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of her sons high priests in one day. She had seven sonseach of whom was high priest in turn all through the meritof her extreme modesty.

40. A Matrona asked R. Jose b. Halafta why it was said" God gives wisdom to the wise." The answer was:" Becausethey know how to make use of it, they study in schools andcolleges and do not waste it in circuses and amphitheatres."41. A Matrona asked R. Jose b. Halafta why the covenantof Abraham was not mentioned in the ten commandmentsand the reply was:" The proselyte mentioned therein impliesto the covenant."

42. A heathen asked R. Gamliel why God revealed Himselfto Moses in the bush. The answer was" to show that Godis everywhere."

43. A Matrona charged R. Jehuda b. Hai with being anusurer or rearer of swine( that was why he looked so well- fed):He denied it and explained that it was due to his cleanlinessand attention to dress.

44. An heathen accused R. Jehuda b. Hai of usury becausehe looked so well- fed. The reply was, that it was not fromusury, rearing of swine or drinking, all forbidden to the Jewsthat his face shone, but from the study of the Law.

45. A man whilst praying did not return the salute of theHegemon. The excuse he gave was that standing beforethe King of Kings, he could not pay respect to inferiors.

46. Beruria taught her husband R. Meir, who was troubledby wicked people, to pray against sin and not againstsinners.

47. Beruria and the wife of a Min disputed about thewords" Rejoice O barren one", and the woman asked whyshe should rejoice because she had not had any children andthe answer was, let her rejoice that she had not borne achild, since it would have been destined for Gehinom.

48. A Min and R. Abahu disputed about the sequence ofPs. 3-57 and he asked why Absolom was mentioned beforeSaul. The reply was that, in the Bible events were notalways narrated in chronological order.