and storms.

_Pirke d'Rab. Eliezer_, chap. 3.

A Min once asked Rabbi Akiva, "Who created this world?" "The Holy
One--blessed be He!"--was the reply. "Give me positive proof of this,"
begged the other. "Come to-morrow," answered the Rabbi. On coming the
next day, the Rabbi asked, "What are you dressed in?" "In a garment,"
was the reply. "Who made it?" asked the Rabbi. "A weaver," said the
other. "I don't believe thee," said the Rabbi; "give me a positive proof
of this." "I need not demonstrate this," said the Min; "it stands to
reason that a weaver made it." "And so thou mayest know that God created
the world," observed the Rabbi. When the Min had departed, the Rabbi's
disciples asked him, "What is proof positive?" He said, "My children, as
a house implies a builder, and a garment a weaver, and a door a
carpenter, so likewise the existence of the world implies that the Holy
One--blessed be He!--created it."

_Midrash Terumah._

When the Holy One--blessed be He!--created the world, it was a level
expanse free from mountains; but when Cain slew Abel his brother, whose
blood was trodden down on the earth, He cursed the ground, and
immediately hills and mountains sprang into existence.

_Midrash Vayosha._

"The Lord your God hath multiplied you, and behold ye are this day as
the stars of heaven for multitude" (Deut. i. 10). Why did He bless them
with stars? As there are degrees above degrees among these stars, so
likewise are there degrees above degrees among Israel. Again, as these
stars are without limit, without number, and of great power from one end
of the world to the other, so likewise is Israel. (Cf. 1 Cor. xv. 41.)

_Midrash Rabbah Devarim._

"Flee, my beloved" (A.V. "make haste," Cant. viii. 14). When Israel eat
and drink, and bless and praise the Holy One--blessed be He!--He
hearkeneth to their voice and is reconciled; but when the Gentiles eat
and drink and blaspheme and provoke the Holy One--blessed be He!--He has
a mind to destroy His world, until the Law enters and pleads in defense,
"Lord of the universe! before Thou regardest those that blaspheme, look
and behold Thy people Israel, who bless, and praise, and extol Thy great
Name, with the Law, and with songs and with praises!" And the Holy
Spirit shouts "Flee, my beloved! flee from the Gentiles, and hold fast
to Israel!"

_Midrash Rabbah Shir-Hashirim._

Rabbon Gamaliel called on Chilpa, the son of Caroyna, when the latter
asked the Rabbi to pr