Page:Hebrew tales; selected and translated from the writings of the ancient Hebrew sages (1917).djvu/24

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Hebrew Tales

both parties into custody, and have seized the treasure for the king's use." "For the king's use!" exclaimed the chief; "does the sun shine on that country?" "Oh, yes!" "Does it rain there?" "Assuredly." "Wonderful! But are there tame animals in the country, that live on the grass and green herbs? " "Very many, and of many kinds." "Ay, that must, then, be the cause, "said the chief: "for the sake of those innocent animals the All-gracious Being continues to let the sun shine, and the rain drop down on your own country; since its inhabitants are unworthy of such blessings."

Tamid, 32a; Yerush. Baba Mezia, II, 8c; Genesis Rabba, § XXXIII; Pesikta d. R. K., IX, p. 74b75a (ed. Buber); Leviticus Rabba, § XXVII; Tanhuma, Emor, 9.


Conversation of a Philosopher with a Rabbi

"Your God in His Book calls himself a jealous God, who can endure no other God beside himself, and on all occasions makes manifest his abhorrence of idolatry. How comes it, then, that he threatens and seems to hate the worshippers of false gods more than the false gods themselves?" "A certain king," replied the Rabbi, "had a disobedient son. Among other worthless tricks of various