St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-03-23
ROSES FROM THE TALMUD.

stories IN Wbtcft hnoOtS ana OtftefS marc
Rejoiced for Ages-Flo,cers Whose Fra
GRANGE is for all Time.
The Talmud-that vast and comprehen-
siye encyclopedia of rabbinical law and
legend, decision and Interpretation, wit and
wisdom, embracing the views and principles
of thousand rabbis stretching over nearly a
thousand years-can aptly be compared with
garden. But, although the cline is an
eastern one, and the sky and atmosphere
wholly different from our own, certain roses
that pose in that garden appeal to the human
heart in every age. Let US Gull few OF
these roses-a few fresh varieties which will
probably be new to the general reader:
A king had in his garden yawning pit OF
great magnitude. One day he hired num-
Der of workmen to fill it up. Some went to
the sides of the pit, and as they saw its depth
hey exclaimed: ''How is it possible to fill
itp' And they gave up the work in despair.
But the others said: ''What matters it how
deep it isl We are engaged for the day and
are happy to have something to do. Let us
be faithful in our duty and we will fill the pit
as soon as we possibly can" Let not man
say: Chow Unreasonable is the divine law,
it is deeper than the sea, how many statutes
to perform, how can we carry them outF'
God says to man, thou art engaged by the
day, do the work which thou canst, and think
of naught else"
A prince once distributed costly garments
among his slaves. The wise one kept theirs
carefully, but the foolish wore theirs even on
workdays. Suddenly the prince summoned
his slaves in his presence, and said: 81 wish
to see again the clothes which | gave you. "
The garments of the wise slaves were clean,
without fold or stain; but the attire of the
foolish slaves was stained and spoiled
Earnestly rang out the princes words: rye
wise ones, take your garments home and
live in peace!" Let thy soul return to its
Maker as pure as when given thee. God
may summon it at any moment.
Rabbi Johanan went out walking with
some friends, and crossing field he stopped
and pointing to beautiful vineyard, said
''This was mine, and sold it for the poor,
so that might devote myself wholly to stu
dy." Going further, he pointed to a spacious
field: ''This, too" he exclaimed, "once
was mine; bnt sold it, so as to have no
other care than my studies" A few min
utes' walk brought them to another field:
"This was my last possession" he said,
''but gave it up so that 1 might have no
other thought than the study of the law"
His friends, saddened at his words, replied
''What hast thou preserved for thy old age?'
care We anxious ON that account?" said he,
smiling. sWhy, I have resigned things
which are given us only for few days,
for a possession that will last much
longer"
A sage of old, who acted as judge, devoted
all his time to the public service and seldom
had moments rest. One day, as he hast
ened from the bath and entered the tribunal
to decide questions of law, his servant gave
him glass of wine to refresh his energies.
The sage was on the point of taking the wine
when he was interrupted by some urgent
case, and left the glass untouched. In the
meanwhile, the servant had seated himself
and was fast asleep. The sage gazed round
and noticed his sleeping servant. He broke
sion, and said: elbow wretched, after all,
mans sleep. Our greatness allows US nei-
Their rest nor Sleep"
Once a sage met the Prophet Elijah in the
crowded market place, and full of GU
riosity he asked Elijah who of all the bustling
WOulu NC SdNCu NOuC, lCJOlHCu
the prophet, slowly. ''Whatl" replied the
moment two men entered the street and
mingled with the crowd. They seemed in
humble circumstances and no one noticed
them or babe them greeting. "These will
be saved" said the prophet. The sage adj
vancing reverently toward them, said:
evil you kindly tell me what is yonr occu-
patton in life, what are your virtues, what
are your deeds?" 'sVirtues, deeds?" they
replied. Gin truth you must be confusing
us with somebody else We are poor people
and live by the work of our hands. Our only
merit is that we have merry hearts. When
we meet one who is sad we strive to chase
away his sorrow. When we learn of two who
are at enmity we step in and seek to make
peace. This is our life work.
When the Egyptians sank into the sea the
angels prepared to sing hymn of joy.
Then God spoke in His anger: "My crea-
lures have sunk into the sea, and We would
sing song!" When the hour for heathen-
ism's fall draws nigh, so as to make room
for Israel's triumph, Heaven will exclaim :
'Both are my creatures; shall I destroy one
for the other?" The Lord assured Moses,
''Isrelite or heather, man or woman, serv-
ant or freeman, all are equal in my sight,
every good deed has its reward
Joshua ben Hananja was highly esteemed
for his wisdom at the Roman court, but his
personal appearance was not prepossessing,
for he was small and exceedingly plain. One
day the Emperor's daughter exclaimed as she
saw him pass: "What hideous covering for
so much wisdom?" Unabashed by her words
he stopped to speak to her and, after some
casual talk, asked her how her fathers wine
was preserved. ''Why in earthern jars" she
replied. ''Earthen jars?" he rejoined.
''That is the usual way, know, but an EN-
peror's wine should be preserved in golden
casks" ''You are right" she answered, and
ran to order the wine to be placed in silver
or golden vessels. But soon it turned sour.
The Empror being Informed of the fact, had
his daughter summoned, who told him OF
the rabbits advice. At once they sent fol
Joshua. ''What peculiar ADVICE" said the
Emperor. ''Dost thou wish my wine to be
Destroyed" 81 wished to give your daugh-
ter lesson" the rabbi rejoined. 'Youl
daughter laid stress on external beauty alone
and despised me on account of my figure.
Wisdom, like wine, keeps best in plain jars u
'But," added the princess" I know some
who are both wise and handsome" "They
would be WISER" said the rabbi, ''if they
were less handsome
The ethics of the Talmud gave the Jew
such moral sturdiness and strength that
Heine was perfectly justified in the remark
81 see now, the Greeks were only beautiful
youth, but the Jews were always men, pow,
erful, unbending men" -Chicago Current
HIS Dead Child.
New Orleans Times-Democrat.1
The other day New Orleans man had oc.
casion to go over the lake. On his way back