Page:Hebrew tales; selected and translated from the writings of the ancient Hebrew sages (1917).djvu/107

Rh "think ye that your master ought to be more punctilious about his honor than his Creator? Even, the Adorable, blessed be , permitted His holy name to be obliterated, in order to promote peace between man and wife, and shall I consider anything as an indignity that can effect so desirable an object? Learn, then, that no act is disgraceful that tends to promote the happiness and peace of mankind. It is vice and wickedness only that can degrade us." Leviticus Rabba, § IX; Numbers Rabba, § IX.

The Lawful Heir

Israelite, who dwelt at a considerable distance from Jerusalem, had an only son, whom he sent to the Holy City for education. During his absence, the father was suddenly taken ill. Seeing his end approaching, he made his will, by which he left all his property to a slave whom he named, on condition that he should permit his son to select out of that property any single thing he might choose. No sooner was the master dead, than the slave, elated with the prospect of so much wealth, hastened to Jerusalem, informed the son of what had taken place, and showed him the will. The young