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142 !'" answered Baruch angrily, "I know as well as you do that the daily Kadish prayer in the synagogue is repeated in Chaldaic because the bad angels cannot understand the idiom, and because no contrary petition can prevail against it with God; I know as well as you that by the Shophar trumpet on New Year's day Satan is confounded, and a good year for Israel obtained."

Ephraim then expounded the view taken by the great and learned Maimonides, who explained away angelic appearances as mere prophetic visions.

"That borders on heresy! that is abominable!" cried Chisdai.

"Agreed," responded Baruch, with an odd smile. "It is absurd, useless babble if Maimonides twists his own inventions out of the Scriptures and explains supernatural revelations away as dreams. That is half-heartedness. He had not the courage to say 'Thus the Scripture teaches and thus reasons.'" Baruch here stopped; he saw how far he had let himself be led on. He read for awhile in a book, and soon after left the room.

"There he goes," said Chisdai to Ephraim, "he will be a second Acosta."