Rabbi Ishmael, the son of Joshua, was asked, " How did the rich people of the land of Israel become so wealthy? He answered, " They gave their tithes in due season, as it is written, ( Thou shalt give tithes, in order that thou mayest become rich.*" "But," answered his questioner, "tithes were given to the Levites, only while the holy temple existed. What merit did they possess while they dwelt in Babel, that they became wealthy there also?" "Because," replied the Rabbi, " they honored the Holy Law by expounding it. " " But in other countries, where they did not expound the Law, how did they deserve wealth? " " By honoring the Sabbath," was the answer.