Part 6 (2/2)

4. R. Simeon (12) said, ”If three have eaten at a table and have spoken there no words of _Torah_, it is as if they had eaten of sacrifices to dead idols, of whom it is said, 'For all their tables are full of vomit and filthiness; the All-present is not (in their thoughts)' (13). But if three have eaten at a table and have spoken there words of _Torah_, it is as if they had eaten at the table of the All-present, for Scripture says, 'And he said unto me, This is the table that is before the Lord'” (14).

(12) Rabbi Simeon ben Yochai lived about the middle of the second century C.E., and was a pupil of Akiba. See Danziger, _ibid._, pp. 211-241. He was long thought to be the author of the well-known kabbalistic work _Zohar_, which was, however, probably written in the thirteenth century by Moses Shem Tob de Leon. See the _Jewish Encyclopedia_, art. _Zohar;_ Graetz, _History_, IV, p. 11 _et seq.;_ Schechter, _Studies_, I, pp.

18, 19, 133; and H. Sperling, in _Aspects of the Hebrew Genius_, p. 165 _et seq._

(13) Isa. XXVIII, 8. The literal interpretation of [bli makom] is, there is ”no place” clean of defilement; but the word [makom] being used to designate G.o.d (see above, chapter II, n. 35), suggests the interpretation, ”without mention of the name of G.o.d.”

(14) Ezek. XLI, 22.

5. R. Chanina, the son of Hakinai (15), said, ”He who keeps awake at night, and goes on his way alone, while turning his heart to vanity, such a one forfeits his own life” (16).

(15) He lived about 120 C.E., and was a pupil of Akiba. See Bacher, _ibid._, 436 _et seq._

(16) Even the sleepless man and the solitary traveller must turn their thoughts to the _Torah_.

6. R. Nechunya, son of ha-Kanah (17), said, ”Whoso receives upon himself the yoke of the _Torah_, from the yoke of the kingdom and the yoke of worldly care will be removed (18), but whoso breaks off from him the yoke of the _Torah_, upon him will be laid the yoke of the kingdom and the yoke of worldly care.”

(17) He lived about 80 C.E. See Bacher, _ibid._, pp. 58-61.

(18) The ”yoke of the kingdom” refers to the taxes and burdens exacted by the government; the ”yoke of worldly care” is anxiety of the struggle for existence.

7. R. Chalafta, the son of Dosa (19), of the village of Chanania said, ”When ten people sit together and occupy themselves with the _Torah_, the _Shechinah_ (20) abides among them, as it is said, 'G.o.d standeth in the congregation (21) of the G.o.dly' (22). And whence can it be shown that the same applies to five? Because it is said, 'He hath found his band (23) upon the earth' (24). And whence can it be shown that the same applies to three? Because it is said, 'He judgeth among the judges' (25). And whence can it be shown that the same applies to two? Because it is said, 'Then they that feared the Lord spake one with the other; and the Lord hearkened, and heard' (26). And whence can it be shown that the same applies even to one? Because it is said, 'In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come unto thee and I will bless thee'” (27).

(19) He was probably a disciple of R. Meir. See below, n. 32.

(20) See above, n. 9.

(21) An _edah_, ”a.s.sembly,” ”congregation,” ”prayer-meeting,”

consists of at least ten persons (_Megillah_, 23b). See Sulzburger, _The Ancient Hebrew Parliament_, chapter I.

(22) Ps. Lx.x.xII, 1.

(23) An _agudah_ (lit., ”bundle,” ”bunch”), ”bond,” ”union,”

is const.i.tuted of at least five, though some authorities maintain that it stands for three. See Taylor, _Sayings_, p.

46, n. 15. This word is used in the name of a number of Jewish societies whose members bind themselves to brotherly love and mutual a.s.sistance. as _Agudat Achim_, ”United Brethren,” etc.

(24) Amos, IX, 6.

(25) Ps. Lx.x.xII, 1. Every _bet din_, ”judicial tribunal,”

consisted of at least three members (_Sanhedrin_, 3b).

(26) Mal. III, 16.

(27) Ex. XX, 24.

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