the mouth of the Holy One, praised be He! Israel receded twelve miles, but they were gently conducted back by the ministering angels; for it is said, The angels of hosts kept gently moving. Do not read Yidodun (they moved) but Yedadun (were kept moving)."
R. Joshua b. Levi said also: "When Moses ascended to heaven, the ministering angels said unto the Holy One, praised be He! 'Sovereign of the universe, what has one born of a woman to do among us?' 'He has come to receive the Torah,' was the Divine answer. 'What!' said they unto Him. 'Art Thou about to bestow upon frail man that cherished treasure which has been with Thee for nine hundred and seventy-four generations before the world was created? What is mortal man that Thou art mindful of him, and the son of the earth that Thou thus visiteth him? O God, our Lord, is not Thy name already sufficiently exalted in the earth? Confer Thy glory upon the heavens! (Ps. 8, 2-5).' The Holy One, praised be He! then called upon Moses to refute their objection. Whereupon Moses thus pleaded, 'Sovereign of the universe, I fear lest they consume me with the fiery breath of their mouths.' Thereupon God told Moses to take hold of the throne of His Divine Majesty: as it is said (Job 26, 9.) He lays hold of the face of His throne and spreads His cloud over him. Concerning this R. Nachum said: 'This is intended to inform us that the Almighty spread the brightness of the Shechina, and beclouded Moses with encouragement.' Moses then said unto Him: 'Sovereign of the universe, what is written in the Torah which you are about to give me.' 'I am the Lord, thy God, who brought you forth out of Egypt' (Ex. 20, 2), was the reply. Moses then said to the angels: "Did you go to Egypt and serve Pharaoh? Of what use can the Torah be to you? Further, what else is written in it? Thou shalt not have other Gods before me (Ib. ib. 3). Are you living among nations who are worshipping idols [that you need this]? Furthermore, what else is written in it? Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy (Ib. ib. 8). Are you doing any work that you need rest? Again what is written there? Honor thy father and thy mother (Ib. ib. 12). Have you a father and a mother? And again, what is written in it? Thou shalt not murder, thou shall not commit adultery, thou, shalt not steal (Ib. ib. 13). Does jealousy exist among you? Does an evil impulse exist among you?' The angels at once confessed that the Holy One, praised be He! was right, for it is written (Pr. 8, 10.) O Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth, and no longer is written Confer Thy glory upon the heavens. Soon after this, every one of them became so befriended with Moses, that each of them disclosed to him some useful secrets, for it is said (Ib. 68, 19.) Thou hast ascended unto Heaven; thou captured the spoils; thou hast received gifts because they have contemptuously called thee, man, i.e., because they called you man hast thou taken presents as a reward. And even the Angel of Death revealed something to him, for it is written (Num. 17, 13) And he (Aaron) put on the incense and made atonement for the people, and it is said (Ib.) And he stood between the dead and the living. If the Angel of Death did not disclose this secret unto Moses, how did he know [so that he could tell Aaron that such a thing would stop the plague]?"
(Fol 89a) R. Joshua b. Levi said further: "When Moses ascended before the Holy One, praised be He! Satan appeared before Him and said, 'Sovereign of the universe, where is Thy Torah?' 'I have given it to the earth,' answered He. So Satan went to the earth, saying to it, 'Where is the Torah?' 'God alone,' answered the earth, 'understandeth her way.' (Job 28, 8.) Satan then went to the sea and was told, 'She is not with me.' He went to the deep, and was told, 'She is not in me,' for it is said (Ib. ib. 14.) The deep saith, not in me is she, and the sea saith, she is not with me (Ib. ib. 24.) Destruction and death said 'We heard a rumor with our ears'. Satan then returned and said unto the Holy One, praised be He! 'Sovereign of the universe, I have searched throughout the earth for the Torah but could not find it.' Then said the Lord unto him, 'Go to the son of Amram (Moses).' Satan went unto Moses and said to him, 'Where is the Torah that the Holy One, praised be He! gave thee?' 'Who am I that the Holy One, should give me the Torah?' replied Moses in a surprised tone. The Lord then said unto Moses, "Moses, art thou a liar? 'Sovereign of the universe!' Moses pleaded before Him, 'such a reserved treasure which Thou hast and art delighted with every single day, shall I claim the credit [of obtaining it] for myself?' Whereupon the Holy One, praised be He! said unto Moses, 'Because thou hast belittled thyself, I will cause the Torah to be called in conjunction with your name,' as it is said (Malachi 3, 22.) Remember ye, the Torah of Moses my servant." Further said R. Joshua b. Levi: "At the time when Moses ascended to Heaven, he found that the Holy One, praised be He! was providing certain letters with crownlets. 'Moses, is there no peace in thy city?' said the Lord to him. 'Is it then proper that a servant shall greet his master?' Moses replied. 'You should have wished me well.' Immediately Moses said to Him And now I pray Thee, let the power of the Lords he great as Thou hast spoken (Num. 14, 17)."
R. Joshua b. Levi said also: "What is meant by the passage (Ex. 32, 1.) And the people saw that Moses was delayed? We should not read Boshesh (delayed) but Ba-shesh (it came six), i.e., when Moses ascended to Heaven, he told Israel, 'At the end of forty days, at the beginning of the sixth hour [of the day] I shall come.' At the end of the fortieth day, Satan came [to the Israelites] and brought a confusion into the world [so that it became dark and appeared to be late] and then said unto Israel 'Where is your teacher, Moses?' 'He went up to Heaven.' they replied. 'But,' said Satan, 'the sixth hour, at which Moses promised you to return, has already come.' They did not pay any attention to him. 'He died.' Satan said, and still they did not pay any attention to him. Finally he showed them the image of his bier; thus is understood what Israel said to Aaron: For of this man Moses, etc., we know not what became of him (Ib. ib. ib)."
One of the Rabbis once asked of R. Cahana: "Did you hear anything as to the meaning of the name of Mt. Sinai?" "The mount upon which miracles occured to Israel," answered R. Cahana. "It should then have been called Mt. Nisai (of miracles)." Whereupon R. Cahana replied: "A mountain on which a good omen was wrought for Israel." "It should then have been called Mt. Simnai," the Rabbi objected. Finally that Rabbi said to R. Cahana: "Why don't you frequently come before R. Pappa and R. Huna, the son of R. Joshua, who study the Aggada attentively, for R. Chisda and Rabba, the son of R. Huna both state: "Why is it called Sinai? The mount where hatred came down to the heathens, and this is intended by R. Jose b. Chanina who said: 'Five names had Mt. Sinai: Wilderness of Tzin, because on it, the Israelites were commanded to observe the Torah; Wilderness of Kodesh, because, on it, the Israelites were consecrated to receive the Torah; Wilderness of Kedemoth, because preference was there given to Israel over all other nations; Wilderness of Paran, because Israel became fruitful and multiplied about this mount; (Ib. b.) Wilderness of Sinai, because enmity to the heathens thence came down.'" This differs from the opinion of R. Abuhu, for R. Abuhu said: "The real name is Mt. Sinai and why is it called Mt. Horeb? Because destruction to the heathens came from it."
(Mishnah) Whence do we learn that a string of crimson-wool must be tied to the head of the goat that was to be sent away on the Day of Atonement? It is said (Is. 1, 18.) Though your sins should le as crimson, etc.
(Gemara) Why Kashanim (like crimson)? It should be Kashani (like a crimson) R. Isaac said: "Thus said the Holy One, praised be He! unto Israel, 'If your sins were as many as the years that have been arranged and have come down from the six days of Creation until now, they shall nevertheless become white as snow. Raba expounded: "What is meant by the passage (Ib. ib. ib.) Go now, and let us reason together, will say the Lord, etc. Why, Go now; it should be Come now? Why, will say the Lord; it should be, Saith the Lord? This means that in the future, the Holy One, praised be He! will say unto Israel, 'Go to your ancestors, they shall rebuke you.' And Israel will say: 'Sovereign of the universe, to whom shall we go? Shall we go to Abraham to whom thou hast said (Gen. 15, 13.) Know of a surety that thy seeds shall he stranger, etc., and he did not pray for us? Shall we go to Isaac who when blessing Esau said, (Ib. 27, 40.) And it shall come to pass, that when thou shalt have the dominion, etc., and he also did not pray for us? Shall we go unto Jacob, to whom Thou didst say (Ib. 46, 4.) I will go down with thee unto Egypt, and even he did not pray for us? Let then the Lord say, to whom shall we now go?' Then will the Holy One, praised be He! say to them, 'Because ye have attached yourselves to me, therefore if your sins be even as crimson, they shall become as white as snow.'" R. Samuel b. Nachmeini said: "What is meant by the passage (Is. 63, 16.) For Thou art our father; for Abraham, knoweth nothing of us, and Israel recognizeth us not; Thou, O Lord, art our Father, our Redeemer, etc., i. e., In the future, the Holy One, praised be He! will say to Abraham, 'Thy children have sinned before me,' and Abraham will answer, 'Sovereign of the universe, let them be wiped off for the sake of Thy holy name.' 'I shall tell this to Jacob, who had trouble raising his own children,' said the Lord, 'perhaps he will pray for mercy upon them.' The Lord then said unto Jacob, 'Thy children have sinned'; whereupon Jacob also replied, 'Sovereign of the universe! Let them be wiped off for the sake of Thy holy name.' Then said the Lord, 'Neither sense can be found with the aged, nor wise counsel with the young.' The Lord then said unto Isaac, 'Thy children have sinned.' Whereupon Isaac said unto Him, 'Sovereign of the universe, 'Are they my children and not Thine? When they answered Thee, We will do and listen. Thou didst call them (Ex. 4, 22.) My first-born son, and now are they mine and not Thine? Furthermore, how long a time have they sinned before Thee? Let us see; the duration of a man's life is about seventy years. Take off twenty years that Thou dost not punish and there will remain but fifty years. Take off the nights and only twenty-five will remain. Deduct twelve and one-half years spent in praying, eating and in performing other necessities and only twelve and one-half years will remain. Now if Thou wilt bear the whole burden, it is well, but if not, let me bear one-half [of the burden], and Thou the other half. And if Thou wilt say that I must bear the whole, behold! I was ready to sacrifice myself for Thee!' Immediately the children of Israel will begin to say [unto Isaac], 'For thou alone art our father.' Isaac will then say unto them, 'Instead of praising me, praise ye the Holy One, praised be He!' Whereupon they will lift up their eyes unto the Holy One, praised be He! and will say, 'Thou, O Lord, art our Father, our Redeemer (Is. 63, 16)." R. Chiya b. Abba, in the name of R. Jochanan, said: "Jacob (our father) was destined to go down to Egypt in iron chains, but his merits saved him [from such a fate], as it is written (Hosh. 11, 4.) With human cords I ever draw them forward, with leading strings of love: and I was to them as those that lift off the yoke from their jaws, and I held food unto them."