"He did neither eat bread nor drink water"

Synopsis

After two days of continual discussion without food or water, Rabbi Shimon quotes the title verse to Rabbi Elazar. He observes that since they were caught up in Divine contemplation for just two days, forgetting to eat or drink, it is understandable that when Moses "was there with Hashem forty days and forty nights, he did neither eat bread nor drink water."

Upon hearing this, Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel compares Rabbi Shimon to a fearful lion, different to other lions. He explains that Rabbi Shimon is so close to God that he does not order a fast for what he prays for; he simply decrees and God fulfills. Moreover, he may even annul God's decrees, for as God rules over man, the righteous man rules over God.

Relevance

God neither punishes nor rewards. The Light of God is an endless force of sharing and goodness, in existence for all eternity. If we liken this force to electrical current, we understand that one can interact with the force in a positive and productive manner or one can short-circuit and cause oneself extreme pain. When we channel the Light of the Creator in a sharing manner, we are pure conduits of Divine energy. As Light flows through us to others, we experience endless joy and fulfillment. However, When we we connect to this Force through ego, we create a short-circuit and we are hurt.

One who masters his own ego receives infinite Light, power, and oneness with God. Thus, the ability to achieve mind over matter and absolute control over physical reality is placed in the palm of one's hands. Though, for millennia, mankind has failed to internalize this truth, it is our destiny to attain this level of mastery.

The Light of the Creator gave us the gift of the Zohar. On the merit of Rabbi Shimon, the revered Kabbalist who attained the highest level of spirituality and control, we can now annul all decrees set forth against this world and against ourselves. We can shift the destiny of humanity from a final Redemption of pain, suffering, and destruction to one of mercy, compassion, and wonders.

Bread Face Light Moses Sun Torah Water Wisdom

251. Rabbi Shimon sat while his son, Rabbi Elazar, stood and explained the secrets of the words of wisdom, and his face shone like the sun. And the word spread and flew in the sky. They sat two days and neither ate nor drank, and they did not know if it was day or night. When they went out, they realized that already two days had passed and they had eaten nothing. Rabbi Shimon exclaimed, "And he was there with Hashem forty days and forty nights, he did neither eat bread nor drink water" (Shemot 34:28). If for us, WHO MERITED TO CLEAVE TO HASHEM for a while it was so, THAT WE SPENT TWO DAYS IN THE LIGHT OF HASHEM AND DID NOT KNOW WHERE WE WERE, with Moses, about whom the Torah bears witness, "And he was there with Hashem forty days" - it is much more so.

251. יָתִיב ר' שִׁמְעוֹן, ור' אֶלְעָזָר בְּרֵיהּ קָאֵים וּמְפָרֵשׁ מִלֵּי דְּרָזֵי דְּחָכְמְתָא, וַהֲווֹ אַנְפּוֹי נְהִירִין כְּשִׁמְשָׁא. וּמִלִּין מִתְבַּדְּרִין וְטָאסִין בִּרְקִיעָא. יָתְבוּ תְּרֵין יוֹמִין דְּלָא אָכְלוּ וְלֹא שָׁתוּ, וְלָא הֲווֹ יַדְעִין אִי הֲוָה יְמָמָא אוֹ לֵילְיָא. כַּד נָפְקוּ, יָדְעוּ דַּהֲווֹ תְּרֵין יוֹמִין דְּלָא טָעֲמוּ מִידִי. קָרָא עַל דָּא רִבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, וַיְהִי שָׁם עִם ה' אַרְבָּעִים יוֹם וְאַרְבָּעִים לַיְלָה לֶחֶם לֹא אָכַל וְגוֹ.' וּמָה אִי אֲנָן בְּשַׁעֲתָא חֲדָא כַּךְ, מֹשֶׁה, דִּקְרָא אַסְהִיד בֵּיהּ, וַיְהִי שָׁם עִם ה' אַרְבָּעִים יוֹם וְגוֹ,' עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה.

Fasting Fear Lion Righteous

252. When Rabbi Chiya came before Rabbi? and told him the story, Rabbi was amazed. His father, Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel said to him, My son, Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai is a lion, and his son Rabbi Elazar is a lion, and Rabbi Shimon is not like the other lions. About him is written, "A lion has roared, who will not fear?" (Amos 3:8). Now that the higher worlds tremble before him, we certainly do. He is man who never decreed a fast for what he asked or prayed for. He would just decree and the Holy One, blessed be He, would fulfill. The Holy One, blessed be He, decrees and he annuls. This is what we learned of the meaning of the passage, "He that rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of Elohim" (II Shmuel 23:3). The Holy One, blessed be He, rules over man, and who rules over the Holy One, blessed be He, but the righteous man? For He decrees and the righteous man annuls it.

252. כַּד אָתָא רִבִּי חִיָּיא קָמֵיהּ דְּרִבִּי, וְסָח לֵיהּ עוֹבָדָא, תָּוָה רִבִּי, וְאָמַר לֵיהּ ר' שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל אָבוֹי, בְּרִי, ר' שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחָאי אַרְיָא, וְרִבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרֵיהּ אַרְיָא, וְלָאו ר' שִׁמְעוֹן כִּשְׁאַר אַרְיָוָותָא, עָלֵיהּ כְּתִיב אַרְיֵה שָׁאָג מִי לֹא יִירָא וְגוֹ.' וּמָה עָלְמִין דִּלְעֵילָּא מִזְדַּעְזְעִין מִינֵּיהּ, אֲנָן עאכ"ו. גַּבְרָא דְּלָא גָּזַר תַּעֲנִיתָא לְעָלְמִין עַל מַה דְּשָׁאִיל וּבָעֵי, אֶלָּא הוּא גּוֹזֵר, קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא מְקַיֵּים. קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא גּוֹזֵר, וְאִיהוּ מְבַטֵּל. וְהַיְינוּ דִּתְנָן, מַאי דִּכְתִּיב מוֹשֵׁל בָּאָדָם צַדִּיק מוֹשֵׁל יִרְאַת אֱלֹהִים, הַקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא מוֹשֵׁל בָּאָדָם, וּמִי מוֹשֵׁל בְּהַקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, צַדִּיק. דְּאִיהוּ גּוֹזֵר גְּזֵרָה, וְהַצַּדִּיק מְבַטְּלָהּ.