Two Enemy Donkey Drivers Make Peace Through Torah

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Mishpatim 1:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

(Exodus 21:1:) AND THESE ARE THE ORDINANCES (mishpatim), etc. This is what Scripture says (Psalms 99:4): AND A MIGHTY KING LOVES JUSTICE (mishpat). All the might, the power, and the praise belong to the Holy One, blessed be He. David said (1 Chronicles 29:11): YOURS, O LORD, IS THE GREATNESS AND THE POWER, etc. The might of the King of the kings of kings is the Holy One, blessed be He. You find that one who is a strong-armed man does not carry out his affairs with justice, but rather transgresses justice; the Holy One, blessed be He, however, is a strong-armed One and yet loves justice. (Psalms 99:4:) YOU HAVE ESTABLISHED EQUITY. Rabbi Alexandri said: Two donkey drivers were traveling along the road, and they hated one another. The donkey of one of them lay down. His fellow saw him and passed by. After he had passed by, he said: It is written in the Torah (Exodus 23:5), WHEN YOU SEE THE DONKEY OF ONE WHO HATES YOU [lying under its burden, etc., YOU SHALL SURELY HELP WITH HIM]. Immediately he turned back and loaded with him. He began to reflect in his heart; he said: So-and-so is indeed his friend, and I did not know it! They entered an inn and ate and drank. What caused them to make peace? Because this one looked into the Torah. (Psalms 99:4:) YOU HAVE ESTABLISHED EQUITY, etc. What is this? This is justice (mishpat).

Themes

Divine JusticeAnimalsTorahDavidKings

Biblical References

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Legends of the JewsSolomon and the TorahNot just any throne, but a marvel of engineering and symbolism, a machine practically alive with gold and precious stones. Solomon approaches the first step. ThBen SiraGolyat and the KingNot just any David, but the David. The shepherd boy who became a king, the poet who penned psalms that still resonate today. Ben Sira, in chapter 47, paints a vLetter of AristeasPtolemy Requests Seventy Scholars to Translate TorahLetter of Aristeas turns to Ptolemy Requests Seventy Scholars to Translate Torah. This letter, attributed to someone named Aristeas, a courtier of the king, telLetter of AristeasTranslating the Torah of LetterNestled within this letter are descriptions of the Temple in Jerusalem, and some of its most magnificent furnishings. Just one small detail: a table. But oh, whLetter of AristeasHow Ancient Advisors Taught the Art of Just RuleThe Letter of Aristeas, a fascinating ancient text, gives us a glimpse into just that. It recounts the story of how the Septuagint, the Greek translation of theThe Book of Maccabees IJonathan Maccabeus and the King of AlexanderJonathan, leading the Jewish people in revolt against the Seleucid Empire. A tough, courageous leader. And then, out of the blue, he gets a letter. Not just any