The Power of Teshuvah: When the Emperor Lay at the Feet of the Tzaddik
Lesson No. 162 | Tuesday, Parashas Toldos, Eve of 29 Cheshvan 5759
A lesson on the immense power of teshuvah (repentance), which is capable of reaching even the strongest and most distant people in the world. Through the story of the self-nullification of Emperor Antoninus before Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi and the conversion of Emperor Nero, it is revealed that a single melody can turn the entire world around.
We are currently in a time when the secrets of the "Seven Bettlers" (the Seven Beggars) are shining. From now on, it is possible to travel to Uman, and from now on is the time of the Seven Beggars when all the secrets of creation will be revealed. The purpose of revealing these secrets is to bring all of the Jewish people and the entire world back in teshuvah.
The aspiration is that no Jew and no non-Jew should die, that all the wicked will return in teshuvah, that all the terrorists will do teshuvah, and that even the emperors and the greatest people in the world will return to Hashem. With the Holy One, blessed be He, nothing is impossible for Hashem.
The Secret Tunnel of Antoninus
The proof that even the greatest kings can return in teshuvah is found in the words of the Gemara. The Gemara in Tractate Avodah Zarah (10b) tells of Emperor Antoninus, who would serve Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi. Antoninus built a massive tunnel, one so large that a horse could be led through it without reaching the ceiling, through which he would come to Rebbe (Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi) every day.
To maintain absolute secrecy, every day he would take two slaves with him, killing one at the entrance to the tunnel and one at the exit. When he would arrive at Rebbe, he would completely nullify himself before him. When Rebbe wanted to climb into his bed, which was high, Antoninus would lie down on the ground and beg for the merit to be a footstool for his feet.
"He would say to Rebbe: Step on me! He would lie down next to Rebbe and say: Step on me, perhaps I will merit to be the dust beneath you in the World to Come."
Rebbe would reply to him: "I am no longer capable of stepping on the Emperor."
The Smallest Among You Can Revive the Dead
On one occasion, Rebbe set a condition for Antoninus: "No one may be with you when you come." When Antoninus arrived, he saw another person there (who was actually an angel). Antoninus realized that he had violated the condition, and asked that they bring him his slave. However, the slave was already dead at the entrance of the tunnel.
What did Antoninus do? Out of immense doubt and fear, he simply revived the slave and brought him. Rebbe said to him: "I knew that the smallest among you can revive the dead, but next time I do not want anyone to be here—not angels, not Erelim, and not Seraphim." From this we learn a tremendous foundation: Anyone who merited to have their name mentioned in the Gemara, whether a Tanna or an Amora, even at the lowest level—can revive the dead.
Even the Emperor of Rome Can Convert
In light of the story of Antoninus's self-nullification, the question arises: So is it difficult now to bring the world back in teshuvah? To bring the emperors back in teshuvah? After all, a mighty emperor returned in teshuvah!
We see this also with Emperor Nero. Anyone who studies history knows that Nero burned Rome, and it seemed like mere madness. But according to the Gemara, he decided to burn all the abominations that were there. Before he fled in order to convert to Judaism, he set the entire city on fire, and to this day, the Romans do not truly know how Nero died.
The conclusion from all this is clear and simple. There is no person who is too far from Hashem, and there is no reality that cannot be turned around for the good.
"One prayer with kavanah (focused intention), one 'Oy' with kavanah, one melody with deveikus (cleaving to Hashem)—brings everyone back in teshuvah."
Part 1 of 2 — Lesson No. 162
All parts: Part 1 (Current) | Part 2