r our
fathers in those days and in this season by the hands of Thy
holy priests. Wherefore by command these lights are holy all the
eight days of the Dedication, neither are we permitted to make
any other use of them, but to view them, that we may return
thanks to Thy name for Thy miracles, wonderful works, and
salvation."

Another commemorative formula is repeated six or seven times a
day during this festival; viz, during morning and evening
prayers and after each meal.

Rabbi Yoshua ben Levi has said a man should never utter an indecent
word, for the Scripture (Gen. vii. 6) uses eight letters more rather
than make use of a word which, without them, would be indecent.

_P'sachim_, fol. 3, col. i.

In the passage referred to, the words "that are not clean" are
used instead of "unclean"; but see verse 2; there another word
for not is used, which brings down the excess to five letters.

When the doors of the Temple were opened the creaking of the hinges was
heard at the distance of eight Sabbath days' journeys.

_Yoma_, fol. 39, col. 2.

It may be proper to remark that the journey is about nine
furlongs, or a mile and one-eighth, so that the distance alluded
to is nearly ten miles.

The eight princes alluded to in Micah (v. 5) are Jesse, Saul, Samuel,
Amos, Zephaniah, Zedekiah, the Messiah, and Elijah.

_Succah_, fol. 52, col. 2.

It is related of Rabbi Shimon, the son of Gamaliel, that at the
rejoicing during the festival of the drawing of water on the Feast of
Tabernacles, he threw eight flaming torches, one after the other in
quick succession, into the air, and caught them again as they descended
without suffering one to touch another. He also (in fulfillment of Ps.
cii. 14) stooped and kissed the stone floor, supporting himself upon his
two thumbs only,--a feat which no one else could perform. And this is
what is termed stooping properly.

Ibid., fol. 53, col. 1.

Levi once in the presence of Rabbi (the Holy) conjured with eight
knives. Samuel in the presence of Shavur the king (of Persia, Sapor I,
240-273) performed the same feat with eight cups of wine. Abaii in the
presence of Rava did likewise with eight eggs; some say with four only.

Ibid.

Eight prophets, who were priests as well, were descended from Rahab the
harlot, and these are they:--Neraiah, Baruch, Seraiah, Maaseiah,
Jeremiah, Hilkiah, Hanameel, and Shallum. Rabbi Yehudah says