xxxvi. 7 (A.V. 6); about the Qeri velo Kethibh, words read but not written in the text; and
the Kethibh velo Qeri, words written but not read in the text.
7. Pes. 110 b. Not to eat two (even numbers) of an egg, a nut, or cucumber, &c.
8. Eduy. viii. 7; Tanch. 60 a. The first of these Halakhoth speaks of the activity of Elijah
in preparation for the coming of the Messiah (Mal. iii. 23, 24, A.V. iv. 5, 6), as directed
to restore those of pure Israelitish descent who had been improperly extruded, and to
extrude those who had been improperly admitted.
9. Baba K. 81 a; Tos. Baba M. 11; Jer. Baba K. iii. 2. Among the police regulations is
this curious one, that all were allowed to fish in the Lake of Galilee, but not to lay down
nets, so as not to impede the navigation.
After the return from Babylon traditionalism rapidly expanded, and its peculiar character
more and more clearly developed. No fewer than twelve traditions are traced back to the
three prophets who flourished at that period, while four other important legal
determinations are attributed to the prophet Haggai individually. It will readily be
understood that Ezra occupied a high place in tradition. Fifteen ordinances are ascribed to
him, of which some are ritual. Three of his supposed ordinances have a general interest.
They enjoin the general education of children, and the exclusion of Samaritans from
admission into the Synagogue and from social intercourse. If only one legal
determination is assigned to Nehemiah, 'the men of the great Synagogue' are credited
with fifteen, of which six bear on important critical and exegetical po ints connected with
the text of the Scriptures, the others chiefly on questions connected with ritual and
worship. Among the 'pairs' (Zugoth) which succeeded the 'Great Synagogue,' three
'alleviating' ordinances (of a very punctilious character) are ascribed to Jose, the son of
Joezer,10 and two, intended render all contact with heathens impossible, to him and his
colleague. Under the Maccabees the feast of the dedication of the Temple was
introduced. To Joshua the son of Perachya, one punctilious legal determination is
ascribed. Of the decrees of the Maccabean High-Priest Jochanan we have already spoken
in another place; similarly, of those of Simon the son of Shetach and of his learned
colleague. Four legal determinations of their successors Shemayah and Abhtalion are
mentioned. Next in order comes the prohibition of Greek during the war between the
Maccabean brothers Hyrcanus and Aristobulus. This brings us to the time of Hillel and
Shammai, that is, to the period of Jesus, to which further reference will have to be made
in another place.
10. According to tradition (Sot. 47 a and b) the Eshkoloth, or 'bunches of grapes,' ceased
with José. The expression refers to the Rabbis, and Herzfeld ingeniously suggests this
explanation of the designation, that after José they were no longer undivided like bunches
of grapes, but divided in their opinions. For other explanations comp. Derenbourg , u. s.
pp. 88, 456-458.
2. The Canon of Scripture. - Reference has been made in the text (vol. i. p. 107) to the
position take n by Traditionalism in reference to the written as compared with what was
regarded as the oral Revelation. Still, nominally, the Scriptures were appealed to by the
Palestinians as of supreme authority. The views which Josephus expresses in this respect,
although in a popular and Grecianised form, were substantially those entertained by the