"Once when Hillel had concluded a class with his disciples, he left the House of Study with them.

"The disciples asked him, 'Master, where are you going?'

"He replied: 'To fulfill a religious obligation.'

" 'What is this religious obligation?' the disciples wanted to know.

"He replied: 'I am going to the bathhouse in order to have a bath.'

"The disciples were astonished, and they asked, 'Is that really a religious obligation?'

"He answered: 'Yes! If somebody who is appointed to scrape and clean the statues of the king that stand in the theaters and circuses is paid for the work and even associates with the nobility, how much more should I, who am created in the image and likeness of God . . . take care of my body?' "