Page:Hebrew tales; selected and translated from the writings of the ancient Hebrew sages (1917).djvu/43

Rh entertaining them nobly, he gave them a very handsome present for the poor. They accepted it, and taking out the subscription list of the preceding year—"See," said they to him, "though many exceeded thee in their donations, yet we have placed thee at the very top of the list, convinced that the smallness of thy gift at that time arose from want of means—not from want of inclination. It is to men like thou art that the wise king alluded, when he said: 'A man's gift maketh room for him and bringeth him before the great men.'"

On Pretended Majorities

" is declared in your law," said a heathen once to Rabbi Joshua, the son of Karha, "that in matters where unanimity cannot be obtained, you ought to follow the majority; and you allow that we heathen are more numerous than you are; then why do you not follow our mode of worship?" "Before I answer thy interrogation," replied the Rabbi, "permit me to ask thee a question: Hast thou any children?" "Alas!" exclaimed the heathen, "thou remindest me of the greatest of my troubles."