Ten Questions of Alexander to the Sages of the South

Alexander the Macedonian asked ten questions of the sages of the south. He said to them, “Which is greater, the distance between heaven and earth or between east and west?” [The sages from the south] said to him, “Between east and west. Know that when the sun is in the east everyone can look at it and when the sun is in the west everyone can look at it, but when the sun is in the middle of the sky no one can look at it [because it is too close, and therefore the distance between east and west is greater than from heaven to earth].” But [other rabbinic] sages say: The distance between these is equal, as it says: For as the heaven is high above the earth . . . as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:11–12). If one [of the distances] were greater, why write [in comparison to] both, [instead of] including only the one that is greater! And what is the reason that no one can look at the sun when it is in the middle of the sky? Because it is totally clear, and nothing obscures it.

[Alexander] said to them, “Were the heavens or the earth created first?” They said, “The heavens were created first, as it says: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1).” He said to them, “Was light or dark created first?” They said, “This matter has no answer.” But let the [sages] say that darkness was created first, as it is written: And the earth was unformed and void and darkness . . . (Genesis 1:2), and then [scripture] goes on to say: And God said, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3)?! [Why do they not provide this answer? The sages] reasoned [that if they answered in this way,] perhaps he would come to ask them what is above and what is below, what is before and what is after. If [they were concerned with this] then they should not have said anything about heaven [being created first]! At first, they thought that [Alexander] was just asking a question. But once they saw that he was going on to question [them], they thought that it was better not to answer lest he come to ask questions about creation that may not be discussed, that is, what is above the firmament and what is below the earth, what was before creation, and what will be after the end of the world.

He said to them, “Who is called wise?” They said, “Who is wise? The one who sees that which shall come to be.” “Who is called mighty?” They said to him, “Who is mighty? One who conquers his inclinations.” He said to them, “Who is called rich?” They said to him, “Who is rich? One who is happy with his portion [in life].” He said to them, “What should a person do to live?” They said to him, “Let him kill himself.” He said to them, “What should a person do to die?” “Keep himself alive.” He said to them, “What should a person do to be received by others?” They said, “Hate the king and ruler.” He said to them, “My [answer] is better than yours—love the king and ruler and do favors for people.” He said to them, “Is it preferable to dwell in the sea or to dwell on dry land?” They said to him, “It is preferable to dwell on dry land, for whoever goes out to sea is anxious until they return to dry land.” He said to them, “Which of you is the wisest?” They said, “We are all equal, for everything that you ask us, we have the same answer.” He said to them, “Why do you oppose me?” They said to him, “Satan will be victorious.” He said to them, “But I will kill you with a royal decree.” They said, “The power is in the hand of the king, but it is not proper for the king to lie.” Immediately, he dressed them in purple clothing and put gold around their necks.

Translated by Matthew Goldstone.