It’s about a creature that is the size of a mountain... at least when it’s a baby! We're talking about the re'em.
Now, the re'em is a fascinating beast. Think unicorn, or maybe rhinoceros, but supersized and steeped in legend. We find it mentioned in various places in our tradition, often depicted as this horned, mythological creature of immense proportions. But it's one particular story, tied to none other than King David himself, that really brings the re'em to life.
Imagine young David, still a shepherd boy, tending his flock. He comes across what he thinks is a mountain, a massive, slumbering form rising from the earth. He climbs it! Unbeknownst to him, it's a one-day-old re'em – already as big as Mount Tabor, according to the Talmud (B. Bava Batra 73a).
The re'em awakens. Can you picture the scene? David, perched precariously atop the creature's horn, is lifted higher and higher, all the way toward the heavens! What a terrifying and awe-inspiring moment.
But wait, there's more. Just when David is at his highest point, God intervenes. A lion appears. Not just any lion, but the king of beasts. The re'em, despite its size and strength, is terrified and kneels down in fear. David, naturally, is also pretty scared. So God sends a gazelle, a diversion. As the lion chases after it, David seizes his chance. He slides down the re'em's horn and makes his escape. Whew!
This story, as recounted in Midrash Tehillim 22:28, is often used to explain a somewhat cryptic verse in Psalm 22:22: "Deliver me from a lion's mouth, rescue me from the horns of a re'em." Makes a lot more sense now, doesn't it? The Psalm, through this lens, becomes a direct reference to David's harrowing experience. It's a beautiful example of how our tradition uses stories to unlock the deeper meanings within the sacred texts.
It's a bit like the story of Cain's death, which helps us understand Genesis 4:23 – sometimes these narratives fill in gaps and give context to otherwise puzzling passages.
And it's not just ancient texts. Rabbah bar Bar Hannah, a well-known wandering sage, even claimed to have seen a re'em during one of his journeys! Talk about a traveler’s tale.
So, what does this all mean for us? Beyond the fantastical imagery and thrilling adventure, the story of David and the re'em speaks to the power of divine intervention, even in the face of overwhelming odds. It reminds us that even when we're facing giants, literal or metaphorical, we're not alone. And sometimes, all it takes is a well-placed gazelle to help us find our way to safety.