There are various indications in the Talmud of a belief in the resurrection and immortality of the soul. The resurrection, it teaches, is to be brought about by the mystic influence of the Dew of life in Jerusalem. It does not uphold the dogma of everlasting damnation, though it allows that the punishment of apostates, idolaters, and traitors will endure for generations upon generations.
In conclusion, it is but fair that we should present the brighter and better aspect of this extraordinary book, its ethical side, and afford some illustrations of the moral and religious philosophy which pervades it, which is its salt, and preserves its savour. The following sayings have been translated by Deutsch. Many of them bear a striking resemblance to the great and glorious sayings of the Gospels; and to us it seems impossible to doubt that they evidence the influence of the former. It is true that the Talmud as a whole preceded the New Testament, but as its redaction took place at a much later period, we see nothing absurd in the hypothesis that its redactors had felt the spell of the Christian teaching, and occasionally introduced some of its rare and precious threads of purest silk into the coarse woof woven by traditionalists, scholiasts, and commentators:
The house that does not open to the poor shall open to the physician; even the birds in the air despise the miser. He who gives charity in secret is greater than Moses himself. Honour the sons of the poor, it is they who bring science into splendour.
Let the honour of thy neighbour be to thee like thine own. Rather be thrown into a fiery furnace than bring any one to public shame.
Hospitality is the most important part of divine worship. There are three crowns: of the law, the priesthood, the kingship; but the crown of a good name is greater than they all.
Iron breaks the stone, fire melts iron, water extinguishes fire, the clouds drink up the water, a storm drives away the clouds, man withstands the storm, fear unmans man, wine dispels fear, sleep drives away wine, and death sweeps all away even sleep. But Solomon the Wise says, Charity saves from death.
The dog
sticks to you on account of the crumbs in your pocket.
The camel wanted to have horns, and they took away his ears.
The soldiers fight, and the kings are the heroes.
He in whose family there has been one hanged should not say to his neighbour, Pray hang this little fish up for me.
The cock and the owl both await the daylight. The light, says the cock, brings delight to me; but what are you waiting for?
When the thief has no opportunity for stealing, he considers himself an honest man.
If thy friends agree in calling thee an ass, go and get a halter round thee.
Fools are no proof.
One eats, another says grace.
He who is ashamed will not easily commit sin. There is a great difference between him who is ashamed before his own self, and him who is only ashamed before others. It is a good sign in man to be capable of being ashamed. One contrition in mans heart is better than many flagellations.
How can you escape sin? Think of three things, whence thou camest, whither thou goest, and to whom thou wilt have to account for all thy deeds, even to the King of kings, the All-holy, praised be He.
Love your wife like yourself, honour her more than yourself. Whosoever lives unmarried lives without joy, without comfort, without blessing. Descend a step in choosing a wife. If thy wife is small, bend down to her and whisper into her ear. He who forsakes the love of his youth, Gods altar weeps for him. He who sees his wife die before him, has, as it were, been present at the destruction of the sanctuary itself, around him the world grows dark. It is woman alone through whom Gods blessings are vouchsafed to a house. She teaches the children, speeds the husband to the place of worship and instruction, welcomes him when he returns, keeps the house godly and pure, and Gods blessings rest upon all these things. He who marries for money, his children shall be a curse to him.
After the thief runs the theft; after the beggar, poverty.
While thy foot is shod, smash the thorn.
When the ox is down, many are the butchers.
Luck makes rich, luck makes wise.
If you wish to hang yourself, choose a big tree.
When the pitcher falls upon the stone, woe unto the pitcher; when the stone falls upon the pitcher, woe unto the pitcher; whatever befalls, woe unto the pitcher.
Youth is a garland of roses, age a crown of thorns.
Be thou the cursed, not he who curses. Be of them that are persecuted, not of them that persecute. Look at Scripture, there is not a single bird more persecuted than the dove, yet God has chosen her to be offered up on His altar. The bull is hunted by the lion, the sheep by the wolf, the goat by the tiger. And God said, Bring Me a sacrifice not from them that persecute, but from them that are persecuted.
Hath God pleasure in the meat and blood of sacrifices? asks the prophet. No; He has not so much ordained as permitted them. It is for yourselves, He says, not for Me that you offer, Like a king, who sees his son carousing daily with all manner of evil companions: You shall henceforth eat and drink entirely at your will at my own table, he says. They offered sacrifices to demons and devils, for they loved sacrificing, and would not do without it. And the Lord said, Bring your offerings to Me, you shall then at least offer to the true God.