7. Great is the law, which bestows life on the doers of it, both in this world and in the world to come; as is said, “For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.”[511] And it is said, “It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.”[512] And it is said, “She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her; and happy is everyone that retaineth her.”[513] And it is said, “For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.”[514] And it is said, “She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.”[515] And it is said, “Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honor.”[516] And it is said, “For length of days and long life, and peace shall they add to thee.”[517]
8. Rabbi Simeon, son of Judah, in the name of Rabbi Simeon, son of Jochai, said, “beauty, strength, riches, honor, wisdom, age, hoariness, and many children, are suitable for the righteous, and suitable for the world; as is said, ‘The [pg 219] hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.’[518] And it is said, ‘Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children are their fathers.’[519] And it is said, ‘Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of Hosts shall reign on Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem; and before his ancients gloriously.’ ”[520]
9. Rabbi Simeon, son of Manasya, said, “those seven qualities which the Sages counted as proper for the righteous, were all established in the Rabbi (Judah) and his children.” Rabbi José, son of Kishma, said, “I was once travelling along the road and met a certain person, who saluted me with peace, and I returned his salutation. He then said to me, ‘Rabbi, whence art thou?’ I answered him, ‘from a great city abounding in sages and scribes:’ said he to me, ‘if thou be willing to dwell with us in our city, then will I give thee a thousand thousand golden dinars, and precious stones and pearls.’ To this I answered, ‘if thou wouldst give me all the silver and gold, and precious stones and pearls in the world, I would only dwell in a place where the law is studied; because at the time of man's departure from this world he is not accompanied either with silver and gold, and precious stones and pearls, but with the law and good deeds alone, as is said, “When thou goest it shall lead thee: when thou sleepest it shall keep thee: and when thou awakest it shall talk with thee.” ’ ”[521] “When thou goest it shall lead thee,” that is in this world. “When thou sleepest it shall keep thee,” in the grave; “and when thou awakest it shall talk with thee,” in the world to come. And thus it is written in the book of Psalms by the hand of David, King of Israel, “The law of thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver.”[522] And it is said, “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of Hosts.”[523]
10. Five possessions hath the Holy One, blessed be He, obtained in this world, and these are they—the law is one possession; heaven and earth another; Abraham another; Israel another; and the holy Temple another. Now whence is it to be proved that the law is one possession? Because it is written, “The LORD possessed me in the beginning of [pg 220] His way before His works of old.”[524] And whence is it proved that heaven and earth is another possession? Because it is said, “Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool; where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?”[525] And it is said, “O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all; the earth is full of thy riches.”[526] Whence is it proved that Abraham is one possession? Because it is written, “And he blessed him, and said blessed be Abraham of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth.”[527] Whence is it proved that Israel is one possession? Because it is written, “Till thy people pass over, O Lord, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.”[528] And it is said, “But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.”[529] Whence can it be proved that the holy temple is one possession? Because it is said, “The sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.”[530] And it is said, “And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain which his right hand hath purchased.”[531] Everything which God created, he created but for his glory; as is said, “Everyone that is called by my name; for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.”[532] And the Lord will reign forever and ever. R. Chanina, son of Akasea, said, “the Holy One, Blessed be He, wished to purify Israel, wherefore He magnified for them the Law and the Commandments, as is said, ‘The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law and make it honorable.’ ”[533]
The Daily Sacrifice
Guarding the Temple at Night—Taking the Ashes Off the Altar—Casting Lots—Opening the Temple in the Morning—Arranging the Fire on the Altar—The Wood-Kindling—Allotting Services—Examination of the Daily Sacrifice—Slaughter-house—Sounds Heard at Jericho—Snuffing the Candlestick—Position of the Lamb when Slain—Pouring Out its Blood—Preparations for Burning—Order of Carrying the Members to the Altar—Blessings—Cleansing the Vessels of the Holy Place—The High Priest on the Altar—Music and Psalm-Singing.