The Utility of a Parable
The rabbis say: Do not make light of the mashal [parable or illustrative fable]. For with the aid of a parable, one can understand the words of Torah. It is comparable to a king who lost a golden coin or a fine pearl in his home. Is it not [with the aid] of a penny wick1 that he finds it? So, too, with the aid of a parable, one can understand the words of Torah. Know that this is the case, for Solomon with the aid of this parable understood fine points of Torah.
Notes
[I.e., a very inexpensive wick, with little value other than to briefly illuminate.—Ed.]
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.
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