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182.

Solomon, in his wisdom, said, "And drowsiness shall clothe one in rags" (Prov. 23:21). No conversation may be held in the House of Study, except in reference to the words of the Torah. Even if one sneezes there, the others do not wish him "good health". Needless to add, other topics must not be discussed. The sanctity of a Beth Hamidrash is greater than that of synagogues. ((4. 2-9))

((The Honor and Respect Due to Teachers)) Just as a person is commanded to honour and revere his father, so is he under an obligation to honour and revere his teacher, even to a greater extent than his father; for his father gave him life in this world, while his teacher who instructs him in wisdom, secures for him life in the world to come. If he sees an article that his father had lost and another article that his teacher had lost, the teacher's property should be recovered first, and then the father's. If his father and his teacher are loaded with burdens, he should first relieve his teacher and then his father. If his father and teacher are in captivity, he should first ransom his teacher. But, if his father is a scholar, even though not of the same rank as his teacher, he should first recover his father's lost property and then his teacher's. There is no honour higher than that which is due to the teacher; no reverence profounder than that which should be paid him. The sages said, "Reverence for thy teacher shall be like the fear of Heaven" (Ethics of the Fathers 4:15). They further said, "Whoever distrusts the authority of his teacher - it is as if he disputes with the Shechinah! ; as it is said, 'When they strove against the Lord' (Num. 26:9). Whoever starts a quarrel with his teacher, it is as if he started a quarrel with the Shechinah; as it is said, 'Where the children of Israel strove with the Lord, and He v/as sanctified in them' (Num. 20: 13). And whoever cherishes resentment against his teacher - it is as if he cherishes resentment against the Lord, as it is said, 'Your mur-murings are not against us, but against the Lord' (Exod. 16:8). Whoever harbours doubts about his teacher - it is as if he harbours doubt about the Shechinah; as it is said, 'And the people spoke against God and against Moses ' (Num. 21:3)."

Who is to be regarded as disputing his teacher's authority? One who sets up a college, holds sessions, discourses and instructs without his teacher's permission, during the latter's lifetime, and even if he