Talmud Bavli
Talmud Bavli

Commentary for Avodah Zarah 129:3

רבא אמטי ליה קורבנא לבר שישך ביום אידם אמר ידענא ביה דלא פלח לעבודת כוכבים אזל אשכחיה דיתיב עד צואריה בוורדא וקיימן זונות ערומות קמיה א"ל אית לכו כה"ג לעלמא דאתי א"ל דידן עדיפא טפי מהאי א"ל טפי מהאי מי הוה א"ל אתון איכא עלייכו אימתא דמלכותא אנן לא תיהוי עלן אימתא דמלכותא א"ל אנא מיהא מאי אימתא דמלכותא איכא עלי

Rava once sent a gift to Bar-Sheshak on his festival day, saying, “I know that he does not worship idols.” He went and found him sitting up to his neck in rosewater while naked harlots were standing before him. [Bar-Sheshak] said to him, “Do you [Jews] have anything like this in the world to come?” He replied, “Our [world to come] is better than this.” He asked, “Is there anything better than this?” [Rava] answered, “You have the fear of the ruling power on you, but we will have no fear of the ruling power.” He said to him, ‘What fear do I have of the ruling power!”

Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah

In the interesting continuation of this tale, Rava finds Bar-Sheshak living the good life, at least according to Bar-Sheshak’s evaluation. But Rava points out that as long as people are afraid of the government they are essentially still living in fear. And indeed the king’s official does come and ask for Bar-Sheshak’s presence.
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