Midrash su Ecclesiaste 12:12

(Fol. 21a) R. Chisda said that Mari b. Mar expounded: "What is meant by the passage (Jer. 24, 1.) The Lord caused me to see, and behold, there were two baskets of figs, like the figs that ripen first; (Ib. b) and the other basket had very bad figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad, i.e., the good figs represent the truly righteous and the bad figs represent the grossly wicked. You will perhaps say, that their [the grossly wicked] prospect [of returning to God] is gone and their outlook is frustrated, therefore it is said (Songs 7, 14.) The mandrakes give forth their smell, i.e., these and those are destined to give forth a good smell." Rabba expounded: "What is the meaning of the passage (Ib. ib. ib.) The mandrakes give forth (their) smell? This refers to the youth of Israel who have not sinned; And at our doors are all manner of precious fruits, (Ib.) refers to the virgins of Israel who inform their husbands when they approach the period of their menstruation, or, who are very modest and live respectably before their marriage; New and also old; O my friend, these have I laid up for Thee (Ib.), i.e., The Congregation of Israel said before the Holy One, praised be He! 'Sovereign of the universe, many restrictions did I impose upon myself beyond those which Thou hast imposed upon me, and have observed them carefully." R. Chisda said to one of his disciples who reviewed before him the Agada according to its orders: "Hast thou not heard what is meant by the passage (Ib. 7, 14.) New and also old; O my friend, these have I laid up for thee." The disciple answered: "It refers to both kinds of commandments; those that are easy and those that are difficult to observe." Are we to assume that the Torah was given in sections, at different periods [that it refers to new and to old]? "But," said the disciple, "one refers to the Biblical ordinances and the other refers to the Sopharic (Rabbinical) ordinances." Rabba expounded: "What is the meaning of the passage (Ecc. 12, 12.) But more than all this, my son take warning to thyself, the making of many books would have no end? This means: My son, be careful in the observance of the Sopharic ordinances even more than the Biblical; for while the Biblical commandments are merely positive and prohibitive laws [without any special punishment for their transgression], the Sopharic commandments, if neglected, involve capital punishment. One might say perhaps, that if it be true that these are so important, then why were they not put down in writing? The passage therefore says [in answer] (Ib.) The making of many books would have no end."