then asked them who they were? " Disciples of Rabbi Akiva,w they replied. Upon hearing this the robbers exclaimed, " Blessed surely is Rabbi Akiva and his disciples too, for no man can ever do them any harm." Once as Rabbi Menasi was traveling to Thurtha (in Babylonia), some thieves surprised him on the road and asked him where he was bound for. " For Pumbeditha, was the reply; but upon reaching Thurtha, he stayed and went no farther.
The highwaymen, thus balked, retorted, "Thou art the disciple of Yehuda the deceiver! }> " Oh, you know my master, do you? said the Rabbi. " Then in the name of God be every one of you anathematized. For twentytwo years thereafter the}' carried on their nefarious trade, but all their attempts at violence ended only in disappointment. Then all save one of them came to the Rabbi and craved his pardon, which was immediately granted.
The one who did not come to confess his guilt and obtain absolution was a weaver, and he was eventually devoured by a lion. Hence the proverbs, " If a weaver does not humble himself, he shortens his life; and, " Come and see the difference there is between the thieves of Babylon and the banditti of the land of Israel.