אל יעמוד אדם עם מלמדי תינוקות פן יבטלם בדבריו. צא ולמד מחוני המעגל ואבא חלקיה בן בתו שלא רצו להשיב במלאכה אפילו שלום כדאיתא בתענית כשנתנו לו שלום זוגא דרבנן לא השיב שלום כל שכן במלאכת שמים ארור עושה מלאכת שמים ברמיה:
Let a man not stop and speak with teachers of children lest he waste their time with words. Go and learn from Honi Hameagel1Lit. Honi The Circle-Drawer. See Jewish Encyclopedia, IX, 404, for a full treatment of the person and his reputed powers. He was regarded as a miracle worker. During a drought he prayed for rain by drawing a circle, entering it, and refusing to step out until his prayers were answered. and Abba Hilkiah, his daughter’s son. During their work they did not want to return even greetings, as it is found in Taanith,2Taanith 23a. when a pair of rabbis extended greetings to him he did not return the greeting. So much the more should this apply to heavenly work, “Cursed be he that doeth work of the Lord with a slack hand” (Jer. 48:10).
אל יעמוד אדם עם מלמדי תינוקות פן יבטלם בדבריו. צא ולמד מחוני המעגל ואבא חלקיה בן בתו שלא רצו להשיב במלאכה אפילו שלום כדאיתא בתענית כשנתנו לו שלום זוגא דרבנן לא השיב שלום כל שכן במלאכת שמים ארור עושה מלאכת שמים ברמיה:
Let a man not stop and speak with teachers of children lest he waste their time with words. Go and learn from Honi Hameagel1Lit. Honi The Circle-Drawer. See Jewish Encyclopedia, IX, 404, for a full treatment of the person and his reputed powers. He was regarded as a miracle worker. During a drought he prayed for rain by drawing a circle, entering it, and refusing to step out until his prayers were answered. and Abba Hilkiah, his daughter’s son. During their work they did not want to return even greetings, as it is found in Taanith,2Taanith 23a. when a pair of rabbis extended greetings to him he did not return the greeting. So much the more should this apply to heavenly work, “Cursed be he that doeth work of the Lord with a slack hand” (Jer. 48:10).