shown that the same applies to five? Because it is said, 'He hath
found his band (23) upon the earth' (24). And whence can it be shown
that the same applies to three? Because it is said, 'He judgeth among
the judges' (25). And whence can it be shown that the same applies to
two? Because it is said, 'Then they that feared the Lord spake one
with the other; and the Lord hearkened, and heard' (26). And whence
can it be shown that the same applies even to one? Because it is
said, 'In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will
come unto thee and I will bless thee'" (27).

(19) He was probably a disciple of R. Meir. See below, n. 32.

(20) See above, n. 9.

(21) An _edah_, "assembly," "congregation," "prayer-meeting,"
consists of at least ten persons (_Megillah_, 23b). See
Sulzburger, _The Ancient Hebrew Parliament_, chapter I.

(22) Ps. LXXXII, 1.

(23) An _agudah_ (lit., "bundle," "bunch"), "bond," "union,"
is constituted of at least five, though some authorities
maintain that it stands for three. See Taylor, _Sayings_, p.
46, n. 15. This word is used in the name of a number of
Jewish societies whose members bind themselves to brotherly
love and mutual assistance. as _Agudat Achim_, "United
Brethren," etc.

(24) Amos, IX, 6.