hed forth his hand against Iddo the prophet, his
hand became withered.

"For it is written, 1 Kings xiii. 4, 'And his hand became withered, etc.'
Here it is not written that it was because he served other gods, but
because he extended his hand against Iddo the prophet, etc.

"Now, therefore, God the Most Holy One--may He be blessed!--promoteth their
glory (_i.e._, that of the Just), and they all come with Him."

He said, "Verily, Rav Hamenuna the elder is here, and around him are
seventy Just represented in his circle, of whom certain shine with the
splendor of the Ancient and Most Holy One, the Concealed with all
Concealments.

"He, I say, cometh, in order that with joy he may hear those words which I
shall speak."(795)

And when he had sat down he said: "Assuredly here a seat hath been set
aside for Rabbi Benchas Ben Yair."

The companions who were there trembled greatly, and they arose, and sat
down in the lowest part of the house; but Rabbi Eleazar and Rabbi Abba
(still sat) before Rabbi Schimeon.

Rabbi Schimeon said: "In the former Assembly we acted thus; namely, that
all the companions spoke, and I also with them, by turns.

"Now I shall speak alone, and let all hear my words, superiors and
inferiors; blessed be my portion this day!"

Rabbi Schimeon commenced, and said, Cant. vii. 10: " 'I am my beloved's,
and his desire is toward me.'

"As long as I have been bound unto this world in one link with God, the
Most Holy One--may He be blessed!--have I been bound, and therefore now is
His desire toward me.

"For He Himself and His whole holy company come, so that with joy they may
hear the concealed words, and the praise of Him, the Most Holy Ancient
One, the Concealed with all Concealments.

"And He separateth Himself ever more and more; He is separated from all
things, neither yet doth He altogether separate Himself, seeing that unto
Himself all things adhere, and that He Himself adhereth unto all; HVA,
_Hoa_, He Himself is all; He the Most Holy Ancient of all Ancients, the
Concealed with all Concealments.

"He hath been formed, and yet as it were He hath not been formed. He hath
been conformed, so that He may sustain all things; yet is He not formed,
seeing that He is not discovered.

"When He is conformed He produceth nine Lights, which shine forth from
Him, from His conformation.

"And from Himself those Lights shine forth, and they emit flames, and they
rush forth and are extended on every si