For thirteen years, Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi, the famed redactor of the Mishnah, suffered from terrible pains. The Talmud (Baba Metziah 85b) traces his suffering back to the following incident: One day, a calf was led to slaughter. The animal, sensing what was about to take place, fled to Rabbi Yehudah. It hung its head on the corner of his garment and wept. The rabbi told the calf: “Go! You were created for this purpose.” It was decreed in Heaven: since Rabbi Yehudah failed to show rachmanut to the calf, the rabbi should suffer from afflictions. Rabbi Yehudah was only healed many years later, when he convinced his maidservant not to harm small rodents she discovered in the house.
R’ Yaakov was discharged from the hospital. The doctors had given up hope, his illness had progressed to the point that there was no known cure. They didn’t give him much time to live. His only hope was to ask advice from the Gadol Hador, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, zt”l.
The Rav studied the x-rays and test results. He then opened up the tractate Chullin, read a few lines and closed the sefer. “Go ask the Ribnetzer Rebbe for advice.”
Yaakov showed the same paperwork to the Ribnetzer Rebbe, zt”l. The Rebbe studied the x-rays and test results. He then opened up the tractate Chullin, read a few pages and closed the sefer. “Go immediately to Jerusalem.”
R’ Yaakov was confused. He returned to Rabbi Feinstein for clarification. “R’ Yaakov, according the psak halacha you are a treifa, it is a miracle that you are still alive. However, Ovadiah ben Abraham of Bertinoro (the Bartenura) rules against the majority opinion. Further, R’ Ovadiah ben Avraham has been designated by the heavenly court as the Rabbi who governs Jerusalem. The Ribnetzer Rebbe is advising you to immediately go to Jerusalem so you will be under his jurisdiction and thereby be saved.”
R’ Yaakov followed the advice given to him and lived many years longer, meriting to marry off his children and shep nachas from his many grandchildren.
When the calf ran under Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi’s garment it was in the Rabbi’s jurisdiction. Should he choose to, he could change the judgment that was decreed on the calf; but he didn’t. 13 years later, when R’ Yehudah changed the gezaira on the mice by showing rachmanut, his suffering was ended.
Over the years people have asked me if I would ever draw cartoons depicting some of the cases found in Yora Daya. Well, the answer is yes! I recently published a sefer called The Great Game of Kashrut. Click on the link to find out more: The Great Game of Kashrut
Speaking of temptation, is you are thirsty are you allowed to purchase a quenching drink in a non Kosher restaurant? When you're sitting there will you be tempted to buy a cheeseburger? And what about people who see you drinking, will they suspect you of eating non Kosher food even though it's clear you're not? Are we, as Jews, commanded to be suspicious or commanded to give the benefit of doubt? Or perhaps some judgement "in between"?
To order a copy of The Great Game of Kashrut follow this link: The Great Game of Kashrut
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Good Shabbos,R’ Channenjudaism613.org