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Why does the Gemara (גמרא) in Kidushin describe the lion—king of animals—as suited to work as a porter, the most humble profession? A porter's job is to make others feel important by carrying their burdens, revealing that true kingship means empowering others rather than seeking honor. This principle transforms how we understand marriage, where 'chasan domeh l'melech' means the husband should focus on building up his wife rather than expecting royal treatment.
This shiur begins with an intriguing Gemara (גמרא) from Pesachim that describes marriage as 'ein vehagefen im ein vehagefen' (a vine with a vine), then transitions to a fascinating passage from Kidushin. The Gemara states that Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar never saw a deer working as a farmer, a fox as a storekeeper, or a lion as a porter, yet these animals receive sustenance without difficulty since they were created to serve humans, while humans were created to serve Hashem (ה׳). Rabbi Zweig focuses particularly on the seeming paradox of the lion—the king of animals—being suited to work as a porter, the most humble of professions mentioned. The core insight emerges through understanding what a porter actually does: unlike a farmer who grows crops or a merchant who sells goods, a porter's primary function is to make others feel important and empowered. When someone carries your bags, they are essentially giving up their own dignity to enhance yours. This is why we instinctively tip porters—we feel uncomfortable benefiting from someone else's self-diminishment and try to restore their dignity through gratuities.
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Kidushin (discussion of animals and professions), Pesachim (ein vehagefen im ein vehagefen)
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