4. And three rows of the disciples of the wise sat before them. And each
one knew his place. When it was necessary to appoint a judge, they
appointed one from the first row. One from the second row came instead of
him into the first, and one from the third row came instead of him into
the second, and they selected another from the congregation, and they
seated him in the third row, and he did not sit in the place of his
predecessor, but he sat in a place suitable for himself.
5. “How did the judges intimidate witnesses in the testimony for souls?”
“They introduced them, and intimidated them.” “Perhaps you are speaking
from guess? or from hearsay? witness from witness? or from a trustworthy
man we heard it?” Or, perhaps, “you don’t know that at the last we shall
proceed to inquire into your own character and investigate it.” “Have a
knowledge that the judgments of money are not as the judgments of souls.
Judgments for money, when the man pays the money he has atoned. In
judgments for souls his blood and the blood of his posterity are suspended
till the end of the world.” So we find it with Cain when he slew his
brother. It is said of him,(391) “the voice of thy brother’s bloods
crieth.” He does not say thy brother’s blood, but bloods of thy brother,
his blood and the blood of his posterity. Another thing is also meant,
that thy brother’s bloods are spattered on wood, and on stones. Therefore
man is created single, to teach thee that everyone who destroys one soul
from Israel, to him is the verse applicable, as if he destroys a full
world. And everyone who supports one soul in Israel, to him is the verse
applicable, as if he supports the full world. And it is also said, for the
peace of creation, that no man may justly say to his companion, my father
is greater than thine. And that the Epicureans should not say, that there
are more Creators in the heavens, and it is also said, to show forth the
greatness of the Holy One, blessed be He! When man stamps many coins with
one stamp, all are alike. But the King of Kings, the Holy One, blessed be
He! stamped every man with the stamp of the first Adam, and no one of them
is like his companion; therefore everyone is bound to say, “for my sake
was the world created.” But, perhaps, the witnesses will say “what is this
trouble to us?” But is it not already said, “And is a witness, whether he
hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it?”(392) But perhaps the
witnesses will say, “what is it to us, to be guilty of this man’s blood?”
But is it not already said, “When the wicked perish, there is
shouting”?(393)
Chapter V
1. The witnesses were examined with seven investigations. “In what
Sabbatical year?” “In what year?” “In what month?” “What date in the
month?” “What day?” “What hour?” “What place?” R. José said, “What day?”
“What hour?” “What place?” “Did you know him?” “Did you warn him?” In a
case of idolatry, “whom did he serve?” “And with what did he serve?”
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