The world of science and technology, instant answers and quick responses are common. People becoming more and more dependent on all of the “gifts” that science and technology provide. One of the most wonderful gifts that people have is the ability to learn, to understand, and to grow in the belief of what they have learned. Sadly, many people no longer understand the most basic when it comes to matters of faith.

Too many times, people respond, “I make it a rule to believe only what I understand.” Yet those very same people have decided to depend upon other means to think and understand for them. They don’t understand that the answers they get from science and technology are based on their questions. Limited questions result in limited answers.

Once there was a man who lived his whole life in the city who decided that he would like to become a farmer. He believed he had a good understanding of agriculture and went to a farmer to learn about farming. The farmer took him to his field and asked him what he saw. He saw a beautiful piece of land full of grass and pleasing to the eye.

Then, the man stood shocked as the farmer plowed up the grass and turned the beautiful green field into a mass of brown ditches. “Why did you ruin the field?” asked the man.

“Be patient and you will see,” answered the farmer.

Then, the farmer showed him a sack full of plump kernels of wheat and asked him what he saw. The visitor described the nutritious, inviting grain and then once more watched in shock as the farmer ruined something beautiful. This time, he walked up and down the furrows and dropped kernels into the open ground wherever he went, and then he covered them up with clods of soil. “Are you insane,” the man asked, “first you destroy the field, then you take this beautiful grain, and you throw it underneath.”

The farmer answered, “Be patient and you will see.”

 Time went by, and once more, the farmer took the man out into the field. Now, they saw endless straight rows and green stalks sprouting up from all of the furrows. The visitor smiled broadly, “I apologize; now I understand what you were doing; you made the field more beautiful than ever; the art of farming is truly marvelous. “No,” said the farmer, “we are not done. You must still be patient.” More time went by, and the stalks were fully grown, then the farmer came with a sickle and chopped them all down as his visitor watched open-mouthed, seeing how the orderly field became an ugly scene of destruction.

The farmer bound the fallen stalks into bundles and decorated the field with them. Later he took the bundles to another area, where he beat and crushed them until they became a mass of straw and loose kernels. Then he separated the kernels from the chaff and piled them up in a huge hill.

Always he told his protesting visitor, “Be patient we are not done.”

Then, the farmer came with the wagon and piled it high with grain, which he took to the mill. There, this beautiful grain was ground into formless choking dust. The visitor complained again, “You have taken beautiful grain and transformed it into dust.”

Again, the farmer responded, “Be patient, and you will see.”

The farmer put the dust into sacks and took it back home. He took some dust and mixed it with water while his guest marveled at the foolishness of making whitish mud. Then, the farmer fashioned the mud into the shape of a loaf. The visitor saw the perfectly formed loaf and smiled broadly, but his happiness did not last. The farmer lit a fire and put the loaf into the oven. “Now I know you’re insane. After all that work, you burn what you make.”

The farmer looked at him and laughed, “Have I not told you to be patient?”

Finally, the farmer opened the oven and took out the freshly baked golden brown bread with an aroma that made the man’s mouth water. “Come,” the farmer said. He led the man to the kitchen table where he cut the bread, and he offered his now-pleased visitor a liberally buttered slice. “Now,” the farmer said, “Now you understand.”

Among all kinds of grain flour there is no more precious than the fine wheat flour which sticks to the sieve; the words of Torah are more precious than it, as it is written, sweeter than honey and flour dust.” (Tanchuma Eikev 1) Many today can be compared to one who “has a piece of bread in his basket asks, what will I eat tomorrow?” they belong to those who are of little faith (Sota 48b). Sadly, when it comes to matters of faith, and one does not understand, too many times, they are ashamed to admit it.

Too many don’t know that “the more Torah (Scriptures), the more life; the more thought, the more wisdom; the more counsel, the more understanding; the more righteousness, the more peace” (Avos 2:8) All of this is within our grasp, but science and technology has labeled this as old and archaic. One cannot appreciate the wonders of the world or the beauty of life without faith.

The Holy One, blessed be He, is the farmer, and we are the fools who do not begin to understand his ways or the outcome of his plan. Only when the process is complete will all people know why all this happened. Then, when the Messiah has finally come, we will know why all of this had to be. Until then, we must be patient and have faith that everything, even when it seems destructive and painful, is part of the process that will produce goodness and beauty.

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)

Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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