it.

"JOCHANAN HAKKADOSH" relates how a certain Rabbi was enabled to extend
his life for a year and three months beyond its appointed term, and what
knowledge came to him through the extension. Mr. Browning professes to
rest his narrative on a Rabbinical work, of which the title, given by
him in Hebrew, means "Collection of many lies;" and he adds, by way of
supplement, three sonnets, supposed to fantastically illustrate the old
Hebrew proverb, "From Moses to Moses[116] never was one like Moses," and
embodying as many fables of wildly increasing audacity. The main story
is nevertheless justified by traditional Jewish belief; and Mr. Browning
has made it the vehicle of some poetical imagery and much serious
thought.

Jochanan Hakkadosh was at the point of death. He had completed his
seventy-ninth year. But his faculties were unimpaired; and his pupils
had gathered round him to receive the last lessons of his experience;
and to know with what feelings he regarded the impending change.
Jochanan Hakkadosh had but one answer to give: his life had been a
failure. He had loved, learned, and fought; and in every case his object
had been ill-chosen, his energies ill-bestowed. He had shared the common
lot, which gives power into the hand of folly, and places wisdom in
command when no power is left to be commanded. With this desponding
utterance he bade his "children" farewell.

But here a hubbub of protestation arose. "This must not be the Rabbi's
last word. It need not be so;" for, as Tsaddik, one of the disciples,
reminded his fellows, there existed a resource against such a case.
Their "Targums" (commentaries) assured them that when one thus combining
the Nine Points of perfection was overtaken by years before the fruits
of his knowledge had been matured, respite might be gained for him by a
gift from another man's life: the giver being rewarded for the wisdom to
which he ministered by a corresponding remission of ill-spent time. The
sacrifice was small, viewed side by side with the martyrdoms endured in
Rome for the glory of the Jewish race.[117] "Who of those present was
willing to make it?" Again a hubbub arose. The disciples within, the
mixed crowd without, all clamoured for the privilege of lengthening the
Rabbi's life from their own. Tsaddik deprecated so extensive a gift.
"Their teacher's patience should not be overtaxed, like that of Perida
(whose story he tells), by too long a spell of existence." He accepted
fro