The Heavenly Lamp
The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord.— Prov. xx. 27.
Rabbi Tanhum was once asked, whether it was allowable to extinguish a candle on the Sabbath, in case it incommoded a sick person. "What a question you ask!" replied the Rabbi. "True, you call a burning candle, a light, so is the soul of man; nay, it is called 'a heavenly light.' Is it not better to extinguish an earthly light, than a heavenly light?"
True Charity Knows no Law—Illustrated by a Tale of Rabbi Tanchuma
And rend your hearts and not your garments. —Joel ii. 13
In the days of Rabbi Tanchuma, when, in consequence of a great drought, a fast had been proclaimed, the people fasted several days, but no rain came. The Rabbi then addressed them thus:—"My children," said he, "if you wish your fast to be acceptable to God, let it be accompanied by acts of charity and good-will." The people opened their purses, and distributed money to the poor and needy.
While thus laudably employed, they perceived a man give some money to a poor
