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him on the way various properties which he had sold inorder to be able to pursue his studies.

282 f. 191 a. Ahab though wicked refused to hand overthe Scroll of the Law to Ben Hadad and for this alone wassaved from the siege by the latter. Jehoran, his son like-wise wicked, yet put on sackcloth together with Israel, andwas helped by God against the foe.

283 f. 191 b. Simeon the Temanite was absent on the eveof a Holyday from the Beth Ha- Midrash because, inorder to protect the town, he had treated a legion ofsoldiers to a feast.

284 f. 192a. Story of how Onķelos b. Kalonikos con-verted to Judaism all the legions sent against him.

285 f. 192b. Rabbi Hoshaya b. Levi found in a bookof Agada that there are 175 sections in the Torah corre-sponding with the 175 years of Abraham, 147 psalms-corresponding with the years of Jacob and 123 Halleluyahs,-the number of the years of Aaron.

286 f. 193 a. A Matrona asked Rabbi José b. Halaftawhy Esau was first- born. He replied:" to cleanse theplace for the birth of Jacob."

287 f. 193a. The Matriarchs were barren. This was toteach them( 1) not to rely upon their own excellency( 2)not to ascribe children to the power of idols, because asyoung girls they happened to have been delivered into thehands of the priests of idols( their parents being idol-worshippers), and( 3) to pray to God for children.

288 f. 193 b. Elazar b. Parta and Ḥananya b. Teradyonwere brought up for judgment, for studying the law. Theformer expected punishment for he had committed manysins but by clever answers and by miracles he escaped,the prophet Elijah appearing to protect him.

He

Hananya, however, was condemned to be burned.had once pronounced the Ineffable Name. His wife wassentenced to death because she had not prevented him atthe time. His daughter was sent among prostitutes forher vanity shewn once before great men of Rome.