Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Sets and supersets

From A Treasury of Jewish Folklore by Nathan Ausubel.
The Best and the Worst Things

Once Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai said to his five disciples: “What is the most desirable thing to strive for in life?”

Rabbi Eliezer said: “A good eye.”

Rabbi Joshua said: “A good friend.”

Rabbi Yose said: “A bad neighbor.”

Rabbi Simeon said: “Wisdom to foretell the future.”

Rabbi Eleazar said: “A good heart.”

Rabbi Yohanan then said to his five disciples: “The words of Eleazar please me most, because his thought includes all
the rest.”

At another time Rabbi Yohanan asked his disciples: “What is the thing that man should avoid most in life?”

Rabbi Eliezer said: “Ah evil eye.”

Rabbi Joshua said: “An evil friend.”

Rabbi Yose said: “A bad neighbor.”

Rabbi Simeon said: “One who borrows money and doesn’t
return it.”

Rabbi Eleazar said: “A bad heart.”

Rabbi Yohanan then said: “The words of Eleazar please me most because his thought includes all of yours.”

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