_Abtalion_--Ye wise be guarded in your words; or you may be exiled to a place of evil waters (false doctrine) and your disciples may drink and die. _Hillel_ and _Shammai_, the last "Pair," will be treated in a separate chapter. Simon ben Shetach flourished in this reign. He was brother-in-law of the king, by whom he had been nevertheless imprisoned. But when the queen came to the throne he was practically placed as the religious head of affairs. Simon ben Shetach and his associate, Judah ben Tabbai, reorganized the Council and hence were called "restorers of the Law." From this time on the Pharisaic became the official interpretation of Judaism. In all large towns Simon ben Shetach established schools for young men for the study of the Pentateuch and the laws interpreted from it. As President of the Council, he was very severe on those who infringed on the law. He has even been called the Judean Brutus, as he did not spare his own son. He reinstituted many customs that had been neglected during the Sadducean regime. Among these was the joyous "Water Celebration" during Tabernacles, a trace of which still survives in the ritual of _Shemini Atzereth_ (the eighth day that follows and concludes the festival of Succoth). The celebrations were accompanied by illuminations and torchlight processions, religious music and dancing. The water drawing at the Spring of Siloah was heralded by blasts of the priests' trumpets. Another national custom revived was the summer "Wood Festival," on Ab 15. It had relation to the use of wood at the altar fires, and was a further opportunity for joyous unbending among the youths and maidens. The Pharisees on the whole were the more democratic party, and decided that the maintenance of the Temple should be borne by all and not merely by voluntary offerings of the rich few. This new law brought enormous revenues to the Temple which later became its menace, attracting the covetous rather than the worshipful. NOTES AND REFERENCES. _Sayings of the Fathers_: _Sayings of the Jewish Fathers_, chapter i. Taylor. Cambridge Press. Translations and notes. These sayings, which form one book of the Mishna, will be found in the Sabbath Afternoon Service of the Jewish Prayer Book. _Water Festival_: For a vivid description see _Poetry of the Talmud_, Seckles. _Theme for Discussion_: Contrast the Wood Festival of ancient Judea with Arbor Day in modern America. Mark the difference of purpose. [Illustration: THE POOL OF SILOAM.] CHAPTER IX. RIVAL CLAIMANTS FOR THE THRONE. Aristobulus II.