VI
CHANINA AND THE ANGELS
WHILST the Temple was still standing it was the custom of all the Jews to bring their sacrifices and gifts to Jerusalem. Rich and poor vied with one another in bringing offerings to the Holy House of God. Now there was a very poor man named Chanina who lived far away from the Holy City. In his own town he saw his fellow townsmen preparing themselves for their pilgrimage to Zion where the Temple was. Each one had an offering or present and he alone had nothing. He asked himself: "What can I find worthy of God's acceptance?"
He looked around in his humble home, but he could not find anything of value.
"All my neighbors," said he to himself, "will set out next week for Jerusalem taking their offerings with them and I, alas ! will appear before the Lord empty-handed. This will not do, it must not be."
He then betook himself to the stone quarries near the town where he lived. He gazed around and saw a huge block of marble which had been placed on the rubbish heap, because its surface was too rough for polishing. He resolved to make its surface smooth,
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