But have you ever wondered about the smooth skin around its nose? Well, according to some beautiful old stories, there's more to that bovine face than meets the eye!
The Legends of the Jews, that amazing compilation of Jewish folklore by Louis Ginzberg, tells us that the steer – the ox – wasn't always so… bare-nosed. Originally, its face was covered in hair, just like the rest of its body. So, what changed?
Get this: it all boils down to a kiss from Joshua! Yes, that Joshua, the one who succeeded Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land.
Now, Joshua wasn't exactly a lightweight. The stories paint him as… substantial. So substantial, in fact, that horses, donkeys, even mules couldn't carry him. They just buckled under his weight. Can you imagine?
But the steer? The steer was strong. It was loyal. It bore Joshua's weight all the way to the siege of Jericho. Think about that for a moment. Jericho! The city with walls so high and thick, they seemed impenetrable. And there's Joshua, riding into battle on the back of a steer. It’s an image that just sticks with you, doesn't it?
And when the walls finally came tumbling down – remember, those walls came down after the Israelites marched around Jericho for seven days and blew their shofars, or ram's horns (Joshua 6) – Joshua was overcome with gratitude. He owed this animal a debt.
So, he did something remarkable. He kissed the steer on its nose! A simple act of thanks, a moment of connection between leader and beast. And that kiss, according to the legend, is what caused the hair to fall away from the steer's nose, leaving it smooth and bare for all time.
It's a charming little story, isn't it? It reminds us that even the most ordinary things – like the face of a cow – can hold hidden depths, whispers of ancient history and heartfelt gratitude.
So, the next time you see a steer, take a closer look at its nose. Remember Joshua, the heavy leader, and the loyal animal that carried him into battle. Remember the power of a simple kiss, and the enduring magic of a good story. Who knew there was so much to see, even on a cow?