Bustenai

Many years ago there was a large Jewish population in Babylon. The Jewish community there were descendants of the first exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, had exiled even before the destruction of the first Holy Temple, the Exile of Jechoniah. Fifty years after the destruction, Cyrus, King of Persia (the world famous ruler in those days), permitted the Jews to return to their homeland. At the head of those who returned from Babylon was Zerubabel ben Shealtiel, a descendant of King Jechoniah, who was one of the last kings of the House of Judah in Eretz Yisroel. Many Jews returned to Eretz Yisroel, but many Jews remained in Babylon.

Zerubabel was recognized by the king, as Governor of Eretz Yisroel; his family in Babylon, who were descendants of the royal house of King David, enjoyed special respect and honor from the royal family of Persia. It was from this family, that the King, with the assent of the Jews, used, to choose a "Leader of the Exile"-the highest position among the Jews, who was the Jewish representative at the Persian Court.

After the destruction of the Second Holy Temple, in the year 3828 (68 C.E.) when Eretz Yisroel, was laid waste by the wicked Titus of Rome. many Jews escaped to Babylon, and there the Jewish community grew even greater. There were Yeshivot (Talmudical Academies) where thousands of students studied the Holy Torah, at the feet of the wise men of Babylon; at first, the Tanaim, later the Amoraim, Rabonon Saborai and Gaonim, who lit up the dark Jewish exile with the radiant light of the Torah.

Up to the time of Rav Saadiah Gaon, who died in the year 4702 (942 C.E. - just over one thousand years ago) the position of the "Leader of the Exile" was handed down from father to son, like with royalty.

During all those years, the "Leader of the Exile" stood at the-head of the Babylonian Jewish Community. Who tried to protect the rights of the Jews in the country and ease their severe financial situation. At first, the "Leader of the Exile" also played the role of, spiritual leader of the Jews, because he was the greatest Torah authority of his time.

One of the famous "Leaders of the Exile" was Bustenai ben Chaninah.

The following story is told about how Bustenai became "Leader of the Exile":

At that time a cruel king ruled in Persia, who used to persecute the Jews. He especially persecuted the family of the "Leader of the Exile" and he murdered every member of King David's dynasty (family), whom he could find. The most important and prominent members of the Jewish community were thrown into prison, and the position of the Jewish situation in Babylon was indeed a gloomy and bitter one.

Only one lady who was ready to give birth, a descendant of King David, managed to save herself and went into hiding. The king, however, made extensive inquiries to find out if anyone had remained alive from King David's dynasty, as he wished to wipe it out entirely.

Then the king dreamt that he was standing in a beautiful garden, where the loveliest trees and fruits were blossoming. He was holding an ax in his hand and was wildly chopping down the trees one after another, without mercy. Having finished his work, he suddenly noticed a young tree, which was hidden in a corner of the garden.

The king gave a swing with the ax. Intending to chop down this small tree, but a strong hand prevented him. When the king turned around he saw an old gray-haired man, with a G-dly appearance. The old man grabbed the ax out of the king's hand and threatened to kill the king with it.

Terrified, the king threw himself at the feet of the old man and begged him to let him live.

"Why should I have mercy on you, when you have no mercy on the innocent trees?" the old man said sternly to the king. "I will, however, let you live, but on one condition: you must guard this young tree as the apple of your eye, till it will grow into a big tree and give forth much fruit!"

The king swore that he would fulfill the condition - and suddenly he awoke from his sleep.

In dread fear, he called together all his wise men, and advisers. He told them of his dream, but none of them could interpret it to him. One of his servants then called out: - "My lord, the king! Many Jewish wise men are locked in prison. The king, could certainly find amongst them at least one who could interpret the dream correctly."

The king agreed with him. He ordered his servants to bring before him the Jewish captives, and he told them his dream.

The oldest of the Jewish captives interpreted the dream immediately.

"The trees in the garden represent the House of David whom the king so mercilessly and ruthlessly murdered. The young sapling that the king wanted to chop down represents the last remaining descendant of King David soon to be born; and the old man you saw in the dream, is King David himself who came to protect and save his last remaining heir. If the king wishes to remain alive, he must unfailingly keep his promise. He must find the lady who will soon bear her son, take care of her, and see that no harm should befall her, because the king's life, depends on her!"

"But where can I find this lady?" the king asked, shaking with fear.

"I can find her," the old man replied, with tears in his eyes. "She is my daughter. My son-in-law was a member of King David's family and was killed; my daughter therefore went into hiding... for fear of the king."

The king immediately ordered the release of all the Jewish captives. He asked the old man to bring his daughter to the king and he would take care of her, and guard her as the apple of his eye.

The lady gave birth to a son who grew up under the king's personal protection. His mother and grandfather taught him, and raised him to become a worthy "Leader of the Exile."

Everybody called him "Bustenai" from the word "Bustan," meaning a garden. When Bustenai grew up, the king appointed him, with the assent of the Jews, as "Leader of the Exile," and gave him much honor and power, such as no "Leader of the Exile" had ever enjoyed.