And he said unto them, which of you shall have a friend,.... A neighbour, or acquaintance: and shall go unto him at midnight; which may seem a very unseasonable time, and which nothing but real distress, not knowing what otherwise to do, would put a man upon: and say unto him, friend, lend me three loaves: it was usual of the Jews to borrow bread of one another, and certain rules are laid down, when, and on what condition, this is to be done; as for instance, on a sabbath day (k), "a man may ask of his friend vessels of wine, and vessels of oil, only he must not say, lend me: and so a woman, , "bread of her friend".'' Again (l), "so said Hillell, let not a woman lend "bread to her friend", till she has fixed the price; lest wheat should be dearer, and they should be found coming into the practice of usury.'' For what was lent, could not be demanded again under thirty days (m). (k) Misn. Sabbat, c. 23. sect. 1. (l) Misn. Bava Metzia. c. 5. sect. 9. (m) T. Bab. Maccot, fol. 3. 2. Jarchi in T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 148. 1. Bartenona in Misn. Sabbat, c. 23. sect. 1.