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 to return. But never mind the barley; we suppose it is spoiled, and hardly worth taking away." "You are mistaken," said the good Phinehas, "your barley is as good as ever." He then led them to the barn, and to their great surprise and joy, delivered to them about 500 measures; the produce of that which they had left behind.

Deuteronomy Rabba, § III.

The Fox and the Fish; A Fable of Rabbi Akiba

was the lot of Rabbi Akiba to live in most calamitous times. Jerusalem was in ruins; the flower of the nation had either perished during the war, or had been carried in captivity to grace the triumph of the conqueror; and the miserable remnant that was permitted to remain in their once happy, but then desolated country, groaned under the iron yoke of the Romans; who, attributing the heroic resistance which the people had made to their arms, and the obstinacy with which they had defended their country, to the spirit of their religion, wished totally to abolish it; and with this view forbade them its free exercise, and the study of the law. Akiba observed the deplorable condition of his brethren; and, fearing lest the knowledge of the law should be totally lost, ventured, notwithstanding the Roman decrees, to instruct the people in their religious duties, and