זבחים מט

A group of חסידים were traveling by wagon when one of the wheels broke.  “A קל וחומר teaches that we can continue to travel,” said one.  When asked to explain, he said: “A bicycle has only two wheels and yet people travel on it, it’s a קל וחומר that our wagon, which has three wheels, can do so.”  A short while later, however, a second wheel broke.  “Now, a מה-מצינו establishes that we can continue to travel,” said the חסיד.  When asked to explain, he said: “A bicycle has only two wheels and yet people travel on it, it’s a מה-מצינו that our wagon, which also has two wheels, can also do so.”  When the third wheel broke, the חסיד said: “We’re back to traveling by קל וחומר.  A wheel-barrow has only one wheel, but still can support a rider and travel if pushed by his fellow.  Our wagon also has one wheel, but it’s being pulled by a horse whose strength is much greater than someone pushing the wheelbarrow.”  When the fourth wheel broke, the חסיד said: “We’re back to traveling by מה-מצינו.”  When asked how that is possible, he explained: “A sled doesn’t have any wheels and it nevertheless transports people.  So too, our wagon doesn’t have wheels and nevertheless can transport us.”  Finally, the horse collapsed.  The חסיד was silent.  When asked to explain his silence, he said: “When the horse collapses, כל המידות שהתורה נדרשת won’t help us.”

06/10/2021