The Gemara (Shabbos 33:) relates that Reb Shimon bar Yochai, Reb Yosi, and Reb Yehudah were discussing the Roman empire. Reb Yehudah began with praises for the Roman empire: "They built marketplaces, bridges, and bathhouses," which makes life more pleasant and helps people serve Hashem. Reb Yosi didn't respond. Reb Shimon argued, saying, "They did everything for their own benefit..." Yehudah ben Geirim was present at this conversation and repeated it. Eventually, it reached the ears of the Roman government.
The Romans said, "Yehudah, who praised us, will be honored. Reb Yosi, who was silent, will be exiled to Tzipori. Reb Shimon, who disgraced Rome, will be killed."
Reb Shimon and his son Reb Elazar hid in a beis medresh. Reb Shimon's wife would bring them bread and water each day. When Reb Shimon understood that the Romans were increasing their efforts to find him, Reb Shimon feared they might torture his wife to reveal where they were hiding, so Reb Shimon and his son Reb Elazar hid in a cave. No one knew where they were.
Miraculously, a carob tree grew in their cave, and a spring opened up, providing them with food and drink. They wore their clothing only during davening so that the clothing would last a long time. Throughout the day, they studied Torah while covered to their necks in sand.
Reb Shimon and Reb Elazar lived in the cave for twelve years (then they left for a short time and immediately returned for a thirteenth year), where they studied Torah day and night with all their strength. They acquired extremely high spiritual levels, as we sing והדרך הודך קנית שם, "There [in the cave] you acquired your glory." This refers to the wisdom of kaballah, the Zohar, which was revealed to them there, in the cave.
How did they find the courage to leave the cave?
The Midrash (Bereishis Rabba, 79) states, "[One day] Reb Shimon and Reb Elazar came out of the cave, sat at the cave's entrance, and saw a hunter trapping birds." Reb Shimon discovered something amazing. When Reb Shimon heard a bas kol announce דימוס, free, the bird escaped to freedom. When the bas kol said ספקולה, captured, the hunter caught the bird. Reb Shimon said, "Even a bird isn’t captured if it wasn't decreed in heaven. Certainly, it will be so for a human being." He understood that the Romans wouldn’t be able to capture them if it wasn’t Hashem's decree.
"They left the cave and discovered that things had calmed down. The Roman decree against them was annulled..."
Most likely, when this hunter caught a bird, he was proud of his expertise and abilities. And when a bird got away, he berated himself for not being a better hunter. Little did he know that it wasn't about him but about Hashem's decree for each creature. This is a lesson to remember in business and all areas of life. When you succeed, remember that it is from Hashem. And when you fail, it is also destined from Above. We try our best, but whatever occurs is decided in Heaven.
When Reb Shimon learned this lesson, how everything is in Hashem's hands, he realized that the Romans couldn’t harm him if it weren’t decreed in heaven. With this thought in mind, he and his son left the cave.
