Rabbi Meir Explains the Pig's Hypocrisy to the Roman Emperor

Exempla of the Rabbis, No. 207

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

207. R. Meir & Clean Animals.

Midr. Hagadol, Levit. Shemini.

Eccles. R. I, 1. § 9. Yalk. Sip. Ill, p. 35.

Themes

Animals Tribes Rome Hellenism Wisdom

Continue Reading

Alphabet of Ben SiraWhy the Raven Dances While It WalksWatch a raven walk and you'll notice something peculiar. It doesn't strut smoothly like a pigeon or hop like a sparrow. It bobs and sways, almost like it's danc Mekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelWhat They Leave Shall Be Eaten by the Animals"And what they leave shall be eaten by the animals of the field", the Torah establishes that shemitah produce left uneaten by humans may be consumed by wild ani Exempla of the Rabbis (Gaster, 1924)Lulianus and Pappus Refused a Roman MiracleThe Roman general Trayanos captured two Jewish brothers, Lulianus and Pappus, in the city of Laodicea and sentenced them to death. Before the execution, Trayano Exempla of the Rabbis (Gaster, 1924)The Captured Child Who Read the Emperor's BookA Jewish child had learned the opening chapters of the Book of Genesis, just the beginning, nothing more, before he was captured and thrown into a Roman prison.Exempla of the Rabbis (Gaster, 1924)Antoninus Asked Rabbi Judah When the Soul Enters the BodyThe Roman emperor Antoninus had a private and unusual friendship with Rabbi Judah ha-Nasi, the compiler of the Mishnah (the earliest code of rabbinic law). They Legends of the JewsJudah's Lion Face Terrified Enemy WarriorsLegends of the Jews turns to Judah's Lion Face Terrified Enemy Warriors. The scene. The warriors on the opposing side catch sight of Judah. Ginzberg, in Legends