Page:Hebrew tales; selected and translated from the writings of the ancient Hebrew sages (1917).djvu/59

Rh True Charity—An Anecdote of Mar Ukba

was one of those chiefs of Israel, who, in addition to great learning and wisdom, was blessed with great riches; of which no one knew how to make a better use than he. Independent of his general charity, he made it a rule to give annually to a number of poor men a certain sum, sufficient to maintain them comfortably. Among these, there was one to whom he used to give four hundred crowns on the day preceding the day of Atonement. It happened once that he sent this gift by his son, who, on his return, represented to his father that he was bestowing his charity on very unworthy objects. "Why, what is the matter?" asked Mar Ukba. "I have," replied the son, "seen that man, whom you think so poor, and who does not blush to live on charity—I have seen him and his family indulge themselves in great luxuries; drinking the most costly wines." "Hast thou?" replied the benevolent chief;—"then, I dare say, the unfortunate man has seen better days. Accustomed to such good living I wonder how he can come out with the small, allowance we make him. Here, take this purse with money to him; and, for the future, let his allowance be doubled."

Ketubot, 67b.