Once upon a time there lived a Jewish rabbi named Naftali. He was famous, and many came to him for advice. One day there was a knock on the door of his house. On the threshold stood a middle-aged man, respectable and distinguished. “O Rabbi,” he said, “they say that you know the Torah better than anyone. Take me to your science, I want to study the holy letter.”
"Leave!" - Naftali shouted angrily. “I teach the Holy Letter, but not people like you!” and slammed the door.
His wife was surprised: “Why did you refuse him? After all, you teach many, and this, it’s immediately obvious, is a decent person.”
“He doesn’t need the Torah,” Naftali replied. “If I teach him the Holy Letter, he will hide behind it like a mouse in a hole and use my knowledge to feel superior to others. He is not ready.”
After some time there was a knock on the door again. He was a young, ardent youth of noble appearance.
“Excuse me, aren’t you Rabbi Naftali?” he asked. “I’m looking for knowledge, because the world is so unfair. I want to change it. Take me as a student.” “You are at the wrong door,” replied the rabbi. - “This guy doesn’t live here. I apologize.”
The wife asked: “Well, why didn’t you like this one? After all, he wants to do what’s best.” “Those who try to change the world without first knowing it bring only harm,” replied the rabbi. - “Not understanding what they are doing, they destroy, but cannot create. He is not ready.”
And a few days later there was a knock on the door again - already an elderly man of not the most intellectual appearance. Seeing the rabbi, he prayed: “Oh, dear rabbi! Could you help me in my trouble? You see, I am very stupid and do not understand anything. Is there a cure for this disease?”
Rejoicing, the rabbi hugged the newcomer and led him into his home. “Come in,” he said. - “You are ready: I will teach you.”
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru