ht with the proceeds a large diamond,
which he sewed in his turban, saying, "Joseph can never obtain this." It
so happened, however, that while standing one day upon the deck of a
ship in which he was crossing the sea, a heavy wind arose and carried
the turban from his head. A fish swallowed the diamond, and being caught
and exposed for sale in the market, was purchased by Joseph to supply
his table on the Sabbath eve. Of course, upon opening it he discovered
the diamond.

Rabbi Ishmael, the son of Joshua, was asked, "How did the rich people of
the land of Israel become so wealthy?" He answered, "They gave their
tithes in due season, as it is written, 'Thou shalt give tithes, in
order that thou mayest become rich.'" "But," answered his questioner,
"tithes were given to the Levites, only while the holy temple existed.
What merit did they possess while they dwelt in Babel, that they became
wealthy there also?" "Because," replied the Rabbi, "they honored the
Holy Law by expounding it." "But in other countries, where they did not
expound the Law, how did they deserve wealth?" "By honoring the
Sabbath," was the answer.

Rabbi Achiya, the son of Abah, said, "I sojourned once in Ludik, and was
entertained by a certain wealthy man on the Sabbath day. The table was
spread with a sumptuous repast, and the dishes were of silver and gold.
Before making a blessing over the meal the master of the house said,
'Unto the Lord belongeth the earth, with all that it contains.' After
the blessing he said, 'The heavens are the heavens of the Lord, but the
earth hath He given to the children of men.' I said to my host, 'I trust
you will excuse me, my dear sir, if I take the liberty of asking you how
you have merited this prosperity?' He answered, 'I was formerly a
butcher, and I always selected the finest cattle to be killed for the
Sabbath, in order that the people might have the best meat on that day.
To this, I believe firmly, I owe my prosperity.' I replied, 'Blessed be
the Lord, that He hath given thee all this.'"

The Governor Turnusrupis once asked Rabbi Akiba, "What is this day you
call the Sabbath more than any other day?" The Rabbi responded, "What
art thou more than any other person?" "I am superior to others," he
replied, "because the emperor has appointed me governor over them."

Then said Akiba, "The Lord our God, who is greater than your emperor,
has appointed the Sabbath day to be holier than the other days."

When man le