Pipeline Torah Gem #923 2026-04-27: Proverbs and Parables
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Vaughn Seward
Apr 26, 2026, 7:52:11 PMApr 26
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Proverbs and Parables
The commentators (Radak, Ralbag, Rabbeinu Bachya, et al.) elaborate that the prophets used parables as a literary device to make difficult subject matter comprehensible to the student. King Solomon uses parables to convey the lessons of chochmah and mussar, and the ethical and intellectual values. R' Bachya (Kad HaKemach) quotes the Sages to illustrate the function of parables. Someone lost a precious stone in the dark. He knew it was there, but could not to see it. By lighting a small wick for just a second, he was able to find his jewel. Thus, a virtually worthless strand of cotton assumed great value because it enabled someone to find a valuable gem. Similarly, a parable is but a simple story; properly used, however, proverbs and parables act as flashes of light to penetrate the darkness. Similarly, the Aggadic sections of the Talmud and Midrash often speak in allegorical terms to cloak deeper meanings. Adapted from Artscroll's "The Writings; Proverbs" by Rabbi N. Scherman & Rabbi M. Zlotowitz, page 2. Torah Gem Archives: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/torahtidbits
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Yiddish Corner
A gute tokhter iz a gute shnur. A good daughter makes a good daughter-in-law. Gezunt kumt far parnose. Health comes before making a livelihood. Ven dos harts iz biter, helft nit keyn tsuker. When the heart is bitter, sugar won’t help. A shlekhter sholem iz beser vi a guter krig. A bad peace is better than a good war.
The commentators (Radak, Ralbag, Rabbeinu Bachya, et al.) elaborate that the prophets used parables as a literary device to make difficult subject matter comprehensible to the student. King Solomon uses parables to convey the lessons of chochmah and mussar, and the ethical and intellectual values. R' Bachya (Kad HaKemach) quotes the Sages to illustrate the function of parables. Someone lost a precious stone in the dark. He knew it was there, but could not to see it. By lighting a small wick for just a second, he was able to find his jewel. Thus, a virtually worthless strand of cotton assumed great value because it enabled someone to find a valuable gem. Similarly, a parable is but a simple story; properly used, however, proverbs and parables act as flashes of light to penetrate the darkness. Similarly, the Aggadic sections of the Talmud and Midrash often speak in allegorical terms to cloak deeper meanings. Adapted from Artscroll's "The Writings; Proverbs" by Rabbi N. Scherman & Rabbi M. Zlotowitz, page 2. Torah Gem Archives: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/torahtidbits
_________________
Yiddish Corner
A gute tokhter iz a gute shnur. A good daughter makes a good daughter-in-law. Gezunt kumt far parnose. Health comes before making a livelihood. Ven dos harts iz biter, helft nit keyn tsuker. When the heart is bitter, sugar won’t help. A shlekhter sholem iz beser vi a guter krig. A bad peace is better than a good war.
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