How God Helps the Hind Give Birth and Drink in Safety

Rabbi Yudan said: It is written, "The high mountains are for the wild goats" (Psalms 104:18). Rabbi Levi in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: This hind, her limbs are narrow, and she has difficulty giving birth. And what does the Holy One, blessed be He, do? He provides for her a serpent, and it bites her, and her limbs slacken. And when she gives birth, what does the Holy One, blessed be He, do? He provides for her an herb, and she eats it and is healed. This is what is written, "He does great things that we do not comprehend" (Job 37:5). Rabbi Levi in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: This hind, her limbs are weak, and she seeks water, and she is afraid of a wild beast. What does the Holy One, blessed be He, do? He places in her a frenzied spirit, and she beats with her feet and beats with her horns, and the wild beast hears and flees. This is what is written, "[God thunders marvelously with His voice;] He does great things that we do not comprehend" (Job 37:5). Rabbi Elazar said: This man sleeps upon his bed, and the serpent is poised before his bed. And what does the Holy One, blessed be He, do? He places in him a frenzied spirit, and he flings out with his hands and flings out with his feet and puts on his garments inside out, and the serpent hears and flees. This is what is written, "God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things that we do not comprehend" (Job 37:5).