Pesachim

They who recognize their colleagues’ place in the academy. Others state, R. Eleazar said: They who welcome their colleagues in the academy.1 What does ‘and for stately clothing’ [li-mekasseh ‘athik]2 mean? That refers to him who ‘conceals’ [mekasseh] the things which the Ancient [‘athik] of days3 concealed. And what is that? The secrets of the Torah.4 Others explain: That refers to him who reveals the things which the Ancient of days concealed [kissah]. And what is it ? The reasons of the Torah.5 R. Kahana said on the authority of R. Ishmael b. R. Jose: What is meant by, ‘For the leader [la-menazzeah]: a Psalm of David?6 Sing praises to Him who rejoices when they conquer Him.7 Come and see how the character of the Holy One, blessed be He, is not like that of mortal man. The character of mortal man is such that when he is conquered he is unhappy, but when the Holy One is conquered He rejoices,for it is said, Therefore He said that He would destroy them, had not Moses His chosen stood before Him in the breach, [to turn back His wrath].8 R. Kahana said on the authority of R. Ishmael son of R. Jose, and our Rabbis said in the name of R. Judah Nisi'ah:9 What is implied by the verse, And they had the hands of a man under their wings?10 Yado [his hand] is written:11 this refers to the Hand of the Holy One, blessed be He, which is spread out under the wings of the Hayyoth,12 in order to accept penitents [and shield them] from13 the Attribute of Justice.14 Rab Judah said in Samuel's name: All the gold and silver in the world Joseph gathered in and brought to Egypt, for it is said, And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found [in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan].15 Now I know it only about that of Egypt and Canaan; whence do we know it about that of other countries? Because it is stated, And all the countries came unto Egypt [to Joseph to buy corn].16 And when the Israelites migrated from Egypt they carried it away with them, for it is said, and they despoiled the Egyptians.17 R. Assi said: They made it like a trap in which there is no corn;18 R. Simeon b. Lakish said: Like a pond without fish.19 Thus it [the treasure] lay until Rehoboam, when Shishak king of Egypt came and seized it from Rehoboam, for it is said, And it came to pass in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem; and he took away the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king's house.20 Then Zerah, king of Ethiopia, came and seized it from Shishak; then Assa came and seized it from Zerah king of Ethiopia and sent it to Hadrimon the son of Tabrimon. The Ammonites came and seized it from Hadrimon the son of Tabrimon. Jehoshaphat came and seized it from the Ammonites, and it remained so until Ahaz, when Sennacherib came and took it from Ahaz. Then Hezekiah came and took it from Sennacherib, and it remained thus until Zedekiah, when the Babylonians [Chaldeans] came and seized it from Zedekiah. The Persians came and took it from the Chaldeans; the Greeks came and took it from the Persians . the Romans came and took it from the Greeks, and it is still lying in Rome. R. Hama son of R. Hanina said: Three treasures did Joseph hide in Egypt: one was revealed to Korah; one to Antoninus the son of Severus;21 and the third is stored up for the righteous for the future time. Riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt:22 R. Simeon b. Lakish said: This refers to Korah's wealth. And a the substance that was at their feet.23 R. Eleazar said: This refers to a man's wealth, which puts him on his feet. R. Levi said: The keys of Korah's treasure-house were a load for three hundred white mules,24 though all the keys and locks were of leather.25 (Mnemonic: Diyash, ADYish, Kashdek, me-Odeka)26 R. Samuel b. Nahmani said in R. Jonathan's name: I will give thanks unto Thee, for Thou hast answered me27 was said by David; The stone which the builders rejected is become the chief corner-stone;28 by Yishai [Jesse]; This is the Lord's doing,29 by his brothers; This is the day which the Lord hath made30 by Samuel. We beseech ‘Thee, O Lord, save now!31 was said by his brothers: We beseech Thee, O Lord, make us now to prosper! by David; Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord,32 by Jesse; We bless you out of the house of the Lord,32 by Samuel; The Lord is God, and hath given us light,33 by all of them; Order the festival procession with boughs, by Samuel; Thou art my God, and I will give thanks unto Thee,34 by David; Thou art my God, I will exalt Thee, by all of them. We learned elsewhere: Where it is the practice colleagues who arrive latter. who makes men victorious. a net without fish.] me-Odeka == on the passage commencing Odeka, ‘I will give thanks unto Thee’.