Rabbi Yishmael and the Blind Man

Rabbi Yishmael and the Blind Man

Shalom Aleichem!

There is an old folk tale which some Ashkenazi Jews in the Balkans preserved to this day. And it's a beautiful tale of short length and value beyond measure.

The tale in question goes as follows:

Back in ancient times a blind man spoke with Rabbeinu Yishmael and told him, "O rabbi, if God loves us so much, then why does He allow for some of us to be born blind like me? Why does He not give us the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of His creation?"

Rabbeinu Yismael answered: "Ye do not see His creation in this life only. As the ones who were blind in this world shall have the best of sight in the World to come. And, if they be pious, they shall see more beauty between two blinks of an eye in the World to come than they shall see in an entire earthly life."

Afterwards the blind man smiled and said, "Thank you for your wisdom, Rabbi!" And Rabbeinu Yismael replied, "It is not the wisdom of mine. It is the wisdom of the Torah."

I hope you all will bear the blessings of this tale in future times.

Shalom!

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