Balak: Chapter 34

The son of Rabbi Yosi of Peki'in

Synopsis

A dove lands in front of Rabbi Elazar and he sends it with a message to his father-in-law Rabbi Yosi to say that he should be prepared for a miracle in three days time. Before leaving, the dove says that someone else has died in Rabbi Yosi's place. Rabbi Elazar and Rabbi Aba make a detour to visit the house of Rabbi Yosi of Pekiin who has died instead of Rabbi Yosi. They find the Rabbi's small son in terrible grief; he won't allow anyone else near the body, and he keeps telling God that He should have taken him and his sister instead of their father. A voice says to Rabbi Yosi of Pekiin that he has been given another 22 years of life and that thirteen other people have died in his place; this will give him time to bring up and teach his son. Rabbi Yosi is returned to life and there is much rejoicing. He tells the others what happened when he was in the world beyond and how much his son's action of offering to give up his life in exchange for him led to God's mercy.