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THE TALMUD

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UNIVERSITY

OF

CALIFOR

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THE TALMUD, THE MIDRASHIM, AND

KABBALA

HERE do we learn that the Shechinah rests even upon

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one who studies the law? In Exodus xx. 24, where it is written, "In all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee." Berachoth, fol. 6, col. 1. heart is of more avail (See Prov. xvii. 10.) Ibid., fol. 7, col. 1.

One pang of remorse at a man's than many stripes applied to him.

God is one Lord! »

"Here, O Israel, the Lord our (Deut. vi. 4.) Whosoever prolongs the utterance of the word one, shall have his days and years prolonged to him. So also Zohar, syn. tit. ii. Ibid., fol. 13, col. 2.

Once, as the Rabbis tell us, the Roman Government issued a decree forbidding Israel to study the law. Whereupon Pappus, the son of Yehudah, one day found Rabbi Akiva teaching it openly to multitudes, whom he had gathered round him to hear it. "Akiva," said he, "art thou not "List," was the reply, "and

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afraid of the Government? I will tell thee how it is by a parable. It is with me as with the fishes whom a fox, walking once by a river's side, saw darting distractedly to and fro in the stream; and, addressing, inquired, 'From what, pray, are ye fleeing?' 'From the nets,' they replied, 'which the children of men have set to ensnare us. 'Why, then,' rejoined the fox, 'not try the dry land with me, where you and I can live together, as our fathers managed to do before us?' 'Surely,' exclaimed they, thou art not he of whom we have heard so much as the most cunning of animals, for herein thou art not wise, but foolish. For if we have cause to fear where it is natural for us to live, how much more reason have we to do so where we needs must die!'

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