Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
Ein Ayah:Pappus thought that since the Romans displayed their hatred to the Jews only in relation to the Jews’ spirituality, it was worthwhile to hide the spiritual light so that the hatred would die down. When the Romans would then ease their harsh treatment of the Jews, they could return to their spiritual legacy over time.
However, Rabbi Akiva knew that the matters of Torah and spirituality were not the source of the hatred but a cover for a simple hatred of one nation toward another, as the Romans felt that "it is I, and there is no one but me." They wanted to take everything good for themselves. Thus, if they would not have the excuse of the Torah and religion, they would find another excuse for decrees. Even if all excuses would run out (which is unfeasible), they would be oppressive without a reason.
Therefore, said Rabbi Akiva, we need to strengthen ourselves on a true national level, which is achieved only through Torah. That is the message of the parable. If we have problems when we find strength in Torah, if we weaken our connection to Torah, certainly we are helpless. This is true throughout the ages. If we give up our strong connection to Torah and try to embrace other national values, which do not have the same fundamental ability to give us power, we certainly will not succeed in removing the hatred of other nations and will lack the power to oppose them.
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