Resh Lakish sold himself to the Ludites, a tribe of cannibals, before he had studied the Torah, for at that time he was still a robber by profession. He took along a sack in which he had a ball of lead, for he knew that the Ludites hadthe following custom. On the day of a man's execution the Ludites allowed him every wish except to have his life spared. They did this in order that he might forgive them for shedding his blood.

When the day of his death arrived, the Ludites said to him: "Ask of us whatever you like before your death and we will grant It, except to spare your life."

Resh Lakish replied: "If I am to obtain from you the fulfillment of my wish, then I ask to be allowed to tie you up and to place you in a row, one next to the other, and then I will give you a stroke and a half with this sack. After that I will willingly forgive you for my murder."

The Ludites granted his wish and allowed themselves to be tied up and placed one next to the other in a row. Then he gave them such violent blows that they fell down and died.

As they died they gnashed their teeth, and he said: "Why are you mocking me? I owe you still another half stroke."

And he gave each one another half blow and left them all dead and went on his way.

Whatever Resh Lakish earned he spent on eating and drinking. One day his daughter said to him: "Buy yourself a bed or a pillow to lie upon."

He replied: "My abdomen is my bed and pillow."

When he died, he left a small measure of saffrons, thus fulfilling the verse: "And leave their wealth to others" (Ps. 49.10).