Just as King Solomon communicated with the Animal kingdom so did other people in talmudic times. The Gemara tells of a story of Rav Eelish who was taken captive and held together with a non Jew who was able to communicate with birds. One day a raven came to Rav Eelish and was trying to communicate with him. Rav Eelish who did not understand what the bird was saying asked the non jew to translate for him. The non Jew said the raven is saying “Rav Eelish run, Rav Eelish run.” (now is an opportune time for you to make an escape). Rav eelish said the raven can not be trusted for he did not fulfill the task which Noach asked of him at the end of the flood.
Meanwhile came a dove and was trying to communicate with him. Again the Rav asked of the non Jew to translate for him what the dove woud like to say. The non Jew said the dove is saying “Rav Eelish run, Rav Eelish run”. Said Rav Eelish it may very well be that the non Jew is lying to me but since the jewish people are compared to a dove and since the dove called me perhaps a miracle will happen for me and I will be able to make my escape.
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