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120

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buted among the poor food which had been prepared forthe king who had not come. The taxgatherer was shownin Gehinom with an iron bar through his head. The studentwas told that he would only be released on the death ofShimeon ben Sheṭaḥ, who would take his place, because,although head of the Sanhedrin he tolerated witches. Thestudent told Shimeon the dream; he sent 60 pupils whoentered the witches' house by a stratagem, lifted them fromthe ground, broke their magical power and hanged them.False witnesses once testified against Shimeon's son outof revenge, and Shimeon ben Sheṭaḥ condemned him todeath although the falsity was proved.

> 330 333( 54)[ f. 330b]. Mar Ukba inherited a great deal ofGo2 money from his parents. He was lewd and sinned with hisservants. A beautiful girl, Hannah was married to a certainJoseph. Mar Ukba fell in love with her and became veryill, and could not be cured except by seeing Hannah. Joseph,reduced to poverty could not pay his debts and was impri-soned. Hannah went to Ukba and without sinning obtainedthe money for the ransom of her husband, who trusted inher purity. When well again Ukba was seen by the RoshYeshiba with a halo round his head and he discovered thereason. The Rosh Yeshiba and Ukba promised each otherthat he who died first would visit the other. The RoshYeshiba died first, and was struck three times by the Angelof Death. He appeared to Mar Ukba and told him thatthe latter's seat was three degrees above him in Paradiseand he suggested that he,( Ukba) might go down one step,and the Rosh Yeshiba be raised by one step; thus bothwould be equal.

( 55) No. 114 Book of Exempla.

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( 56) No. 103 Book of Exempla.

334( 57)[ f. 332a]. A man with only one son advisedhim on his death bed to occupy himself with study andcharity. Left with 3,000 gold pieces, the latter gave 1,000to assist marriage, 1,000 to bury a great Rabbi and 1,000to annul an evil decree forbidding circumcision and marriage.