MISCELLANEOUS READINGS

Rabbi Aqiba

"Happy is the man who knows it and is careful in its regard, for he merits to inherit eternal life in the world to come."

R. Ishmael said: "He who recites the secret shall have a glowing face and an attractive body and his fear shall be cast upon his fellow man and his good name shall be known among Israel: His dreams shall be peaceful and His Torah shall be stored upon his hand (such that) he never forget (any) words of the Torah for all of his days."

"It is good for him in this world and peaceful for him in the world to come. The evil inclination holds no sway over him and he is safe from spirits, demons, damages and robbers, and from evil animals, snakes, scorpions and imps."

"And furthermore, I R. Aqiba, once we learned the dimensions of our creator, (found that it was) good for us in the world and peaceful for us (when we contemplate our future in) the world to come."

Dead Sea Scrolls 4Q 491 fragments: 20-22

"[EL Elyon gave me a seat among] those perfect forever, a mighty throne in the congregation of the gods. None of the kings of the east shall sit in it and their nobles shall not [come near it]. No edomite shall be like me in glory, and none shall be exalted save me, none shall come against me. For I have taken my seat in the [congregation] in the heavens and none [find fault with me]. I shall be reckoned with gods and established in the holy congregation. I do not desire [gold] as would a man of flesh; everything precious to me is the glory of [my G-D]."

"[The status of a holy temple] not to be violated, has been attributed to me, and who can compare with me in glory?"

"What voyager will return and tell [of my equivalent] who [laughs] at grief's as I do? And who is like me [in bearing] evil?”

“Moreover, if I lay down the law in a lecture [my instruction] is beyond comparison [of any man's]."

"And who will attack me for my utterances? And who will contain the flow of my speech? And who will call me into court and be my equal? In my legal judgement [none will stand against me]. I shall be reckoned with gods, and my glory, with [that of] the kings sons. Neither refined gold, nor gold of ophir [can match my wisdom]."