Imagine this: You're miles away from home, in a bustling factory in China, inspecting kosher food production. You expect the usual – the hum of machinery, the scent of ingredients, the routine checks. But what if you stumbled upon something extraordinary? This is exactly what happened to Rabbi Shimon Freundlich in Shandong Province.
As a Shliach in China, Rabbi Freundlich's work involves regular visits to factories producing kosher food, ensuring that products meet halachic standards for Jewish consumers worldwide. He represents several kosher certifying agencies, supporting factories in maintaining full compliance. He's seen it all, or so he thought.
During a recent visit to four factories, the fourth one held a surprise. It wasn't the machinery or the process, but a person: the factory's representative responsible for kosher certification. He was different. He displayed a reverence, a quiet awe that set him apart. He had recently been transferred to this department, which explained why they hadn't met before.
After completing the inspection, the representative approached Rabbi Freundlich with visible excitement. He wanted to show him something. He led him to a small closet and carefully produced two books in Chinese. But here's where it gets controversial...
To Rabbi Freundlich's astonishment, the books were about the Talmud! The representative held them as if they were sacred treasures, explaining that he studies them regularly for wisdom and inspiration. The titles were Talmud Bavli and The Book of Wisdom, compiled by a Chinese scholar and published by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Press.
Though the books didn't cite specific Talmudic references, the content was fascinating. Each page reflected a deep admiration for Jewish learning and the life lessons derived from our ancient texts. Rabbi Freundlich asked him to share a story he particularly liked.
The representative eagerly recounted a tale from the Midrash about Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel. It's a simple story with a powerful message.
Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel asked his attendant, Tavi, to bring him the best food. Tavi brought beef tongue. Then, he asked Tavi to bring the worst food, and Tavi brought... the same tongue. When asked why, Tavi explained that the tongue can be the best or the worst, depending on how it's used.
The story's simplicity hides its depth: our words have the power to heal or to wound. And this is the part most people miss...
What amazed Rabbi Freundlich most was not just the wisdom of the story but who was telling it: a Chinese factory manager in a remote corner of Shandong province, passionately studying lessons from our Sages. It was a moment of unexpected connection, transcending language, culture, and geography.
This encounter reminded Rabbi Freundlich that the light of wisdom travels far beyond its origin, touching hearts in ways we could never imagine. It's a testament to the enduring power of ancient wisdom.
What do you think? Does this story change your perspective on where wisdom can be found? Share your thoughts in the comments!
