It's about Elijah the Prophet, or Eliyahu HaNavi, a figure who pops up throughout Jewish tradition, often in unexpected places, always as a messenger of God. In this story, we see him in a particularly…matchmaking mood.
So, picture this: A pious man leaves a spice garden to his three sons. To protect it from thieves, each son takes a turn guarding it at night. On the first night, the eldest son is on watch when Elijah appears! Elijah, ever the tester, asks him a question: "My son, what do you desire? Knowledge of the Torah, great wealth, or a beautiful wife?"
The son, without hesitation, chooses wealth. And Elijah, true to his word, hands him a coin, and just like that, the son becomes rich. No long apprenticeships or business plans needed!
The second night rolls around, and it's the second son's turn. Elijah appears again, posing the very same question. This time, the son chooses knowledge of the Torah. Elijah gives him a book, and the story tells us that "he knew the whole Torah." Instantaneously! Talk about a good return on investment.
Now, the third night. The youngest son is guarding the garden. Elijah appears and asks the same question for the third time. This son, however, desires a beautiful wife. Elijah, rather than handing him a bridal magazine or setting up a dating profile, invites him on a journey.
Their first night is spent at the house of a truly notorious villain. This guy is bad news, and he has a daughter. During the night, Elijah overhears the chickens and the geese in the yard clucking and honking amongst themselves. They're saying, "What a terrible sin this young man must have committed to be destined to marry the daughter of such a villain!" Ouch.
They move on. The second night, the same thing happens. They stay with another villain, and the animals murmur about the awful fate awaiting the young man if he marries that villain’s daughter.
Finally, on the third night, they lodge with a man who has a very pretty daughter. And wouldn't you know it, during the night, Elijah overhears the chickens and geese saying, "How great must be the virtues of this young man if he is privileged to marry so beautiful and pious a wife!"
In the morning, Elijah wastes no time. He becomes a matchmaker right then and there! The young man marries the pretty maiden, and husband and wife journey homeward, full of joy.
What's the takeaway here? Well, the story, found in Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg, drawing from various sources, shows Elijah as this versatile figure who is able to grant wishes, but it also hints at something deeper. Perhaps it’s not just about the choice itself, but the journey that follows. The first two brothers got their wishes instantly, but the third had to learn something along the way. He had to be guided.
The story echoes themes we see elsewhere in Jewish tradition. The Talmud often speaks of middot (character traits) and how important it is to develop them. Did the third son's journey test and refine his character, making him worthy of the beautiful, pious wife?
And what about those gossiping chickens and geese? They're a quirky reminder that sometimes, the universe has a way of letting you know if you're on the right path. Or maybe, it's just a funny way of saying that appearances can be deceiving!
Ultimately, this little tale reminds us that sometimes, the greatest blessings come not from instant gratification, but from the journey, the lessons learned, and perhaps, a little help from a well-placed prophet and some chatty poultry.