ARE YOU THIRSTY? By Raphael ben Levi
Our sages have compared the Torah to water. “Just as we find water all over the earth’s surface, so do we find the Torah; water will never cease from this globe, neither will God’s laws cease. Water comes from the heavens, and the Torah came from heaven. There is a noise when water descends, and the Torah descended amidst thunders. Water quickens the thirsty soul; so does the Torah quicken him who is thirsty for knowledge. Water cleanses impurities, and God’s laws do the same. Water coming down by drops can form a river; so if a man acquires Torah bit by bit he may eventually become a great scholar. Water, unless one is thirsty, cannot be drunk with any degree of pleasure; in the same way, unless one has a craving for the Torah, its study, if enforced, will become a burden. Water runs from high places and seeks the lower portions of the earth; so the Torah will not remain with the haughty man, but rather seeks out the lowly. Water is not kept in golden or silver vessels, but is best kept in earthenware; so the Torah will not be retained except by him who is meek of spirit. A man of distinction will not think it beneath his dignity to ask for water from the meanest individual, neither is any one too great to despise instruction from the most insignificant person. One may drown in water if one cannot swim; so, unless one possesses a thorough knowledge of the Torah and all its meanings, one may be drowned in it.” (Midrash Songs 1)
A young student went to his rabbi and asked him, “Teacher how can I truly find God?” The rabbi asked the student to accompany him to the river which ran by the village and invited him to go into the water. When they got to the middle of the stream, the rabbi said, ‘Please immerse yourself in the water.’ The student did as he was instructed, whereupon the rabbi put his hands on the student’s head and held him under the water. Presently the student began to struggle. The rabbi held him under still. A moment passed and the student was thrashing and beating the water and air with his arms. Still, the rabbi held him under the water. Finally, the student was released and shot up from the water, lungs aching and gasping for air. The rabbi waited for a few moments and then said, ‘When you desire God’s presence as truly as you desired the air you just breathed, then your heart’s desire will surely be fulfilled!’”
