forfeit twelve
talents of silver. The appointed day came and still the drought
continued, and therewith the scarcity of water; upon which the creditor
appeared and demanded payment of the forfeit. The answer of Nicodemon to
the demand was, "There's time yet; the day is not over." The other
chuckled to himself, inwardly remarking, "There's no chance now; there's
been no rain all the season," and off he went to enjoy his bath. But
Nicodemon sorrowful at heart, wended his way to the Temple. After
putting on his prayer scarf, as he prayed, he pleaded, "Lord of the
Universe! Thou knowest that I have not entered into this obligation for
my own sake, but for Thy glory and for the benefit of Thy people." While
he yet prayed the clouds gathered overhead, the rain fell in torrents,
and the reservoirs were filled to overflowing. On going out of the house
of prayer he was met by the exacting creditor, who still urged that the
money was due to him, as he said, the rain came after sunset. But in
answer to prayer the clouds immediately dispersed, and the sun shone out
as brightly as ever.

_Taanith_, fol. 19. col. 2.

Nicodemon ben Gorion of the above story is by some considered to
be the Nicodemus of St. John's Gospel, iii. 1-10; vii. 50; xix
30.

Would that my husband were here and could listen to me; I should permit
him to stay away another twelve years.

_Kethuboth_, fol. 63. col. 1.

Hereto hangs a tale stranger than fiction, yet founded on fact.
Rabbi Akiva was once a poor shepherd in the employ of Calba
Shevua, one of the richest men in all Jerusalem. While engaged
in that lowly occupation his master's only daughter fell in love
with him, and the two carried on a clandestine courtship for
some time together. Her father, hearing of it, threatened to
disinherit her, to turn her out of doors and disown her
altogether, if she did not break off her engagement. How could
she connect herself with one who was the base-born son of a
proselyte, a reputed descendant of Sisera and Jael, an ignorant
fellow that could neither read nor write, and a man old enough
to be her father? Rachel--for that was her name--determined to
be true to her lover, and to brave the consequences by marrying
him and exchanging the mansion of her father for the hovel of
her husband. After a short spell of married life she prevailed
upon her husband to leave her for a while in order