Elijah 223
Elijah wanted to put Rabbi Joshua into communication with the departed Rabbi Simon ben Yohai also, but the lat- ter did not consider him of sufficient importance to honor him with his conversation. Rabbi Simon had addressed a question to him, and Rabbi Joshua in his modesty had made a reply not calculated to give one a high opinion of him.M In reality Rabbi Joshua was the possessor of such sterling qualities, that when he entered Paradise Elijah walked before him calling out : " Make room for the son of Levi." w
God's Justice Vindicated Among the many and various teachings dispensed by Elijah to his friends, there are none so important as his theodicy, the teachings vindicating God's justice in the ad- ministration of earthly affairs. He used many an oppor- tunity to demonstrate it by precept and example. Once he granted his friend Rabbi Joshua ben Levi the fulfilment. of any wish he might express, and all the Rabbi asked for was, that he might be permitted to accompany Elijah on his wanderings through the world. Elijah was prepared to gratify this wish. He only imposed the condition, that, however odd the Rabbi might think Elijah's actions, he was not to ask any explanation of them. If ever he demanded why, they would have to part company. So Elijah and the Rabbi fared forth together, and they journeyed on until they reached the house of a poor man, whose only earthly possession was a cow. The man and his wife were thor- oughly good-hearted people, and they received the two wanderers with a cordial welcome. They invited the
