Issue nº 25

A man lying on the ground |  About the Talmud and the Midrash

     The writer Arnaldo Niskier has collected in an interesting book called Jewish Wisdom, some stories, proverbs and reflections of the Jewish people, taken from the Talmud (a collection of 18 volumes containing years of discussion between Rabbis and their disciples) and from the Midrash (an interpretation of the Scriptures with a special focus on ethics and tradition). Here are some excerpts:

The reply
     Once a man questioned Rabbi Joshua ben Karechah:
     - Why did God choose the thorn bush to speak to Moses?
     The Rabbi replied:
     - If He had chosen a an olive tree or a mulberry tree, you'd have asked the same question. But I cannot leave you without an answer: so I say God chose a mere thorn bush in order to teach that there is no place on earth where He is not present.

Things of this world
     Once, Rab Huna scolded his son, Rabbah:
     - Why don't you go to Rav Chisda's conference? I hear he is a fine speaker.
     - Why should I go? - argued his son. - Every time I do, Rav Chisda only ever speaks about the things of this world: bodily functions, organs, digestion, and other things dealing with physical matters.
     The father said:
     - Rav Chisda speaks of things created by God and you say he speaks of the things of this world? Go and hear him!

The window and the mirror
     A very wealthy young man went to a Rabbi to consult him about what to do in life. The latter led him over to the window and asked:
     - What do you see through the glass?
     - I see men coming and going, and a blind man begging in the street.
     Then the Rabbi showed him a great mirror and again asked the man:
     - Look into this mirror and now tell me what you see.
     - I see myself.
     - And now you no longer see others! See how the window and the mirror are both made of the same material, glass; but because there is a thin layer of silver on the glass, you see nothing but your own figure. You must compare yourself to these two types of glass. When poor, you saw others and had compassion for them. Covered in silver - wealthy - all you see is yourself. You shall only be worth something when you have the courage to tear off the silver coating over your eyes, so that you can see and love others once again.