"I will neither trouble nor question thee," he said; "only let me
accompany thee on thy way."
"Come, then," said Elijah; "but let thy tongue be mute. With thy first
question, thy 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 enter their cot, and eat and drink of the best they could
afford, and to pass the night under their roof. This they did, receiving
every attention from their poor but hospitable host and hostess. In the
morning Elijah rose up early and prayed to God, and when he had finished
his prayer, behold the cow belonging to the poor people dropped dead.
Then the travelers continued on their journey.
Much was Rabbi Jochanan perplexed. "Not only did we neglect to pay them
for their hospitality and generous services, but his cow we have
killed;" and he said to Elijah, "Why didst thou kill the cow of this
good man, who--"
"Peace," interrupted Elijah; "hear, see, and be silent. If I answer thy
questions we must part."
And they continued on their way together.
Toward evening they arrived at a large and imposing mansion, the
residence of a haughty and wealthy man. They were coldly received; a
piece of bread and a glass of water were placed before them, but the
master of the house did not welcome or speak to them, and they remained
there during the night unnoticed. In the morning Elijah remarked that a
wall of the house required repairing, and sending for a carpenter, he
himself paid the money for the repair, as a return, he said, for the
hospitality they had received.
Again was Rabbi Jochanan filled with wonder, but he said naught, and
they proceeded on their journey.
As the shades of night were falling they entered a city which contained
a large and imposing synagogue. As it was the time of the evening
service they entered and were much pleased with the rich adornments, the
velvet cushions, and gilded carvings of the interior. After the
completion of the service, Elijah arose and called out aloud, "Who is
here willing to feed and lodge two poor men this night?" none answered,
and no respect was shown to the traveling strangers. In the morning,
however, Elijah re-entered the synagogue, and shaking its members by the
hands, he said, "I hope that you may all become presidents."
Next evening the two entered another city, when the _Shamas_ (sexton) of
the synagogue, came to meet them, and notifying the members of his
congregation of the coming of two strangers, the best hotel of the place
was opened to them, and all vied in showing them attention and honor.
In the morning, on parting with them, Elijah said, "May the Lord appoint
over you but one president."
Jochanan could resist his curiosity no longer. "Tell me," said he to
Elijah, "tell me the meaning of all these actions which I have
witnessed. To those who have treated us coldly thou hast uttered good
wishes; to those who have been gracious to us thou hast made no suitable
return. Even though we must part, I pray thee explain to me the meaning
of thy acts."
"Listen," said Elijah, "and learn to trust in God, even though thou
canst not understand His ways. We first entered the house of the poor
man, who treated us so kindly. Know that it had been decreed that on
that very day his wife should die. I prayed unto the Lord that the cow
might prove a redemption for her; God granted my prayers, and the woman
was preserved unto her husband. The rich man, whom next we called up,
treated us coldly, and I repaired his wall. I repaired it without a new
foundation, without digging to the old one. Had he repaired it himself
he would have dug, and thus discovered a treasure which lies there
buried, but which is now forever lost to him. To the members of the
synagogue who were inhospitable 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 misunderstanding may
arise. Now, if thou seest the wicked prospering, be not envious; if thou
seest the righteous in poverty and trouble, be not provoked or doubtful
of God's justice. The Lord is righteous, His judgments all are true; His
eyes note all mankind, and none can say, 'What dost thou?'"
With these words Elijah disappeared, and Jochanan was left alone.
* * * * *
There was once a man who pledged his dearest faith to a maiden,
beautiful and true. For a time all passed pleasantly, and the maiden
lived in happiness. But then the man was called from her side, he left
her; long she waited, but he did not return. Friends pitied her and
rivals mocked her; tauntingly they pointed at her, and said, "He has
left thee; he will never come back." The maiden sought her chamber, and
read in secret the letters which her lover had written to her, the
letters in which he promised to be ever faithful, ever true. Weeping she
read them, but they brought comfort to her heart; she dried her eyes and
doubted not.
A joyous day dawned for her; the man she loved returned, and when he
learned that others had doubted and asked her how she had preserved her
faith, she showed his letters to him, declaring her eternal trust.
Israel, in misery and captivity, was mocked by the nations; her hopes of
redemption were made a laughing-stock; her sages scoffed at; her holy
men derided. Into her synagogues, into her schools went Israel; she read
the letters which her God had written, and believed in the holy promises
which they contained.