There was a Jew among them, whose name was Shemariah; and the bishop’s treasurer said to him: ‘Shemariah, Shemariah, fear not; abide with me, and I shall save thee from their hand.’ So the man was content to dwell with him, and gave him the money that was found with him. The bishop’s treasurer then led away him, his wife, and his three sons, and made them dwell in the forest until the ninth day of Ab, which is the fifth month. Then this base fellow forced him to send to his sons in Spires that they should give him silver pieces or gold pieces. When they sent him some of the money that was found with them, this base fellow took it away, and immediately delivered Shemariah and his family to the hand of the enemy. The inhabitants of the village rejoiced to see him, for they had known him, and consented that he should not change his religion until the following day. So on that day they ate no unclean thing, for they said craftily: ‘Let us do to-day according to our custom, but to-morrow about this time we shall become one people.’ Whereupon they retired to their room, for they were dejected and fatigued. They closed the door, and spent that night there. And it came to pass in the morning watch that his sleep fled from his eyes, and the man arose before a man could recognize his fellow, and took the knife and slew his children and his wife. He also attempted to cut his throat, but did not succeed, for giddiness took hold of him; he swooned, but did not die. As soon as the morning was light, the enemies arose against him, and when they saw what he had done, they were exceedingly astounded at him, and said unto him: ‘Why hast thou committed such a wicked thing? Thy blood is upon thine own head, and we are free; evil is determined upon thee. Now thy sin will thereby be atoned for, by thy becoming like us; by thy being turned into another man, thy life may be saved. Otherwise we shall deal worse with thee than with them, and thou shalt be buried alive with them.’ But he said unto them: ‘Far be it from me to do such a thing. Do with me as it seems good in your eyes; but I shall not rebel against the Lord.’ Then they made a grave, whither he walked by himself, and wherein he was buried. His wife was placed at his right, and his children at his left. They threw earth over them, and said unto him every time: ‘Turn to our religion, that thou mayest live and not die.’ But he did not hearken unto their voice, and they removed the earth from him three times to see whether he would not be persuaded; but he would not listen to them. So they covered him with earth. His voice was heard all day; but they mocked him. Wilt Thou refrain Thyself for these things, O Lord? XLIV. MENASSEH B. JOSEPH BEN ISRAEL