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Today it is an honor to present selections from Chapter 3 of the book “Hebraic Literature: Translations from the Talmud, Midrash and Kabbala,” by Maurice H. Harris, which presents excerpts from the Talmud about the Venerated Patriarch Abraham (vegetarian). Chapter 3 Succah 49b “In three particulars is benevolence superior to almsgiving: Almsgiving is only the bestowment of money, but benevolence can be exercised by personal service as well. Alms can be given only to the poor, but benevolence can be shown no less to the rich. Alms are confined to the living, but benevolence may extend to both the dead and the living.” Yevamoth 79a “Three marks characterize the nation of Israel: They are compassionate, they are modest, and they are benevolent. Compassionate, as it is written, ‘And show thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee.’ Modest, as it is written, ‘That His fear may be before your faces.’ Benevolent, as it is written, ‘For I know Him,’ et cetera. […]” On the Venerated Patriarch Abraham (vegetarian). Nedarim 32a “Abraham was three years old when He first learned to know His Creator; as it is said, ‘Because Abraham obeyed my voice.’ […]”Nedarim 31b “From the day Abraham was compelled to leave the idolatrous worship and country of His fathers, it is reasonable to suppose that His tent would become a rendezvous for His neighbors who shrunk like Himself from the abominations around them. There, from His character, by which He recommended Himself as the friend of GOD, He might very naturally be looked upon as a religious teacher, and men might gather together to learn from His lips or profit by His example. Hence, making clue allowance for Eastern hyperbole, the statement of the Book of Jasher is not undeserving of credit, where it is said that ‘Abraham brought all the children of the land to the service of GOD, and He taught them the ways of the Lord.’ The same remark applies to what is said in Targum Yerushalmi, that Abraham’s guests went not away until ‘He had made them proselytes, and had taught them the way everlasting.’ His son Isaac, says the Targum of Ben Uzziel, went to school at the ‘Beth Medrasha de Shem Rabba.’ […]” Soteh 10a “Rabbi Yehudah says Abraham planted an ornamental garden with all kinds of choice fruits in it, and Rabbi Nehemiah says He erected an inn for travelers in order to make known the name of GOD to all who sojourned in it.” […]
