No. XVIII.
RABBINIC LEGENDS CONTINUED.
That the traditions of the Talmudists abound with the most
absurd and incredible stories, is a matter of notoriety. But
when a Talmudist is pressed with any one of these, as a proof
that the oral law is not from God, he has a ready answer. It
is an allegory, and contains the most profound and mysterious
wisdom. It would be very easy to show from the books printed
in Jewish-German, for the edification of the women and the
unlearned, and where the legends are related as undoubted
matter of fact, that this is a mere evasion. But we have other
evidence that is indisputable. The Liturgy of the synagogue
alludes to many as to authentic history, and we would not
believe any one who should dare to assert, that the Rabbinists,
in prayer, utter with their lips, what they do not believe in
their heart. In the Pentecost prayers, from which we have
already quoted, we find allusion to an anecdote recorded of
Adam,
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Which D. Levi thus translates, "It (the Sabbath-day) is the end of all work above and beneath; it is accounted the seventh among the days; the first convocation of seasons; holy to the Lord of hosts; a glorious holy Sabbath to those who rest thereon; it redeemed the first created man from judgment; he chanted a song, and appeased the wrath of God." (fol. 81.) Here two important circumstances, not mentioned by Moses, are alluded to. First, that the Sabbath redeemed Adam from judgment, and secondly, that his song appeased the wrath of God. They are found in the traditions of the rabbies at full length, and are related as follows:—
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