Shabbat and the Heifer

An adaptation from a rabbinic story in Pesikta Rabbati

There is a certain story told of a pious man who owned a heifer that used to do his plowing.  Unfortunately, the man fell on hard times and his wealth disappeared, including his prized heifer – who had served him so well over the years.  The heifer was sold to rich man who was determined to get as much out of the beast as possible.  So he put him to work for 6 days of the week and as Shabbat came he resolved to work her doubly hard.  He beat and beat her, but the heifer refused to move, it would not budge.  On Shabbat, the heifer just could not be made to do any plowing.

Finally, in desperation, he took the heifer back to the poor man and said to him, “Take back your heifer, she is no use to me whatsoever.  For six days she worked very well, but on the seventh she could not be moved.  Even my servants with ropes could not get her to stand up and plow my fields and I’m exhausted from beating her. This is hopeless, take her back.”

The pious man thought for a while and figured out the reason the heifer wouldn’t work.  For 10 years she had served him and on every Shabbat he would rest her. She had never worked on the sabbath ever in his life.  After all, Shabbat was a day to delight not to work, neither your ox nor your ass.  He said to the rich man, “I will get her to plow.”  So he went over to her and whispered in her ear, “Come now, my dear heifer.  You were in my possession and were able to rest every Sabbath.  But now, I am poor and unable to retain you in my possession, you have been sold to a new owner.  I beg you, stand up and do the will of your new master.”

After a moment the heifer stood up and looked ready for work.  The rich man said, “I don’t believe.  Tell me what you did or I will not let you go.  What did you whisper in her ear?”

The pious man replied, “I whispered ‘such and such’ to her.”  The rich man was amazed and shaken and decided to take action…

What action did he take?  How does the story end?

Email your ideas to Rabbi Neil (rabbi@fps.org) or use the comment form at the foot of the page.