Leaving the Cave
With the death of the Roman emperor, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai could finally leave the cave where he and his son had hidden for thirteen years, studying Torah as they lay buried in the sand. But the long years of deprivation and harsh physical conditions had taken a terrible toll on Rabbi Shimon's body.
The Talmud in Shabbat 33b relates that Rabbi Shimon's son-in-law, Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair, went to greet them. Rabbi Pinchas brought his father-in-law to the bathhouse and treated his skin. When Rabbi Pinchas saw the deep cuts in Rabbi Shimon's skin, he began to weep. His salty tears fell onto Rabbi Shimon — and Rabbi Shimon cried out from the pain.
"Woe is me to have seen you in such a state," Rabbi Pinchas lamented.
"On the contrary, you are fortunate to have seen me so," replied Rabbi Shimon. "For if you had not seen me so, you would not have found in me that which you have found."
What did Rabbi Shimon mean by this response? What benefit was there in the scholar's deteriorated state of health?
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