Onkelos the son of Kalonika wanted to embrace Judaism. When the Emperor heard of it, he sent some persons to ask Onkelos to come to see him. As soon as they came to Onkelos, he told them so much about the Torah that they also became Jews. When the Emperor heard this, he sent some more people for him and told them not to have any conversation with Onkelos, but to bring him to the palace. As they came to him, they kept silent and took him away with them.

Then he said, "I have something to say to you about worldly matters." And seeing a mezuzah, he took hold of it and began to smile.

They asked him why he was smiling, and he replied, "Such is the way of the world, a servant carries the torch and keeps guard in front of the palace on the outside and protects his master against harm, whilst the king sits inside on his throne. But the Lord, blessed be He, is not so; He sits in front of the door and protects His beloved people Israel, who sit inside (therefore the mezuzah is fastened on the outside), as we

say: 'May the Lord protectmy going out and my coming in from now unto eternity' " (Ps. 121.8).

When they heard this, they also became Jews.

When the Emperor heard of it, he did not send any more persons after him, for he feared that his whole people might turn Jews and he would remain without a people.