In time of drought, the people appealed to Honi to pray on

Midrash Aggadah Exempla of the Rabbis, No. 422

Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team · Published January 25, 2025

In time of drought, the people appealed to Honi to pray on their behalf. He drew a circle, stood in the midst of it and prayed saying he would not step out of the circle until rain had fallen. The rain fell at once, hence his name Honi “ha-Meagel”, “the one who draws the circle ”

He wondered at the verse in the psalm, “When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like unto them that dream (Ps. 126: 1),” and he wondered how anyone could sleep for 70 years. One day, out in the field he saw a man planting a Harub tree, which only bears fruit after seventy years. Asked whether he expected to eat of the fruit the old man replied, “My forefather planted for me and I plant for the future.” Honi then went to sleep and slept for 70 years, protected by a hedge which had grown around him. When he woke up he saw a man plucking the fruit. It was the grandson. His she -ass had produced foals and many were grazing. He came back to town but only found his grandson, his son having died. Going to the College he heard his name mentioned but people refused to recognise him. He realised that he had slept for 70 years and prayed to God to take his life and God heard his prayer.

Themes

Death Miracles Kings Prayer

Continue Reading

Midrash Aggadah The story of Kamsa and bar Kam§a and the fall of Jerusalem The story of Kamsa and bar Kam§a and the fall of Jerusalem. A man had company and had invited Bar Kamsa who was his enem... Midrash Aggadah It was the custom to present newly married people with a It was the custom to present newly married people with a hen and a cock and once the Roman soldiers passing by caught th... Apocrypha Joseph the Ruler of Egypt The Book of Jubilees, an ancient Jewish text that expands on the Torah, gives us a glimpse. It paints a vivid picture, a... Ginzberg Death of Ishmael Their water is gone. Facing death by dehydration, Ishmael turns to God, pleading, "O Lord of the world! If it be Thy wil... Ginzberg Death of Elisha We find such a lament in the tale of the Shunammite woman. She was a generous soul who offered the prophet Elisha hospit... Ginzberg King Hezekiah and the Fires of Gehenna It's fascinating to consider. According to Legends of the Jews, those who settled in Samaria after the Assyrians deporte... Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Tarfon and the elders were once sitting in the shade of the R. Tarfon and the elders were once sitting in the shade of the grove of Yavneh when this question was once asked before ... Other Texts God Himself in the Days of Moses Isn't it wild to think about peace even in the middle of war? We often think of them as opposites, but Jewish tradition ... Midrash Aggadah Aggadah From Berakhot Chapter 1 in Berakhot ...It is written (Ps. 119:62) At midnight do I constantly rise to give thanks unto Thee. Did David rise at midnight? Beh...