That feeling, that sense of disorientation and wonder, is at the heart of a powerful story about Rabbi Yochanan and Honi the Circle Drawer.
The story begins with a verse from Psalm 126: "When the Lord brings back the captivity of Zion, we will be like dreamers." This line, from Midrash Tehillim, became a lifelong preoccupation for Rabbi Yochanan. The Midrash tells us that he believed Jerusalem could only be rebuilt through the merit of the tribes of Israel. This righteous man was troubled by this verse throughout his days. Some say he spent seventy years in a dream because of it!
One day, Rabbi Yochanan was walking along a road and came across a man planting a carob tree. Now, carob trees are slow growers. Impatient, Rabbi Yochanan asked, "How long will it take for this tree to bear fruit?" The man replied, "Seventy years." Can you imagine? Seventy years! "Are you certain you'll even be alive in seventy years to enjoy the fruit?" Rabbi Yochanan pressed.
The man's answer is beautiful. He said, "I found this world full of carob trees. Just as my forefathers planted for me, so too, I plant for my children." This simple act of faith, of planting for a future he might not see, resonated deeply.
Suddenly, a heavenly voice proclaimed that Rabbi Yochanan's request had been granted. Immediately, he fell into a deep sleep that lasted… you guessed it… seventy years.
When he awoke, the world was different. He saw the very man he'd spoken to, now harvesting the mature carob tree. "Are you the one who planted this tree?" Rabbi Yochanan asked, bewildered. The man confirmed that he was. Rabbi Yochanan, filled with awe, exclaimed, "Blessed are you, and blessed is the God who gave you such long life to see the fruits of your labors!" What a moment!
But the story doesn't end there. It shifts to another figure: Honi the Circle Drawer, a legendary figure known for his ability to bring rain. The text transitions, drawing us to the study hall where the sages honored Honi. "We have gained great knowledge because you, Honi the Circle Drawer, are like a well of living water," they said, recognizing his wisdom. "Whenever you come to the study hall, any question that the sages have, you resolve for them."
Honi, ever humble, replied, "I am but a mere mortal, not a prophet, and even I have not been able to fathom the depths of the Torah. However, I do know one thing: I am like a soldier who has been given orders, and I obey them." This speaks to his dedication and commitment to serving God.
The story continues, telling how Honi lived near the ruins of the Temple. One day, he traveled to a valley where he saw laborers working in a field. Seeking solitude, he sat in a nearby cave and prayed for rain. And it rained! So much so that the cave flooded with water! Sound familiar?
Like Rabbi Yochanan, Honi then fell into a deep sleep for seventy years. When he awoke, the world had transformed. As we find in Midrash Tehillim, olive trees had been replaced by vineyards, and vineyards by fields of grain. He went to a town, but no one recognized him. They didn’t believe he was the Honi the Circle Drawer until he recounted the miracle of the cave. Finally, they took him to his hometown.
There, Honi passed away. And it was said of him that he fulfilled the prophecy in Psalm 126: "When the Lord returns the captivity of Zion, we will be like dreamers."
What does it all mean? Perhaps it's about the slow, patient work of building a better future, even when we might not see the fruits of our labor. Maybe it's about the disorientation and wonder that come with profound change. Or perhaps it's about the importance of faith, even when the world around us seems unrecognizable.
Whatever the interpretation, the story of Rabbi Yochanan and Honi the Circle Drawer, as told in Midrash Tehillim, reminds us that even in the midst of dreams, there's still work to be done. And that the seeds we plant today may blossom into something beautiful for generations to come. What will you plant today?