It is reported that once while studying the law in the vale of Genusan, he saw a man climbing a tree.  The man found a bird’s-nest in the tree, and taking the mother with the young ones he still departed in peace.  He saw another man who finding a bird’s-nest followed the Bible’s command and took the young only, allowing the mother to fly away; and yet a serpent stung him as he descended, and he died.  “Now,” thought he, “where is the Bible’s truth and promises?  Is it not written, ’And the young thou mayest take to thyself, but the mother thou shalt surely let go, that it may be well with thee and that thou mayest live many days.’  Now, where is the long life to this man who followed the precept, while the one who transgressed it is unhurt?”

He had not heard how Rabbi Akiba expounded this verse, that the days would be long in the future world where all is happiness.

There is also another reason given as the cause for Elishah’s backsliding and apostacy.

During the fearful period of religious persecution, the learned Rabbi Judah, whose life had been passed in the study of the law and the practice of God’s precepts, was delivered into the power of the cruel torturer.  His tongue was placed in a dog’s mouth and the dog bit it off.

So Elishah said, “If a tongue which uttered naught but truth be so used, and a learned, wise man be so treated, of what use is it to avoid having a lying tongue and being ignorant.  Lo, if these things are allowed, there is surely no reward for the righteous, and no resurrection for the dead.”

When Elishah waxed old he was taken sick, and Rabbi Meir, learning of the illness of his aged teacher, called upon him.

“Oh return, return unto thy God.” entreated Rabbi Meir.

“What!” exclaimed Elishah, “return! and could He receive my penitence, the penitence of an apostate who has so rebelled against Him?”

“Is it not written,” said Meir, “‘Thou turnest man to contrition?’ No matter how the soul of man may be crushed, he can still turn to his God and find relief.”

Elishah listened to these words, wept bitterly and died.  Not many years after his death his daughters came, poverty stricken, asking relief from the colleges.  “Remember,” said they, “the merit of our father’s learning, not his conduct.”

The colleges listened to the appeal and supported the daughters of Elishah.

* * * * *

Rabbi Judah, Rabbi Joseh, and Rabbi Simon were conversing one day, when Judah ben Gerim entered the apartment and sat down with the three.  Rabbi Judah was speaking in a complimentary strain of the Gentiles (Romans).  “See,” said he, “how they have improved their cities, how beautiful they have made them, and how much they have done for the comfort and convenience of the citizens; bath-houses, bridges, fine broad streets, surely much credit is due them.”

“Nay,” answered Rabbi Simon, “all that they have done has been from a selfish motive.  The bridges bring them in a revenue, for all who use them are taxed; the bath-houses are for their personal adornment—­’tis all selfishness, not patriotism.”