Bava Batra

But [this is really the explanation], if his mother's father [descended] from Joseph, his mother's mother  [descended] from Jethro; if his mother's father [descended] from Jethro, his mother's mother [descended] from Joseph.  [This may] also [be confirmed by] deduction, for it is written, of the daughters of Putiel, from which two  [lines of ancestry]  are to be inferred. Raba said: He who [wishes] to take a wife should inquire about [the character of] her brothers. For it is said, And Aaron took Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab, the sister of Nahshon;  since it is stated the daughter of Amminadab, would it not he obvious that she is the sister of Nahshon? Then why should it be expressly stated, the sister of Nahshon? From here, [then], it is to be inferred that he who takes a wife should inquire about [the character of] her brothers. It was taught:  Most children resemble the brothers of the mother. And they turned aside thither, and said unto him: 'Who brought thee hither?  and what doest thou in this [place]?  and what hast thou here?  They  said unto him:  'Are you not a descendant of Moses of whom it is written, Draw not nigh hither?  Are you not a descendant of Moses of whom it is written, What is this  in thy hand?  Are you not a descendant of Moses of whom it is written, But as for thee, stand thou here  by me?  Would you be made a priest for idol-worship?' — He said unto them: I have the following tradition from my grandfather's family: At all times shall one [rather] hire himself out to idol-worship than be in need [of the help] of [his fellow] creatures. He thought that 'Abodah Zarah  [meant] actual [idol worship], but it is not so, [the meaning being,] 'work which is strange to him';  as Rab said  to R. Kahana: Flay  a carcass in the street and earn  a wage, and say not, 'I am a great man and the work is degrading to me'. When David saw that he had an exceptional liking for money, he put him in charge over the treasuries, for it is said, Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh  was ruler over the treasuries.  But was his name Shebuel? Surely his name was Jonathan! — R. Johanan said: [He was called Shebuel]  because he returned to God  with all his heart. AND SONS [INHERIT FROM, AND TRANSMIT TO THEIR] FATHER. Whence is this  derived? — It is written, If a man die, [and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter].  [From this it is to he inferred that] the reason  is because he have no son but if he have a son the son takes precedence. R. Papa said to Abaye: Might it not be inferred  that if there be a son, the son is to be the heir; [if] there be a daughter, the daughter is to be the heir; [and if] there be [both] a son and a daughter, neither the one is to he heir nor the other? — But