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The Secret of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai
Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai emerged as the most eminent amongst Rabbi Akiva's five disciples. What was the factor that made him so extraordinary?
Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, while hiding from the Romans, cloistered in a cave with his son, Elazar, for thirteen years. During this period of intense study, HaShem revealed to him the esoteric secrets of the Torah, called the Zohar. Rabbi Shimon removed his clothes and buried himself in the earth of the cave, to preserve his clothes for prayer. The course soil eventually cut deep wounds into his flesh.
When he emerged from the cave, his son-in-law, Rabbi Pinchas ben Ya'ir, noticed the terrible sores covering his body.
He exclaimed, "Woe to me that I see you with such wounds!" Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai responded, "Woe to me if you did not see me with such wounds!"
The very challenge of isolating himself in the cave for so many years was the catalyst that propelled Rabbi Shimon to spiritual heights! Had he not been compelled to hide in the cave, he would never have received so much enlightenment.
Rabbi Shimon discerned that his seclusion in the cave opened the gates of wisdom for him. The Divine Light that surrounded him gave him so much joy that he didn't even notice the wounds. What's more, he acknowledged that the great test of being sequestered in the cave and buried in the earth granted him access to the hidden secrets of the Torah.
Every person is standing at his level of spirituality. We learn from Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai to view the challenges of our lives as the impetus to grow and advance on the path of HaShem.
(Based on the commentary of Rabbi BZ Miller)
