The Midrash Tanchuma (Parshas Chukas) relates a remarkable story.
A Jew was once traveling from Jerusalem to Babylonia, a journey that spanned a great distance. Along the way, he stopped to rest. But as he sat down, he noticed two birds engaged in a fierce struggle. At times, one bird would gain the upper hand, and then the other would take control. Eventually, one bird killed the other.
Curious, the traveler continued watching. To his astonishment, the surviving bird flew to a nearby bush, plucked a leaf, and gently laid it on the body of the dead bird. Immediately, the lifeless bird was revived. It was a display of techiyas ha’meisim, the resurrection of the dead, before his very eyes.
Astonished, the man realized that he had merited witnessing what seemed to be the key to resurrection. Eager to test this miraculous phenomenon, he walked over to the same bush, plucked a similar leaf, and began searching for a dead body on which to try it. Further down the road, he came upon a dead lion. He approached, touched the lion's nose with the leaf, and incredibly, the lion was revived.
But the story does not end there. The newly resurrected lion immediately pounced on the man and killed him.
It’s a breathtaking story. But what is its purpose? Why does the Midrash share this tale with us? What deeper lesson are we meant to take from it?
Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv zt”l explains that Chazal are conveying a profound message. This man had in his possession an extraordinary gift: the key to resurrection. With just a bit of wisdom, he could have used it for an unimaginably elevated purpose.
Imagine. He could have returned to Yerushalayim and gone to the Me’aras Ha’Machpelah, perhaps even attempting to awaken the Avos. Or he could have continued on to Bavel, where the grave of the prophet Yechezkel is, and sought to resurrect him. After all, he held the very key to techiyas ha’meisim.
But tragically, he failed to recognize the value of the gift he had been given. He misunderstood its purpose, misapplied its power, and in the end, it cost him his life. He used it not to elevate, but to revive a lion.
Each and every one of us is faced with the same choice, said Rav Elyashiv.
Every Jew is endowed by Hashem with extraordinary gifts and abilities. But equally so, we can fail to recognize them. We can overlook the vast spiritual potential within us. When life presents challenges and tests, we can doubt our own strength and capability. But Hashem has planted within every soul remarkable power. We must awaken to that truth.
As Reb Aharon of Karlin once said, “The greatest tragedy is when a prince believes he is a peasant.”
We are not commoners. We are children of the King; we are royalty. And with Divine assistance, we can rise above every challenge.
