History
31-05-04, 03:51 PM
"There are 10 strong elements in the world," Rabbi Judah lectured his students, "and each is capable of being stronger than another. Still, the mightiest strength of all is to perform a good deed."
"Rabbi," one student asked, How can a good deed be the strongest element in the universe?"
"What do you believe is the strongest element?" asked the Rabbi of his students.
"Rock is very hard," said one.
"But iron can cut it in two," replied another.
"Clouds are above our strength," said another student.
"But the wind blows them about," came another reply.
"The wind can be fierce," began one and another quickly answered, "but the body can withstand it."
"The body is strong, but fear can subdue it. Fear is strong, but wine devours it. Wine is strong but sleep overtakes it."
"And the ultimate sleep is death," said the rabbi.
There was silence. Then one student asked in a small voice, "What is stronger than death?"
"Charitable acts," answered Rabbi Judah. "Charitable acts can deliver us even from death."
[Talmud: Baba Batra 10a]
Commentary: The rabbis often used riddles and word games to teach important lessons. Here, the commonly known elements of strength are seen to pale to a simple act of goodness. No natural or manmade element can compare to the the power of the human spirit. When engaged in goodness, it can even withstand death. Death has been described as the power to conquer all: king and peasant, rich and poor, the beautiful and the unsightly. It is the great equalizer. Yet good deeds conquer death and even time: No structure, no monument, no nation, can compare to the human ability to remember goodness, kindness, and charity. Such deeds are timeles and eternal.
(For my grandfather, of blessed memory).
Respectfully,
History
"Rabbi," one student asked, How can a good deed be the strongest element in the universe?"
"What do you believe is the strongest element?" asked the Rabbi of his students.
"Rock is very hard," said one.
"But iron can cut it in two," replied another.
"Clouds are above our strength," said another student.
"But the wind blows them about," came another reply.
"The wind can be fierce," began one and another quickly answered, "but the body can withstand it."
"The body is strong, but fear can subdue it. Fear is strong, but wine devours it. Wine is strong but sleep overtakes it."
"And the ultimate sleep is death," said the rabbi.
There was silence. Then one student asked in a small voice, "What is stronger than death?"
"Charitable acts," answered Rabbi Judah. "Charitable acts can deliver us even from death."
[Talmud: Baba Batra 10a]
Commentary: The rabbis often used riddles and word games to teach important lessons. Here, the commonly known elements of strength are seen to pale to a simple act of goodness. No natural or manmade element can compare to the the power of the human spirit. When engaged in goodness, it can even withstand death. Death has been described as the power to conquer all: king and peasant, rich and poor, the beautiful and the unsightly. It is the great equalizer. Yet good deeds conquer death and even time: No structure, no monument, no nation, can compare to the human ability to remember goodness, kindness, and charity. Such deeds are timeles and eternal.
(For my grandfather, of blessed memory).
Respectfully,
History