Rabbi Hanina Ben Dosa watched all the people going up to Jerusalem, taking with them fine gifts and offerings for the Temple. How he longed to go with them and bring something wonderful for God.
Alas, Rabbi Hanina was very poor. He had nothing he could offer. He wandered sadly in the desert field. Suddenly he saw an interesting stone on the ground. It was very large and beautiful. What a splendid idea, thought Rabbi Hanina. I will take this stone to the holy Temple as my gift to God.
Rabbi Hanina ran home and got his tools. He cut the stone and polished it until its colors shone beautifully. At last, it was fit to create the holy Temple. But how would he ever get it there? He looked for someone to help. He would need five strong men to carry it and they would have to be paid but he knew he barely had five gold coins as his whole life’s savings. Suddenly five men appeared as if out of nowhere. “We will help you carry the stone,” they said. You can give us each one gold coin.” That was exactly how much money Rabbi Hanina could afford. “Yes,” he agreed at once. “I will give you that money.”
“You must also help us carry the stone,” said the men. As the men lifted the stone, Rabbi Hanina placed his hand under it, too. Suddenly he found himself in Jerusalem standing right there in the Temple. “Here, I’ll pay you,” he said to the men, but they had all vanished.
Rabbi Hanina hurried to speak with the priests. They smiled. “The people must have been angels sent to help you,” they said. Rabbi Khanina donated the money and thanked God for helping him. -Song of Songs Rabbah 1.1.
Trust in God. He will help you carry your burdens.
Comments