Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer Reader

Why (was this)? Because he loved peace and pursued peace, and passed daily through the entire camp of Israel and promoted peace between a man and his wife, and between a man and his neighbour; therefore all Israel showed loving-kindness to him, as it is said, "And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they wept for Aaron thirty days, even all the house of Israel" (Num. 20:29).

Rabbi José said: From whom do we learn of the seven days of mourning? From Jacob, our father, for thus did his son Joseph unto him, as it is said, "And he made a mourning for his father seven days" (Gen. 50:10).

Whence do we learn (the duty of) showing loving-kindness to mourners? From Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal. The palace of Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, was near the market-place. When any corpse was carried through the market-place, she would go forth from her palace, and she clapped with the palms of her hands and praised with her mouth, and she followed the corpse ten steps. Concerning her, Elijah, be he remembered for good, prophesied (and said): "In the portion of Jezreel shall the dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel" (2 Kings 9:36). But over the limbs which were (employed in) showing loving-kindness, the dogs had no power, as it is said, "And they went || to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands" (2 Kings 9:35).

Whence do we learn (the duty of) showing loving-kindness to mourners? From the men of Jabesh-Gilead. For when Saul and his sons were slain, the men of Jabesh Gilead said: Are we not bound to show loving-kindness to the man who delivered us from the disgrace of the sons of Ammon? All their mighty men arose and went all night to the walls of Beth-Shan, and they took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the walls of Beth-Shan, as it is said, "All the valiant men arose, and took away the body of Saul" (1 Chron. 10:12).

The mourners are comforted with bread and wine, as it is said, "Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter in soul" (Prov. 31:6).

The men of Jabesh-Gilead showed (loving-kindness) to Saul and his sons. (God said,) I will also give you and your sons your reward in the future; for when the Holy One, blessed be He, in the future will gather Israel from the four corners of the world, the first whom He will gather, will be the half-tribe of Manasseh, as it is said, "Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine" (Ps. 60:7). Afterwards (will He gather in) Ephraim, as it is said, "Ephraim is the defence of mine head" (ibid.). Afterwards Judah (will be gathered in), as it is said, "Judah is my sceptre" (ibid.).

"Gilead is mine," refers to Ahab, king of Israel, who died in Ramoth-Gilead; "and Manasseh is mine," is to be taken literally; "Ephraim is the defence of mine head," refers to Jeroboam; "Judah || is my sceptre," points to Ahithophel; "Moab is my washpot" (Ps. 60:8), means Gehazi; "upon Edom will I cast my shoe" (ibid.), refers to Doeg; "Philistia, shout thou because of me" (ibid.). The Holy One, blessed be He, said: It is for Me to search for merit on their behalf, and to make them friendly towards one another.

Rabbi Phineas said: Thirty years after Saul and his sons had been killed, a famine lasting three years arose in the days of David, year after year, as it is said, "And there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year" (2 Sam. 21:1). Why was it year after year? In the first year all Israel went up to (celebrate the great) festivals. David said to them: Go and look if perchance there be among you some who worship idols, for because of the sin of idolatry rain is withheld, as it is said, "Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them" (Deut. 11:16).

What is written after this? "And the anger of the Lord will be kindled against you, and he will shut up the heaven, that there be no rain" (Deut. 11:17). They went forth and investigated, but did not find (any idolatry).

In the second year all Israel went up (to celebrate) the festivals. David said to them: Go forth and see if there be among you people who lead immoral lives, because owing to the sin of immorality the heavens are closed, as it is said, "And thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms" (Jer. 3:2). What is written after this in this context? "Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain" (Jer. 3:3). They investigated, but they did not find (any immoral people).

In the third || year all Israel went up (to celebrate) the festivals. David said to them: Go forth and see if there be among you people who shed blood, because on account of the sin of those who murder the rain is withheld, as it is said, "So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are; for blood, it polluteth the land" (Num. 35:33). They went forth and investigated, but they did not find (any murderer). David said to them: Henceforth the matter only depends upon me. David arose and prayed before the Holy One, blessed be He. And He answered him: It is for Saul; was not Saul one who was anointed with the oil of consecration? and was it not Saul in whose days there was no idolatry in Israel? and was it not Saul who secured his portion with Samuel the prophet? Yet ye are in the land (of Israel) and he is (buried) outside the land (of Israel).

David forthwith arose and gathered together all the elders of Israel and the nobles, and they crossed the Jordan. They came to Jabesh-Gilead and they found the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son. No worm had been able to touch them, as it is said, "He keepeth all his bones, not one of them is broken" (Ps. 34:21). They took the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son, and placed them in a coffin, and they crossed the Jordan, as it is said, "And they buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son… and they performed all that the king commanded" (2 Sam. 21:14).

The king commanded that they should bring the coffin of Saul in all the borders of each tribe. And it came to pass that the tribe || wherein they brought the coffin of Saul, the people (there) with their wives and their sons and their daughters came forth and displayed loving-kindness to Saul and to his sons, so that all Israel should discharge their obligation of showing loving-kindness. And thus (did they do) until it came to the border of his possession to the border of Jerusalem, in the land of Benjamin in Jerusalem, as it is said, "And they buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin" (ibid.), in the vicinity of Jerusalem.

When the Holy One, blessed be He, saw that all Israel had displayed loving-kindness (to him), He was forthwith full of compassion, and He sent rain upon the land, as it is said, "And after that God was intreated for the land" (ibid.).

Rabbi Nathaniel said: Three hundred years before the birth of Josiah, was his name mentioned, as it is said, "Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name" (1 Kings 13:2); "And he was eight years old when he began to reign" (2 Kings 22:1). What is the disposition of a lad of eight years of age? He despised the idols and broke in pieces the pillars, and smashed the images and cut down the groves.

His merit was great before the Throne of Glory. Because of the evil which Israel did in secret the righteous one was gathered (to his fathers), as it is said, "For the righteous is taken away because of the evil" (Isa. 57:1). || All Judah gathered together also with Jeremiah the prophet to show loving-kindness to Josiah, as it is said, "And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah, and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah" (2 Chron. 35:25).

Rabbi Meir said: "The singing men" refer to the Levites, who stood upon the platform singing; "and the singing women" refer to their wives. Rabbi Simeon said: These terms do not refer merely to the Levites and their wives; but to the skilled women, as it is said, "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for the cunning women, that they may come: and let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us" (Jer. 9:17, 18).

Hence the wise men instituted (the rule) that this should be done to all the wise men of Israel and to their great men, as it is said, "And they made them an ordinance in Israel" (2 Chron. 35:25).

Solomon saw that the observance of loving-kindness was great before the Holy One, blessed be He. When he built the Temple he erected two gates, one for the bridegrooms, and the other for the mourners and the excommunicated. On Sabbaths the Israelites went and sat between those two gates; and they knew that anyone who entered through the gate of the bridegrooms was a bridegroom, and they said to him, May He who dwells in this house cause thee to rejoice with sons and daughters.

If one entered through the gate of the mourners with his upper lip covered, then they knew that he was a mourner, and they would say to him. May He who dwells || in this house comfort thee. If one entered through the gate of the mourners without having his upper lip covered, then they knew that he was excommunicated, and they would say to him, May He who dwells in this house put into thy heart (the desire) to listen to the words of thy associates, and may He put into the hearts of thy associates that they may draw thee near (to themselves), so that all Israel may discharge their duty by rendering the service of loving-kindness.

The House of Shammai says: The heavens were created first and afterward the earth, as it is said: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). And the House of Hillel says: The earth was created first, as it is said: "Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands" (Psalms 102:26). The House of Shammai says: The heavens were created first, as it is said: "My hand also has laid the foundation of the earth, and My right hand has spanned the heavens" (Isaiah 48:13). A dispute arose among them over this matter, until the Divine Presence rested among them, and they agreed with one another that both were created in one hour and in one moment. What did the Holy One, blessed be He, do? He stretched out His right hand and spread the heavens, and stretched out His left hand and founded the earth, as it is said: "My hand also has laid the foundation of the earth, and My right hand has spanned the heavens" (Isaiah 48:13). And earth and heavens stood together, as it is said: "And the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their host" (Genesis 2:1). Now were heavens and earth finished from existing and from standing further? Has it not already been said of them: "Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?" (Jeremiah 23:24). Rather, they were finished from work, from labor, and from command. Therefore it is said: "And the heavens and the earth were finished." Israel said before the Holy One, blessed be He: "Master of all worlds, the heavens and the earth are finished from work, from labor, and from command since the six days of Creation; do not withhold Your mercies and Your kindnesses, for if You withhold Your mercy and Your kindnesses we cannot endure, for the world stands upon Your mercies and Your kindnesses," as it is said: "For the mountains may depart" (Isaiah 54:10), and so forth. "And God finished on the seventh day" (Genesis 2:2), and so forth. Seven dedications did the Holy One, blessed be He, create: six of them He dedicated, and one is reserved for the generations. He created the first day and dedicated it and completed all His work upon it, as it is said: "And there was evening and there was morning, one day" (Genesis 1:5), and so for all the days of the work of Creation. He created the seventh day; no work is mentioned regarding it, and "there was evening and there was morning" is not mentioned regarding it, for it is reserved for the generations, as it is said: "And it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, neither day nor night" (Zechariah 14:7). To what is the matter comparable? To one who had a precious vessel and did not wish to bequeath it except to his son who served him. So too the Holy One, blessed be He: the Sabbath day, a day of rest and holiness that was before Him, He did not wish to bequeath except to Israel. Know this to be so: when they went out from Egypt, before He gave them the Torah, He bequeathed the Sabbath to Israel. And Israel rested two Sabbaths before He gave them the Torah, as it is said: "Commandments and statutes and Torah You gave to them by the hand of Moses Your servant" (Nehemiah 9:14). The Holy One, blessed be He, kept and sanctified the Sabbath, and Israel are obligated only to keep and to sanctify the Sabbath. Know this to be so; come and see: when He was giving them the manna for forty years, He gave it to them on the six days of the work of Creation, and on the Sabbath He did not give it. Lest you say He had no power to give on each and every day, rather it was that He rested. Therefore He would give them bread for two days on the sixth, as it is said: "See that the LORD has given you the Sabbath; therefore He gives you on the sixth day bread for two days" (Exodus 16:29). When Israel saw that He rested before Him, they too rested, as it is said: "And the people rested on the seventh day" (Exodus 16:30). "And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it" (Genesis 2:3). The Holy One, blessed be He, blessed and sanctified the Sabbath day, and Israel are obligated only to keep and to sanctify the Sabbath day. From here they said: Whoever recites the blessing over wine on the eves of Sabbaths, his days and years are lengthened in this world, and they add for him years of life in the world to come. "And you shall keep the Sabbath, for it is holy to you" (Exodus 31:14). What is the keeping of the Sabbath? Refraining from kindling fire on it, and from doing work on it, and from going out and coming in beyond the boundary even one step, and from carrying an object in one's hand and conveying it four cubits in the public domain, and from taking out from one domain to another. This is the keeping of the Sabbath. "Between Me and the children of Israel it is a sign forever" (Exodus 31:17). The Holy One, blessed be He, said: This Sabbath I have given to Israel between Me and them. On the six days of the work of Creation I made the world; on the Sabbath I rested. Therefore I gave them six days of work, and the seventh day blessing and holiness and rest for Me and for them. Therefore it is said: "Between Me and Israel." Seven firmaments did the Holy One, blessed be He, create, and of them all He chose none for the foundation of His dwelling except Aravot, as it is said: "Extol Him who rides upon Aravot, by His name Yah" (Psalms 68:5). Seven lands did the Holy One, blessed be He, create, and of them all He chose none except the Land of Israel, as it is said: "The eyes of the LORD your God are always upon it" (Deuteronomy 11:12). Seven mountains did the Holy One, blessed be He, create, and of them all He chose none except Mount Sinai, as it is said: "The mountain which God desired for His dwelling" (Psalms 68:17). Seven seas did the Holy One, blessed be He, create, and of them all He chose none except the Sea of Kinneret, and He bequeathed it to the tribe of Naphtali, as it is said: "Naphtali, satisfied with favor, and full of the blessing of the LORD; the sea and the south possess" (Deuteronomy 33:23). Seven wildernesses did the Holy One, blessed be He, create, and of them all He chose none except the wilderness of Kadesh, and He led Israel through it when they went out from Egypt. Seven worlds did the Holy One, blessed be He, create, and of them all He chose none except the seventh world: six for going out and coming in, and one that is wholly Sabbath and rest for the life of the world. Seven days did the Holy One, blessed be He, create, and of them all He chose none except the seventh day, as it is said: "And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it" (Genesis 2:3). Seven years did the Holy One, blessed be He, create, and of them all He chose none except the year of the Sabbatical. And everyone who keeps the Sabbath in this world, the Holy One, blessed be He, forgives him all his iniquities, as it is said: "Who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it (me-challelo)" (Isaiah 56:2). Do not read "keeps the Sabbath from profaning it" but rather "it is forgiven him" (machul lo), teaching that they forgive him all his iniquities.

THE SABBATH THE School of Shammai said: The heavens were created first, and the earth afterwards, as it is said, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Gen. 1:1). The School of Hillel said: The earth was created first, and the heavens afterwards, as it is said, "Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the work of thy hands" (Ps. 102:25). The School of Shammai said: The heavens were created first, and the earth afterwards, as it is said, "These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth" (Gen. 2:4). The School of Hillel said: The earth was created first, and the heavens afterwards, as it is said, "In the day that the Lord God made earth and heaven" (ibid.). The School of Shammai said: The heavens were created first, because it is said, "And the heavens and the earth were finished" (Gen. 2:1). The School of Hillel said: The earth was created first, and the heavens afterwards, as it is said, "Yea, mine hand hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spread out the heavens" (Isa. 48:18). The School of Shammai said: The heavens were created first, and the earth afterwards, because it is said, "Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool" (Isa. 66:1). Contention arose between them (i.e. the Schools) on this question, until the Holy Spirit rested between them, and they both agreed that both (heavens and earth) were created in one hour and at one moment.

What did the Holy One, blessed be He, do? He put forth His right hand and stretched forth the heavens, and He put forth His left hand and founded the earth, as it is said, "Yea, mine hand || hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spread out the heavens: when I called unto them, they stood up together" (Isa. 48:13). Both of them were created simultaneously, as it is said, "And the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their host" (Gen. 2:1).

And, indeed, were the heavens and the earth completed (so as not to require God's providence) for their continued existence and maintenance? Has it not been written concerning them, "Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool" (Isa. 66:1)? But they were finished with reference to the original deed (of creation) and with reference to the work (of being created) and being called into existence. Therefore it is said, "And the heavens and the earth were finished" (Gen. 2:1).

Israel spake before the Holy One, blessed be He: Sovereign of the worlds! Thou didst complete the heavens and the earth with reference to being made, created, and called into existence; let not Thy mercy and loving-kindness be withheld, for if Thou withholdest Thy mercy and loving-kindness we are unable to exist, because the world rests upon Thy mercy and loving-kindness, as it is said, "For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee… saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee" (Isa. 54:10); and it says (elsewhere), "Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy loving-kindnesses; for they have been ever of old" (Ps. 25:6).

"And on the seventh day God finished his work" (Gen. 2:2). The Holy One, blessed be He, created seven dedications, six of them He dedicated, and one is reserved for the (future) generations. He created the first day and finished all His work and dedicated it, as it is said, "And it was evening, and it was morning, one day" (Gen. 1:5). He created the second day and finished all His work and dedicated it, as it is said, || "And it was evening, and it was morning, a second day" (Gen. 1:8); and so through the six days of creation.

He created the seventh day, (but) not for work, because it is not said in connection therewith, "And it was evening and it was morning." Why? For it is reserved for the generations (to come), as it is said, "And there shall be one day which is known unto the Lord; not day, and not night" (Zech. 14:7).

A parable: To what is this matter to be compared? To a man who had precious utensils. And he did not desire to give them as an inheritance except to his son; likewise with the Holy One, blessed be He. The day of blessing and holiness which was before Him, He did not desire to give it as an inheritance except to Israel.

Know that it is so! Come and see! for when the Israelites went forth from Egypt, whilst yet the Torah had not been given to them, He gave them the Sabbath as an inheritance. Israel kept two Sabbaths whilst as yet the Torah had not been given to them, as it is said, "And thou madest known unto them thy holy Sabbath" (Neh. 9:14). And afterwards He gave them the Torah, as it is said, "And commandedst them commandments, and statutes, and Torah by the hand of Moses, thy servant" (ibid.).

The Holy One, blessed be He, observed and sanctified the Sabbath, and Israel is obliged only to observe and sanctify the Sabbath. Know that it is so! Come and see! for when He gave them the Manna, He gave it to them in the wilderness during forty years on the six days of creation, but on the Sabbath He did not give (it) || to them. Wilt thou say that He did not have power enough to give it to them every day?

But (the fact was) the Sabbath was before Him; therefore He gave to them bread for two days on the Friday, as it is said, "See, for that the Lord hath given you the Sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days" (Ex. 16:29). When the people saw that Sabbath (was observed) before Him, they also rested, as it is said, "So the people rested on the seventh day" (Ex. 16:30).

"And God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it" (Gen. 2:3). The Holy One, blessed be He, blessed and hallowed the Sabbath day, and Israel is bound only to keep and to hallow the Sabbath day. Hence they said: Whosoever says the benediction and sanctification over the wine on the eves of Sabbath, his days will be increased in this world, and in the world to come, as it is said, "For by me thy days shall be multiplied" (Prov. 9:11) in this world; "and the years of thy life shall be increased" (ibid.) in the world to come.

"Ye shall keep the Sabbath, for it is holy unto you" (Ex. 31:14). What is the keeping of the Sabbath? Neither to do any work thereon, nor to kindle fire thereon, neither to take forth nor to bring in beyond the Techum (limit) of the Sabbath even one foot, nor to fetch in his hand something which is not his food nor the food for his cattle. This is the keeping of the Sabbath, as it is said, "Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath" (Ex. 31:16).

"It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever" (Ex. 31:17). The Holy One, blessed be He, said: This (Sabbath) have I given to Israel as a sign between Me || and them; for in the six days of creation I fashioned all the world, and on the Sabbath I rested, therefore have I given to Israel the six days of work, and on the Sabbath, a day (for) blessing and sanctification, for Me and for them; therefore it is said, "Between me and the children of Israel it is a sign for ever" (ibid.).

The Holy One, blessed be He, created seven firmaments, and He selected from them all 'Araboth only for the place of the throne of glory of His kingdom, as it is said, "Cast up a highway for him that rideth on the 'Araboth, with Jah, his name" (Ps. 68:5). The Holy One, blessed be He, created seven lands, and He chose from all of them the land of Israel only, as it is said, "A land… the eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year" (Deut. 11:12).

Another verse says, "I said, I shall not see the Lord, even the Lord in the land of the living" (Isa. 38:11). The Holy One, blessed be He, created seven deserts, and of them all He chose the desert of Sinai only to give therein the Torah, as it is said, "The mountain which God hath desired for his abode" (Ps. 68:16).

The Holy One, blessed be He, created seven seas, and of them all He chose the Sea of Kinnereth only, and gave it as an inheritance to the tribe of Naphtali, as it is said, "O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the Lord: possess thou the sea and the south" (Deut. 33:23). What is the "blessing of the Lord"? (It means) that He blessed him and gave him as an inheritance the sea and the south, as it is said, "Possess thou the sea and the south" (ibid.).

The Holy One, blessed be He, created seven æons, ∥ and of them all He chose the seventh æon only; the six æons are for the going in and coming out (of God's creatures) for war and peace. The seventh æon is entirely Sabbath and rest in the life everlasting. Seven lamps were made for the sanctuary, and the lamp of Sabbath was illuminating opposite the other six (lamps), as it is said, "In front of the lamp-stand the seven lamps shall give light" (Num. 8:2). The Holy One, blessed be He, created seven days, and of them all He chose the seventh day only, as it is said, "And God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it" (Gen. 2:3).

Everyone who keeps the Sabbath, happy is he in this world and happy will he be in the world to come, as it is said, "Happy is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that holdeth fast by it: who keepeth the Sabbath from profaning it" (Isa. 56:2). Do not read "(He who keepeth the Sabbath) from profaning it," but read "He who keepeth the Sabbath is pardoned" concerning all his transgression.

THE CREATION ON THE EVE OF THE SABBATH TEN things were created (on the eve of the Sabbath) in the twilight (namely): the mouth of the earth; the mouth of the well; the mouth of the ass; the rainbow; the Manna; the Shamir; the shape of the alphabet; the writing and the tables (of the law); and the ram of Abraham. (Some sages say: the destroying spirits also, and the sepulchre of Moses, and the ram of Isaac; and other sages say: the tongs also.)

At the seventh hour (of the day on Friday), the first man entered the garden of Eden, and the ministering || angels were praising before him, and dancing before him, and escorting him into the garden of Eden; and at twilight at the eve of Sabbath, he was driven forth, and he went out. The ministering angels were crying aloud concerning him, saying to him: "Man in glory tarrieth not overnight, when he is like the beasts that pass away" (Ps.xlix. 12).

"Like a beast that passes away" is not written here, but "like the beasts that pass away," (so) were they both. The Sabbath day arrived and became an advocate for the first man, and it spake before Him: Sovereign of all worlds! No murderer has been slain in the world during the six days of creation, and wilt Thou commence (to do this) with me? Is this its sanctity, and is this its blessing? as it is said, "And God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it" (Gen. 2:8). By the merit of the Sabbath day Adam was saved from the judgment of Gehinnom. When Adam perceived the power of the Sabbath, he said: Not for nought did the Holy One, blessed be He, bless and hallow the Sabbath day. He began to observe (the Sabbath) and to utter a psalm for the Sabbath day, and he said: "A psalm, a song for the Sabbath day" (Ps. 92:1). Rabbi Simeon said: The first man said this psalm, and it was forgotten throughout all the generations until Moses came and renewed it || according to his name, "A psalm, a song for the Sabbath day" (ibid.), for the day which is entirely Sabbath and rest in the life of eternity.

"It is good to confess to the Lord" (ibid.). The first man said: Let all the generations learn from me, that whosoever sings and utters psalms to the name of the Most High, and confesses his transgressions in the court of justice and abandons (them), will be delivered from the judgment of Gehinnom, as it is said, "It is good to confess to the Lord" (ibid.).

"To declare thy loving-kindness in the morning" (Ps. 92:2). Adam said: (This refers to) all who enter this world which is like unto the night; and to all who come into the world to come, which is like unto the morning. They shall declare the faithfulness and love of the Holy One, blessed be He, which He has shown to me, (for He has) delivered me from the judgment of Gehinnom, as it is said, "To declare thy loving-kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night" (ibid.).

"Upon a ten-stringed instrument and upon the psaltery" (Ps. 92:8). All testimonies reliable to Israel are (celebrated) with ten (males). The harp upon which David played had ten strings. The testimony for the dead is through ten (males). The testimony for the (public) benediction of (God's) Name is through ten (males). The testimony of the covenant of circumcision is through ten (males). The testimony for Chalizah is through ten (males), as it is said, "And he took ten men of the elders of the city" (Ruth 4:2).

The Holy One, blessed be He, said: I desire of Israel the meditation of their mouths like the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings, as it is said, "With the meditation of || the harp" (Ps. 92:3).

"For thou, O Lord, hast made me glad through thy work" (Ps. 92:4). Adam said: The Holy One, blessed be He, had made me glad and brought me into the garden of Eden, and showed me the place of the abode of the righteous in the garden of Eden, and He showed me the four kingdoms, their rule and their destruction; and He showed me David, the son of Jesse, and his dominion in the future that is to come. I took from my years seventy years and added them to his days, as it is said, "Thou wilt add days to the days of the king; his years shall be as many generations" (Ps. 61:6). The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: Thou wilt add days to the days of (the king Messiah); I also will add to his years in the future which is to come, as though they were many generations, as it is said, "His years shall be as many generations" (ibid.). I have given to God praise, and song (lauding) His works, as it is said, "I will sing of the works of thy hands" (Ps. 92:4).

"How great are thy works, O Lord!" (Ps. 92:5). Adam began to glorify and to praise the Name of the Most High, as it is said, "How great are thy works, O Lord!" (ibid.) but Thy thoughts are very deep, like the great deep exceedingly (deep), as it is said, "Thy thoughts are very deep" (ibid.). "A brutish man knoweth not" (Ps. 92:6). Every man of Israel who is brutish (in knowledge) and has not learnt understanding, let the wise men of Israel teach him the ways of the Torah, as it is said, "Consider, ye brutish among the people" (Ps. 94:8). But a man who is an expert among the nations of the world is still foolish. Why? For he knoweth not the words of the Torah, as it is said, "Neither doth a fool || understand this" (Ps. 92:6).

"When the wicked spring up as the grass" (Ps. 92:7). True (it is) that Thou, O Lord, beholdest the wicked, that they are as numerous as the grass to cover the face of all the earth, and all the worshippers of idols flourish, (Thou knowest) that they and their works are an evil iniquity for the days of the Messiah. The Holy One, blessed be He, has only multiplied them in order to destroy them from this world and from the world to come, as it is said, "To have them destroyed for ever and ever.

And thou, O Lord, art on high for evermore" (Ps. 92:7, 8). David saw that the wicked increased like grass, (so as) to cover the face of all the earth, and that all the worshippers of idols flourished, and that they and their works were iniquity, and he did not say "Hallelujah" ("praise ye the Lord") until he perceived that in the future they would be destroyed from this world and from the world to come; and he said "Hallelujah," as it is said, "Sinners shall be consumed out of the earth, and the wicked shall be no more.

Bless the Lord, O my soul. Praise ye the Lord" (Ps. 104:35). (Then will He be) King exalted in the heights and in the depths, as it is said, "And thou, O Lord, art on high for evermore" (Ps. 92:8).

"For, lo, thine enemies, O Lord" (Ps. 92:9); Israel said: Sovereign of all worlds! Thou hast placed all our enemies over us (to afflict us with) a heavy yoke on our backs, but we know that they are doomed to destruction, as it is said, "O Lord, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish" (ibid.). And all || idolaters, for they and their works are iniquity, shall be scattered like chaff before the wind.

"But my horn hast thou exalted like that of the reêm" (Ps. 92:10). Just as the horns of the reêm are taller than those of all beasts and animals, and it gores to its right and to its left, likewise (is it with) Menachem, son of 'Ammiel, son of Joseph, his horns are taller than those of all kings, and he will gore in the future towards the four corners of the heavens, and concerning him Moses said this verse, "His firstling bullock, majesty is his, and his horns are the horns of the reêm: with them he shall gore the peoples all of them, even the ends of the earth" (Deut. 33:17). All the kings will rise up against him to slay him, as it is said, "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers (take counsel together)" (Ps. 2:2). And Israel who (will be) in the Land (of Palestine) (will experience) great trouble, but in their troubles they (will be) like a green olive, as it is said, "I am anointed with fresh oil" (Ps. 92:10).

"Mine eyes have looked on mine enemies" (Ps. 92:11). The Israelites in the Land (of Israel) behold the downfall of their enemies, as it is said, "Mine eyes have looked on mine enemies" (ibid.). And such who in the future will come against them (Israel), their ears shall hear of their destruction, as it is said, "Mine ears have heard concerning the evil-doers that rise up against me" (ibid.).

"The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree" (Ps. 92:12). Just as this palm tree is beautiful in all its appearance, and all its fruits are sweet and good, likewise the son of David is beautiful in his appearance and in his glory, and all his deeds || are good and sweet before the Holy One, blessed be He, as it is said, "The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon" (ibid.). Just as this cedar has very many roots beneath the earth, and even if the four winds of the world came against it, they could not move it from its place, as it is said, "He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They that are planted in the house of the Lord" (Ps. 92:12, 13). In the future when the Holy One, blessed be He, will gather Israel from the four corners of the world, just like this gardener who transplants his fir trees from one garden-bed to another garden-bed, likewise in the future will the Holy One, blessed be He, gather them from an impure land and (plant them) in a pure land, as it is said, "They that are planted in the house of the Lord" (ibid.). Like this grass, they shall blossom and sprout forth in the Temple, as it is said, "In the courts of our God they shall flourish" (ibid.).

"They shall still bring forth fruit in old age" (Ps. 92:14). Just as this old age is glory and honour to old men, so shall they be in glory and honour before the Holy One, blessed be He, as it is said, "They shall be full of sap and green" (ibid.). These are the mighty heroes by reason of their good deeds, as it is said, "They shall be full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright" (Ps. 92:14, 15). Why all these (statements)? To declare, and to proclaim clearly the works of the Holy One, blessed be He, for He is righteous and upright, and that there is no unrighteousness (in Him), as it is said, "And there is no unrighteousness in him" (Ps. 92:15).

ADAM'S PENITENCE "So he drove out the man" (Gen. 3:24). Driving out (i.e.) and he went forth outside the garden of Eden (and he abode) on Mount Moriah, for the gate of the garden of Eden is nigh unto Mount Moriah. Thence He took him and thither He made him return to the place whence he was taken, as it is said, "To till the ground from whence he was taken" (Gen. 3:23).

Rabbi Jehudah said: The Holy One, blessed be He, kept the Sabbath first in the heavenly regions, and Adam kept the || Sabbath first in the lower regions. The Sabbath day protected him from all evil, and comforted him on account of all the doubts of his heart, as it is said, "In the multitude of my doubts within me, thy comforts delight my soul" (Ps. 94:19).

Rabbi Joshua ben Ḳorchah said: From the tree under which they hid themselves, they took leaves and sewed (them), as it is said, "And they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons" (Gen. 3:7). Rabbi Eliezer said: From the skin which the serpent sloughed off, the Holy One, blessed be He, took and made coats of glory for Adam and his wife, as it is said, "And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife coats of skin, and clothed them" (Gen. 3:21).

At twilight on Saturday (evening), Adam was meditating in his heart and saying: Perhaps the serpent, which deceived me, will come in the evening, and he will bruise me in the heel. A pillar of fire was sent to him to give illumination about him and to guard him from all evil. Adam saw the pillar of fire and rejoiced in his heart, and he put forth his hands to the light of the fire, and said: Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates the flames of fire.

And when he removed his hands from the light of the fire, he said: Now I know that the holy day has been separated from the work day here below (on earth), for fire may not be kindled on the Sabbath day; and in that hour he said: Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who divides || the holy from the profane, the light from the darkness.

Rabbi Mana said: How must a man say the Habdalah blessing? (He does this) over the cup of wine, with the light of fire, and he says: Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates the various flames of fire; and when he removes his hand from the fire (flame) he says: Blessed art Thou, O Lord, who divides the holy from the profane.

If he have no wine he puts forth his hands towards the light of the lamp and looks at his nails, which are whiter than his body, and he says: Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates various flames of fire; and when he has removed his hands from the fire, he says: Blessed art Thou, O Lord, who divides the holy from the profane.

If he be on a journey, he puts forth his hand to the light of the stars, which are also fire, and says: Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates the various flames of fire. If the heavens be darkened, he lifts up a stone outside, and says: Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, who creates the various flames of fire.

Rabbi Zadok said: Whosoever does not make Habdalah at the termination of Sabbaths, or does not listen to those who perform the ceremony of Habdalah, will never see a sign of blessing. Everyone who makes Habdalah at the termination of Sabbaths, or whosoever hears those who perform the Habdalah, the Holy One, blessed be He, calls him holy to be His holy treasure, and delivers him from the affliction of the peoples, as it is said, "And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy" (Lev. 20:26). ||

On the first day of the week he went into the waters of the upper Gihon until the waters reached up to his neck, and he fasted seven weeks of days, until his body became like a species of seaweed. Adam said before the Holy One, blessed be He: Sovereign of all worlds! Remove, I pray Thee, my sins from me and accept my repentance, and all the generations will learn that repentance is a reality. What did the Holy One, blessed be He, do?

He put forth His right hand, and accepted his repentance, and took away from him his sin, as it is said, "I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid: I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah" (Ps. 32:5). Selah in this world and Selah in the world to come. Adam returned and meditated in his heart, and said: I know that death will remove me (to) "the house appointed for all living" (Job 30:28).

Adam said: Whilst I am yet alive I will build for myself a mausoleum to rest therein. He planned and built for himself a mausoleum to rest therein beyond Mount Moriah. Adam said: If in the case of the tables (of stone), just because in the future they will be written by the finger (of God), the waters of the Jordan are destined to flee before them; how much more so will this be the case with my body which His two hands kneaded, and because He breathed into my nostrils the breath of the spirit of His mouth?

After my death they will come and take my bones, and they will make them into an image for idolatry; but verily I will put || my coffin deep down beneath the cave and within the cave. Therefore it is called the Cave of Machpelah, which is a double cave. There Adam was put and his help-meet, Abraham and his help-meet, Isaac and his help-meet, Jacob and his help-meet. Therefore it is called "the city of four" (Kirjath Arba'); for four pairs (were buried there), and concerning them the verse says, "He entereth into peace; they rest in their beds, each one that walketh in his up-rightness" (Isa. 57:2).

CAIN AND ABEL "BUT of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden" (Gen. 3:3). It was taught in a Baraitha, Rabbi Ẓe'era said: "Of the fruit of the tree"—here "tree" only means man, who is compared to the tree, as it is said, "For man is the tree of the field" (Deut. 20:19). "Which is in the midst of the garden"—"in the midst of the garden" is here merely an euphemism. "Which is in the midst of the garden"—for "garden" means here merely woman, who is compared to a garden, as it is said, "A garden shut up is my sister, a bride" (Cant. 4:12). Just as with this garden whatever is sown therein, it produces and brings forth, so (with) this woman, what seed she receives, she conceives and bears through sexual intercourse.

(Sammael) riding on the serpent came to her, and she conceived; afterwards Adam came to her, and she conceived Abel, as it is said, "And Adam knew Eve his wife" (Gen. 4:1). What is the meaning of "knew"? (He knew) that she had conceived. And she saw his likeness that it was not of the earthly beings, but of the heavenly beings, and she prophesied || and said: "I have gotten a man with the Lord" (ibid.).

Rabbi Miasha said: Cain was born, and his wife, his twin-sister, with him. Rabbi Simeon said to him: Has it not already been said, "And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a shameful thing"? (Lev. 20:17). From these words know that there were no other women whom they could marry, and these were permitted to them, as it is said, "For I have said, The world shall be built up by love" (Ps. 89:2). With love was the world built up before the Torah had been given. Rabbi Joseph said: Cain and Abel were twins, as it is said, "And she conceived, and bare (with) Cain" (Gen. 4:1). At that hour she had an additional capacity for child-bearing (as it is said), "And she continued to bear his brother Abel" (Gen. 4:2).

Now Cain was a man who loved the ground in order to sow seed; and Abel was a man who loved to tend the sheep; the one gave of his produce as food for the other, and the latter gave of his produce as food for his (brother). The evening of the festival of Passover arrived. Adam called his sons and said to them: In this (night) in the future Israel will bring Paschal offerings, bring ye also (offerings) before your Creator.

(Cain) brought the remnants of his meal of roasted grain, (and) the seed of flax, and Abel brought of the firstlings of his sheep, and of their fat, he-lambs, which had not been shorn of their wool. The offering of || Cain was precluded, and the offering of Abel was acceptable, as it is said, "And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering" (Gen. 4:4).