(47) _Apikuros_ is a term originally used to designate a follower of the philosopher Epicurus, whose axiom was that "happiness or enjoyment is the _summum bonum_ of life." Later, this word was used by the Rabbis to designate a free-thinker, a heretic, an unbeliever, or a despiser of the Law, Jewish or non-Jewish. Josephus (_Antiquities_, X, 11, 7, ed. Whiston-Margoliouth, p. 300) describes the Epicureans as those "who cast providence out of human life, and do not believe that God takes care of the affairs of the world, nor that the universe is governed and continued in being by that blessed and immortal nature, but say that the world is carried along of its own accord without a ruler and a curator." Maimonides, in his commentary on _Sanhedrin_, X, 1, derives the word from the Hebrew, [hefkeir (hey-fey-kuf-resh)], "freedom," and defines it as one who refuses obedience to the Law. Schechter (_Studies in Judaism_, I, p. 158) says, "It implies rather a frivolous treatment of the words of Scripture and tradition." See the _Jewish Encyclopedia_ art. _Apikuros_, and Barton, _Ecclesiastes_, p. 41. This verse may also be rendered, "Study _Torah_, and also know ([v'da (vov-daled-ayin)]) how to answer an unbeliever," meaning that first one should study _Torah_ and _Talmud_, and then give his time to learning other knowledge, so as to be able to refute those who stray from the truth. 20. Rabbi Tafron (48) said, "The day is short, the task is great (49), the laborers are sluggish, the reward is much, and the Master of the house (50) is urgent." 21. He also used to say, "It is not thy duty to complete the work, but neither art thou free to desist from it; if thou hast studied much _Torah_, much reward will be given thee; and faithful is thy Employer to pay thee the reward of thy labor; and know that the grant of reward unto the righteous will be in the time to come" (51). Rabbi Chanania, the son of Akashia, said, "The Holy One, blessed be He, was pleased to make Israel worthy; wherefore He gave them a copious _Torah_ and many commandments, as it is said, 'It pleased the Lord, for his righteousness' sake, to magnify the _Torah_ and make it honorable'". (48) A contemporary of Jochanan ben Zakkai's five disciples and of Akiba. See Bacher, _ibid._, pp. 348-358, and Meyer, _ibid._, p. 179. (49) The day, _i.e._, the life of man, is brief. Art is long, but life is short. (50) _I.e._, God. (51) A man cannot finish the work of the world, yet he must not yield to idleness and despair, but must do his share to the best of his ability. His reward will come in the future. CHAPTER III