I, p.

227.] [Footnote 2: This type of Jewish woman, current in Russia until recent times, was called _Eshet Hayil_, "a woman of valour," with allusion to Prov.

31.10.] In Lithuania the whole mental energy of the Jewish youth was absorbed by Talmudism.

The synagogue served as a "house of study" outside the hours fixed for prayers.

There the local rabbi or a private scholar gave lectures on the Talmud which were listened to by hosts of _yeshibah bahurs_.