יקרא רבה (וילנא) פרשה כב סימן א
(קהלת ה) ויתרון ארץ בכל היא ... ר' יהודה אמר אפילו דברים שאתם רואין יתרון לעולם אף הן בכלל הנייתו של עולם הן סיבא למעבד חבלא סיבוא למסוך נגיא
“And the superiority (yitron) of earth is in everything…” (Ecclesiastes 5:8)... Rabbi Judah said: Even things that seem to you superfluities in the world are also included among the things that are a benefit to the world; bast is for making ropes, twigs are for hedging gardens. [translation adapted from the Soncino translation]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
Can you think of other examples of things that might be considered superfluous by some, but has an important purpose?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)