th
no other manure than the blood of Israel. Rabbi Chiya, the son of Abin,
says that Rabbi Yehoshua, the son of Korcha, said, "An old man, an
inhabitant of Jerusalem, related to me that Nebuzaradan, captain of the
guard, killed in this valley 211 myriads (about 2,110,000), and in
Jerusalem he slaughtered upon one stone 94 myriads (940,000), so that
the blood flowed until it reached the blood of Zechariah, in order that
that might be fulfilled which is said (Hosea iv. 2), 'And blood toucheth
blood.'"

_Gittin_, fol. 57, col. 1.

The seventh of Adar, on which Moses died, was the same day of the same
month on which he was born.

_Soteh_, fol. 10, col. 2.

A male hyaena after seven years becomes a bat; this after seven years, a
vampire; this after other seven years, a nettle; this after seven years
more, a thorn; and this again after seven years is turned into a demon.
If a man does not devoutly bow during the repetition of the daily prayer
which commences, "we reverently acknowledge," his spine after seven
years becomes a serpent.

_Bava Kama_, fol. 16, col. 1.

It is related of Benjamin the righteous, who was keeper of the poor-box,
that a woman came to him at a period of famine and solicited food. "By
the worship of God," he replied, "there is nothing in the box." She then
exclaimed, "O Rabbi, if thou dost not feed me I and my seven children
must needs starve." Upon which he relieved her from his own private
purse. In course of time he fell ill and was nigh unto death. Then the
ministering angels interceded with the Holy One--blessed be He!--and
said, "Lord of the Universe, Thou hast said he that preserveth one
single soul of Israel alive is as if he had preserved the life of the
whole world; and shall Benjamin the righteous, who preserved a poor
woman and her seven children, die so prematurely?" Instantly the
death-warrant which had gone forth was torn up, and twenty-two years
were added to his life.

_Bava Bathra_, fol. 11, col. 1.

Seven prophets have prophesied to the nations of the world, and these
were Balaam and his father, Job, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the
Shuhite, Zophar the Naamathite, and Elihu the son of Barachel the
Buzite.

Ibid., fol. 15. col. 2.

There are seven who are not consumed by the worm in the grave, and these
are Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, and Benjamin
the son of Jacob.

Ibid., fol. 17, col. 1.

Seven men form an unbroken series from the creation do