The Gemara (Ta’anis 7a) tells of a fascinating exchange between the Roman Emperor’s daughter and Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chananya. Rabbi Yehoshua was known for his sharp intellect and wisdom, and the Emperor’s daughter enjoyed conversing with him and testing her wit against his. However, his physical appearance was far from impressive.
One day, after being deeply impressed by his wisdom, she mockingly remarked: “Woe! Such magnificent wisdom in such an ugly vessel!” Rabbi Yehoshua did not respond to the insult, asking instead, “Tell me, where does your father store his finest wines?” She replied, “In earthenware jugs, of course. Where else could one store wine?”
Rabbi Yehoshua challenged her: “But earthenware jugs are fit for commoners! Would it not be more fitting for the royal household to store the Emperor’s wine in vessels of gold and silver?”
The princess repeated this “wise” suggestion to her father, who agreed that it seemed improper for royal wine to be stored in clay jars. He therefore ordered all his wine to be transferred into golden and silver vessels.
As expected, the wine spoiled. The Emperor, furious at the loss, summoned his daughter and demanded to know who had given her such foolish advice. She confessed that it was Rabbi Yehoshua. When Rabbi Yehoshua was brought before the Emperor, he was asked: “You are a wise man and surely knew this would happen! Why did you cause damage to the royal treasury?”
Rabbi Yehoshua replied: “Your daughter insulted me, saying that such splendid wisdom should not dwell in an ugly vessel. I wished to teach her that just as fine wine is best preserved in simple earthenware, so too wisdom endures best in one with a plain external appearance.”
The Emperor then said: “From your words I understand that beauty and wisdom do not coexist — that a handsome person cannot be wise. Yet I know many who are both beautiful and wise?!”
Rabbi Yehoshua answered: “That is true. However, if they were less beautiful, they would be even wiser, for physical beauty can diminish one’s wisdom.”
Similarly, Rabbi Oshaya (Ta’anis 7a) explains a pasuk in Yeshaya (55:1–3): ‘Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the water... buy wine and milk without money and without price... Incline your ear and come to Me; listen and your soul shall live.’ Water, wine, and milk share a unique property: they last best when stored in simple earthenware, not in luxurious gold or silver vessels. So too, the words of Hashem endure only in those whose hearts are humble and whose spirit is lowly.
