בראשית רבה (וילנא) פרשה ה סימן י
...שנברא הברזל התחילו האילנות מרתתים, אמר להן מה לכם מרתתין, עץ מכם אל יכנס בי, ואין אחד מכם ניזוק
When iron was created, the trees began to shake (with fear), he (the iron) said to them: "why do you shake? If your wood does not enter me (as an axe handle), not one of you will be harmed!" [translation by Rabbi Daniel Brown]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. Why were the trees worried about the iron?
2. What does this source teach us about our own responsibility for shared consequences?
3. How can we be sure that we do not make the tools of our own demise?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)