Some Parables From the Mekilta-de Rabbi Ishmael

Forgotten Miracles:

One was traveling along the road. He encountered a wolf and was saved from him. So he kept telling the story of the wolf. Then he encountered a lion and was saved from him. So he forgot the story of the wolf and kept on telling the story of the lion. He then encountered a serpent and was saved from him. So he forgot the story of both of them and kept on telling the story of the serpent. So it is with Israel. Later troubles cause the former ones to be forgotten.

 

Moral: The parables focus not on the concept of “first”, but rather on the idea of most recent: recent history and greater miracles are more vivid than previous experiences.

 

Go and get me a fish from the market

The slave went and brought him an ill-smelling fish. He said to the slave: I decree that you eat the fish or receive a hundred lashes, or you pay a hundred maneh.” The slave said: “I will eat it.” He began to eat, but could not finish. He, therefore, said: “I will take the lashes.” After receiving sixty lashes, he could stand no more. He therefore said: “I will pay the hundred maneh.” The result was that he ate the fish, received the lashes, and paid a hundred maneh.

 

Moral: “So also, it was done to the Egyptians.” They delayed obedience to the divine decree, resulting in them experiencing chastisements of increasing intensity.

 

King and His Gardens

A king had two gardens. He sold one of his gardens, but when the buyer came wishing to enter the garden, the keeper would not let him. The buyer spoke to the keeper in the name of the king, but the keeper would not yield. He then showed him the king’s ring, and still he refused to yield. So the buyer had to go and bring the king himself with him. As soon as the buyer came along with the king, the keeper started to run away. The buyer called out to him” The whole day I have been telling you the order of the king but you would not accept it; and now why are you running away? The keeper answered him: It is not on account of you that I am fleeing, it is on account of the king.

 

So also when Moses came and stood by the sea, ordering it in the name of the Holy One, to divide itself, and it would not consent…; the sea would not immediately part

when he raised his staff. As soon as the Holy One, blessed be He, with His might and glory manifested Himself, the sea began to flee.

 Thanks to Raj for this post.