Rabbi Galanti gathered a few belongings and made his way to the port of Jaffa, where he would board a ship to sail to the great city of Constantinople which had a large Jewish community. The trip was not very long, and soon land was spotted in the distance. However, when the ship was close enough to see the shore, the captain and crew saw unusual activity in the city. People stood on the rooftops waving and shouting. They seemed to be warning the ship to turn back.
The captain didn't know what to do. He wanted to go ashore, but, it would be irresponsible to risk the lives of his passengers and crew. Finally, he made his decision: the ship would continue to the next port. When the news reached the passengers, Rabbi Galanti approached the captain. "Sir, it is imperative that I disembark here in Constantinople. I have been sent on a mission of mercy by the Jews of the Holy City of Jerusalem who are in danger of starvation. There is no question, but I must insist that you fulfill your contract and bring me directly to Constantinople."
The captain was impressed by the regal bearing of the old Jew and his insistence to go to shore, and despite his reluctance, he decided to do as the rabbi requested. He dispatched one of his sailors to bring Rabbi Galanti to shore in a small boat. As soon as the rabbi reached the shore, the sailor would return to the ship and they would be off.
The plan went well, and Rabbi Galanti landed on the shore of Constantinople. But as soon as he set his foot on the ground, two soldiers ran up to him and said, "Take shelter at once, old man, if you value your life!"
"Why, what is happening here?" Rabbi Galanti asked.
"Two wild lions have escaped from their cages in the Sultan's gardens, and they are roaming the streets of the city and menacing the people. They haven't eaten in days, and no one dares approach them, for fear of being ripped to shreds. The people are hiding in their houses or on the rooftops!"
No sooner had they finished speaking than one of the lions appeared. The soldiers disappeared in a wink, leaving Rabbi Galanti standing before the gigantic lion. The rabbi showed no fear at all. Then the lion walked up to the rabbi and sat down at his side like a huge, gentle, golden dog. Rabbi Galanti gently took the animal by its ear and began leading it to the palace garden. As they continued their progress, the other lion appeared and joined the strange group. The people of Constantinople couldn't believe their eyes as they watched the trio, an elderly rabbi in the middle, holding two seemingly tame lions by their ears, walking peacefully toward the Sultan's gardens.
When they neared the royal palace, the Sultan, who had been watching from his palace ramparts, showed the rabbi where to deposit the two lions.
When they were safely ensconced in their cages, the Sultan and his retainers descended from the roof and greeted the rabbi. The Sultan welcomed him with tremendous honor and invited him to enter the royal palace. He had a dozen questions for the rabbi, but of primary interest was how he had managed to subdue the fierce lions which had terrorized the entire city. Was it some magic, or witchcraft, the Sultan asked.
"Your Majesty," Rabbi Galanti replied, "I am a simple Jew, who has traveled here from the holy city of Jerusalem to collect funds for the poor and destitute. As for witchcraft, our Torah forbids such things. However, our great Sages have taught that at creation, G-d implanted in the nature of animals a natural fear of humans. It holds true, however, only when the human beings act as they were created to, in a G-dly manner. I, your Majesty, have always worked on controlling my nature. Therefore, I have no reason to fear animals. Indeed, I fear only G-d. Therefore, the lions exhibited their natural fear of humans when they saw me, and I was able to calmly return them to their cages."
The Sultan was highly impressed with the words of the venerable old Jew. He called his Chief Treasurer to bring a store of silver and gold coins. He presented them to Rabbi Galanti and sent them in gratitude to aid the poor residents of Jerusalem. In addition, he prepared a fine ship and filled it with precious cargo to transport Rabbi Galanti back to his home in great honor and comfort.
