From the Desk of Yerachmiel Tilles
Rabbi Avraham Ibn-Ezra , the famous 12 century biblical commentator, led an extremely difficult life. In the introduction to his commentary on Koheles, he writes that he could not find success in any manner of making a living that he tried. His bad fortune was such, he wrote in one of his poems, “if he were to sell candles, the sun would never set; if he should deal in shrouds, no one would ever die."
Still, despite his challenging experiences, the Ibn Ezra recognized that each difficulty was a blessing in disguise, a stepping stone on which to draw closer to The Creator and His infinite kindness.
Ordered to Peel Onions for the Next Three Days
When he arrived, the Rambam ordered his servants to set up the Ibn Ezra in a room with a pile of onions. He was to peel onions for the next three days.
The Ibn Ezra was not very pleased with this arrangement. He had wanted to learn from the Rambam, and instead he was put to task peeling onions like a kitchen maid. However, since he was a guest in the Rambam’s home and thus depended on his host for food, he had no choice but to obey.
He stood over a mountain of onions, peeling one after the other, the pungent scent causing his eyes to water terribly. Tears streamed down his cheek as he worked his way removing the brown skin on onion after onion.
Soon, servants arrived, and upon instruction from the Rambam, held buckets to his cheeks to collect his tears. For three torturous days, he sat with burning eyes and wet cheeks, peeling and chopping onions as his tears dripped into containers. He could not understand why he was subject to such cruelty.
Embraced Warmly on the Fourth Day
On the fourth day, he was brought before the Rambam who embraced him warmly and greeted him with tremendous respect. “Shalom Aleichem, Rabbeinu Avraham ben Ezra!”
Confused, the Ibn Ezra responded, “I’ve heard so much about you, and I want to learn from your knowledge but why did you treat me so sadistically for three days?”
Instead of responding, the Rambam asked a servant to bring the bucket containing the Ibn Ezra’s tears. “Look carefully into the container,” he told his guest. The Ibn Ezra peered inside. Crawling, creeping, swimming inside the puddle of tears were tiny bugs.
“As soon as I saw you, I knew it was urgent for you to cry profusely for three days, to rid your eyes of these poisonous bugs,” The Rambam said quietly.
The Ibn Ezra was astounded at the brilliance of the Rambam, of his incredible diagnostic skills and medical know-how.
The Rambam and the Ibn Ezra spent a lot of time together, sharing each other’s wisdom. The days passed, and it was time for the Ibn Ezra to move. He left by ship to travel to another part of the world to acquire a different kind of knowledge.
Excerpted from the Parashat Vayechi 5784 email of KabbalaOnline.org, a project of Ascent of Safed.
