In The Paths of Our Fathers: Chapter Six

Rabbi Yosse Ben Kisma Said: "Once I Was Walking On The Road When A Certain Man Met Me. He Greeted Me, 'Shalom,' And I Returned His Greeting, 'Shalom.'

"He Said To Me, 'Rabbi, From What Place Are You?'

"I Said To Him, 'I Am From A Great City Of Scholars And Sages.'

"He Said To Me, 'Rabbi, If You Would Be Willing To Live With Us In Our Place, I Would Give You A Million Golden Dinars, Precious Stones And Pearls.'

"I Replied, 'Even If You Were To Give Me All The Silver And Gold, Precious Stones, And Pearls In The World, I Would Dwell Nowhere But In A Place Of Torah.' "

And So It Is Written In The Book Of Tehillim By David, King Of Israel:[53] "The Torah Of Your Mouth Is More Precious To Me Than Thousands Of Gold And Silver [Pieces]." Furthermore, At A Time Of A Man's Passing From This World, Neither Silver Nor Gold Nor Precious Stones Nor Pearls Accompany Him, But Only Torah [Knowledge] And Good Deeds, As It Is Stated:[54] "When You Walk, It [The Torah] Shall Guide You; When You Lie Down, It Shall Watch Over You; And When You Awake, It Shall Speak For You."

[THIS CAN BE INTERPRETED:] "WHEN YOU WALK, IT SHALL GUIDE YOU" IN THIS WORLD; "WHEN YOU LIE DOWN, IT SHALL WATCH OVER YOU" IN THE GRAVE; "AND WHEN YOU AWAKE, IT SHALL SPEAK FOR YOU" IN THE WORLD TO COME.

And It [Also] Says:[55] "Mine Is The Silver, And Mine Is The Gold, Says The L-Rd Of Hosts."

Once I Was Walking On The Road When A Certain Man Met Me

The Hebrew word used for "met," , also means "harmed." The entire encounter was harmful for Rabbi Yosse. As reflected by his answer, Rabbi Yosse's divine service centered on utter devotion to the study of Torah. Involvement with any other matter, even temporarily, would obstruct this thrust. For this reason,...

He Greeted Me, "Shalom," And I Returned His Greeting, "Shalom"

Although it is proper for a person to be the first to greet another,[56] Rabbi Yosse attempted to shy away from this encounter by not offering a greeting. He realized that this person would interfere with his concentration on Torah, and therefore tried to avoid him. Only after the other person greeted him did he return the salutation.

Alternatively, it can be explained that Rabbi Yosse was absorbed in reviewing his Torah studies, and did not at first notice the presence of the other person. It was precisely this intense concentration which aroused the interest of the stranger, for it showed that Rabbi Yosse was a sage of sufficient caliber to lift the quality of Torah life in the stranger's community.

For this reason, he invited Rabbi Yosse to serve in his town, and promised him...

A Million Golden Dinars, Precious Stones And Pearls

The offer was made so that Rabbi Yosse would not have to worry about his livelihood, and would be able to devote his attention entirely to elevating the spiritual level of the community. Alternatively, this wealth would enable Rabbi Yosse to give tzedakah generously.

Nevertheless, Rabbi Yosse refused the offer, replying...

Even If You Were To Give Me All The Silver And Gold, Precious Stones And Pearls In The World

Even if his circumstances allowed him to fulfill the mitzvah of tzedakah in the most complete way possible, and thus reach the pinnacle in the service of refining the world, Rabbi Yosse replied...

I Would Dwell Nowhere But In A Place Of Torah

The wording he chose - "Even if you were to give me," and "I would dwell" - implies that the offer was not in itself improper, and might have been suitable for another individual. This approach to divine service was, however, inappropriate for Rabbi Yosse, for his efforts were to be directed solely to Torah study.

(Sichos Shabbos Parshas Bamidbar, 5734; Parshas Pinchas, 5741)

Notes:

(Back to text) Tehillim 119:72.

(Back to text) Mishlei 6:22. V. Rashi, loc. cit.

(Back to text) Chaggai 2:8.

(Back to text) Pirkei Avos 4:15; Berachos 17a.