 |
Readers of The Jewish Press have been enjoying these stories for over 40 years and it is our privilege to share them with children of all ages. |
|
Everything Has A Reason For Being What a wonderful world the Almighty has created! The magnificent blue sky; the golden sun that shines its warmth and its health upon us; the great mountains that tower up to the Heavens, their snowcapped peaks glistening; the lovely lakes and lush green fields – all these things attest to the majesty and grandeur of the Holy One Blessed Be He. Then, of course, there are the creatures that roam the face of this wonderful world. Each one, be he small or great, has a definite place on this earth and a specific reason for being. What? You question this? Do you wonder at times what possible purpose some little insect might have for being? This is exactly the question that the great King David once asked. He, too, wondered about the need for a little spider in this world. He was soon to see, however, that there was a very good reason for her creation. Indeed, the answer was to save the life of the future King of Israel. David And Saul Before David became king he was the greatest general in the army of King Saul. No man fought more bravely, no soldier more courageously than the Sweet Singer of Israel. One day, however, after returning from a great victory over the Philistines, David, Saul and the returning armies of Israel were greeted by a joyous group of Jewish women who ran out to meet them with dances and songs. And to celebrate the victory, as they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, King Saul was deeply insulted. The people considered David a better warrior than he! From that day on his jealousy of the young David grew and grew until he decided that David posed a threat to the kingdom. He decided that David must die! David Flees David was forced to flee for his life and he escaped to the deserted Cave of Adullam. There he crept into the furthest, darkest corner and lay on his back weak and exhausted. Little did he know, however, that a spy for the king had seen him and at that very moment was hurrying to inform on him. As David lay in the dark, damp cave he saw a little spider crawling about. Even in his suffering and discomfort David did not stop reflecting upon the world and the Almighty. “I wonder,” he thought, “why G-d created this ugly spider? What benefit does she offer the world that she should have merited being brought unto this earth? To his amazement, it was as if the spider had read his thoughts, for she said: “Know you, David that nothing the Almighty ever made was created for naught.” To Help David “I know this, little spider,” replied David, “but I must confess that though there must be some reason for your spinning your countless webs, I cannot see it.” “And yet there is, David. There is a very important reason as far as you are concerned.” “What do you mean, little spider?” “I mean that the Holy One, Blessed Be He has sent me to this cave to save you from the hands of Saul.” David could not refrain from laughing. “The Almighty has sent you, little spider, to help me? Pardon me for doubting you but I need a great miracle now – lighting to strike the soldiers who pursue me – and not a little insect.” “And yet,” insisted the spider, “you will see. I will be the one to save you.” The Web And so speaking, the spider crawled to the mouth of the cave and began to spin a web, cleverly and swiftly. David watched in fascination as the little spider spun her delicate threads. Little by little the mouth of the cave began to be covered with the silky strands until soon it was completely covered. Just then, David heard the tramp of many feet coming down the path leading to the cave. “It is Saul and his soldiers,” he cried in panic. “I must try to escape while there is yet time.” “No, no,” cried the spider. “If you try to leave the cave you will surely be seen. You must stay here. Have faith and you will see that you will be saved.” Saul Arrives David saw that he had no choice but to obey the advice of the spider and he lay huddled in fear as the soldiers reached the cave. “The spy said that he saw David in the area of the cave. Let us enter and see if he is still inside.” David shrank back, expecting the soldiers to enter momentarily. Suddenly, however, he heard the voice of King Saul himself: “No, it is impossible for David to have entered this cave. Behold the web that covers the entire mouth. Had David entered, he would surely have broken the web.” To David’s amazed relief he heard the soldiers turn around and continue on their way. “I am saved! I am saved, little spider,” he cried. “Indeed, you are,” replied the little insect. “And do you know what it was that saved you?” “Yes, yes. It was you and the magnificent web that you wove. Now I see what you meant. It is indeed true that the Almighty in His great wisdom created nothing for naught. All – even the tiniest insect has a reason for being and a place on earth. Prayer Knows No Length The important thing about prayer is not the length or brevity of it but rather the feeling and intensity that is instilled in it. There are men who pray but briefly and yet pour their hearts out before G-d and there are others who stand before their Maker for a long time seeking his help. ‘ One day, following the studies in the Beis Midrash (House of Study), the students of Rabbi Eliezer rose to say the afternoon prayer. The cantor became immersed in prayer for a long time. Finally the students became so annoyed at his lengthy praying that they walked over to Rabbi Eliezer and said: “Rabbi, behold how lengthy this cantor is!” Rabbi Eliezer smiled and replied: “Does he then pray any longer than Moses our teacher who prayed for the Jewish people for forty days and forty nights?” Still another time, as the students gathered to pray, the cantor began and finished in what appeared to be unseeing haste. Once again the students gathered about Rabbi Eliezer and complained: “Rabbi, behold how briefly this one prayers!” This time Rabbi Eliezer answered them as follows: “And yet, does he pray any more briefly than Moses our teacher who, when praying for Miriam who had been stricken by leprosy, merely prayed: “Lord, please; heal her, please.” Neither length nor brevity are the important factor is prayer to the Almighty. It is the sincerity and devotion of the prayer that really count.
  Designed by R.A. Stone Design Associate and HI-TECH Computers, Inc. (718) 253-9698 Email address.....info@hitechcomputers.com Page last updated - 07/27/2006 |
||||||||
