Page:Hebrew tales; selected and translated from the writings of the ancient Hebrew sages (1917).djvu/68

64 When a person commits a fault, does he not endeavor to hide it from his fellow-creature? Would any one be guilty of a crime were he certain it would be known? And what can be hidden from the all-seeing eye of God!"

Berakot, 28b; Abot de-Rabbi Natan, Recension A, ch. XXV (ed. Schechter, p. 79).

Milton's "Dark from Excess of Light." Anticipated and applied by R. Joshua, in answer to a demand of the Emperor Trajan

"You teach," said the Emperor Trajan to Rabbi Joshua, "that your God is everywhere, and boast that he resides among your nation. I should like to see him."—"God's presence is indeed everywhere," replied Joshua, "but he cannot be seen; no mortal eye can behold his glory."—The emperor insisted. "Well," said Joshua, "suppose we try to look first at one of his ambassadors? "—The emperor consented.—The Rabbi took him in the open air at noon-day, and bid him look at the sun in its meridian splendor.—"I cannot," said Trajan, "the light dazzles me."—"Thou art unable," said Joshua, "to endure the light of one of his creatures, and canst thou expect to behold the resplendent glory of the Creator? Would not such a sight annihilate thee!"

Hullin, 59b-60a.