How can we then accept it," they returned, "when thus was our
forefather blessed, 'Thy hand shall be against every man?'"

The children of Esau were asked to accept the law, and they also
inquired, "What does it contain?" "Thou shalt not kill," was the answer.
"We cannot accept it, then," said they, "for thus did our father Isaac
bless us, 'By the sword shalt thou live.'"

When Israel was asked to accept the law, the people answered, "We will
do and obey."

NEW YEAR, OR THE DAY OF MEMORIAL

On the first day of the seventh month, _Tishri_ (October), is the
commemoration of the creation of the world. Then the cornet is blown to
announce to the people that a new year has begun its course, and to warn
them to examine strictly their conduct and make amends therein where
amends are needed.

Would not any person of sense, knowing that he must appear before a
Court of Judgment, prepare himself therefor? Either in a civil or a
criminal case would he not seek for counsel? How much more, then, is it
incumbent upon him to prepare for a meeting with the King of kings,
before whom all things are revealed. No counsel can help him in his
case; repentance, devotion, charity, these are the arguments which must
plead in his favor. Therefore, a person should search his actions and
repent his transgressions previous to the day of judgment. In the month
of _Elul_ (September) he should arouse himself to a consciousness of the
dread justice awaiting all mankind.

This is the season when the Lord pardoned the Israelites who had
worshiped the molten calf. He commanded Moses to reascend the mount for
a second tablet, after he had destroyed the first. Thus say the sages,
"The Lord said unto Moses in the month _Elul_, 'Go up unto me on the
mountain,' and Moses went up and received the second tablet at the end
of forty days. Before he ascended he caused the trumpet to be sounded
through the camp." Since that time it is customary to sound the
_shophar_ (cornet) in the synagogues, to give warning to the people that
the day of judgment, New Year, is rapidly approaching, and with it the
Day of Atonement. Therefore, propitiatory prayers are said twice every
day, morning and evening, from the second day of _Elul_ until the eve of
the Day of Atonement, which period comprises the last forty days which
Moses passed on Sinai, when God was reconciled to Israel and pardoned
their transgressions with the molten calf.

Rabbi Eleazer said, "Abraham and