Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/135

 Abraham and Lot

He was

loving disposition.

117

fond of using the saying, "Be

of the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving

all

men and

bringing them near to the law (of God)".

two men made a wager, one betting that angry, and the other betting that he It happened to be just before the beginning of could not. Sabbath, and Hillel was bathing himself and preparing to welcome the Sabbath in true Jewish spirit. The man who had made the wager came to Hillel's house and called out, Hillel heard and clothed himself and "Is Hillel at home?" came down. "What is it, my son?" he asked. "I would ask a question; "why have the Babylonians such pointed heads?" It was a very foolish question, but the man asked it purposely, thinking that Hillel would resent being disturbed for such a trivial thing. But Hillel answered, just as if it were a wise question, "It is because they have no good physicians, my son". The man departed and Hillel went back to his bath. But soon the man returned and again called out, "Is Hillel at home?" Again Hillel dressed and came down. "I would ask another question why have the men of Tadmor (a famous city in the desert northeast of Palestine) such narrow eyes?" "Because they Hve in the sandy desert (and the glare of the. sun forces them to always keep their eyes half closed), my son". Again the man went away and Hillel returned to his bath. But a third time the man came with another silly question, and once more Hillel clothed himself and came down. "Why have the people of Africa such big feet?" "Because they dwell in a swampy country, my son", was the patient reply. Then the man said, "I would ask many more questions, but I fear that thou mayest become angry". At this Hillel sat down and said, "Ask all thy questions, my son". Then the man himself became angry and said in a loud voice, "Art thou indeed Hillel, whom they call the Prince? Well, may there not be many more

One

day,

he could"

it

is

make

told,

Hillel



like

thee in

Israel".

In surprise

PTillel

asked,

"Why, my