At a certain place there were people worshipping fire. They used to light one stake in the morning and one stake in the evening, keeping the fire alive continually. When
they grew old, they threw themselves into a flaming pit, the gate of Gehinom, believing thereby that they were absolved from their sins and carried straight to Paradise. A Jew one day came thither and left his purse with an old man. When he returned the man had thrown himself into the fire. The people told him to wait, for such men returned on the third day and settled their property; and so it happened. The old man re -appeared, settled his affairs and gave him back his purse. The Jew wanted to follow him but on the way the old man told him that he was a demon who had induced the people to worship and had acted in such manner to increase their belief and lead them astray. But he, being a Jew, could not be allowed to follow when he worshipped the true God.