There's a story told in Legends of the Jews – a masterful compilation by Rabbi Louis Ginzberg – about the aftermath of Daniel’s time and the legacy he left behind. It speaks of a hidden stone near Daniel’s house, a stone that concealed the sacred Temple vessels. Legend says anyone who dared disturb it met a swift and terrible end. Attempts to unearth the stone were thwarted by storms, a clear sign that something sacred was being protected.
But the story doesn’t end there. It shifts to Zerubbabel, Daniel’s successor, a man who held the king's favor and a position of great influence. He and two others served as the king’s personal bodyguards. And this is where things get really interesting.
One night, while the king slept soundly, the guards decided to engage in a little philosophical contest. They each wrote down what they believed to be the mightiest force in the world. The first declared, "Wine is the mightiest thing!" The second, perhaps playing it safe, proclaimed, "The king is the mightiest on earth!"
But Zerubbabel? Zerubbabel went deeper. He wrote, "Women are the mightiest in the world, but truth prevails over all else."
Intriguing, right?
When the king awoke, he gathered his court and the three guards. He asked each to defend their claim. The first sang the praises of wine, how it washes away sorrow and loosens inhibitions. The second extolled the king’s power, his dominion over the land.
Then came Zerubbabel's turn. He spoke eloquently about the power of women, how they influence even kings. But he didn't stop there. "Truth," he declared, "is supreme. The whole earth yearns for truth, the heavens sing its praises. All creation trembles before it. In truth, there is no wrong. Unto truth belong might, dominion, power, and glory. Blessed be the God of truth!"
And according to Legends of the Jews (drawing from sources like 1 Esdras in the Apocrypha), the assembly erupted: "Great is truth, it is mightier than all else!" The king, deeply impressed by Zerubbabel’s wisdom, offered him any wish.
Now, Zerubbabel could have asked for riches, power, anything for himself. But what did he request? He asked for permission to restore Jerusalem, to rebuild the Beit Hamikdash (the Holy Temple), and to return the sacred Temple vessels to their rightful place.
And King Darius not only granted his wish, but also provided letters of safe-conduct, privileges for the Jews returning to Palestine, and abundant gifts for the Temple and its officers. What a moment!
This story, seemingly about a philosophical debate, is really about the power of truth and the courage to speak it. Zerubbabel’s words didn't just win him favor; they paved the way for the restoration of a nation and the rebuilding of its spiritual center. It reminds us that sometimes, the simplest truths can have the most profound impact. What truths are we holding back, and what could happen if we dared to speak them?