Rabbi Gamliel Stumps the Emperor with a Driverless Ship

Midrash Aggadah Exempla of the Rabbis, No. 12

Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team · Published January 15, 2025

The Emperor asks R. Gamliel “If there is a God in the world why does He not show Himself and why does He not speak direct to His creatures so that they might respect Him the more. ?" He replies “God is a consuming fire.“ The Emperor is not satisfied with the answer. The next morning, Gamliel slaps the face of his servant in the presence of the Emperor, who is wroth and thinks that R. Gamliel deserves punishment for acting so in his presence. R. Gamliel replies: “He brought me some extraordinary news; a ship of mine lost for seven years has suddenly returned fully laden without sailors and without sails." The Emperor declares that is impossible. R. Gamliel replies; “If so how can a world created by God govern and feed itself alone, without the One who looks after it?" The whole assembly applauds.

Themes

Kings Rome Humor Heresy

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