(Translated from a Hebrew shiur)

Once there was a very wise king who decided to test his subjects. He announced that on such-and-such a day, he would open his treasure-house to the public, and anyone could take whatever he wanted from the treasury throughout the day. Understandably, all the king's subjects were tremendously excited, and filled with gratitude at the king's great kindness.

Everyone prepared huge sacks to carry treasure in, and clothes with large pockets. Before the appointed day, they began streaming toward the palace...

But the king had prepared all types of fascinating and bewitching entertainment in the gardens leading to the treasure-house. There were famous artists, bands of the best musicians, actors, and magicians with the most amazing tricks, etc. All the people who had come to the palace became completely absorbed in the performances, telling themselves, "Soon I will go to the treasure-house, soon..." Suddenly, one strange fellow ran through the crowds with his ears blocked and his eyes closed. The people looked at him in amazement. Only a few understood that he was blocking his eyes and ears against the misleading sights and sounds, so that he could get to the treasure-house without further delay, and they were the ones who followed him...

At the end of the day, the gates of the treasure-house were closed, and the entertainment suddenly stopped. Only then did everyone else realize what an opportunity they had lost while wasting their time in frivolous pursuits.

The Moral

This meshol was used to explain that women, since the creation of Chava, have had a vital and established role in Jewish life. In our times, however, there are many, many famous artists, musicians, actors, and magicians to distract us, so that we make trivial matters into the main goals of our life, while ignoring the most important things.