The people of a certain land had an unusual custom, Every year, they would go out to the main road that led to their country, and when they spotted a stranger approaching, they would crown him as their king. This newly appointed king would then decide all the matters of the land according to his wisdom.
At the year’s end, they would remove him from his throne and expel him from the country. Stripped of his royalty, he would leave just as he had come. The people would then go out to the main road once again and find themselves another traveler and crown him as the new king. This situation repeated itself year after year.
On one occasion, a poor traveler happened to be walking on the main road. While he lacked money, he possessed great wisdom and an amazing breadth of knowledge. Suddenly, he saw a massive parade, joyful and exuberant, heading his way. Before he even had a moment to understand the cause of the excitement, he was dressed in fine robes, and a royal crown was placed upon his head. He was brought directly to the royal palace in the capital city, where he was introduced as the new king for the coming year with an elaborate ceremony.
Thinking about the strange events that had taken place, the king summoned one of his ministers, who offered him a detailed explanation of the land’s custom.
“Amazing,” thought the king. “It seems that after a year, I will once again be a penniless beggar. How interesting…”
What did he do? He remembered, “If a person is wise to his own advantage, the fruits of his good sense will be praiseworthy” (Sirach 37:22), and over the course of the year, the king dispatched to his old home as much money, jewelry, merchandise, and items of great worth, as he was able to. “And the man became rich; he prospered more and more until he became very wealthy.” (Genesis 26:13)
When the year drew to a close, the people entered his room and brought him his old beggar’s clothing. They then expelled him from the country with a warning never to return.
The man returned home where the massive treasure which he had so carefully set aside for himself. Of him, it was said, “By your wisdom and your understanding, you have amassed wealth for yourself, and have gathered gold and silver into your treasuries.” (Ezekiel 28:4) From that treasure, the man was able to support himself, and his family, providing them with a life of wealth and luxury for years to come.
People come to this world for a very limited length of time. There are times when they are totally immersed in the pleasures and very superficial aspects of this world and do not pay attention to the time that is quickly passing. Eventually, the years pass by, and one arrives in the World to Come emptyhanded, having nothing to show for their stay in this world.
This is not the case, however, with the wise man who possesses a great deal of foresight. In this world, he works in order to send ahead a treasure of mitzvos and good deeds, which will stand in his merit on the day of accounting. Sadly, “for those who despise wisdom and instruction are miserable. Their hope is vain, their labors are unprofitable, and their works are useless.” (Wisdom 3:11). “Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding.” (Proverbs 3:13)
Those who live their faith shall know blessings and bring good tidings to this world and the next
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)