“Rabi Shimon replied with these brave words: ‘My G-d’s decree is more powerful than the decree of your Caesar!’

Rabbi Shmuel continued his story, and as he spoke, everyone felt as though they were being transported back through the years, to another time and place.

The king’s soldiers galloped through the streets until they had reached the homes of the city’s elders. They delivered their message hastily, summoning the elders to the king for an emergency appointment.

“The elders were stunned. To be summoned to the king without any warning was not common. And what good could possibly come from this?  There were talks about who would represent the Jewish people at the mysterious meeting. Who could be the best emissary?

“The Jews remembered times in the past when Hashem had guided the rabbanim through terrifying meetings with gentile leaders who sought to harm them. Even in the harshest of moments, when all hope seems lost, Hashem guides those who fear Him.

“The story of an emissary for the Jewish nation that occurred many years before served as a guide for them. Chazal tell us that when Rabi Shimon ben Gamliel (the second) was summoned to the Roman governor, people thought the governor planned to destroy the great tzaddik.