Jewish Stories
Honi the Circle Maker and the Drought
Story adapted from B. Ta 19a and 23a
It was once taught that most of the month of Adar had passed and it had not rain for the entire month. So people sent word to Honi the Circle maker and asked him to pray for rain. Honi graciously agreed and prayed for rain on their behalf, but no rain came down. So what did he do? He drew a circle and placed himself firmly within it, just like the Prophet Habakkuk who said, “I will stand upon my watch and station myself within a circle.”
Then Honi shouted to God, “Master of universe, your children have turned to me. By your great name I swear that I will not move from here until You have mercy on your children!” At once rain began to trickle down drop by drop. While Honi was indeed pleased by this new development of rain, he noticed that it really wasn’t enough, so he said, “I thank you for releasing me from my vow by making it rain, but I didn't pray for this gentle sprinkle, but for pouring rain that fills our wells and irrigates our crops.” Quite suddenly, with a great rumble of thunder from dark and ominous clouds, rain began to pour down. It was so furious that each drop was as big as a mouth of a barrel.
Honi alarmed by this watery catastrophe made another plea to God, “This rain may very well destroy the world, I didn't pray for this, but for rain of benevolence, benediction, and grace.” After he spoke his request, the rain seemed to let up a little. However, it still came down at such an alarming rate that the Children of Israel rushed to their roofs so as to not be swept away from its swelling currents. So Honi took a deep breath and tried again, “Master of Universe, your people who you brought of Egypt cannot withstand either a torrent of rain or a trickle. When you provide nothing or when your provide too much the Children of Israel cannot endure it. May it be your will that the rains cease and there be relief in the world.” Immediately a wind blew, the dark ominous clouds dispersed, and the sun shone.
And so for our conversation today, we ask that when offer your ideas, suggestion, thoughts, and feelings that you do not offer a torrent or trickle and that you do so with benevolence, benediction, and grace.
It was once taught that most of the month of Adar had passed and it had not rain for the entire month. So people sent word to Honi the Circle maker and asked him to pray for rain. Honi graciously agreed and prayed for rain on their behalf, but no rain came down. So what did he do? He drew a circle and placed himself firmly within it, just like the Prophet Habakkuk who said, “I will stand upon my watch and station myself within a circle.”
Then Honi shouted to God, “Master of universe, your children have turned to me. By your great name I swear that I will not move from here until You have mercy on your children!” At once rain began to trickle down drop by drop. While Honi was indeed pleased by this new development of rain, he noticed that it really wasn’t enough, so he said, “I thank you for releasing me from my vow by making it rain, but I didn't pray for this gentle sprinkle, but for pouring rain that fills our wells and irrigates our crops.” Quite suddenly, with a great rumble of thunder from dark and ominous clouds, rain began to pour down. It was so furious that each drop was as big as a mouth of a barrel.
Honi alarmed by this watery catastrophe made another plea to God, “This rain may very well destroy the world, I didn't pray for this, but for rain of benevolence, benediction, and grace.” After he spoke his request, the rain seemed to let up a little. However, it still came down at such an alarming rate that the Children of Israel rushed to their roofs so as to not be swept away from its swelling currents. So Honi took a deep breath and tried again, “Master of Universe, your people who you brought of Egypt cannot withstand either a torrent of rain or a trickle. When you provide nothing or when your provide too much the Children of Israel cannot endure it. May it be your will that the rains cease and there be relief in the world.” Immediately a wind blew, the dark ominous clouds dispersed, and the sun shone.
And so for our conversation today, we ask that when offer your ideas, suggestion, thoughts, and feelings that you do not offer a torrent or trickle and that you do so with benevolence, benediction, and grace.
The most successful meeting in the Torah
Story adapted from Genesis 32
The brothers Jacob and Esau are heading towards each other near the border of Canaan. Behind Jacob is his entire livelihood: his wives, his children, his servants, and his livestock. Behind Esau is a 400 warriors. The last time these men met it was not on great terms. Jacob had stolen Esua’s blessing and with it his birthright from their Isaac. Esau was so mad that he threatened to kill Jacob if he ever saw him again. So Jacob fled to his Uncle Laban’s household to the East near Haron.
Jacob did well for himself there. He became happily married not once, but twice to Leah and Rachel. It turns out Jacob was a natural at animal husbandry and soon had his very own flock of sheep to tend to. However, after a while it was time for Jacob to leave and return to his homeland, Canaan. He did so with great trepidation knowing that he would have to encounter his brother and he wondered if his brother would still be angry at him.
And so here we are at the border of Canaan. Jacob is terrified that his brother and his warriors who are just a stone’s throw away will destroy everything that he had achieved since his departure. Jacob bravely leaves his caravan behind and steps out alone in the middle of the field. To his surprise Esau also leaves his warriors behind and steps out to the middle of the field to meet Jacob. And when the brothers reach each other they both begin to cry and embrace each other like old friends. Jacob and Esau are reunited again.
We bring a lot of baggage with us to these kinds of conversations. Sometimes we bring the equivalent of 400 warriors with us, other times we bring our entire livelihood. However, we learn from Jacob and Esau, that in order to have a productive and meaningful meeting it’s possible to place those things to the side. We are about to talk about some difficult subjects and I hope that we can come to the same consensus that Jacob and Esau were able to reach.
The brothers Jacob and Esau are heading towards each other near the border of Canaan. Behind Jacob is his entire livelihood: his wives, his children, his servants, and his livestock. Behind Esau is a 400 warriors. The last time these men met it was not on great terms. Jacob had stolen Esua’s blessing and with it his birthright from their Isaac. Esau was so mad that he threatened to kill Jacob if he ever saw him again. So Jacob fled to his Uncle Laban’s household to the East near Haron.
Jacob did well for himself there. He became happily married not once, but twice to Leah and Rachel. It turns out Jacob was a natural at animal husbandry and soon had his very own flock of sheep to tend to. However, after a while it was time for Jacob to leave and return to his homeland, Canaan. He did so with great trepidation knowing that he would have to encounter his brother and he wondered if his brother would still be angry at him.
And so here we are at the border of Canaan. Jacob is terrified that his brother and his warriors who are just a stone’s throw away will destroy everything that he had achieved since his departure. Jacob bravely leaves his caravan behind and steps out alone in the middle of the field. To his surprise Esau also leaves his warriors behind and steps out to the middle of the field to meet Jacob. And when the brothers reach each other they both begin to cry and embrace each other like old friends. Jacob and Esau are reunited again.
We bring a lot of baggage with us to these kinds of conversations. Sometimes we bring the equivalent of 400 warriors with us, other times we bring our entire livelihood. However, we learn from Jacob and Esau, that in order to have a productive and meaningful meeting it’s possible to place those things to the side. We are about to talk about some difficult subjects and I hope that we can come to the same consensus that Jacob and Esau were able to reach.
