Once, the wicked government of Rome decreed that the Jewish people were forbidden to study Torah. Pappus ben Judah saw Rabbi Akiva convening gatherings in public and studying Torah with them.
Said Pappus to him: "Akiva, are you not afraid of the government?"
Said Rabbi Akiva to him: "I'll give you a parable.
"A fox was walking along a river and saw fish rushing to and fro. Called out the fox: 'What are you fleeing from?'
"Said the fish to him: 'The nets that the humans spread for us.'
"Said the fox to them: 'Why don't you come out onto the dry land? We'll live together, as my ancestors lived with your ancestors.'
"Answered the fish to him: 'Are you the one of whom it is said that you are the wisest of animals? You're not wise, but foolish! If, in water, which is our environment of life, we have cause for fear, how much more so on dry land, in the environment of our death!'
"The same applies to us", concluded Rabbi Akiva, "If, now, when we sit and study the Torah, of which it is said, "For it is your life and the lengthening of your days", this is our situation, how much more so if we neglect it...
No comments:
Post a Comment