Hebraic Literature; Translations from the Talmud, Midrashim and Kabbala
Religion
Hebraic Literature; Translations from the Talmud, Midrashim and Kabbala
Hebrew literature -- Translations into English
Rabbi Jochanan said in the name of Rabbi Joseh, "To those who delight in
the Sabbath shall God give inheritance without end. As it is written,
'Then shalt thou find delight in the Lord,' etc. 'And I will cause thee
to enjoy the inheritance of Jacob, thy father.' Not as it was promised
to Abraham, 'Arise and walk through the land to its length and breadth.'
Not as it was promised to Isaac, 'I will give thee all that this land
contains'; but as it was promised to Jacob, 'And thou shalt spread
abroad, to the West, and to the East, to the North, and to the South.'"
Rabbi Jehudah said that if the Israelites had strictly observed the
first Sabbath, after the command to sanctify the seventh day had been
given, they would have been spared captivity; as it is written, "And it
came to pass on the seventh day, that there went out some of the people
to gather (the Mannah), but they found nothing." And in the next chapter
we find, "Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim."
* * * * *
One Joseph, a Jew, who honored the Sabbath, had a very rich neighbor,
who was a firm believer in astrology. He was told by one of the
professional astrologers that his wealth would become Joseph's. He
therefore sold his estate, and bought with the proceeds a large diamond,
which he sewed in his turban, saying, "Joseph can never obtain this." It
so happened, however, that while standing one day upon the deck of a
ship in which he was crossing the sea, a heavy wind arose and carried
the turban from his head. A fish swallowed the diamond, and being caught
and exposed for sale in the market, was purchased by Joseph to supply
his table on the Sabbath eve. Of course, upon opening it he discovered
the diamond.
Rabbi Ishmael, the son of Joshua, was asked, "How did the rich people of
the land of Israel become so wealthy?" He answered, "They gave their
tithes in due season, as it is written, 'Thou shalt give tithes, in
order that thou mayest become rich.'" "But," answered his questioner,
"tithes were given to the Levites, only while the holy temple existed.
What merit did they possess while they dwelt in Babel, that they became
wealthy there also?" "Because," replied the Rabbi, "they honored the
Holy Law by expounding it." "But in other countries, where they did not
expound the Law, how did they deserve wealth?" "By honoring the
Sabbath," was the answer.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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