The Torah teaches us about showing appreciation for the benefits we receive, and this sentiment is beautifully explored in Bereshit Rabbah, the classic rabbinic commentary on the Book of Genesis.
Our story begins with the verse, "And he encamped [vayiḥan] before the city" (Genesis 33:18). The rabbis, with their characteristic brilliance, see layers of meaning in this seemingly simple phrase. One interpretation is that Jacob, upon arriving near Shechem, "graced [ḥanan]" the leadership of the city by sending them gifts. Another, perhaps even more relatable, is that he began establishing markets and selling goods at low prices. Why? Because, as the rabbis wisely state, "a person must show gratitude to a place from which he benefits."
But the idea of showing gratitude takes on a deeper, more dramatic turn with the tale of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai and his son, Rabbi Elazar. During a time of persecution, they were forced to hide in a cave for thirteen long years. Imagine that! Their only sustenance was withered carobs, which eventually led to sores. Ginzberg, in his Legends of the Jews, paints a vivid picture of this difficult period.
After thirteen years, Rabbi Shimon emerged from the cave, a changed man. He witnessed a hunter trapping birds. He noticed something fascinating: when a Divine Voice announced "Freedom, freedom," the bird would escape. But when the voice declared "Killing," the bird was doomed. "Were it not for Heaven," Rabbi Shimon declared, "a bird would not be hunted; the soul of a person, all the more so!" This experience profoundly impacted him.
Eventually, Rabbi Shimon and his son learned that the edict against him (the one calling for his death!) had been lifted. They journeyed to Tiberias and bathed in its heated bathhouse. His son, Elazar, recognized that "Tiberias has afforded us so much benefit, and we are not purifying it from the dead?" Remember, in those days, ritual purity was paramount. Unidentified graves could render areas off-limits to priests.
Rabbi Shimon, remembering the principle of gratitude, decided to act. "We must perform an act of good just as our ancestors would, as they would establish markets and sell at low prices," he declared. But instead of commerce, he chose purification. He employed a mandrake root, a plant believed to have magical properties, to locate hidden corpses. He cut the mandrake, cast the cuttings, and scattered them in the street. Where a corpse lay, it would rise, allowing for its removal. Where there was no impurity, the mandrake remained.
Now, enter a mischievous Samaritan. According to the story in Bereshit Rabbah, this "ignoramus" sought to discredit Rabbi Shimon. He secretly buried a corpse in a purified street and then challenged Rabbi Shimon's claim. But Rabbi Shimon, through divine insight, saw through the deception. In a moment of intense justice, he decreed, "I decree that the one who is above shall descend, and the one who is below shall ascend!" Instantly, the Samaritan died and was buried, while the corpse he had hidden came back to life and rose from the grave! Talk about a plot twist!
The story continues with more tests of Rabbi Shimon's authority. In one instance, we see him confronting Nakai the scribe. In another, he encounters someone gathering forbidden produce (sefichin) during the Sabbatical year. In both cases, Rabbi Shimon's unwavering commitment to Jewish law and the authority of the Sages is emphasized.
The narrative concludes with a final interpretation of "and he encamped before the city," suggesting that Jacob observed Shabbat even before it was officially given. This reinforces the idea that our patriarchs intuitively understood and lived by principles that would later become formal commandments.
What can we take away from this rich tapestry of stories? It's more than just a collection of anecdotes. It’s about recognizing the blessings in our lives and finding ways to give back. It’s about honoring tradition, upholding justice, and living with integrity. And perhaps most importantly, it’s about remembering that even in the face of adversity, we have the power to create positive change and show gratitude for the gifts we've been given.