Page:Hebrew tales; selected and translated from the writings of the ancient Hebrew sages (1917).djvu/61

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HEBREW TALES
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back to the priests, and told them that he must, for the present, forego the large profit he could make, as his father was asleep. The case being urgent, and the priests thinking that he only said so to obtain a larger price, offered him more money. 'No,' said the dutiful son, 'I would not even for a moment disturb my father's rest, could I obtain the treasures of the world.' The priests waited till the father awoke, when Damah brought them the jewel. They gave him the sum they offered the second time, but the good man refused to take it. 'I will not barter the satisfaction of having done my duty, for gold. Give me what you offered at first, and I shall be satisfied.' This they did, and left him with a blessing. "

Kiddushin 31a; 'Abodah Zarah 23b-24a; Yerushalmi Peah, I, 1; Kiddushin, I, 7; Deuteronomy Rabba, § I; Pesikta Rabbati, § XXIII, end.


The Double Moral and Twofold Tale, from the Talmud

1.—The Manner no inessential part of the Deed, in acts of duty and benevolence.

2.—Know the Motive before thou judgest of the Act.

"Some men," say the Talmudists, "give their indigent parents the finest capons to eat, and yet inherit Gehinnom.[1] Others set them


  1. Hell.