King Solomon and the Two Meals That Taught a Proverb

Exempla of the Rabbis, No. 246

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

246. Solomon Well & Badly T reated.

Proverbs, XV, 17.

Midr. Hagadol, Deut.

Shofetim.

Yalk. II, § 953.

Farhi, 0. P. I, p. 18b; in, f. 40.

Yalk. Sip. Ill, p. 109. Ginzburg, IV, p. 169.

Themes

Kings Solomon Teaching Wisdom Humor

Continue Reading

Exempla of the Rabbis (Gaster, 1924)God Gives Wisdom to the WiseThe sages of Israel taught that God does not scatter wisdom like rain falling on barren ground. He gives wisdom only to those who already possess it, to those w Exempla of the Rabbis (Gaster, 1924)Solomon & ChessSolomon and chess, a pairing that connects the king's legendary wisdom with the world's most intellectual game. While chess in its modern form postdates Solomon Kohelet RabbahWho Will Bring Us to See What Comes AfterKohelet Rabbah begins with a hard limit: no one can see what comes after them. So, what does Kohelet Rabbah have to say about this particular verse? It poses a Ben SiraSearch and Examine - The Persistent Quest for WisdomHe understood the persistent, sometimes frustrating, quest for wisdom. And in his book, he offers some surprisingly practical, and beautiful, advice. He urges u Book of JudithJudith Says Do Not Bind the Plans of the LordThe Book of Judith, in this powerful passage, gently reminds us to pump the brakes. Judith, a courageous and devout widow, is addressing the elders of her city,Letter of AristeasKing Ptolemy and the MessiahLetter of Aristeas turns to King Ptolemy and the Messiah. Buried within this story of translation is a crucial detail about freedom. The Letter recounts the eff