The following anecdotes are related by way of practically illustrating Ps. ii. II, "Rejoice with trembling. Mar, the son of Ravina, made a grand marriage-feast for his son, and when the Rabbis were at the height of their merriment on the occasion, he brought in a very costly cup, worth four hundred zouzim, and broke it before them, and this occasioned them sorrow and trembling. Rav Ashi made a grand marriagefeast for his son, and when he noticed the Rabbis in high jubilation, he brought in a costly cup of white glass and broke it before them, and this made them sorrowful.
The Rabbis challenged Rav Hamnunah on the wedding of his son Ravina, saying, "Give us a song, sir," and he sung, "Woe be to us, for we must die! Woe be to us, for we must die! B " And what shall we sing?" they asked in chorus by way of response. He replied, " Sing ye, ( Alas! where is the law we have studied? where the good works we have done? that they may protect us from the punishment of hell! ' Rabbi Yochanan, in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai, says, " It is unlawful for a man to fill his mouth with laughter in this world, for it is said in Ps. cxxvi., Then (but not now) will our mouth be filled with laughter, etc. It is related of Resh Lakish that he never