On one occasion there was an open schism about the calculation of the Paschal feast. The struggle for supremacy took place when Simon, son of Gamaliel, who claimed descent from Aaron, was Patriarch of Tiberias, and Ahia, who claimed descent from King David, was Prince of the Captivity. His two most learned men were Hananiah, the rector of Nahar-pakod, and Judah, son of Bethuriah. To humble these men was the aim of Simon. Accordingly he sent two legates with three letters to Babylon. The first letter was given to Hananiah. It was addressed, “To your holiness.” Flattered by the title, he politely asked the reason of their visit. “To learn your system of instruction.” Still more gratified, he paid them every attention. Availing themselves of their advantage, the legates used every effort to undermine his teaching and lessen his authority. Hananiah, enraged by their conduct, summoned an assembly, and denounced their treachery. The people cried out, “That which thou hast built, thou canst not so soon pull down; the hedge which thou hast planted, thou canst not pluck up without injury to thyself.” Hananiah demanded their objections to his teaching. They answered, “Thou hast dared to fix intercalations and new moons, by which nonconformity has arisen between Babylon and Palestine.” “So did Rabbi Akiba,” said Hananiah, “when in Babylon.” “Akiba,” they replied, “left not his like in Palestine.” “Neither,” cried Hananiah, “have I left my equal in Palestine.” The legates then produced their second letter, in which it was written, “That which thou hast left a kid is grown up a strong horned goat.” Hananiah was struck dumb. Rabbi Isaac, one of the legates, ran, and mounted the reading desk. “These,” said he, calling them out aloud, “are the holy days of God, and these the holy days of Hananiah.”