Said Rabbi Simon ben Jochai, “The requests of three persons were granted before they had finished their prayers—­Eleazer, Moses, and Solomon.

“In regard to Eleazer we learn, ’And before he had yet finished speaking that, behold Rebecca came out.’

“In regard to Moses, we find, ’And it came to pass when he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground that was under them was cloven asunder, and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed them.’” (Korach and his company.)

“In regard to Solomon, we find, ’And just when Solomon had made an end of praying, a fire came down,’” etc.

* * * * *

Rabbi Jochanan said in the name of Rabbi Joseh, “To those who delight in the Sabbath shall God give inheritance without end.  As it is written, ‘Then shalt thou find delight in the Lord,’ etc.  ’And I will cause thee to enjoy the inheritance of Jacob, thy father.’  Not as it was promised to Abraham, ‘Arise and walk through the land to its length and breadth.’  Not as it was promised to Isaac, ’I will give thee all that this land contains’; but as it was promised to Jacob, ’And thou shalt spread abroad, to the West, and to the East, to the North, and to the South.’”

Rabbi Jehudah said that if the Israelites had strictly observed the first Sabbath, after the command to sanctify the seventh day had been given, they would have been spared captivity; as it is written, “And it came to pass on the seventh day, that there went out some of the people to gather (the Mannah), but they found nothing.”  And in the next chapter we find, “Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.”

* * * * *

One Joseph, a Jew, who honored the Sabbath, had a very rich neighbor, who was a firm believer in astrology.  He was told by one of the professional astrologers that his wealth would become Joseph’s.  He therefore sold his estate, and bought with the proceeds a large diamond, which he sewed in his turban, saying, “Joseph can never obtain this.”  It so happened, however, that while standing one day upon the deck of a ship in which he was crossing the sea, a heavy wind arose and carried the turban from his head.  A fish swallowed the diamond, and being caught and exposed for sale in the market, was purchased by Joseph to supply his table on the Sabbath eve.  Of course, upon opening it he discovered the diamond.

Rabbi Ishmael, the son of Joshua, was asked, “How did the rich people of the land of Israel become so wealthy?” He answered, “They gave their tithes in due season, as it is written, ’Thou shalt give tithes, in order that thou mayest become rich.’” “But,” answered his questioner, “tithes were given to the Levites, only while the holy temple existed.  What merit did they possess while they dwelt in Babel, that they became wealthy there also?” “Because,” replied the Rabbi, “they honored the Holy Law by expounding it.”  “But in other countries, where they did not expound the Law, how did they deserve wealth?” “By honoring the Sabbath,” was the answer.