He obtained from the commander permission to establish an academy
in Jabna with Rabbon Gamliel as the principal.
Titus soon captured the city, killed many of the people, and sent the
others into exile. He entered the Temple, even in the Most Holy, and cut
down the veil which separated it from the less sacred precincts. He
seized the holy vessels, and sent them to Rome.
From this history of Kamtzah and Bar Kamtzah we should learn to be
careful of offending our neighbors, when in so slight a cause such great
results may originate. Our Rabbis have said that he who causes his
neighbor to blush through an insult, should be compared to the one who
sheds blood.
* * * * *
During the terrible times which followed the fall of the Holy City,
Hannah and her seven sons were cast into prison.
According to their ages they were brought before the tyrant conqueror,
and commanded to pay homage to him and his gods.
"God forbid," exclaimed the eldest lad, "that I should bow to thy image.
Our commandments say to us, 'I am the Lord thy God;' to no other will I
bow."
He was immediately led out to execution, and the same demand made of his
brother, the second son.
"My brother bowed not," he answered, "and no more will I.
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