CONTENTS

PAGE
Preface[5]
I.The Wisdom of Ben Sira:
1. Wisdom Is a Source of Happiness[19]
2. The Usefulness of the Physician[20]
3. In Praise of the High Priest Simeon the Son of Johanan[21]
II.The Mishnah:
1. The Bringing of the First-Fruits to Jerusalem[24]
2. The Libation of Water and the Water-Drawing Feast[26]
III.Abot De-Rabbi Nathan:
Rabban Johanan the Son of Zaccai’s Pupils Offer Consolations to Their Master on the Death of His Son[29]
IV.The Babylonian Talmud:
1. The Martyrdom of Rabbi Akiba[32]
2. A Controversy on the Merits of Charity[34]
3. Maxims and Admonitions[35]
V.The Midrash:
1. The Prophet Jeremiah Meets Mother Zion Mourning for Her Exiled Children[38]
2. The Death of Moses[39]
VI.Eleazar Be-Rabbi Kalir:
1. A Complaint[45]
2. The Patriarchs and Matriarchs Intercede on Behalf of Their Exiled Children[46]
VII.Eldad Ha-Dani:
Eldad Leaves His Native Place Beyond the Rivers of Cush[49]
VIII.Josippon:
Mattathias Charges His Sons Before His Death, and Appoints Judah Who Is Called Maccabæus as Leader in His Stead[55]
IX.Sa’adya Gaon B. Joseph:
A Prayer Entitled Magen U-Mehayyeh (Shield and Quickener)[59]
X.Nathan Ha-Babli:
The Installation of an Exilarch[64]
XI.Joseph B. Isaac Ibn Abitor:
1. Hymn Based on Psalm 120[69]
2. Hymn Based on Psalm 121[70]
3. Hymn Based on Psalm 122[72]
4. Hymn Based on Psalm 123[73]
XII.Hai B. Sherira Gaon:
Maxims and Admonitions[75]
XIII.Samuel Ha-Nagid:
1. On Leaving Cordova[77]
2. On Having Been Saved in Mid-Ocean From a Tunny Fish[78]
XIV.Solomon B. Judah Ibn Gebirol:
1. On Leaving Saragossa[82]
2. A Vow to Seek Wisdom[84]
3. The Royal Crown[86]
XV.Bahya B. Joseph Ibn Pakuda:
Pious Reflections and Admonitions to the Soul[91]
XVI.Ahimaaz B. Paltiel:
Shephatiah Before His Death on Rosh ha-Shanah Declares that the Tyrant Basil Is Dead[96]
XVII.Moses B. Jacob Ibn Ezra:
1. Dirge on the Death of His Brother[100]
2. Poem Addressed to One of His Noblest Friends[101]
3. Poem in Honor of the Wedding of Solomon b. Matir[103]
XVIII.Judah B. Samuel Ha-Levi:
1. Ode to Zion[106]
2. Meditations in Mid-Ocean[108]
3. Letter Addressed to Nathan b. Samuel[110]
XIX.Abraham B. Meir Ibn Ezra:
1. Plaintive Song[115]
2. Penitential Prayer[116]
3. The Epistle of Hai b. Mekiz[117]
XX.Abraham Ibn Daud:
The Four Captives[123]
XXI.Benjamin of Tudela:
Description of Jerusalem and Its Surroundings[127]
XXII.The Book of Yashar:
Moses Having Taken a Besieged City Is Proclaimed King of Cush[132]
XXIII.Judah B. Saul Ibn Tibbon:
Why the Jewish Religion Does Not Especially Encourage Asceticism[137]
XXIV.Moses B. Maimon:
A Man Should Choose the Golden Mean[143]
XXV.Joseph B. Meir Ibn Zabara:
Jacob the Broker and the Necklace[148]
XXVI.Samuel B. Judah Ibn Tibbon:
On the Limitations of Man’s Intellect[152]
XXVII.Judah B. Solomon Al-Harizi:
Seven Young Men Discuss the Merits of the Various Virtues[156]
XXVIII.Judah B. Samuel He-Hasid of Regensburg:
Certain Forms of Virtue Lead to Sin[162]
XXIX.Eleazar B. Judah B. Kalonymos of Worms:
Moral Admonitions and Precepts[167]
XXX.Moses B. Nahman:
Ethical Letter, Praising Humility, Addressed to His Son[171]
XXXI.Solomon B. Abraham Ibn Adret:
Epistle Prohibiting Anyone Under Twenty-Five Years of Age to Study Philosophy[176]
XXXII.Jedaiah Ha-Bedersi:
The Nothingness of Man and His Pursuits[183]
XXXIII.Immanuel B. Solomon of Rome:
The Poet Visits Paradise[188]
XXXIV.Judah B. Asher:
Ethical and Moral Admonitions[194]
XXXV.Kalonymos B. Kalonymos B. Meir:
Admonitions to His Heart[198]
XXXVI.Levi B. Gershon:
The Difficulties in Investigating the Problem Whether the Universe Is Created or Eternal[202]
XXXVII.Profiat Duran:
The Definition of the Science of Language and Its Branches[206]
XXXVIII.Simon B. Zemah Duran:
On the Problem Why the Wicked Prosper and the Righteous are in Distress[210]
XXXIX.Joseph Albo:
The Various Ranks of Prophecy[215]
XL.Isaac B. Judah Abravanel:
The Advantages of a Republic Over a Monarchy[221]
XLI.Solomon Ibn Verga:
A Jew Is Accused of Murdering a Christian, But His Innocence Is Proved[225]
XLII.Abraham B. Mordecai Ferizol:
A Jew Who Claims to Belong to the Ten Tribes Visits Italy[230]
XLIII.Joseph B. Joshua B. Meir Ha-Kohen:
The Crusaders Massacre the Jews at Meurs[235]
XLIV.Menasseh B. Joseph Ben Israel:
The Soul Is Likened to the Moon[240]
XLV.Moses Hayyim Luzzatto:
Dialogue Between Understanding and Uprightness[243]
XLVI.Naphtali Hirz (Hartwig) Wessely:
Moses Prepares the People for the Divine Revelation[247]