Animal Talmudika Round - Up 2013

All kinds of beasts are a good sign in a dream, except the Elephant, the Monkey and Ape.

- The Babylonian Talmud, Berakoth 57b

'Why do all other animals hate and persecute the Mice?' Rabbi Eleazar was asked by his disciple. Eleazar told them: 'Because of their bad nature.
'What exactly do they do?' Raba replied: 'They gnaw even at clothes.'

- The Babylonian Talmud, Horayoth 13a

When Rabbi Dimi came he talked about a certain incident: 'It once happened at Haitalu that while a young woman was sweeping the floor a village Dog covered her from the rear, and Rabbi permitted her to marry a priest.'

- Babylonian Talmud, Yebamoth 59b

Animal Talmudika - Dreaming of an Elephant, a Monkey, or an Ape

Animal Talmudica - The Cat and the Weasel

Rabbi Papa observed: 'The Weasel and Cat, when at peace with each other, had a feast on the fat of the unlucky.'

- The Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 105a

Animal Talmudica - The Dog, the Cat, and the Mouse

‘Why does a Dog know and remember its owner while a Cat does not?’ Rabbi Eleazar answered them: ‘Just like those creatures who eat the same food as Mice lose their memory, think how much more memory will be lost by the one who eats the Mouse itself!’

- The Babylonian Talmud, Horayoth 13a