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CHAP. XII. The South Country. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Iudea called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the South, in respect of Galilee. (Book 12)
RAbban a 1.1 Gamaliel, and the Elders sitting together at the Ascent into the Gallery, in the mount of the Temple, had Jochanan, the Priest, and the Amanuensis, sitting with them. They said to him, Go to, Write. To our brethren, the Inhabitants of upper Galilee, and of nether Galilee, Health. We certifie you that the time is come of separating the Tiths. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, And to our Brethren, that inhabit the upper South Country, and that inhabit the nether South Country, Health. We certifie you, &c.
The upper South Country consisted of that part of the Country which was Hilly, the nether of a plain, and vally sinking on both sides. Which Country although it were b 1.2 barren above all other parts of the Land, yet had its Inhabitants, and those many, as well as other Countries of the Land.
He that turns over the Talmudical books will meet very frequently with the name of the South taken for whole Judea in opposition to Galilee. c 1.3 Those of Zippor enjoyned a fast to obtain rain, but the rain came not down. Therefore said they of Zippor, R. Joshua Ben Levi obtained rain for the Southern people: but R. Chaninah hinders it from coming upon the people of Zippor. They were called therefore together to a second fast. [R. Cha∣ninah] sent to fetch R. Joshua ben Levi. And both went out to the Fast, and yet rain fell not. He stood forth therefore, and said before them, Neither doth Joshua ben Levi obtain rain for the Southern people, nor does R. Chaninah restrain it from the people of Zippor: but the Southern people have a soft heart, to hear the words of the Law and be humbled: but the people of Zippor have an hard heart. But now▪ R. Josua ben Levi, who was called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 d 1.4 the Southern, was of Lydda: and those Southern people, for whom he obtained rain, were of Lydda, and such as dwelt in that Country.* 1.5
f 1.6 A devont Disciple 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, learned the intercalation of the year before his Master, three years and an half: He came, and intercalated for Galilee: but he could not intercalate for the South, that is, for Judea.
Hence you may understand in what sense some Rabbines are called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Southern: as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, g 1.7 R. Jacob of the South, who is called also R. Jacob 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: h 1.8 Al∣so 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, R. Samlai of the South, i 1.9 whom you have disputing with certain whom the Gemarists call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that is, Hereticks: whom I think rather to have been Christians. And it seems to be the disputation of a Christian purposed to assert a Trini∣ty of Persons in the Diety, but nevertheless a Unity of the Deity. After you have heard the matter, perhaps you will be of my judgment. View the place.