The Rabbi took the key of the synagogue, and they went in there together. In the synagogue all was quiet.
The Rabbi put on a prayer-scarf and a robe, lighted some black candles, threw off his shoes, took the Jew by the hand, and led him up to the ark.
The Rabbi opened the ark, took out a scroll of the Law, and said:
"You know that for us Jews the scroll of the Law is the most sacred of all things, and that the list of denunciations occurs in it twice.
"I swear to you by the scroll of the Law: If any Jew, whosoever he be, requires blood at Passover, may all the curses contained in the two lists of denunciations be on my head, and on the head of my whole family!"
The Jew was greatly startled.
He knew that the Rabbi had never before sworn an oath, and now, for his sake, he had sworn an oath so dreadful!
The Jew wept much, and said:
"Dear Rabbi, I have sinned before God and before you. I pray you, pardon me and give me a hard penance, as hard as you please. I will perform it willingly, and may God forgive me likewise!"
The Rabbi comforted him, and told no one what had happened, he only told a few very near relations, just to show them how people can be talked into believing the greatest foolishness and the most wicked lies.