A LIFE OF PEACE

By Yael Schneersohn

“Who took my library book?” Chani’s voice could be heard calling loudly.

Duvi scrunched into the armchair, as though trying to be swallowed up by it. He was holding Chani’s library book and was up to the most exciting part. He really did not want to part with the book at that point.

He tried to read a few more lines, wanting to read as much as possible until Chani would walk in and discover him reading her book.

When Chani brought home a book from the school library, nobody was allowed to touch it until she finished reading it. Even if, here and there, Duvi managed to get in a few minutes of reading when Chani was busy was something, she immediately came and took the book away. “I’m in the middle. So what if I left it for a few minutes?”

Duvi usually wasn’t willing to give in and arguments on the subject flared up again and again.

This time, it was Shabbos afternoon and everyone else was asleep. Chani had gone to a friend and Duvi used the time to read the new book she had brought home, in peace. But when she returned home, she immediately began looking for her book. Duvi knew that that was the end of peace and quiet.

“Duvi, I knew it was you!” Chani exclaimed furiously as she entered the living room. “I already told you a thousand times that I don’t let you take my book when I’m in the middle of it. When I finish it, you can read it three times!”

“Just because you are one year older than me, that doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want and run things around here!” retorted Duvi as he firmly held on to the book. “When you are not at home, I don’t need to sit and do nothing just because you are going to come back in an hour and will want to read!”

“Fine. So you read until now. Now I’m back and I want my book. Now!”

Duvi declared, “I’m at the most thrilling part now. Let me read a little bit more. In ten minutes I need to go to Mincha and then you’ll have plenty of time to read.”

“Absolutely not! It’s my book and I get to read it first!”

“You can never give in. Why do you think you deserve to have everything? So what that you’re the oldest …”

“And you? You do know how to give in?! When was the last time you gave in to someone around here, huh?”

“Good Shabbos!” said Uncle Shmueli, who interrupted their argument. Duvi and Chani paused, breathing heavily.

“What’s going on this time?”

Shmueli walked in and looked at the two battlers. “When will the wolf and lamb finally live peacefully together?”

Chani and Duvi blushed. Shmueli, their mother’s younger brother, learned in the yeshiva near their house and visited now and then. He often found the two of them squabbling and they felt they had been caught again.

“You’re quiet … Don’t you know the answer? They didn’t teach you in school about ‘and the wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie with the kid goat?’ When will this happen?”

“When Moshiach comes!” Chani said in a triumphant tone. “But what does that have to do with us?”

“It sure is connected! What do you think? That when Moshiach comes, you’ll need to go to the zoo in order to see the amazing sight of a wolf and a lamb living together in peace? You’ll first see it right here, at home!

“No, don’t start looking for a wolf and lamb in the rooms here,” laughed Shmueli at the questioning looks on their faces. “There are opinions that say that this is a metaphor for the peace and tranquility that there will be among men. In galus, we often act like wolves with one another,” he said, giving a piercing look at his nephew and niece. “We zealously guard our belongings and are unwilling to concede to others. We don’t allow others to express their views. But when Moshiach comes, we will rise above all these petty considerations. Fighting will stop, and peace will prevail among nations that presently are warring, among friends who quarrel, and certainly among siblings.”

“So when Moshiach comes, we won’t see wolves and lambs living together peacefully?” asked Duvi.

“You’ll see that too. The Rebbe says that the verse will also be fulfilled in the literal sense. You will be able to view that unusual sight. But I think that it will be no less interesting and surprising to see people who, until now were fighting bitterly, living peacefully together.” He looked at his nephew and niece who lowered their heads.

“Fine,” Chani said. “What do you expect of us now? Wait until Moshiach comes and then you won’t see us fighting anymore. In the meantime, you’ll need to put up with our quarreling.”

“I think otherwise. If you and Duvi start living peacefully together, you will soon see the fulfillment of this prophecy with the true and complete Geula. If you start to live peacefully now, that will hasten Moshiach’s coming. Don’t you think so?”

There was silence. The fighting atmosphere was gone. Chani and Duvi looked down at the ground and thought.

“So, who is ready to start living now as we will when Moshiach comes?”

Chani and Duvi exchanged looks.

“Okay, Duvi, you can read the book now,” said Chani.

Duvi glanced at the clock. “Thanks, Chani. I’m leaving for Mincha in a few minutes, so you take it. I will read it later.”

“Ah, I’m already beginning to feel the Moshiach atmosphere!” exclaimed Shmueli. “Now I just need to wait to see how a wolf and a lamb also live together in peace.”