The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-06-05
THE TALMUDIC RIP VAN WINKLE
BY RABBI JULIUS t. LOEB

American writers have so often placed
"Rip Van Wrinkle" alongside the legend
| of the Seven sleepers of Ephesus and
| the fairy tale of the Sleeping Beauty
but they unwittingly have omitted that
charming little story which is related in
the Talmud (Taanith PIP. 1929 anenf
Choni Hameagel (Choni the wood
turner), which in scope and Ideal seems
to correspond more closely to the Amer
lean masterpiece of Washington Irving
than does either one of the two legends
mentioned. The Talmudic story runs
thus
Choni Hameagel was a man of vast
learning and erudition, and was partic-
ularly noted for his piety and nobility or
character His sanity qualities were
known among ALL so in time of drouth
people came to ask him to pray Tor rain.
AS a member of the order of essences
he defied earthly pleasures and led a.
simple life which was marked by rigid
| honesty and truth. He earned a modest
living from the toll of his. hands. Ole
was turner by trade, as is suggested
by his second name) He spent the days
of his years in solemn meditation, whilst
| strolling in lonely spots among the
woods Thus enrapt with his thoughts
| of devotion, and the unbounded love ne
bore for mankind. he once was plod-
| ding along a country road, when before
him appeared man in the act of plant
| ing a tree.
"Tell me, my good man." asked Choni-
chow long before this tree will bear and
| ripen fruit?"
| Seventy years." was the reply.
"Wilt thou live so long that thou are
| providing myself with fruit that may
not be gathered before 70 years?' Cho-
nj queried.
| "But as my forebears had provided for
| me. so must | provide for those who
| follow me-"
Hereupon Choni sat down to eat his
humble meal, and fell asleep Gle slept
70 years3 Upon awakening he saw a
man gathering the fruit from the tree.
Choni asked: art thou the man who
planted this tree?'
NO replied the man, "but I am the
grandson of him."
Then must have slept 10 years,
unused Choni in bewilderment
He went home to find if this was really
So But great was his CONSERVATION
when upon reaching his native town new
faces and strange surroundings met his
him. None would recognize him; mono
would extend the filial reverence, the ia
miliar courtesies and friendly greetings
he was accustomed to. He found him
self lone and forsaken.
"I,iyeth here the son of Choni Hame-
agle?' he asked of some passer-by
1.-THE son does not live any more, out
his grandson lives" they answered.
He repaired to the Beth Hamidrash
(house of learning), there to find solace
and consolation in propounding his ideal
thoughts and teachings through which
he was generally known and beloved
For his opinion on questions of religion
and law always had great weight with
the scholars of the age. Arrived at the
place he CHANGED to hear certain point
Of law (halachah) discussed In his
name among the learned men, some quot
ing him (Choni HameageD in one way;
others in another way
.'Why. friends / am Choni Hamea-
GEL
A volley of laughter and jeering greet
ed his speech, and he was unable to pro-
coed or say another word.
Deeply disappointed at the treatment
accorded him by cold. cruel world, and
seeing that the sole hope of finding con-
ISOLATION at the house of learning had
gone from before him. he became great
ly downcast and prayed God that He
might send him deatn. Ills prayer was
granted.
At that time the two princes. Hyrca-
nus and Aristobis. were at war. The
soldiers of the latter. who were then be-
sieging Jerusalem. caught hold of him
who pretended to be old Choni Haeagel,
and thus said to him:
IF thou art really that Chon whose
prayer never failed to bring relief and
comfort to many, you shall now pray