Tehillim 37 — “Even where there are no people, always remain a human being”

Zohar on Tehillim 37 — “Even where there are no people, always remain a human being”

Tehillim 37:3 — “B'tach ba-Ad-nai va'aseh tov, sh'chon eretz u're'eh emunah” — “Trust in the L-rd and do good; dwell in the land and remain faithful to Him.” One day, Rabbi Chiya and Rabbi Yosei set out for Ashkelon. The road was hot, and they walked at an unhurried pace. At midday, two travelers with packs on their shoulders caught up with them. Coming toward them was an emaciated, thin man. He addressed the two travelers in a weak voice: “Good people, I have not had a morsel of food in two days. I am dying—please give me something to eat.” Immediately, one of the travelers took his pack from his shoulder, removed the bread and water he had prepared for the journey, and gave them to the man. The unfortunate man sat down on a stone, ate, and went on his way, limping. The companion of the traveler who had fed the hungry man said: “You fool, you gave your bread to a beggar and expect me to share mine with you now?” — “If you do not want to share, then go your own way! What have you to do with me, and I with you?” — the other replied. He placed his pack on the ground and lay down in the shade of a large stone. His companion looked at him, waved his hand, and walked away. Rabbi Chiya turned to Rabbi Yosei and said: — “The Holy One, blessed be He, did not wish to feed that unfortunate man through our hands.” Rabbi Yosei replied: “Perhaps the traveler who gave away his bread had been given a harsh judgment. I believe that the Holy One, blessed be He, prepared deliverance for him.” — “Oh, we should have hurried and given the hungry man some of our own provisions,” — said Rabbi Chiya. — “Do you intend to deprive the one who fulfilled the mitzvah of his merit before the Holy One, blessed be He?” — Rabbi Yosei exclaimed in surprise. — “Do not be hasty; let us see what happens next. I can see from his face that he is in danger of death, yet I believe that the Holy One, blessed be He, will take care of him.” Rabbi Chiya and Rabbi Yosei sat and talked. Meanwhile, the traveler who had shared his bread with the hungry man lay down on the dry sand, placed his pack beneath his head, and fell asleep. Rabbi Chiya and Rabbi Yosei saw a snake creeping toward the sleeping man. They froze, not knowing what to do or how to drive the snake away or stop it. The snake bent over his neck, preparing to release its dart of venom. Suddenly, a mongoose—an ichneumon—appeared above it. Before they had time even to startle, the little animal swallowed the snake's head. Rabbi Yosei rejoiced: “I told you that the Holy One, blessed be He, had prepared a miraculous deliverance for this man. You see, he merited salvation from Heaven, not through our hands.” The traveler woke up. Rabbi Yosei and Rabbi Chiya called him over, seated him beside them, shared their provisions with him, fed him, and gave him food for the journey. He then went on his way, and Rabbi Yosei said: “I remembered the words of King David. He said: “Trust in the L-rd and do good; dwell in the land and remain faithful to Him.” There is no doubt that the Holy One, blessed be He, has prepared a glorious destiny for the one who does good.” (Zohar HaKadosh on Behar) Despite the evil and the darkness surrounding us—in the form of envy and rivalry—“even where there are no people, always remain a human being.” (Pirkei Avot, Mishnah 7) Goodness is the only thing that connects us with the Creator.