And they found wisdom, comfort, and even a little humor in stories we call midrashim – interpretations that expand on the meaning of the Bible.
Let’s look at a passage from Midrash Tehillim, a collection of interpretations specifically focused on the Book of Psalms. This particular midrash homes in on Psalm 118:20: "This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it."
So, what does that gate really mean?
The midrash tells a parable, a short allegorical story designed to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. Imagine a traveler, laden with merchandise, journeying down a road. Suddenly, robbers appear! He’s forced to surrender everything he owns, but at least he survives. You might think, "Wow, that's terrible luck." But hold that thought.
He continues his journey, arriving in a foreign land. Here, he faces a new challenge: customs officials. These aren’t common thieves; they're the legal gatekeepers. They warn him: if he doesn't pay the required duties, he won't be allowed to keep any of his goods. In desperation, he cries out, "Open for me the gates of righteousness!"
What's the message here? Life throws curveballs. Sometimes it's outright thievery, sometimes it's the seemingly legitimate demands of the system. But the "gates of righteousness" – that path of integrity and faith – remain open, even when other avenues are blocked.
Now, let's move on to Psalm 118:21: "I will give thanks to You, for You have answered me and You have become my salvation."
The midrash presents another parable. A person prepares their donkey for a journey, venturing far from home. The road is brutal. Thorns prick him, a scorpion stings him, the sun beats down relentlessly. Exhausted and alone, he cries out to God, "What are my sins and transgressions that I deserve this?" He’s in deep despair.
But then, something unexpected happens. He hears news that his entire caravan has been lost. A disaster! And suddenly, he’s filled with a strange sense of relief. He begins praising God, saying, "If only I had been there, I would have been like one of them!"
The midrash then connects this to Isaiah 12:1, stating, "I will give thanks to You, for You have become angry with me." Wait, what? Giving thanks for anger?
It seems paradoxical, doesn't it? But the parable reveals a profound truth. The hardships we endure, the apparent "anger" of God (or fate, if you prefer), can sometimes be a form of salvation. What seems like misfortune might actually be a blessing in disguise, shielding us from something far worse. This is a concept that echoes throughout Jewish thought. We see it in stories like that of Joseph, who was sold into slavery only to rise to power in Egypt and save his family from famine.
These midrashic tales remind us that life's journey is rarely smooth. We will face obstacles, setbacks, and moments of profound doubt. But through it all, the gates of righteousness remain open, and even in our suffering, we can find reasons for gratitude. The key is to recognize that sometimes, the path we think we should be on isn't the path we need to be on. Maybe, just maybe, those detours are leading us to a place of unexpected salvation.