The Faithful Tither Who Built a Cistern and Made a Fortune

Exempla of the Rabbis, No. 106

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·March 24, 2026

106. One who paid his tithes regularly once used half of his field to build there a cistern and made a fortune during a drought.

Themes

Wisdom Faith Rain Adam Eve Humor

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Da'at TevunotFaith of MaimonidesDa'at Tevunot turns to Faith of Maimonides. A soul speaking, contemplating the very foundations of its belief. That's what we encounter here. The soul declares Da'at TevunotWhat Do You Accept on Faith and What Do You KnowIt's a profound work of Jewish thought, a dialogue exploring the depths of our spiritual and intellectual lives. Right at its heart, we find this deceptively si Sifrei DevarimWords of Torah Like Rain That Keeps Knowledge AliveIt’s human nature. But what if there was a way to keep those vital lessons alive, vibrant, and growing within us? The ancient text Sifrei Devarim offers us a be Exempla of the Rabbis (Gaster, 1924)Ass of Pinehas bThe donkey of Rabbi Pinehas ben Yair was as righteous as its master. Or so the Talmud (Jerusalem Talmud Demai 1:3, Hullin 7a-b) suggests through a story that be Ben SiraAll Wisdom Comes From God AloneMaybe, just maybe, the answer is simpler than we think. The Book of Ben Sira, a text brimming with practical advice and profound insights, starts with a bold cl Ben SiraWho Can Count the Sands of the Sea"The sands of the seas, the drops of rain, and the days of eternity, who can count them?" he asks. It's a rhetorical question, of course. The answer is: nobody.