Abba Umna, a Jewish physician, was as celebrated for his piety and humanity as for his medical skill. One may ask what were the righteous deeds of the doctor? It was said that when he would see patients, he would bring in men separately from women, for reasons of modesty. Also he had a special garment that he would have women dress in so that he would not see her exposed.
He made no distinction between rich and poor, and was particularly attentive to students and scholars from whom he could never accept the least reward for his professional services. He considered learned men as fellow-workers whose functions were even more important than his own, since they had the power to cure the diseases of the mind. He did not want to embarrass anyone from coming to him because of money so he had a box where patients would place the coins that he would take as his fee. In this manner, one who had money would leave money there, while one who did not have money was not embarrassed.
His practices and fame spread far and wide. Abaye, who was the head of the Academy, heard of it. Anxious to determine whether everything reported of that noble physician was true, he sent to him two of his disciples, who were slightly ill. The physician received them kindly, gave them some medicine, and requested them to stay in his house overnight. The offer was readily accepted.
They remained till the next morning, when they departed, taking with them a piece of tapestry which had served as a covering to the couch on which they had slept. This they took to the marketplace, and waited until their kind host arrived. They then pretended to offer the tapestry for sale, and asked him how much he thought it was worth. Abba Umna mentioned a sum.
“Do you not think it is worth more?”
“No,” answered the physician, “this is the very sum I gave for one much like it.”
“Why, good man,” exclaimed the students, “this belongs to you. We took it from your house.
Now tell us, we beg you, after missing it, were you not angry with us ?”
“Certainly not. You know that a Jewish person must not impute evil intentions to anyone, nor judge ill of a neighbor for a single act. Since I was satisfied that no ill use would be made of it, let it ever be so. Sell it and distribute the money to the many poor and needy people of the town.”
“Please tell us, what did you suspect of us? You knew that we had taken your tapestry, and yet you did not say anything.” The doctor answered:
“I said to myself, certainly an unexpected opportunity for a ransom of prisoners became available for the students, and they required immediate funds, but they were too embarrassed to say so to me or to ask for money. Instead, they took the tapestry.”
The students responded: “Now that we have explained the situation, let the Master take back the tapestry.” The doctor explained:
“From that moment when I realized the tapestry was missing, I put it out of my mind and committed it for charity. As far as I am concerned, it is already designated for that purpose, and I cannot take the tapestry back.”
The students followed his wishes, departed from him with admiration and thanks, and, by the report of their experience, increased his well-earned fame.
The most noble trait in Abba Umna’s character was that he never accepted any remuneration from the poor, and even provided them with everything, during their illness, that could contribute to their comfort; and when, by his skill and care, he had restored them to health, he would give them money and say,
“Now, my friends, go and purchase bread and meat; these are the best and only medicines you require.”
(Based on Ta’anis 21b)
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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