Do the Just Suffer and the Wicked
Prosper?
Rabbi Joshua ben Levi fasted
and prayed to God that he might be permitted
to gaze on the prophet Elijah who had ascended
alive into heaven. God granted his prayer,
and Elijah appeared before him.
“Let me journey with you in your travels
through the world,” the Rabbi entreated
Elijah; “let me observe your doings
so that I may gain in wisdom and understanding.”
“No,” answered Elijah; “you
would not understand my actions; my doings
would trouble you. They are beyond your comprehension.”
But still the Rabbi implored: “I will
neither trouble nor question you; only let
me accompany you on your way.”
“Come, then,” said Elijah; “but
let your tongue be mute. With your first
question, your first expression of astonishment,
we must part company.”
So the two journeyed through the world together.
They approached the house of a poor man,
whose only treasure and means of support
was a cow. As they came near, the man and
his wife hastened to meet them, begged them
to come into their house, eat and drink of
the best they had and to pass the night under
their roof. This they did, [and they] received
every attention from their host and hostess.
In the morning Elijah prayed to God that
the cow belonging to the poor people should
die, and the animal died. Then the travelers
continued on their way.
Rabbi Joshua was amazed. “Why did
you kill the cow of this good man?” he
asked.
“Look, listen, and be silent,” Elijah
replied; “if I answer your questions
we must part.”
They continued on their way together. Toward
evening they arrived at a large and imposing
mansion, the residence of an arrogant and
wealthy man. They were coldly received; a
piece of bread and a glass of water were
placed before them. They remained there during
the night. In the morning Elijah saw that
a wall of the house had collapsed and he
immediately restored it.
Rabbi Joshua again was filled with wonder
but said nothing, and they proceeded on their
journey.
As the shades of night were falling. they
entered a city where there was a large and
imposing synagogue. They went in at the time
of the evening service and admired the rich
adornments, the velvet cushions, and gilded
carvings of the interior. After the service,
the president arose and called out: “Who
is willing to take these two poor men to
his house?” None answered, and the
traveling strangers had to sleep in the synagogue.
In the morning, however, Elijah shook hands
with the members of the synagogue and said: “I
hope that you may all become presidents.”
Next evening the two entered another city.
The sexton of the synagogue came to meet
them and notified the members of the congregation
of the coming of the two strangers. The best
hotel of the place was opened to them, and
all showed them attention and honor. On parting
with them, Elijah said: “May the Lord
appoint but one president over you.”
Rabbi Joshua could resist his curiosity
no longer. “Tell me,” he said
to Elijah, “tell me the meaning of
all these actions which I have witnessed.
To those who have treated us coldly you have
extended good wishes; to those who have been
gracious to us you have made no suitable
return. Even at the risk of parting, please
explain to me the meaning of your acts.”
Elijah explained: “We first entered
the house of the poor man who treated us
so kindly. Now it had been decreed that on
that very day his wife should die. I prayed
the Lord that the cow might die instead.
God granted my prayers, and the woman was
saved. The rich man, whom we visited next,
treated us coldly and I rebuilt his wall.
For had he rebuilt it himself he would have
discovered a treasure which lies underneath.
To the members of the synagogue who were
not hospitable I said: ‘May you all
be presidents,’ and where many rule
there can be no peace. But to the others
I said: ‘May you have but one president’;
with one leader, no dissension will arise.
Now, if you see the wicked prospering, be
not envious; if you see the righteous in
poverty and trouble, be not doubtful of God’s
justice.”
With these words Elijah disappeared, and
Rabbi Joshua ben Levi was left alone.
Sources: Birnbaum, Philip. A
Treasury of Judaism. NY: Hebrew Publishing
Co., 1957, pp. 284-286. |