Evil and Satan

Those captive [women] who were brought to Nehardea, [where they were redeemed,] were brought up to the house of R. Amram the Pious. They removed the ladder from before them [to prevent men from climbing up after them to the attic where they were to sleep]. When one of them passed [by the entrance to the upper chamber, it was as though] a light shone in the aperture [due to her great beauty. Out of his desire for her,] Rav Amram grabbed a ladder that ten [men] together could not lift, lifted it on his own [and] began climbing.

When he was halfway [up] the ladder, he strengthened [his legs against the sides of the ladder to stop himself from climbing further], raised his voice, [and cried out, “There is] a fire in the house of Amram.” [Upon hearing this,] the sages came [and found him in that position]. They said to him, “You have embarrassed us, [since everyone sees what you had intended to do.” Rav Amram] said to them, “It is better that you be shamed in Amram’s house in this world, and not be ashamed of him in the World to Come.” He took an oath that [his evil inclination] should emerge from him, and [an apparition] similar to a pillar of fire emerged from him. He said to [his evil inclination], “See, as you are fire and I am [mere] flesh, and [yet,] I am [still] superior to you, [as I was able to overcome you].”

R. Meir would ridicule transgressors [by saying it is easy to avoid temptation]. One day, Satan appeared to him as a woman [standing] on the other side of the river. [Since] there was no ferry [to cross the river], he took hold of a rope bridge and crossed [the river]. When he reached halfway [across] the rope bridge, [the evil inclination] left him and said [to him], “Were it not for [the fact that] they proclaim about you in heaven, ‘Be careful with regard to R. Meir and his Torah,’ I would have made your blood like two ma’a [i.e., completely worthless, since you would have fallen completely from your spiritual level].”

R. Akiva would [likewise] ridicule transgressors. One day, Satan appeared to him as a woman at the top of a palm tree. [R. Akiva] grabbed hold of the palm tree and began climbing. When he was halfway up the palm tree, [the evil inclination] left him and said [to him], “Were it not for [the fact that] they proclaim about you in heaven, ‘Be careful with regard to R. Akiva and his Torah,’ I would have made your blood like two ma’a.”

[The sage] Peleimu had the habit to say every day, “An arrow in the eye of Satan,” [mocking the temptations of the evil inclination]. One day, it was the eve of Yom Kippur, [and Satan] appeared to him as a pauper [who] came and called [him] to the door, [requesting alms. Peleimu] brought out bread to him. [Satan] said to him, “On a day like today, everyone is inside [eating], and [shall] I [stand] outside [and eat?” Peleimu] brought him inside and gave him bread. He said to him, “On a day like today, everyone [is sitting] at the table, and [shall] I [sit] by myself?” They brought him and sat him at the table. He was sitting [and had] covered himself with boils and pus, and he was doing repulsive things [at the table. Peleimu] said to [the pauper], “Sit properly [and do not act in a revolting manner.” Satan then] said to him, “Give me a cup.” They gave him a cup. He coughed up his phlegm and spat it into [the cup]. They berated him [for acting this way, at which point Satan pretended to] sink [down] and die. They heard [people around them] saying, “Peleimu killed a man! Peleimu killed a man!” [Peleimu] fled and hid himself in the bathroom. [Satan] followed him [and] fell before him. Upon seeing that [Peleimu] was suffering, he revealed himself to him. [Satan] said to him, “What is the reason that you spoke this way, [provoking me by saying, ‘An arrow in the eye of Satan?’” He replied,] “But what then should I say?” [Satan] said to him, “Let the Master, [i.e., Peleimu,] say, ‘Let the Merciful One [that is, God—Ed.] rebuke the Satan.’”