Page:Hebrew tales; selected and translated from the writings of the ancient Hebrew sages (1917).djvu/33

Rh The Heavenly Lamp

was once asked, whether it was allowable to extinguish a candle on the Sabbath, in case it incommoded a sick person. "What a question you ask!" replied the Rabbi. "True, you call a burning candle, a light, so is the soul of man; nay, it is called 'a heavenly light.' Is it not better to extinguish an earthly light, than a heavenly light?" Shabbat, 30a.

True Charity Knows no Law—Illustrated by a Tale of Rabbi Tanchuma

the days of Rabbi Tanchuma, when, in consequence of a great drought, a fast had been proclaimed, the people fasted several days, but no rain came. The Rabbi then addressed them thus:—"My children," said he, "if you wish your fast to be acceptable to God, let it be accompanied by acts of charity and good-will." The people opened their purses, and distributed money to the poor and needy.

While thus laudably employed, they perceived a man give some money to a poor