Love of the Land

Become a Supporter Library Library
When we read this Shabbat the Maftir of Parshat Parah we recall an historical incident connected with the southern city of Ashkelon.

Dama ben Netina, a gentile who lived in Ashkelon, was blessed with the birth in his flock of a rare completely red cow, which was needed by the Jews for the purification process of those spiritually contaminated by contact with the dead.

Our Sages(Mesechta Kiddushin 31a) saw this as a reward for Dama's exemplary honoring of his father by refusing to wake him up a year earlier in order to sell at a fabulous price to the Jewish community a precious jewel needed for the priestly garments.

Although he realized that he could ask virtually any price for so rare a commodity as a completely red cow, Dama asked only for the amount of money he sacrificed for his father's honor.

© 1995-2024 Ohr Somayach International - All rights reserved.

Articles may be distributed to another person intact without prior permission. We also encourage you to include this material in other publications, such as synagogue or school newsletters. Hardcopy or electronic. However, we ask that you contact us beforehand for permission in advance at ohr@ohr.edu and credit for the source as Ohr Somayach Institutions www.ohr.edu

« Back to Love of the Land

Ohr Somayach International is a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation (letter on file) EIN 13-3503155 and your donation is tax deductable.