It’s a question that’s plagued humanity for millennia, and Jewish tradition grapples with it head-on. We find one fascinating perspective in the stories surrounding the prophet Elijah (Eliyahu in Hebrew), a figure known for his fiery spirit and his role as a messenger of God.
One of the most compelling of these tales involves Rabbi Joshua ben Levi, a respected scholar and friend of Elijah. According to Legends of the Jews, Rabbi Joshua asked Elijah for just one wish: to accompany him on his travels through the world. Elijah agreed, but with a strict condition: Rabbi Joshua couldn't question any of Elijah's actions, no matter how strange they seemed. If he asked "why," their journey would end.
So, off they went. They arrived at the home of a poor couple who owned nothing but a single cow. This kind couple welcomed Elijah and Rabbi Joshua with open arms, offering them food, drink, and a comfortable place to sleep. They showed them incredible generosity. But the next morning, as Elijah and Rabbi Joshua prepared to leave, Elijah prayed that the cow would die. And it did.
Can you imagine Rabbi Joshua's shock? He was beside himself! "Is that how the Almighty repays kindness?" he surely wondered. But he remembered his promise and bit his tongue.
Next, they came to the house of a wealthy man who was utterly inhospitable. He barely acknowledged their presence and offered them nothing. This man needed a wall repaired, but before they left, Elijah prayed that the wall would rebuild itself. And miraculously, it did! Again, Rabbi Joshua was bewildered, but he kept his word and remained silent.
Their travels continued, leading them to an ornate synagogue, lavishly decorated with gold and silver. But the congregants were stingy and unwelcoming. They grudgingly offered the travelers a place to stay and some meager provisions. As they departed the next morning, Elijah offered a peculiar blessing: "May God make you all heads!"
Rabbi Joshua struggled to contain himself, but he managed.
Finally, they arrived in a town where they were received with warmth and generosity. The people showered them with hospitality, providing them with everything they needed. In return, Elijah offered this blessing: "May God grant you but a single head."
That was the last straw. Rabbi Joshua could hold back no longer. He demanded an explanation for Elijah's seemingly bizarre behavior.
Elijah, seeing that their journey had reached its end, relented. "The poor man's cow," he explained, "was sacrificed to avert a greater tragedy. The man's wife was destined to die that day, but my prayer caused God to accept the loss of the cow as a substitute."
As for the wealthy, inhospitable man, "There was treasure hidden beneath the dilapidated wall. Had he rebuilt it himself, he would have discovered it. I repaired it miraculously to prevent him from profiting."
And the blessings? "The inhospitable people in the synagogue," Elijah said, "I wished that they be made ‘heads’ because too many leaders will cause only disputes and the community's ultimate ruin. But in the town where we were so well received, I wished for them a single head so that the town may have success."
Elijah concluded with a profound lesson: "Know, then, that if thou seest an evil-doer prosper, it is not always unto his advantage, and if a righteous man suffers need and distress, think not God is unjust." As we find in Midrash Rabbah, these things are not always as they seem.
With that, Elijah and Rabbi Joshua parted ways, each to continue on his own journey.
This story, found in Legends of the Jews, reminds us that we often lack the full picture. What appears to be unfair or unjust on the surface may be part of a larger, more complex divine plan. It challenges us to trust in a higher wisdom, even when we can't understand the reasons behind the events that unfold in our lives. It invites us to consider that sometimes, what we perceive as blessings and curses may be the very opposite. And perhaps, most importantly, it encourages us to act with kindness and generosity, regardless of what we receive in return. Because ultimately, it's not about the reward, but about the kind of person we choose to be.