In Jewish Rabbinic literature there are many parables, relating to plant and animal life. In these short stories, plants or animals speak, feel, and act as humans in every way. The stories have a moral and teach a lesson. The Sages called these stories "fox parables" or "Palm parables". Here is a set, issued by Israel on September 13, 2016, depicting different parables of the sages:
The Fox in the Vineyard:
A fox saw a vineyard of ripe grapes and wished to taste them. The hole in the fence was too small for him to pass through, so he fasted for three days, entered the vineyard, and feasted on grapes until he was full. When he then tried to leave, he was again forced to fast for three days in order to fit through the hole in the fence. What pleasure, then, did he derive from the vineyard?
The Lion and the Heron:
A bone got stuck in a lion's throat as it ate its prey. The lion promised a reward to anyone who could dislodge the bone. The heron used its long beak to perform the task. When he came to claim his reward the lion said to him: Is it not enough that you escaped the jaws of a lion, now you seek a reward, as well?
The Reed and the Cedar:
The mighty cedar with its many roots can be uprooted by a strong wind. The reed, which is supple and flexible, bends in the wind and suffers no harm. The moral: A Man should always be as gentle as the reed and never as unyielding as the cedar.
Posted 11/08/2019 3:36 pm
