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Pirke Avot - Sayings of the Jewish Fathers by Traditional Text
page 88 of 110 (80%)
fulfil those death penalties threatened in the _Torah_, the execution
of which, however, is within the function of a human tribunal (30),
and for the violation of the law regarding the fruits of the seventh
year (31). The sword (32) comes into the world for the delay of
justice, and for the perversion of justice, and on account of the
offence of those who interpret the _Torah_, not according to its true
sense (33). Noxious beasts come into the world for vain swearing
(34), and for the profanation of the Divine Name (35). Captivity
comes into the world on account of idolatry, immortality, bloodshed,
and the neglect of the year of rest for the soil (31). 12. At four
periods pestilence grows apace: in the fourth year, in the seventh, at
the conclusion of the seventh year, and at the conclusion of the Feast
of Tabernacles in each year: in the fourth year, for default of giving
the tithe to the poor in the third year (36); in the seventh year, for
default of giving the title to the poor in the sixth year (37); at the
conclusion of the seventh year, for the violation of the law regarding
the fruits of the seventh year (31), and at the conclusion of the
Feast of Tabernacles in each year, for robbing the poor of the grants
legally assigned to them (38).

(27) See chapter I, n. 37.

(28) Of war, when agriculture is neglected, and crops are
destroyed, etc.

(29) Num. XV, 20: "Ye shall offer up a cake of the first of
your dough for a heave offering." This commandment is
observed in spirit to-day by the Jewish housewife, who takes a
part of bread which is kneaded, and burns it, after reciting
the blessing, "Blessed art Thou, O Lord, our God, King of the
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