The book of Devarim (Deuteronomy) describes the blessing to the tribe of Asher with the phrase, "and he shall dip his foot in oil" (Deuteronomy 33:24). But what does that mean?
The Sifrei Devarim, a collection of ancient rabbinic commentaries on the book of Deuteronomy, illuminates this verse with a fascinating story. It paints a picture of abundance so incredible, it almost sounds like a tall tale!
The story goes that the people of Ludkia (some identify this with the region of Lydia in modern-day Turkey) were in desperate need of oil. They scraped together a huge sum – one hundred and ten thousands (presumably a local currency) – and sent an envoy to find a seller.
The envoy first went to Tzor (Tyre), a major port city known for its commerce. But they directed him further inland, to Gush Chalav, a town in the territory of Asher, renowned for its olive groves.
Arriving in Gush Chalav, the envoy asked around, "I need oil for one hundred and ten thousands!" The locals pointed him to a particular farmer. Finding the man in his field, leveling the ground beneath his olive trees, the envoy made his grand request. The farmer, unfazed, simply replied, "Wait until I finish with my trees."
Imagine the envoy's frustration! He's got a fortune burning a hole in his pocket, and this farmer is…gardening? As the farmer finished and started clearing stones, the envoy thought to himself, "This can't be right. This guy doesn't look like he has enough oil to fill a thimble! These Jews must be mocking me!"
But then, something incredible happened. When the farmer led him back to his house, the maidservant brought out a basin full of oil – just for washing their feet! Talk about abundance! The Sifrei emphasizes that this was a direct fulfillment of the verse, "and he shall dip his foot in oil."
After offering the envoy bread, and allowing him to eat and drink, the farmer finally got down to business. He measured out the requested amount of oil – one hundred and ten thousands’ worth – and then casually asked, "Would you like more?"
The stunned envoy admitted he didn't have enough money. No problem! The farmer offered him an additional eighteen ten thousands’ worth of oil on credit, promising to come along and collect payment later.
The story continues, "That man did not leave over an ass or a camel in Eretz Yisrael (the land of Israel) that he did not hire" to transport all that oil! When the people of Ludkia heard of his approach, they went out three mils (a unit of distance) to greet him, showering him with praise.
But the farmer stopped them. "You should not be praising me," he said, "but this man, to whom everything belongs. What is more, I owe him eighteen ten thousands!" The Sifrei concludes by connecting this story to Proverbs 13:7: "There is one who seems rich and has nothing; and one who seems poor, with great wealth."
This isn't just a story about oil; it's a story about perspective. It reminds us that true wealth isn't always visible, and that outward appearances can be deceiving. It's about the hidden abundance within the land, and perhaps, within ourselves. The farmer, seemingly simple and unassuming, possessed a wealth beyond measure, both materially and in character. And the land of Asher? It wasn't just blessed; it overflowed. A reminder, perhaps, that blessings often come in unexpected packages, and that true riches are often found where we least expect them.