“For like the crackling of brambles under the pot, so is the laughter of the fool; this, too, is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 7:6). “For like the crackling of brambles under the pot” – Rabbi Levi son of Rabbi Ze’eira would state a request of permission:43He would do so at the beginning of his addresses, requesting the audience’s permission. All the trees, when they are ignited, their sound does not carry; however, these brambles when they are ignited, their sound carries. They are saying: We, too, are trees.44He was saying, in his humility: Even those who are not wise want to have their voices heard. Therefore, please grant me permission to speak.