Talmud su Genesi 35:30
Jerusalem Talmud Sotah
“And they mention in front of her things that neither she nor any of her paternal family should hear,” etc. 192A more detailed homily in the Babli, 7b. For example, what happened between Reuben and Bilhah193Gen. 35:22., or what happened between Jehudah and Tamar194Gen. 38:13–26.. 195Job 15:18–19. These verses are explained as referring to Reuben and Jehudah who confessed their sins, in Gen. rabba 57(3), [Num. rabba 13(6)]; Babli Makkot 11b; Yerushalmi Megillah4:11 (fol. 75c).“If Sages tell,” these are Reuben and Jehudah, “they do not hide before their fathers.” What rewards did they take for this, “to them alone the Land was given; no stranger passes in their midst.” When Moses came to bless them, “Reuben may live and not die,196Deut. 36:6.” “and that for Jehudah197Deut. 36:7: “Listen, o Eternal, to Judah’s voice.””.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Jerusalem Talmud Avodah Zarah
Rebbi Ismael ben Rebbi Yose went to the wellknown Neapolis60The former Sichem, today Nablus.. The Samaritans came to him. He told them, I am seeing you bowing down not to this mountain but to the idols under it, as it is written, he hid them under the terebinth near Sichem61Gen. 35:4.. He heard their voices saying, let us get up early and gather those thorns. He understood that they intended to kill him; he got up early and left.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Jerusalem Talmud Horayot
HALAKHAH: “If the Court ruled and all the public acted,” etc. 137The entire Halakhah is shortened from Pesaḥim 7:6. Num. 9:9–14 prescribes that individuals who were impure on Passover have to bring their Passover sacrifice a month later, on the Second Passover celebrated on the 14th of the Second Month. It is concluded that if the entire people are impure, the Second Passover is impossible and everybody celebrates the (First) Passover in impurity in the Temple. The problem then arises which percentage of the people have to be impure so that they represent the entire people; just as here the question is, how many people do have to follow the erroneous ruling of the Court so that “all of Israel were in error” (Lev. 4:13). Who stated “a majority”? Rebbi Meïr, as it was stated: Either half of the tribes or half of each tribe, if only it be a majority138He holds that everywhere 50%+1 represent “all”; Babli 5b.. Rebbi Jehudah says, half of each tribe, but only a majority of entire tribes139The language is somewhat self-contradictory. He also requires that a majority of Israel follow the erroneous ruling but in addition he demands that in a majority of tribes a majority follow the ruling. Babli 5b.. One tribe drags all tribes140If one tribe has more members than all the others together, the action of one tribe triggers the obligation of all of them. He does not hold that the law about erroneous rulings of the High Court became moot with the exile of the Ten Tribes. Even later, when the tribe of Jehudah represented the overwhelming majority of Israel, a majority of the people can be considered a majority of all twelve tribes and the majority of Judeans triggers the obligation for all tribes.. Rebbi Meïr says, all tribes are called “the public”141The purification sacrifice for an erroneous ruling by the Court has to be brought by “the public” (Lev. 4:14). The difference of opinions in the Mishnah is traced to different interpretations of this notion. R. Meïr holds that only the entire people of Israel qualify as “public”; RR. Jehudah and Simeon consider each tribe as a separate public. (Babli 5b, Pesahim80a, Menahot 15a).. Rebbi Jehudah says, each single tribe is called “public”. And Rebbi Simeon follows Rebbi Jehudah. Just as Rebbi Jehudah said, each single tribe is called “public”, so Rebbi Simeon says, each single tribe is called “public”. What is between them? Dragging. Rebbi Jehudah says, one tribe drags all tribes140If one tribe has more members than all the others together, the action of one tribe triggers the obligation of all of them. He does not hold that the law about erroneous rulings of the High Court became moot with the exile of the Ten Tribes. Even later, when the tribe of Jehudah represented the overwhelming majority of Israel, a majority of the people can be considered a majority of all twelve tribes and the majority of Judeans triggers the obligation for all tribes.. Rebbi Simeon says, one tribe does not drag all tribes142Therefore he requires a separate sacrifice for the people of Israel in their entirety.. [Even though Rebbi Jehudah says, one tribe drags all tribes,]143Missing in the ms., from B and the Pesaḥim text; required by the context. he agrees that only if the ruling came from the ashlar hall144Even though each tribe has to bring its own sacrifice, the ruling of a tribal High Court cannot trigger an obligation of any other tribe; only the Court sitting at the central sanctuary has this power.. Rebbi Yose said, the reason of that Tanna: From this place which the Eternal will choose145Deut. 17:10.. Rebbi Abun in the name of Rebbi Bejamin ben Levi: The verse supports him who said that each tribe is called “public”, as it is written146Gen. 35:11, said to Jacob after the birth of 11 sons. Babli 5b.: A people and a public of peoples will come from you, and Benjamin was not yet born. Rebbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said, just as they differ here, so they differ about impurity137The entire Halakhah is shortened from Pesaḥim 7:6. Num. 9:9–14 prescribes that individuals who were impure on Passover have to bring their Passover sacrifice a month later, on the Second Passover celebrated on the 14th of the Second Month. It is concluded that if the entire people are impure, the Second Passover is impossible and everybody celebrates the (First) Passover in impurity in the Temple. The problem then arises which percentage of the people have to be impure so that they represent the entire people; just as here the question is, how many people do have to follow the erroneous ruling of the Court so that “all of Israel were in error” (Lev. 4:13)., as we have stated: If the public was half pure and half impure; pure [people] celebrate the first [Passover] and impure the second. Rebbi Jehudah said, the pure ones celebrate for themselves, and the impure ones celebrate for themselves147Both offer their sacrifices in the Temple, in separate groups. For this to happen, the number of pure people in Jerusalem on the 14th of Nisan must be exactly equal to the number of impure ones.. They told him, there is no split Passover; either all celebrate in impurity or all celebrate in purity. Who is “they told him”? Following Rebbi Jehudah? As it was stated148Mishnah Menahot 2:2.: “If one of the loaves or one of the (leftovers) [orders]149The text in parentheses is from the ms.; the text in brackets is from B, the text in Pesahim, and all sources of the Mishnah; it is the only one which makes sense.
The Mishnah speaks of the two public cereal offerings which have to be baked, viz., the weekly show-bread and the two leavened loaves presented at Pentecost. The 12 show-breads were presented in two rows, here called “orders” (Lev.24:6). became impure, Rebbi Jehudah said, both have to be brought to be burned150Outside the Temple precinct. for a public offering cannot be split. But the Sages say, the impure in its impurity, and the pure shall be eaten.151By the officiating priests.” Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun said in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan, who is “they told him”? The Sages152Since the opinions of R. Jehudah and his opponents in Pesaḥim are the opinions of his opponents and R. Jehudah in Menahot, both seem to contradict themselves. One has to conclude that they agree in principle and they only differ about the practical applications of their theory. In this sense, B reads: The Sages acting in the sense of R. Jehudah. who argue like Rebbi Jehudah.
The Mishnah speaks of the two public cereal offerings which have to be baked, viz., the weekly show-bread and the two leavened loaves presented at Pentecost. The 12 show-breads were presented in two rows, here called “orders” (Lev.24:6). became impure, Rebbi Jehudah said, both have to be brought to be burned150Outside the Temple precinct. for a public offering cannot be split. But the Sages say, the impure in its impurity, and the pure shall be eaten.151By the officiating priests.” Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun said in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan, who is “they told him”? The Sages152Since the opinions of R. Jehudah and his opponents in Pesaḥim are the opinions of his opponents and R. Jehudah in Menahot, both seem to contradict themselves. One has to conclude that they agree in principle and they only differ about the practical applications of their theory. In this sense, B reads: The Sages acting in the sense of R. Jehudah. who argue like Rebbi Jehudah.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Jerusalem Talmud Pesachim
HALAKHAH: Who is the Tanna of “majority”123Discussion of the statement in the Mishnah, that Pesaḥ is celebrated in impurity if most (50%+1) of the people are impure. The following is an extended version of Halakhah 1:6 in Horaiot, where the problem is what is called “community”.? Rebbi Meïr124He holds that everywhere 50%+1 represent “all”; Babli Horaiot 5b., as it was stated: Either half of the tribes or half of each tribe, if only it be a majority125In order to trigger the ceremony required if all the community acts in error(Lev. 4:14), by following an erroneous ruling either of the High Court at the central sanctuary or of a majority of tribal High Courts.. Rebbi Jehudah says, half of each tribe, but only a majority of entire tribes126The language is somewhat self-contradictory. He also requires that a majority of Israel follow the erroneous ruling but in addition he demands that in a majority of tribes a majority follow the ruling. Babli Horaiot 5b.. One tribe drags all tribes127If one tribe has more members than all the others together, the action of one tribe triggers the obligation of all of them. He does not hold that the law about erroneous rulings of the High Court became moot with the exile of the Ten Tribes. Even later, when the tribe of Jehudah represented the overwhelming majority of Israel, a majority of the people can be considered a majority of all twelve tribes and the majority of Judeans triggers the obligation for all tribes.. Rebbi Meïr says, all tribes are called “the public”128The purification sacrifice for an erroneous ruling by the Court has to be brought by “the public” (Lev. 4:14). The difference of opinions in the Mishnah is traced to different interpretations of this notion. R. Meïr holds that only the entire people of Israel qualify as “public”; RR. Jehudah and Simeon consider each tribe as a separate public. (Babli Horaiot 5b, Pesaḥim 80a, Menaḥot15a).. Rebbi Jehudah says, each single tribe is called “public”. What is between them? Dragging. Rebbi Meïr says, a single tribe does not drag all tribes129Therefore he requires a separate sacrifice for the people of Israel in their entirety., but Rebbi Jehudah says, one tribe drags all tribes. And Rebbi Jehudah follows Rebbi Simeon. Just as Rebbi Simeon said, one tribe drags all tribes130In Horaiot, the opposite is asserted, that in this particular R. Simeon sides with R. Meïr; this also is required by the later statements in this Halakhah. R. Simeon agrees that each single tribe is called “public”., so Rebbi Jehudah says, one tribe drags all tribes. Even though Rebbi Jehudah says, one tribe drags all tribes, he agrees that only if the ruling came from the ashlar hall131Even though each tribe has to bring its own sacrifice, the ruling of a tribal High Court cannot trigger an obligation of any other tribe; only the Court sitting at the central sanctuary has this power.. Rebbi Yose said, the reason of that Tanna: From this place which the Eternal will choose132Deut. 17:10.. What is the reason of Rebbi Jehudah? The entire community of the Children of Israel will be forgiven133Num. 15:26. R. Jehudah argues that the verse promises forgiveness for all of Israel even if only one tribe followed an erroneous ruling; this proves that “one tribe drags all the other tribes.” R. Simeon disagrees since the last clause in the verse states that the entire people have to be in error; only a majority of the tribes triggers the obligation.. What is the reason of Rebbi Simeon? Since the entire people acted in error133Num. 15:26. R. Jehudah argues that the verse promises forgiveness for all of Israel even if only one tribe followed an erroneous ruling; this proves that “one tribe drags all the other tribes.” R. Simeon disagrees since the last clause in the verse states that the entire people have to be in error; only a majority of the tribes triggers the obligation.. How does Rebbi Simeon uphold Rebbi Jehudah’s reason, the entire community of the Children of Israel will be forgiven? Except women and children134Not that they will not be forgiven but they are not counted in determining what is a majority.. How does Rebbi Jehudah uphold Rebbi Simeon’s reason, since the entire people acted in error? Except if the beginning was criminal and the conclusion in error. Rebbi Abun in the name of Rebbi Benjamin bar Levi: The verse supports him who said that each tribe is called “public”, as it is written137Gen. 35:11, said to Jacob after the birth of 11 sons. Babli Horaiot 5b.: A people and a public of peoples will come from you, and Benjamin was not yet born. Rebbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said, just as they differ here, so they differ about impurity, as it was stated: If the public was half pure and half impure; pure [people] celebrate the first [Pesaḥ] and impure the second, the words of Rebbi Meïr. Rebbi Jehudah says, the pure ones celebrate for themselves, and the impure ones celebrate for themselves138Both offer their sacrifices in the Temple, in separate groups. For this to happen, the number of pure people in Jerusalem on the 14th of Nisan must be exactly equal to the number of impure ones. Tosephta 6:2 in the name of R. Simeon. This latter attribution seems to be correct since in the paragraph after the next the Amoraim explain that R. Jehudah never considers this case but requires that the number of pure people present be diminished.. They told him, there is no split Passover; either all celebrate in purity or all celebrate in impurity. Who is “they told him”? Rebbi Meïr. The argument of Rebbi Jehudah seems inverted, as we have stated there139Mishnah Menaḥot2:2.
The Mishnah refers to the two public cereal offerings which have to be baked, viz., the weekly show-bread and the two leavened loaves presented at Pentecost. The 12 show-breads were presented in two rows, here called “orders” (Lev. 24:6).: “If one of the loaves or one of the orders became impure, Rebbi Jehudah said, both have to be brought to be burned140Outside the Temple precinct. for a public offering cannot be split141Cf. Babli 79a.. But the Sages say, the impure in its impurity, and the pure shall be eaten142By the officiating priests..” Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan: who is “they told him”? The Sages who argue like Rebbi Meïr143In Horaiot: R. Jehudah. In any case, the question should not arise since the objecting Sages, while adopting the point of view of one of the protagonists, are not bound to follow him in all details..
The Mishnah refers to the two public cereal offerings which have to be baked, viz., the weekly show-bread and the two leavened loaves presented at Pentecost. The 12 show-breads were presented in two rows, here called “orders” (Lev. 24:6).: “If one of the loaves or one of the orders became impure, Rebbi Jehudah said, both have to be brought to be burned140Outside the Temple precinct. for a public offering cannot be split141Cf. Babli 79a.. But the Sages say, the impure in its impurity, and the pure shall be eaten142By the officiating priests..” Rebbi Yose ben Rebbi Abun in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan: who is “they told him”? The Sages who argue like Rebbi Meïr143In Horaiot: R. Jehudah. In any case, the question should not arise since the objecting Sages, while adopting the point of view of one of the protagonists, are not bound to follow him in all details..
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Jerusalem Talmud Berakhot
Ben Zoma said: There will be a future time when Israel will no longer mention the Exodus. What is the reason? (Jer. 23:7–8) “Therefore, days will come, says the Eternal, that one no longer will say, by the Eternal Who brought the Children of Israel up from Egypt, but rather, by the Eternal Who raised and brought the descendants of the House of Israel from the Northern land …” They said to him, not that the Exodus will be eliminated but the Exodus will be additional to the Kingdoms311“Kingdoms” is short for שעבוד מלכיות “subjugation by alien kingdoms,” a general term for the sufferings of the Jewish people inflicted by Gentiles.. The Kingdoms will be principal and the Exodus additional. And similarly it was said (Gen. 35:10): :Your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name.” Not that the name Jacob will be taken away but Jacob will be additional to Israel. Israel will be principal and Jacob additional. And so it says (Is. 43:18–19): “Do not remember the first things”; this means the Egyptians, “And what was earlier do not dwell on”; this means the Kingdoms, “Behold, I create something new, now it will grow”; this refers to Gog. They gave a simile: to what can this be compared? To someone who encountered a wolf and was saved from it. He started telling about the wolf when he encountered a lion and was saved from it. He forget about the wolf and started telling about the lion.After that, he encountered a snake and was saved from it. He forgot about both of them and started telling about the snake. So it is with Israel, the last troubles make them forget the earlier ones.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Jerusalem Talmud Taanit
HALAKHAH: 391Babli 30b. One understands the Day of Atonement which is atonement for all of Israel. 392Babli 30b,31a; Bava batra 121a. Why on the Fifteenth of Av? Rebbi Jacob bar Aḥa in the name of Rebbi Yasa: For this is the good time to cut wood, because any wood cut on this day does not develop worms; as we have stated there, “any wood containing a worm is disqualified from the altar.393Mishnah Middot 2:5. In the Babli the reason is given that this is the last day on which wood for the altar may be cut before the rainy season.” Rav Ḥiyya bar Ashi in the name of Rav, because on it Hoshea ben Ela abolished the guards which Jeroboam ben Nabath posted on the roads394To prohibit pilgrimages to Jerusalem.. Cahana asked [Rav]. He did all this good deed and it is written about him3952K. 17:3., against him came Salmanessar the king of Assyria? He answered him, because he removed the collar from his neck and hung it on the community’s neck. He did not say, all the people should go on pilgrimage, but, any one who wants to go may go. Rebbi Samuel bar Rav Isaac, but some say in the name of Rebbi Samuel bar Naḥman: On it the tribes were permitted to intermarry. As it is written396Num. 36:7., family heritage should not be transferred from tribe to tribe; but the Children of Israel shall stick everyone to the family heritage of his forefathers, etc. And it is written397Num. 36:8., any daughter inheriting family heritage in the tribes of the Children of Israel, etc. How is it possible for a daughter to inherit from two tribes? Explain it if her father was from one tribe and her mother from another tribe398According to the Babli, a later generation read Num. 36 to apply only to the daughters of Salpaad and their contemporaries.. But the Rabbis say, on it the tribe of Benjamin was permitted to intermarry, as it is written399Jud. 21:18., cursed be he who gives a wife to Benjamin. They read a verse and included him; they read a verse and excluded him. They read a verse and included him400Gen. 48:5., Ephraim and Manasse shall be to me like Reuben and Simeon. They read a verse and excluded him, a people and community of peoples shall be from you and kings will come from your loins401Gen. 35:11.
In the explanations, the terms “included” and “excluded” have to be switched. The text follows the usual pattern, that if possibilities A and B are raised, B is explained before A. Since the number 12 of tribe cannot be changed, either Joseph is counted as one tribe and Benjamin is included (35:11), or Ephraim and Manasse are counted as full tribes, there seems to be no place for Benjamin. This logic is not followed by the Babli., and Benjamin was not yet born. 402Thr. rabba, Introduction (33). Rebbi Abun said, digging stopped on it, as Rebbi Levi said, on every eve of the Ninth of Av, Moses had a declaration published in all the encampment and said, go out for digging, go out for digging. They went out, dug graves for themselves, and slept. In the morning they were getting up and found themselves missing 15’000 and detail403If always the same number died on the Ninth of Av and nobody during the year, the number would be 600’000:38 = 15’789.47.. In the last year they did that, got up, and found themselves whole. They said, maybe we erred in the computation. The same on the Tenth, the Eleventh, the Twelfth, the Thirteenth, and the Fifteenth. Since the moon was full they said, it seems that The Holy One, praise to Him, vacated this hard judgment against us. They got up and made a holiday.
In the explanations, the terms “included” and “excluded” have to be switched. The text follows the usual pattern, that if possibilities A and B are raised, B is explained before A. Since the number 12 of tribe cannot be changed, either Joseph is counted as one tribe and Benjamin is included (35:11), or Ephraim and Manasse are counted as full tribes, there seems to be no place for Benjamin. This logic is not followed by the Babli., and Benjamin was not yet born. 402Thr. rabba, Introduction (33). Rebbi Abun said, digging stopped on it, as Rebbi Levi said, on every eve of the Ninth of Av, Moses had a declaration published in all the encampment and said, go out for digging, go out for digging. They went out, dug graves for themselves, and slept. In the morning they were getting up and found themselves missing 15’000 and detail403If always the same number died on the Ninth of Av and nobody during the year, the number would be 600’000:38 = 15’789.47.. In the last year they did that, got up, and found themselves whole. They said, maybe we erred in the computation. The same on the Tenth, the Eleventh, the Twelfth, the Thirteenth, and the Fifteenth. Since the moon was full they said, it seems that The Holy One, praise to Him, vacated this hard judgment against us. They got up and made a holiday.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Tractate Soferim
The incident of Reuben48Gen. 35, 22. is read49In the public lection of the Scriptures. but not translated.50Out of respect for the memory of Reuben. In the ancient Synagogues, the readings from the Scriptures were rendered into Aramaic by an official for the benefit of those who were unable to follow the Hebrew. The story of Tamar51Gen. 38. is both read and translated.52So GRA and H in agreement with Meg. 25a (Sonc. ed., p. 151). V inserts the negative before both verbs. The reflection on Judah’s behaviour is mitigated by his frank confession. The first [account of] the golden calf53Ex. 33, 1-20. is read and translated,54Since the sin was forgiven (Meg. 25b, Sonc. ed., p. 152). the second55ibid. 21-25 according to Meg. loc. cit. (Sonc. ed., p. 153). is read but not translated.56Because of the statement and there came out this calf (ibid. 24) which seems to indicate that the calf had abnormal powers.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy
Avot D'Rabbi Natan
Rabbi Shimon would say: There are three crowns: the crown of Torah, the crown of priesthood, the crown of kingship – and the crown of a good name is the greater than all of them.
How does the crown of priesthood work? Even if someone paid all the silver and gold in the world, we could not give him the crown of priesthood, as it says (Numbers 25:15), “It will be for him and his descendants after him an eternal covenant of priesthood.” For the crown of kingship as well; even if someone paid all silver and gold in the world, we could not give him the crown of kingship, as it says (Ezekiel 37:24), “My servant David shall be their prince for all time.” But the crown of Torah is different. For anyone who wishes to partake in the work of Torah may come and partake, as it says (Isaiah 55:1), “Ho, all who are thirsty, go to the water!” That is, go and labor in words of Torah and do not occupy yourself with meaningless things.
There is a story of Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai: He would regularly go and visit the sick. He once came upon somebody who was bloated due to intestinal illness, and was cursing God. Rabbi Shimon said: Empty one! You ought to be begging for mercy, and instead you are cursing? The man replied: The Holy Blessed One has departed from me and rested on you. And then he said: The Holy Blessed One has done properly by me, for I have left aside words of Torah and occupied myself with meaningless things.
There is a story of Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar: He was once coming from Migdal Eder, from his teacher’s house, and he was riding on a donkey. He was traveling along the coast, and he spotted somebody who was quite ugly. He said: Empty one, how ugly you are! Are all the people in your city as ugly as you? The man replied: What can I do about it? Go to the Artisan who made me and say to Him, How ugly is this vessel You made! When Rabbi Shimon realized that he had sinned, he got off his donkey and prostrated himself before the man. And he said: I have sinned against you. Forgive me. But the man replied: I will not forgive you until you go to the Artisan who made me and say, How ugly is this vessel You made! Rabbi Shimon followed after him for three mil. All the people in the city came out to greet him, and then said: Peace be upon you, Rabbi! The man said: Whom are you calling Rabbi? They said: The one who is traveling behind you. He said to them: If that is a rabbi, may there be no more like him in Israel! They said to him: God forbid! What did he do to you? He told them: Such-and-such he did to me. They said to him: Even so, forgive him! He said: I hereby forgive [him], but only if he does not continue doing this. On that day, Rabbi Shimon went to his great study hall and taught: A person should always be soft like a reed, and not rigid like a cedar. For the reed, when all the winds come and blow against it, moves in their direction. But when the winds quiet down, the reed returns to its place. That is why the reed merited to be made into a quill that is used to write a Torah scroll. But the cedar does not stay in its place; when the southern wind comes and blows against it, it uproots the tree and flips it over. And then what happens to the cedar? [Woodcutters come along and chop it up, and take from it to build houses and then] throw the rest into the fire. And that is why they say: A person should always be soft like a reed, and not rigid like a cedar.
How does the crown of priesthood work? Even if someone paid all the silver and gold in the world, we could not give him the crown of priesthood, as it says (Numbers 25:15), “It will be for him and his descendants after him an eternal covenant of priesthood.” For the crown of kingship as well; even if someone paid all silver and gold in the world, we could not give him the crown of kingship, as it says (Ezekiel 37:24), “My servant David shall be their prince for all time.” But the crown of Torah is different. For anyone who wishes to partake in the work of Torah may come and partake, as it says (Isaiah 55:1), “Ho, all who are thirsty, go to the water!” That is, go and labor in words of Torah and do not occupy yourself with meaningless things.
There is a story of Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai: He would regularly go and visit the sick. He once came upon somebody who was bloated due to intestinal illness, and was cursing God. Rabbi Shimon said: Empty one! You ought to be begging for mercy, and instead you are cursing? The man replied: The Holy Blessed One has departed from me and rested on you. And then he said: The Holy Blessed One has done properly by me, for I have left aside words of Torah and occupied myself with meaningless things.
There is a story of Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar: He was once coming from Migdal Eder, from his teacher’s house, and he was riding on a donkey. He was traveling along the coast, and he spotted somebody who was quite ugly. He said: Empty one, how ugly you are! Are all the people in your city as ugly as you? The man replied: What can I do about it? Go to the Artisan who made me and say to Him, How ugly is this vessel You made! When Rabbi Shimon realized that he had sinned, he got off his donkey and prostrated himself before the man. And he said: I have sinned against you. Forgive me. But the man replied: I will not forgive you until you go to the Artisan who made me and say, How ugly is this vessel You made! Rabbi Shimon followed after him for three mil. All the people in the city came out to greet him, and then said: Peace be upon you, Rabbi! The man said: Whom are you calling Rabbi? They said: The one who is traveling behind you. He said to them: If that is a rabbi, may there be no more like him in Israel! They said to him: God forbid! What did he do to you? He told them: Such-and-such he did to me. They said to him: Even so, forgive him! He said: I hereby forgive [him], but only if he does not continue doing this. On that day, Rabbi Shimon went to his great study hall and taught: A person should always be soft like a reed, and not rigid like a cedar. For the reed, when all the winds come and blow against it, moves in their direction. But when the winds quiet down, the reed returns to its place. That is why the reed merited to be made into a quill that is used to write a Torah scroll. But the cedar does not stay in its place; when the southern wind comes and blows against it, it uproots the tree and flips it over. And then what happens to the cedar? [Woodcutters come along and chop it up, and take from it to build houses and then] throw the rest into the fire. And that is why they say: A person should always be soft like a reed, and not rigid like a cedar.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy