The Secret of Rebe Shimon bar Yochai
Inspiration: Yochai was married for many years, yet his wife did not bear him children. He asked her to accept a divorce, so that he could marry a new wife who might bear him children. She begged him to let her try for one more year. Yochai agreed to her request.
With a broken heart and countless tears she prayed for a miracle.
One night, Yochai dreamt that he was in a forest of dry leafless trees. Each tree was watered with a cup of water and sprouted to life. Soon he came to his tree, which was next to a barrel of water. The barrel poured water on to the tree, and it blossomed with leaves and fruits.
He related the dream to a sage and asked him its meaning. The sage told him that he would have a great son who would illuminate the world. Yochai asked why the other trees had a cup, while his tree had a barrel of water. The sage answered, "The barrel of water symbolizes the copious tears of your wife."
Lesson: Heartfelt prayer with many tears has the power to convert darkness to light, heal every illness, and transform hardship into joy.
App: Pray to HaShem with all of your heart and soul, and trust in His infinite mercy and kindness to answer all of your prayers.
