Six Traits of the Horse and Why You Must Remember Amalek

Rabbi Yudan opened in the name of Rabbi Aivu (with Psalms 32:9): "Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding." Six things were said about the horse: it eats much and excretes little; it loves promiscuity; it loves war; its spirit is coarse; and it despises sleep. And some say: it even seeks to kill its master in war. (As it is said:) "Be not like a horse or a mule... whose trappings are to hold it in check." This horse — when one bridles it, it balks; when one feeds it barley, it balks; when one washes it down, it balks; when one approaches it, it balks (the meaning is: it kicks). You — do not be like that. Rather, be careful to repay the good person his goodness, and to repay the evil person his evil. "Remember what Amalek did to you" (Deuteronomy 25:17).