Mocking King Saul

Hi,

"'Saul was one year in his reign (Samuel I 13:1)' Rav Huna said: Like a one-year-old, not having tasted sin.

"Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak asked: Perhaps he was as a one-year-old who is dirtied with clay and filth?

They showed Rav Nachman a frightening vision in his dream. He declared, 'I am humbled before you, bones of Saul ben Kish!' They again showed him a frightening vision in his dream. He declared, 'I am humbled before you, bones of Saul ben Kish, King of Israel!'"

בן שנה שאול במלכו. אמר רב הונא: כבן שנה, שלא טעם טעם חטא. מתקיף לה רב נחמן בר יצחק: ואימא כבן שנה שמלוכלך בטיט ובצואה? אחויאו ליה לרב נחמן סיוטא בחלמיה. אמר: נעניתי לכם עצמות שאול בן קיש. הדר חזא סיוטא בחלמיה. אמר: נעניתי לכם עצמות שאול בן קיש מלך ישראל. 

(Talmud, Yoma 22b)

Have a great day,

Mordechai

Reverence for the throne

Hi,

"Rabbi Yannai taught: Reverence for the throne should always be upon you, as it is written (Sh'mot 11), 'All of your slaves will descend to me and bow to me, saying, 'Leave, you and all of the nation that is with you.'"

(Talmud, Menachot 98a)

The reference to Sh'mot 11 is to Moses' speech to Pharoah. Moses tells Pharaoh that Pharaoh's slaves will come and bow to Moses. In fact, Pharaoh himself would end up doing this - but Moses, out of respect for Pharaoh and the throne, refers only to the slaves.

Have a great day,

Mordechai