Jotham's Parable of the Trees on Mount Gerizim

"And they told Jotham, and he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim" (Judges 9:7). And why did he stand on Mount Gerizim and curse, when the curses were given only on Mount Ebal? Rather, he said thus: You Cutheans [Samaritans] are destined to say, Mount Gerizim is ours, for there the blessings were given — and they do not know that there the curses were given. For behold, those standing on Mount Ebal and cursing, whom were they cursing? Surely those facing them. It turns out the curses came toward Mount Gerizim and the blessings toward Mount Ebal. Therefore Jotham said: I will curse them only on Mount Gerizim. He began and said, "The trees went forth" (Judges 9:8). Rabbi Menashia said: These words are a parable. "The trees went forth" — these are Israel. "And they said to the olive, Reign over us" — this is Othniel son of Kenaz, who was of the tribe of Judah, as it is said, "A leafy olive tree, fair with goodly fruit, the LORD called your name" (Jeremiah 11:16). And what did Othniel say to them? "Should I cease my fatness?" They went to Deborah: "And they said to the fig tree, Reign over us" — "Should I cease my sweetness?" — "And Deborah sang" (Judges 5:1). "And they said to the vine" — this is Gideon — "You, rule over us, also"; he said to them, "Should I cease my new wine?" "I will not rule over you" (Judges 8:23). "And the trees said to the bramble, You, you reign over us" — this is Abimelech. Just as the bramble is a barren tree, all thorns, so Abimelech had no good deeds.