Therefore when he was at the synagogue studying the Law, his
visage would shine as the sun and its features would be the
features of an angel. One day, as he thus sat reading, Satan
chanced to pass by, and in a fit of jealousy Satan said: "'Can it
really be that this man has never sinned?' "'He is a man of spotless
purity,' answered God
"'Just grant me the liberty,' Satan urged, 'and I will lead him to sin.'
"'You will never succeed.' "'Let me try.' "'Proceed.' "Satan then
appeared in the guise of the most beautiful woman in the world,
of one the like of whom had not been born since the days of
Naomi, the sister of Tuval Cain, the woman who had led angels
astray.
When Rabbi Mathia espied her he faced about. So Satan, still in
the disguise of a beautiful woman, took up a position on the left
side of him; and when he turned away once more he walked over
to the right side again. Finally Rabbi Mathia had nails and fire
brought him and gouged out his own eyes.
"At this God called for Angel Raphael and bade him cure the
righteous man.
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