The Death of Rabbi Judah, the Prince of Israel

A Translation from the Midrash

"As the Rabbi lay dying, the people of Sepphoris (-his hometown) proclaimed: "He who shall say 'the Master is dead is dead' shall be killed!"

The son of Caparas left the Master's bedside and went into market with his robe around him and his face covered, crying:

"Oh my brothers, sons of Jedahiah (- lit. "He who knows God")!

"Hear me! Hear me!

"Angels and mortals were grasping for the Tablets of the Covenant, what can we do that the angels' arms were stronger and robbed us of the Tablets!"

The townspeople asked him "Had the Master died?" He answered: "You had said it, not me". Why did he refuse to say it openly? For it is said:

".. He that uttereth hateful words, is a fool" (Proverbs 10:18).

The Sepphorites tore their garmentsand the sound of tearing was heard at the hillside, three miles away from town. As the sages heard of it, they recalled that it us said:

"The excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it." (Ecclesiates 7:12)

Rabbi Nehemiah told, in the name of Rabbi Mona:

"Three miracles happened that day:

"That day was a Friday and the entire town came to the Master's eulogy. The crowds were so large, eighteen synagogues were necessary to hold them all, as they escorted him to Besara and the day halted for them until each of them came home, light his candle roasted his fish, and filled up a barrel of water for the Sabbath.

By the time thelast of them finsished doing so, the Sun came down and the rooster crowed. They were in great distress, as they said: 'Woe is to us! For we have violated the Sabbath!". An Echo from Heaven came and said: "Each one that had shown no sloth in the mourning of the Rabbi is heaven bound!"

There was only one man, Casras the Washerman, that was out of town and did not come. As he heard so, he went up to the roof, threw himself down and died. An Echo from Heaven came and said: "Even Casras is heaven bound!"