Jewish tradition is full of examples, and Sifrei Devarim, a collection of legal interpretations on the book of Deuteronomy, gives us a fascinating peek into this idea.
Take the story in II Samuel 2:30: "And there were lacking of David's servants, nineteen men and Asahel." Now, hold on a minute. Wasn't Asahel already included in the count of David's servants? Why the special mention? The Sifrei Devarim suggests that Asahel was singled out because he was simply more formidable than all the others. He possessed a quality, a strength, that made him extraordinary. It's not just about being one among many; it's about the unique impact you have.
Then, we have King Solomon, famed for his wisdom, but also known for his… weaknesses. 1 Kings 11:1 tells us, "And King Solomon loved many foreign women and the daughter of Pharaoh." Again, we see a similar structure. Wasn't the daughter of Pharaoh already among the "many foreign women?" So why the specific call-out? The answer, according to the Sifrei Devarim, is that she was more beloved than all the others. And, perhaps more damningly, she led him to sin more than all the others. Ouch.
These aren’t just historical footnotes. They’re lessons about influence, for good and for ill.
But the story doesn't end there. It gets even more intriguing. The Rabbis paint a vivid picture connected to Solomon's marriage. They said that on the very day Solomon wed Pharaoh's daughter, Gavriel – yes, the archangel Gavriel! – descended and stuck a reed in the sea. This act caused a sandbank to rise, and upon that sandbank, the great city of Rome was built. Think about that for a second. A single marriage, a seemingly personal choice by a powerful king, having cosmic repercussions that lead to the rise of an empire.
And the plot thickens! We're told that on the day Yeravam (also known as Jeroboam) set up the two golden calves – a massive act of idolatry that split the kingdom of Israel – a man named Ramilo, his son Romolo, and another individual built two cities in Rome! So, the very moment that the Kingdom of Israel turned away from God, Rome continued to build and grow.
What does it all mean? It’s a potent reminder that our actions have consequences, often far beyond what we can imagine. The choices of individuals – Asahel's bravery, Solomon's love, Yeravam's sin – ripple outwards, shaping not just their own lives but the course of history. The Sifrei Devarim isn't just about interpreting scripture; it's about understanding the weight of our actions and the enduring power of individual choices to shape the world around us.
So, what kind of reed are we planting today? What kind of city are we building with our actions?