We all want to be helpful but sometimes unsure where to begin or worry that our efforts may be misplaced and our impact minimal.
Yesterday, Lag B’Omer, we celebrated the legacy of the great Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. A Talmudic scholar of epic proportions best known for being the author of the Zohar and the father of Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism.
During his lifetime the Roman Empire controlled the Land of Israel and their tyrannical rule often interfered with Jewish religious life. He was overheard criticizing the empire and the enraged emperor sentenced him to death. Rabbi Shimon fled to the mountains of Northern Israel and hid in a cave, together with his son Rabbi Elazar, for thirteen years.
When the danger had passed and the decree was annulled, the two sages emerged from hiding transformed men. Thirteen years of non-stop Torah study elevated them to unparalleled spiritual heights.
Despite his superior spiritual status, Rabbi Shimon inquired whether there was any way he could be helpful to the local population. The citizens of Tiberias suggested he visit their town to attend to a matter of significant inconvenience.
In this week’s parsha we learn of the laws concerning Kohanim, the descendants of Aharon the High Priest who would serve in the Holy Temple. Required to constantly be in a state of ritual purity, they are barred from attending funerals or being in close proximity to a grave (with few exceptions).
The main road of Tiberias was off limits for Kohanim because there was evidence that a grave had been lost there. The marker had vanished and no one recalled its exact location. Hence, the local Kohanim were forced to make a long and inconvenient detour to circumvent the suspected grave.
In a miraculous manner, Rabbi Shimon located the grave and the decades long problem was finally solved.
What is striking about this episode is that, upon rejoining society, Rabbi Shimon immediately searched for ways to be helpful and did not wait for an opportunity to impact the entire population. He worked hard to correct an issue that was inconveniencing very few people in town.
This the Jewish ethic of “doing good.” Be alert for the opportunities that abound and don’t wait to solve the global issues that impact many. If your efforts can convenience even one person - be grateful for the ability you have to put a smile on someone’s face.