The horse was considered one of the most useful of the domestic animals; hence one should not live in a city where the neighing of the horse is not heard (Pes. 113a). It was used for riding (Bek. 2a) and in the chase (Shab. 94a), and covers were made of …

Feb 21, 2012 · Horses first appear in the Biblical narrative during Solomon’s reign, and there are increased attestations of their military use during the divided kingdom of Israel and Judah. While scholars have often overlooked contemporary Israelite horsemanship, Cantrell’s evidence clearly establishes the prominence and history of horses in this period.

Mar 21, 2012 · Horses are rarely mentioned in Biblical stories set before the time of the Israelite monarchy. They first appear in narratives referring to Solomon’s time. The Assyrians mention that King Ahab fielded 2,000 chariots, a number that translates to 4,000–6,000 horses.

Where the horse is referred to, it is the war-steed of the enemy, from whom for warlike purposes the Hebrews must have learned the art of training and utilizing the animal. The horse was not used for riding.

Horses neither chew their cud nor have split hooves. It was an unusual job for a religious Jew, and his success aroused jealousy, even among his own artisans. An old man was sitting in a carriage being led by two very old horses, trekking through the evening snowstorm with ease.

Jewish texts and source sheets about Horses from Torah, Talmud and other sources in Sefaria's library.

Jan 14, 2025 · Why are horses important in Jewish tradition? Horses symbolize strength, freedom, and divine intervention in Jewish texts and history. How did Marc Chagall use horses in his art? Chagall often depicted horses as symbols of freedom, nostalgia, and connection to his heritage. What does “Jewish horse” mean today?

Said Rabbi Meir: “Have you ever noticed how a horse behaves when he is led to a stream to drink? He begins to paw angrily at the water with his hooves; only when the water is well-muddied does he begin to drink.

As trained, the horse stops suddenly -- barely two feet from the edge of the cliff. Shaking like a leaf, Shmerel pulls out his handkerchief and wipes the sweat from his forehead. "Whew" he exclaims, "Baruch Hashem!"

Horses, chariots, and the “horsemen of Israel” had become so prevalent during the Monarchic period that they fired the poetic imagination of prophets and inspired the poets. Their participation in the life and culture of biblical Israel became a deeply entrenched memory in the collective consciousness. Almost every book in the Hebrew...