[Avodah] Shepherd Vs. Farmer Redux

[Ben Waxman]

One of the praises (or maybe description is a better word) given to Eretz 
Yisrael is that it is not like Mizrayim, in that in Eretz Yisrael people are 
dependent on rainfall whereas Mizrayim the Nile floods and that takes care 
of everything (which not exactly true because if there is a lack of heavy 
rains in the source of the Nile then the Nile doesn't flood). Being 
dependent on rain is conducive to developing a relationship with God in that 
one sees very clearly our dependency on Him.

This point is much truer about a farmer than a sheperd. Yes, if there is a 
very heavy drought then both suffer. However in a region which suffers from 
low rainfall, the sheperd is in much better position than a farmer. He can 
just move to a different area where there is better pasture land. The farmer 
is stuck in his land. Therefore the farmer should be the one who has a 
greater, clearer understanding of man's dependency on God.

Ben
----- Original Message ----- 
> On Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 04:11:03PM +0000, rabbirichwolpoe at gmail.com wrote:
> : FWIW Hirsch Breishis 4:2 S.V. "Vayhi Hevel Ro'eh Tzohn" strongly support
> : the widely held POV that pastoral life is more conducive to spirituality
> : and contemplation than is agricultrual Life.