The Kaiser of Austria once had a Jewish minister named Rabbi Shimshon. The Kaiser respected him greatly, and enjoyed the Viennese Rabbi's company. One day the topic turned to the Jewish people. "How is it," the Kaiser asked, "that such an intelligent and hardworking people is still in exile? No other nation can hold a candle to the Jews' endurance. It just doesn't make sense."
The Rabbi sighed deeply before responding. "Your Excellency," he replied, "I'm sorry to say that the reason is baseless hatred and jealousy. That is what is preventing them from being redeemed." The Kaiser nodded his head, but had difficulty accepting this answer.
One day, during a particularly cold winter, the Kaiser went out hunting. Deeper and deeper into the forest he went, until eventually he was lost. Night fell, and the Kaiser was alone in the pitch darkness. Seeing a faint light in the distance he started to walk toward it, but a river blocked his way. With no other choice, the Kaiser removed his clothes and swam across.
The Kaiser reached a small village and knocked on the doors. "Only a lunatic would go around in a thin shirt in such bitter cold," the villagers thought as they peered through the cracks suspiciously. No one was willing to admit a wet and disheveled stranger into his home.
The Kaiser was on the brink of despair when a door was suddenly opened by a Jew, who was filled with pity at the sorry sight. He invited the stranger inside and ran to fetch him a hot drink.
"Maybe he's a robber!" the Kaiser heard the Jew's wife whisper. "No matter," the husband replied, "he's still a human being."
The Kaiser asked for something to eat, whereupon the Jew served him a whole meal. "You'll see, he's not going to pay," the Kaiser heard the wife complaining. "Nonetheless, he's still a human being," the Jew said.
The Kaiser went over to the stove to warm his frozen limbs. Removing the Jew's fur coat from its hook, he asked his host if he could wear it. "Just watch," the wife warned her husband. "He's going to bolt outside. The whole thing is a ruse to steal your coat." "Don't worry," the Jew reassured her. "I'll stay up all night learning and watch him." Within minutes the Kaiser had fallen fast asleep.
The next morning the Kaiser asked where he could hire a wagon and driver. The Jew told him that he owned a wagon, and would be happy to deliver his guest to his destination. "Be careful," his wife whispered before they left. "Make sure he doesn't kill you and steal both the wagon and the horse!"
But the Jew paid no attention to his wife's warning. The two men climbed into the wagon and set off. "Where would you like me to drop you off?" the Jew asked. "In the palace courtyard," the stranger answered. "The palace courtyard?" the Jew replied nervously. "It's against the law - surely we'll be punished." The man assured him that nothing bad would happen.
When they reached the palace gates the stranger suddenly jumped off the wagon and ran inside, still wearing the Jew's fur coat. At that second the wagon was surrounded by guards, who arrested the Jew and took him into custody. "My wife was right," the Jew thought to himself. "Not only did he steal my coat, but now I'm in even bigger trouble."
The trembling Jew was led before the Kaiser, who was now dressed in royal garb. The Jew recited the blessing upon seeing a king, but kept his eyes averted. "Don't you recognize me?" the Kaiser asked him. "I - I've never seen your Excellency before," the Jew stammered.
"But I know you very well," the Kaiser replied. "I know where you live. I can even describe your house." The Kaiser proceeded to enumerate the Jew's humble furnishings. "No one is as wise as our Kaiser," the Jew mumbled.
"A whole night I spent in your house, and still you cannot recognize me?" the Kaiser finally asked in exasperation. The Kaiser then related the story of what had happened the night before, how no one but the Jew had opened his door and offered him refuge.
"How much do I owe you for your hospitality?" the Kaiser asked. "Would ten silver coins be enough?" The Jew was silent. "Fifty? One hundred?" the Kaiser continued, but the Jew didn't open his mouth.
"A thousand? Ten thousand? Maybe you'd like a large property with fields and orchards?" The Jew stood there and said nothing.
The Kaiser was running out of patience. "If you don't answer me, I will not give you a penny more than you deserve for my food and lodging!" The Kaiser's simple suggestion allowed the Jew to find his tongue. "Your Excellency," he said, "I have one request. I derive my livelihood from buying and selling notions. But there's another Jew in the next town who comes to my village every week and competes with me. Perhaps you can order him to stay away from my customers?"
The Kaiser was astonished and shook his head. "The Rabbi was right," he said, "when he told me that jealousy is the cause of the Jews' continued exile. This Jew could have been a wealthy landowner, but the only thing that interests him is getting rid of his competition."
