3. Rabbi Simon said, “three who have eaten at one table and have not spoken of the law, are to be considered as if they had eaten of the sacrifices of the dead, for it is said, ‘For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.’(475) But three who have eaten at one table and have spoken of the law, are considered as if they had eaten at GOD’S table, as is said, ‘And he said unto me, This is the table that is before the LORD.’ ”(476)
4. R. Chanina, son of Chanina, said, “he who wakes in the night and travels in the road alone, and turns his heart to vanity, is guilty of the death of his own soul.”
5. R. Nechunya, son of Hakana, said, “whoever lays on himself the yoke of the law is relieved from the yoke of the kingdom and the yoke of the custom of the world, and whoever breaks off the yoke of the law, imposes on himself the yoke of the kingdom and the yoke of the custom of the world.”
6. R. Chalaphta of the village of Chananya said, “ten men who assemble together and study the law, the Shechinah rests among them, as is said, ‘God standeth in the congregation of the mighty.’ ”(477) And hence it is inferred that it is also so with five, because it is said, “and hath founded his troop in the earth.”(478) And hence it is inferred that it is likewise so with three, because it is said, “He judgeth among the gods.”(479) And hence it is inferred that it is also thus with two, because it is said, “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and the Lord hearkened and heard, etc.”(480) And hence it is inferred that it is likewise so with one, because it is said, “In all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.”(481)
7. R. Eleazar of Barthota said, “give unto Him of His own, for thou and all that thou hast are His.” And thus said David, “For all things come of Thee, and of thine own have we given Thee.”(482) R. Simon said, “he who journeys on the road, meditating on the law, and ceases therefrom to admire this beautiful tree or that beautiful fallow ground, is considered in Scripture as endangering his life.”
8. R. Dosthai, the son of Jonai, in the name of R. Meier, said, “whoever forgetteth anything of what he had obtained by study, is considered in Scripture as having endangered his life”; as is said, “Only take heed to thyself and guard thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen.”(483) “Perhaps his study has been too powerful for him?” “But it is said, ‘And lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life.’ ”(484) Hence he endangers not his life, till he deliberately removes them from his heart.
