The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-20

Besides probably equal amount for precious
stones, marble and other building materials
making a grand total Of about $500 0O0 900. The
above figures are based the account given in
/ Kings. v, and l Chronicles. xxx of David's
preparations for the temple. together with the
donations by the leaders Of Israel.
Herod's temple was even superior In beauty
and more costly 1T built of interesting
bevelei-edged alabaster and marble that resem-
bled the waves Of the sea-
But Herod was out-Heroded by the mag
niicent labyrinth in the dual metropolis Of
Alexandria. Egypt. controlled by the Hellenistio
Jewish population, which r. judah estimates as
twice 600 900. the number Of Jews in the Egyptian
exodus. The labyrinth contained seventy-one
cathedrals for the seventy-one Sanhedr1n of the
Great Assembly. Every cathedral cost no less
than 100000 talents of gold. This item alone,
seventy-one times 10000 times $4,000, foots up
1857. $40. 00O, 600.
When Jerusalem beseged before the sec
ond destruction there were three rich Jews
named. respectively, Nikedemon Ben Glorion
Ben Ks.lba-Sabna and Ben Tzitzithha- kesath
They resolved. rather than to surrender to the
enemy. to feed all the inhabitants Of Jerusalem
during twenty-one years if necessary. One of
them stipulated to furnish wheat and barley,
another to furnish wine and oil and another
firewood. Assuming that the population was
1.O0O 900 (by actual census at the Passover fes-
tival in the year 60. three years before the
destruction) and allowing but 800 year for the
maintenance Of a person. the sum would be
s., 100. O00, 900.
It is interesting to note that the daughter Of
Nikodemon was allowed. by the Jewish Court Of
Beth-din. daily of 400 gold denarim for
her cosmetics "a Roman copper denarim was
worth about II cents. and there were twenty five
multiplied by $50 days equals $50 o5O 900. without
taking into account various sums for headgear
dressmakers' bills. ornaments and pin money
which in ordinary cases exceeds 100 times, at
least, the value of cosmetics That would swell
the total to SPA 100 outside of other house.
hold expenses. And yet Miss Nikodemon ap-
pears to have been dissatisfied with the small
appropriation for her cosmetics as she sneering-
ly thanked the rabbi judges for their liberal
ity' and wished their own daughters to fare no
better. The rabbis. however accepted the
"curse" with grace and answered Amen"
r. Johanan Ben Zakkai witnessed the Kethuba
emarriage jointure) of Miss Nikodemon, wherein
was recorded her dowry of 1000. 900 gold denarim
s425 00o 00o besides the dowry OF her father in
law. Nikodemon himself is reported to have
stepped silks all the way from his house to
the Beth Hamidrash daily. and every time the
silks were allowed to be picked up by the poor
Among other rich celebrities are r. Elieber
ben Azariah, who contributed annual 1.-THE of
1900 sheep. on income of 1000 sheep. or at
$40 apiece, 81. 0oo. 600 per annum. and r. Judah
h-Nasi L, whose stable master was richer than
King Shabur.
AS a rule the Agadic stories intended only
as moral lessons Nevertheless. like a good his
torical novel. they have some basis in the under
ground. And doubt there existed immense
riches in those times. more than the average
modern historian to admit.-The Memorial