212 The Legends of the Jews
that they sufficed to purchase bread for his next meal. But the few became many, and he counted and counted, and still their number increased. He counted a whole day, and the following night, until he was exhausted, and had to cry out Enough ! And, indeed, it was enough, for he had become a very wealthy man. His brother was not a little astonished to see the fortunate change in his kinsman's circumstances, and when he heard how it had come about, he determined, if the opportunity should present itself again, to show his most amiable side to the old beggar with the miraculous power of blessing. He had not long to wait. A few days later he saw the old man pass by. He hastened to accost him, and, excusing himself for his unfriendliness at their former meeting, begged him to come into his house. All that the larder afforded was put before Elijah, who pre- tended to eat of the dainties. At his departure, he pro- nounced a blessing upon his hosts : " May the first thing you do have no end, until it is enough." The mistress of the house hereupon said to her husband : " That we may count gold upon gold undisturbed, let us first attend to our most urgent physical needs." So they did — and they had to con- tinue to do it until life was extinct."
The extreme of his rigor Elijah displayed toward teachers of the law. From them he demanded more than obedience to the mere letter of a commandment. For instance, he pro- nounced severe censure upon Rabbi Ishmael ben Josrt. be- cause he was willing to act as bailiff in prosecuting Jewish thieves and criminals. He advised Rabbi Ishmael to follow the example of his father and leave the country.8*
His estrangement from his friend Rabbi Joshua ben Levi
