HIDE AND SEEK by Raphael ben Levi
The following is a story told by the Hassidic Maggid of Dubna (1741-1804). It resonates with deep sadness as well illustrated by the vicious hatred of Israel’s enemies.
A royal proclamation was issued, and all the animals, large and small, were commanded to assemble in the great clearing in the middle of the forest. The lion, king of the beasts, then addressed his subjects:
“Brothers and sisters!” the king roared. “A great punishment has been visited upon us from Above. We must root out the sinners amongst us before we all perish. We must each search our hearts and confess our sins, so we should know who is the cause of this calamity.”
His royal highness set the example by being the first to bare his soul. “The other day I killed a man. I was patrolling the boundaries of my kingdom, my heart heavy with the burdens of my high office when I encountered our two-legged master and pounced upon him… I have sinned, and you must pass judgment upon me for my crime.”
“Your highness!” cried all the animals. “Who can blame a noble leader, if while distressed and distracted by the great responsibilities he bears, lashes out unwittingly? Surely you are forgiven for your transgression.”
Next spoke the wolf: “I, too, have a sin to confess. The other day, as I prowled the edge of the forest with hunger in my belly, I chanced upon a she-goat and her kid nibbling the flowers of the meadow. I tore out their throats, killing both mother and child, though even one animal was more than I could eat…”
“True, you have sinned,” replied the animals, “but certainly you must be forgiven for your lapse since your hunger clouded your thinking.”
An so it went. One after the other, the predators of the forest confessed their carnage and thievery. One after the other, the council of animals absolved them of their crimes due to mitigating circumstances.
Then the sheep spoke. “I, too, have committed a crime. The other day, I was very hungry; for some reason, my master had neglected to take me out to the pasture. So I ate the bit of straw that my master puts in his shoes so that his feet should not rub against the hard leather.”
“How dared you!” roared the lion.
“Thief!” hissed the snake.
“Criminal! Sinner!” cried all the animals as they pounced upon the wicked lamb and tore her to pieces.”
In these perilous times as the return of the Lord draws ever close, amid the increasing polarisation between righteousness and ungodliness, we must actively engage the satanic hordes of evil. Today it may be your next door neighbour who is being afflicted but tomorrow it could well be you.
“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”
Martin Niemöller
I urge you to engage in strong intercessions for God’s covenant people dwelling in the Land of Israel for the current situation!
Am Yisrael Chai!
