There once lived a king named Monobaz who, in a year of famine, gave away all his treasures and all the treasures of his forefathers to charity. This Monobaz was a descendant of Queen Helena of the family of the Hasmoneans.

When he had given away all his treasures and those of his father, his brothers and the other members of his family came to him and spoke very angrily, saying: "Your forefathers had accumulated treasures and increased their wealth, but you have diminished it and have given it away uselessly."

When he heard them speaking thus, he replied: "I have acted much better than my

forefathers, and I will prove it in such a manner that you yourselves will agree with me. My parents accumulated wealth upon earth, but I have put my treasures in heaven, as we read in, the Bible: 'Truth springeth out of the earth; and righteousness (charity) hath looked down from heaven' (Ps. 85.12). My parents have hid their treasures in a spot where they could be touched by human hands, but I have hidden my treasures in a place where no human hands can ever touch them, according to the verse: 'Righteousness (charity) and justice are the foundation of Thy Throne' (ib. 89.15). My patents hid their wealth in a spot where it could yield no fruit, but I have hidden mine in a place where it can yield fruit, according to the verse: 'Say ye of the righteous, that it shall be well with him; for they shall eat the fruit of their doings'

(Is. 3.10). My parents treasured up their money, but I have treasured up my soul, as the verse says: 'He who preserves his life is wise' (Prov, 11.30). My parents treasured up their money for the benefit of others, but I have, treasured it up for my own benefit, as is said in the verse: 'And for thee shall be the charity' (Deut. 24.13). My parents laid up their things in this world, but I have laid up my wealth in the world to come, as the Bible says: 'And thy righteousness (charity) shall go before thee,' in the next world, and the verse concludes: 'The glory of the Lord will gather thee in' (Is. 58.8). You have heard how uselessly I have given away my treasures."

When his brothers heard this, they all agreed that he had acted very well and refrained from further opposition.