Page:Hebrew tales; selected and translated from the writings of the ancient Hebrew sages (1917).djvu/44

"Why, what is the matter?" asked Joshua. "I will tell thee," replied the heathen: "I have many sons; generally speaking, they live pretty peaceably together; but when meal-time arrives, and prayers are to commence, each wishes to adore his god in his own way. One invokes Jupiter, another Mars, another Neptune. Each extols him whom he wishes to adore, and insists on his superiority. From words they often come to blows; so that instead of having a comfortable meal, we have nothing but confusion and quarrels." "And why dost thou not endeavor to reconcile them?" asked Joshua. "I might as well," said the heathen, "attempt to reconcile fire and water, or to smoothen the turbulent waves of the ocean." "I truly pity thee," said the Rabbi; "thy neighbors are, perhaps, more fortunate?" "Not at all," replied the heathen, "unless they be childless:—otherwise the same cause produces the same effect." "And yet," exclaimed Joshua, "thou callest this a majority—whose worship thou fain wouldst recommend to us! Be advised by me, good man, and before thou attemptest to reconcile others to such a mode of worship, first reconcile the worshippers amongst themselves."

Leviticus Rabba, § IV, at the end.