This one, found in Bereshit Rabbah 59, a compilation of rabbinic homilies on the Book of Genesis, definitely did that for me. It's a story about a rabbi, a myrtle branch, and a fiery miracle.
It starts with Rabbi Shmuel bar Rav Yitzḥak. Now, this wasn't your typical, somber scholar. He was known for something quite…unconventional. He would dance at weddings with three myrtle branches, juggling them to entertain the bride and groom. Imagine that – a respected rabbi, bringing joy with a bit of performance!
But here's where the story takes a turn. Bereshit Rabbah tells us that when Rabbi Shmuel bar Rav Yitzḥak died, a terrible storm arose, uprooting trees all over the Land of Israel. The text implies a connection: the storm, a symbol of mourning, was triggered because he used branches from those very trees for his joyful dancing. It’s a stark image, isn’t it? Nature itself grieving.
Some of the other rabbis, it seems, weren't always so sure about Rabbi Shmuel's wedding antics. "Why does he act like this?" they’d ask, questioning whether such behavior was befitting a Torah scholar. "Why does he demean the honor of the Torah?"
But Rabbi Ze’eira, a voice of wisdom, would say, "Leave him, as he knows what he is doing." He understood something deeper, perhaps. That joy and holiness aren't mutually exclusive.
And the story doesn't end with the storm. When Rabbi Shmuel died, and people gathered to pay their respects, something incredible happened. A fiery branch descended from the sky, taking the shape of a myrtle branch, and positioned itself between the coffin and the mourners. The people saw it as a sign: "See this elder, who used to rise up and exert himself [in doing mitzvot, good deeds]," they said, "so a [fiery] branch rose up for him." A divine acknowledgement of his life, his dedication.
The story then takes a different turn, relating the verse, “One who pursues righteousness and kindness [will find life, righteousness, and honor]” (Proverbs 21:21) to Abraham. “And kindness…” (Genesis 18:19) is connected to Abraham as well. This connection is found earlier in Bereshit Rabba 58:9, linking Abraham’s actions to the concept of pursuing righteousness and kindness.
What does it all mean? Well, it seems like a powerful reminder that righteousness isn't just about following rules. It's about bringing joy, about connecting with people, about living a life of both chesed (loving-kindness) and commitment to mitzvot. Rabbi Shmuel’s story, as retold in Bereshit Rabbah, challenges us to consider how we balance tradition with innovation, solemnity with joy, and how even something as simple as a dance with myrtle branches can become a symbol of a life well-lived. It reminds us that sometimes, the most profound expressions of faith are found in the most unexpected places. And maybe, just maybe, the heavens themselves take notice.