as passed from the possession of its former
owner. Well may the loser weep.

Life is a passing shadow, say the Scriptures. The shadow of a tower or a
tree; the shadow which prevails for a time? No; even as the shadow of a
bird in its flight, it passeth from our sight, and neither bird nor
shadow remains.

"My lover goes down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to wander
about in the garden and pluck roses." (Song of Songs).

The world is the garden of my lover, and he my lover is the King of
kings. Like a bed of fragrant spices is Israel, the sweet savour of
piety ascends on high, the perfume of learning lingers on the passing
breeze, and the bed of beauty is fenced round by gentle peace. The
plants flourish and put forth leaves, leaves giving grateful shelter to
those who suffer from the heats and disappointment of life, and my lover
seeking the most beautiful blossom, plucks the roses, the students of
the law, whose belief is their delight.

When the devouring flames seize upon the cedar, shall not the lowly
hyssop fear and tremble? When anglers draw the great leviathan from his
mighty deeps, what hope have the fish of the shallow pond? When the
fishing-line is dropped into the dashing torrent, can they feel secure,
the waters of the purling brook?

Mourn for those who are left; mourn not for the one taken by God from
earth. He has entered into the eternal rest, while we are bowed with
sorrow.

Rabbi Akiba was once traveling through the country, and he had with him
an ass, a rooster, and a lamp.

At nightfall he reached a village where he sought shelter for the night
without success.

"All that God does is done well," said the Rabbi, and proceeding toward
the forest he resolved to pass the night there. He lit his lamp, but the
wind extinguished it. "All that God does is done well," he said. The ass
and the rooster were devoured by wild beasts; yet still he said no more
than "All that God does is done well."

Next day he learned that a troop of the enemy's soldiers had passed
through the forest that night. If the ass had brayed, if the rooster had
crowed, or if the soldiers had seen his light he would surely have met
with death, therefore he said again, "All that God does is done well."

* * * * *

Once when Rabbi Gamliel, Rabbi Eleazer, the son of Azaria, Rabbi Judah,
and Rabbi Akiba were walking together, they heard the shouts and
laughter and joyous tones of a multitu