Page:Hebrew tales; selected and translated from the writings of the ancient Hebrew sages (1917).djvu/82

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Hebrew Tales

on,—and, as chance would have it, crept into a fiery furnace. It soon began to feel the dreadful effects of the destructive element. The whole body was convulsed,—all was terror, confusion, and dismay. The head again hastened to afford its friendly aid.—Alas! it was too late. The tail was already consumed. The fire soon reached the vital parts of the body—it was destroyed—and the head was involved in the general ruin.

What caused the destruction of the head? Was it not because it suffered itself to be guided by the imbecile tail?—Such will, assuredly, be the fate of the higher orders, should they suffer themselves to be swayed by popular prejudices.

Deuteronomy Rabba, § I.


The Doctrine of Resurrection Supported by that of Creation

there were discovered on the fragments of an ancient tombstone, Greek words to the following purpose: "I was not, and I became: I am not, but shall be." The same thought is expressed in the following reply of R. Gebiha to a sceptic.

A freethinker said once to R. Gebiha, "Ye fools, who believe in a resurrection! See ye not that the living die?—how, then, can ye believe that the dead shall live?" "Silly