Part 33 (1/2)
What! if I be responsible for my ox and my a.s.s, for which I have no obligation, I am bound for my slave or bondwoman for whom I have obligation. It is just that I should be bound for their damages.” They said to them ”no! if you speak of my ox and my a.s.s which have no knowledge, as you speak of my slave and bondwoman who have knowledge: then, if I offend them, they may go and set fire to the stacks of corn of another, and I should be bound to pay.”
7. A Galilean Sadducee said, ”I blame you Pharisees, because you write the name of the reigning sovereign in the letter of divorce with Moses.” The Pharisees said, ”we blame you Galilean Sadducee, that you write the sovereign on the same page with the NAME, and not only so, but you write the sovereign above, and the name below, as is said, 'And Pharaoh said, ”Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go?” ' ”(790) But when he was punished, what did he say? ”The LORD is righteous.”(791)
THE KABBALAH UNVEILED: THE LESSER HOLY a.s.sEMBLY
Translated by S. L. Macgregor Mathers
Chapter I: Which Containeth the Introduction
Tradition.-On that day on which the Companions were a.s.sembled together in the house of Rabbi Schimeon, and on which he had arranged his affairs because he was about to depart from the world, before him were Rabbi Eleazar his son, and Rabbi Abba, and the rest of the Companions; and the house was full.
Therefore lifting up his eyes, Rabbi Schimeon saw that the house was full.
And Rabbi Schimeon wept, saying: ”The second time when I was sick, and Rabbi Benchas Ben Yair was in my presence, and until I had chosen my place, life hath been prolonged unto me even until now.
”When I was restored, fire surrounded (my habitation) which hitherto hath never ceased, neither did any man enter in unto me without permission.
”But now I see that it is taken away, and that the house is filled.”
While they were sitting down, Rabbi Schimeon, opening his eyes, beheld a certain vision, and lo! fire surrounded the house!
Therefore all (the others) went forth, and Rabbi Eleazar his son, and Rabbi Abba remained; but the other Companions sat without.
Rabbi Schimeon said unto Rabbi Eleazar his son: ”Go forth, and see whether Rabbi Yitzchaq be present for whom I have made myself surety.
”And say thou unto him that he dispose his affairs, and that he may sit down with me. Blessed is his portion.”
Rabbi Schimeon arose and again sat down; and he laughed aloud, and rejoicing said, ”Where are the companions?”
Rabbi Eleazar arose and introduced them, and they sat down in his presence.
Rabbi Schimeon lifted up his hands and prayed a prayer, and was joyful.
And he said, ”Let those Companions who were in the former Conclave(792) a.s.sembled here.”
Therefore, all the others having gone forth, there remained Rabbi Eleazar his son, and Rabbi Abba, and Rabbi Yehudah, and Rabbi Yosi Bar Yoqeb, and Rabbi Chiya.
In the meantime Rabbi Yitzchaq entered, to whom Rabbi Schimeon said: ”How excellent is thy lot! How much joy is this day stored up for thee!”
Rabbi Abba sat down behind his (_i.e._, Rabbi Schimeon's) back, and Rabbi Eleazar before him (_i.e._, Rabbi Schimeon).
Rabbi Schimeon spake and said: ”Surely now is the time of benevolence, and I desire to enter without confusion into the world to come.
”And verily these sacred things, which hereunto have never been revealed, I desire to reveal before the Schekhinah;
”Lest they should say that I have kept back anything, and that I have been taken away from the world; for even until now these things have been concealed in my heart, so that having entered into these very matters I may be with them in the world to come.