The Emperor said to R. Joshua: "I should like to see your God."

R. Joshua replied to the Emperor: "You cannot see Him."

The Emperor said: "In sooth you must show Him to me."

Then R. Joshua took the Emperor with him into the field. It was in the month of Tammuz (July-August) when the sun is very hot, and he said to the Emperor: "Now look up to the sky and there you will see God."

And he pointed to the sun.

The Emperor replied: "I cannot look into the sun."

Then R. Joshua said to the Emperor: "Behold! This sun is only one of God's servants and yet you cannot look at it, how much less can you look at the Lord, blessed be He, Himself!"

When the Emperor heard his reply, he was very much pleased.