Talmudic and other legends

Preface To First Edition

In entering- upon the task of translating and compiling legends, it is meet to have a proper understanding of the adaptability of legends.

Legends are narratives conceived by fancy and imagination, but they often impart valuable lessons, illustrative and descriptive, in their allegoric manner. Pulpit speakers not unfrequently employ them to good advantage in elucidating sublime precepts and divine doctrines. A legend, notwithstanding- its mythical and imaginary character, conveys sometimes ideas expressive of truth incarnate and thoug-ht sublime.

The Talmud abounds in legends, but I have taken special care to compile only such as shall be instructive as well as entertaining to the reader of whatever denomination.

In the " Facts, " I have chronicled many historical events which the reader will not fail to notice.

In the " Fictions," the imaginative talents of our ancient rabbins and sages are so depicted that our esteem, reverence, and respect for them can be but heightened.

In the " Translations " I have added or omitted as the occasion required, either to substitute some idiom unemployable in the English language, or to avoid superfluities unnecessary in the version ;

IV PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION.

but I have, in every instance, taken care not to destroy the property and originalit}-.

As to the superscriptions, I have adapted them to the lessons the subject is to convey. Thus I send out this little work into the world, not as my original production, but as a little flower garden containing some rare plants, collected from vast gardens cultivated by gardeners far superior in talent and learning to the humble compiler — the rabbis of olden times.

I may not have suited the tastes of all, nor is that my expectation, for

" He that writes, Or makes a feast, more certainly invites His judges than his friends; there's not a guest But will find something wanting, or ill-drest,"

but fondly hope that this little volume will find favor with many, and they will aid me in scattering, to some extent, the grains of liberality and profundity of our sages of yore, thus causing the slanderers of the Talmud and ancient Hebrew literature to blush. With this object in view, I commend it to the kind indulgence of the reader.

L. Weiss.

Helena, Ark., June, 1884, 5644 a.m.

Preface To Second Edition

Encouraged by the financial success of my first edition, and the favorable criticism it has received from the press, both religious and secular, notwithstanding its many defects, owing to the utter lack of experience of the publishers in book printing — having been published at Helena, Ark., a village — I issue a second edition, amended, revised, ,and enlarged, making it more interesting and instructive, as well as compatible with all readers of whatever denomination, and hope that it will receive the same welcome as its predecessor received.

L. Weiss.

Contents

?AGE

Origin of Shakespeare's Shylock, .

I

Beware of Hypocrites, ....