Covered in His Dust (Part 2)

Rabbi Samuel carefully examined Simon. He looked presentable on the outside, but did he have what it would take to be his disciple? He wanted to know if Simon would be able to emulate him in every way. Would he master his philosophy and his interpretation of Scripture, called a yoke? He wondered if this young boy would develop into a successful rabbi and be able to teach and spread his yoke. The only way to find out was to ask him various questions. And he did this with increased velocity. Simon kept up at the beginning, but then became overwhelmed at the depth of questions and the requirement to respond with another question. Finally the questioning stopped. Rabbi Samuel, once again, looked Simon over. He gazed intently into Simon’s eyes and said, “Ah, my son, you do know Torah. There is no doubt you know it well, but you are not able to be my talmudeen.” He could see the deep disappointment in Simon’s face and continued, “Son, go back to your village. Learn your family’s business. Pursue marriage and have lots of children and pray that one will become a rabbi to fulfill your dream. I’m sorry, but you won’t be studying to be a rabbi.” With his head down, Simon walked away.

How was he going to face his father? He would be devastated. All that studying for nothing, Simon thought. He had tried so hard to be ‘the best of the best of the best;’ and yet, fell short. He slowly walked home and waited for his father to return from fishing. When his father arrived home he overheard his mother ask, “What did you catch today?” “Nothing,” he replied. “Is Simon home?” “Yes, he’s inside and he’s been waiting for you,” his mother replied. “Oh good, I’m sure he has come home with a good report,” Simon’s father said confidently, as he entered the house. “Simon, I can’t wait to hear how it went with Rabbi Samuel. I’m sure he chose you to be his talmudeen. We need to invite our relatives for a celebration. My son, Rabbi Samuel’s talmudeen! What an honour to be…” Simon interrupted, “Abba, I don’t know how to tell you this, but…I…I wasn’t chosen to be Rabbi Samuel’s talmudeen.” Not wanting to see the disappointment in his father’s face, Simon stared at the floor and continued, “Abba, I am so sorry. I know how much you wanted me to be a rabbi, but Rabbi Samuel said I didn’t have what it took to be his disciple…” “But I don’t understand,” his father interjected, shaking his head, “You studied so hard. I just don’t understand?” He turned and went out the door. Simon sat down on the floor and wanted to cry. This had to be the worst day of his life! 

Simon’s father didn’t mention that day again. Simon knew how disappointed his father was, but he also knew that he was the kind of man who went on with life, making the most of it. Simon now needed to join his father fishing to help with the family business. His days began before sunrise—needing to be at their small boat on the Sea of Galilee. On many occasions, after pulling the boat ashore, he would see in the distance Rabbi Samuel with his disciples, all following closely behind him. These were the students who were the ‘best of the best of the best.’ They had what it took to become a rabbi. They were the ones that Rabbi Samuel would have said, “Lech Acharai—Come, follow me. Take my ‘yoke’ upon you.” This meant, take my interpretation of the Torah upon you. These were the disciples that left their family, their village and everything familiar to them, so as to follow in this rabbi’s footsteps. These were the young men that gave their lives to be exactly like this rabbi, even to the extent of chewing their food like him. 

As they passed by Simon, he heard the older men shout to the disciples, “May you be covered in the dust of your rabbi, my friend!” These disciples followed so closely behind their rabbi that the dust and mud he created would be caked all over the front of their robes. Simon felt his heart sink when he heard these words. He had so desperately tried to be one of them. What an honour it would have been to be covered in his rabbi’s dust. He stopped thinking and staring at them and resumed mending the fishing nets.

A few years passed, but life for Simon hadn’t changed much. He was now married and in charge of the family fish business, and was doing well financially. He did this along with his brother, Andrew, who also had been rejected by the well-known and respected rabbi. Simon only knew how to fish. He had no idea his future was about to change upon meeting a “fisher of men,” and “rabbi” like no other...