תלמוד על עבודה זרה 3:5

Rebbi Ḥanina bar Yaqqa¹⁷⁰A Galilean Amora of the third generation who studied under Rav Yehudah in Babylonia and only reports sayings of Rav Yehudah. The paragraph has three parallels, Yerushalmi Taäniot 1:3, Avodah zarah 3:6, Midrash Bereshit rabba 13(19). In Taäniot, the name is R. Ḥanania bar Yaqqa, in Avodah zarah it is R. Ḥaninah bar Yasa, and in the Midrash it is R. Ḥanina ben R. ‘Izqa in the name of Rebbi (!) Yehudah. in the name of Rav Yehudah: The roots of wheat split the earth to a depth of 50 cubits. The soft roots of a fig tree split rock. It has been stated: Rebbi Ismael ben Eleazar¹⁷¹In Taäniot and Avodah zara, as well as here in the Rome ms., correctly R. Simeon ben Eleazar; in the printed Midrash R. Eleazar ben R. Simeon, R. Simeon ben Eleazar in manuscripts. says, the earth drinks only according to its hardness¹⁷²The harder the soil, the less it is penetrated by moisture.. If this is so, what do the roots of the carob do? What do the roots of the sycamore do¹⁷³These trees grow mainly wild, mostly in places unsuited for more delicate fruit trees because of the hardness of the soil. Their roots are very deep.? Rebbi Ḥanina said, once every thirty days the abyss wells up and drenches them. What is the reason? (Is. 27:3) “I, the Eternal, watch over it¹⁷⁴The desirable vineyard. and water it in moments.”