In a certain city, there was a simple man who had little learning and was sometimes foolish. One day, one of the young students who learned a lot, but had little compassion decided to amuse his friends. He told his friends that later that day, he would trick the simple man into leaping into the swamp located on the outskirts of the town.
How can one convince another to do such a foolish thing? He approached the simple man and offered him various types of foods and drink, in this way earning his trust. He then invited the simple man to go for a short walk outside the city.
As they neared the swamp, the young student turned to the simple man, pulled him aside and whispered to him, “I have a great secret which I am willing to share with you, but you must first promise me that you will not share it with anyone.”
The simple man promised.
“Are you familiar with the big swamp?” asked the young student.
“I certainly am,” responded the simple man, “But I heard that it is quite deep and marshy.”
“That is not true,” answered the young student. “And what’s more, you should know that a valuable treasure is hidden inside it…
“While there is a thin layer of mud that lies on the surface, if a person should leap in, he will avoid the mud and merit discovering an enormous treasure.”
When they arrived at the swamp, the simple man, believing the young student’s words, dived directly into the marshy swamp hoping to find the treasure.
“Help me!” called out the simple man as he sunk deep into the mud. “Get me out of here!”
“Absolutely not,” replied the young student. “Do you know how much effort I used just to get you to jump into the swamp in the first place? First I will call all of my friends, so that they can see you sunken up to your neck and get a hearty laugh. Only afterwards will I take you out…Have you never heard ‘Understand, O dullest of the people; fools, when will you be wise?’ ” (Psalm 94:8)
So is the way of the yetzer hara – the evil inclination. First it attracts a person with meaningless temptations, even giving them fancy gifts and the like, which serve to trap them. However, once a person has been successfully tricked — sunk in the swamp — the yetzer hara stands there and laughs heartily.
The wisdom of old speaks to the simple man when it asks, “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? (Proverbs 1:22)
The arrogance and lack of compassion is addressed in the holy writings when it teaches, “A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for one who understands.” (Proverbs 14:6) He learns but does not apply his knowledge to his everyday behaviour or life.
May we all be spared from the embarrassment and ridicule of the yetzer hara – the evil inclination.
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)