A king once entered a school where the master was sitting

Midrash Aggadah Exempla of the Rabbis, No. 428

Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team · Published January 1, 2025

A king once entered a school where the master was sitting at the desk with a rod in his hand. The children

prostrated themselve before the king but the master took no notice. The king, greatly surprised, called him to come before him the next day. He came, prostrated himself and made obeisance. Then the king asked him about his behaviour of yesterday and the teacher replied, “In the school I am the king. With loss of respect discipline goes. I teach the children loyalty to the king. If I prostrate myself as well I lose their respect and my power over the children which is increased if they see that I do not recognise even the king. But here I prostrate myself.” The king greatly approved of the teacher’s attitude.

Themes

Wisdom Kings Worship Humor Heresy

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