Playing upon the word [bor'ech], he says, "Remember thy
source ([bet-alef-resh-chof(sofit)]), thy grave
([bet-vov-resh-chof(sofit)]), and thy creator
([bet-resh-alef-chof(sofit)])," _Kohelet Rabbah, ad. loc._ If
man thinks of whence he comes, he is rendered humble; if he
reflects upon whither he is going, he prizes worldly things
lightly; and if he considers HIm before whom he must give an
account, he obeys God's laws.

(4) Cf. Job XXV, 6: "How much less the mortal, the mere worm
([rimah])? and the son of the earth, the mere maggot
([toleah])?" can be pure in God's eyes.

2. R. Chanina, the Vice-High-Priest (5), said, "Pray for the welfare
of the government, since but for the fear thereof men would swallow
each other alive" (6).

(5) Chief of the priests, adjutant high-priest. The _segan_
was next in rank to the high-priest. None could be appointed
high-priest unless he had occupied the office of the _segan_
(Palestinian _Talmud_, _Yoma_, III, 41a, top). According to
Schurer, he was "the captain of the Temple," whose duty it was
to superintend arrangements for keeping order in and around
the Temple. He was also present at all important functions in
which the high-priest took part, such as the drawing of lots
in the case of the two goats on _Yom Kippur_ (_Yoma III, 9,
IV, 1); when reading from the _Torah_ (_Yoma_, VII, 1; _Sotah_
VII, 7, 8), and when offering the daily sacrifice (_Tamid_
VII, 3). Rabbi Chanina was the last to bear this title, his
son being known as Simeon ben ha-Segan. See Bacher, _Agada