employed by Solomon in the construction of the Temple, in
which no tools of iron were used. See _Gittin_, 68a, and
_Sotah_, 48b. Consult P. Cassel, _Shamir, ein archaol.
Beitrag zur Natur und Sagenkunde_, Erfurt, 1856, and art.
_Shamir_, in _Jewish Encyclopedia_.

(24) Deut. XXXIV, 6.

(25) Gen. XXII, 13.

(26) An allusion to a saying found in _Tosefta Erubin_, "Tongs
are made with tongs; but how was the first pair made? It
could only have been a creation of God." One instrument
presupposes another; one thing is the cause of another, but
the original cause is God. Cf. _Pesachim_, 54a.

10. There are seven marks of an uncultured, and seven of a wise man.
The wise man does not speak before him who is greater than he in
wisdom; and does not interrupt the speech of his companion; he is not
hasty to answer; he questions according to the subject-matter; and
answers to the point; he speaks upon the first thing first, and upon
the last, last; regarding that which he has not understood he says, "I
do not understand it;" and he acknowledges the truth. The reverse of
all this is to be found in an uncultured man. 11. Seven kinds of
punishment come into the world for seven important transgressions. If
some give their tithes (27) and others do not, a dearth ensues from
drought and some suffer hunger while others are full. If they all
determine to give no tithes, a dearth ensures from tumult (28) and
drought. If they further resolve not to give the dough-cake (29), an
exterminating dearth ensures. Pestilence comes into the world to