To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. (Proverbs 21:3)
There was a man of wisdom, a man of justice, kindness, and faith. It was said that he brought justice, in all its forms to all who came to him. It is decreed, ‘Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue’ (Deuteronomy 16:20) So I ask you to listen and I will tell you a little of the wisdom of a judge long long ago.”
There came before him once a man who was troubled to tears, requesting, “Help me please, give me counsel, for overwhelming destruction has found me.” “What bothers you so that you cry such bitter tears? Asked the wise man. The troubled man answered, “My noble sir, I have but one daughter, and for her did I arrange a marriage, giving her to one of the sons of my people. But yesterday I brought unto my house the betrothed lad and his father, and I invited with them my neighbors who are close to me. I showed them the fine dresses and robes, jewelry and precious stones which had been prepared for the day of their wedding, for the gladness and joy of my daughter and her groom. We arose early in the morning, I and my wife, to clean the house to prepare for the wedding. We found nothing of the of the fine clothes, jewelry, or precious stones. There was nothing of all her clothing save only her dressing robe and her slippers. That was all my wealth, my goods, and my possessions, and now I do not know what to do or how to provide a dowry for my clothes less daughter.”
The wise judge instructed him, “Lead me to your house so that I can look around. Maybe we will find your lost things, maybe you will yet find your goods.” So he brought him unto his house, and he looked at the walls of the house, and, they were all high, that no thief might ascend the one side and descend to the other, except for one place where there was a breach in the wall, where grew a large orange tree. The tree was surrounded by a prickly bush. “’Who is your neighbor?” asked the judge. “Noble sir my neighbor is a cantor, a man just and upright, righteous in all his deeds and words. The judge turned here and there and then went upon his way. “Return to me at this time tomorrow,” instructed the judge, “I will look further into this matter.”
The next day he sent for the cantor, whose name was Paltiel ben Azan. He came and stood before him, and the judge gazed into his countenance and observed an indication that the man was not of good faith. The judge then brought him into the chamber and drew off his garments and said to him, “Will you take off your clothes and wrestle with me. For you see I had a dream last night where you and I were grappling each other, and I wish to find the interpretation of the dream. May the L-rd of peace be our aid. So, the cantor drew off his garments and the judge saw that his body was filled with scratches, bruises, and wounds. Just as he had assumed in his heart, so indeed it was for through that very place had he descended to commit the theft, being naked and without garments, in order that they might not be caught by the thorns which were around the tree.
“Then the judge said, “Return that which you have stolen, and the dowery of your neighbor’s daughter which you took. If you refuse, as your soul lives, I will afflict you with rods and with scorpions as a thief and a robber. Then was the cantor dismayed and frightened fell upon his face, he was ashamed to answer.
The dishonest evildoer returned everything he had taken, from a thread even to a shoelace. The father returned to the judge as he had been told, who then restored to him his daughter’s dowery. The man fell to the ground full length and kissed his hands and feet for his kindness and his truth, and said, “Blessed are you before the Holy One, blessed be He, for that your name is a fortress to the poor and a refuge to the humble.” He took all the goods and returned to his house joyful and glad at heart. It is well known that “When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous, but dismay to evildoers.” (Proverbs 21:15)
Upon the father’s return to his home, he ordered his daughter’s marriage to take place and his daughter was happy. As the groom met his bride under the canopy beneath the stars of the night sky he declared, “I will take you for my wife forever; I will take you for my wife in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love, and in mercy.” (Hosea 2:19)
Marvel at the understanding and wisdom of the judge for no secret was withheld from him.
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)
