The wicked kingdom once decreed that the Jews should not keep the Sabbath, nor circumcise their children, nor keep the law of purification according to the Bible. Reuben the son of Astrobolus disguised as a counsellor frustrated the decree. He said: “We want them to become poor and then to prevent them working one day (Sabbath). If thej? are to be weak then let their children be circumcised and if they are to diminish in number let them keep the law of purification.” After a time they recognised that he had been a Jew and they renewed the decree. Two sages went as messengers, one Eleazar the son of Joseph and the other Simon bar Temalion. A demon entered the daughter of the Emperor and he left her at their bidding. As a reward they were allowed to tear up the decree.