Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi and the Rainbow
In Gan Eden, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai asks Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi if a rainbow was seen in his lifetime. Out of humility, he says yes, though none was.
The Gemara records (Kesuvos 77b) that Rebbe Yehoshua Ben Levi met the great sage Rebbe Shimon bar Yochai in Gan Eden. Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai immediately challenged Rabbi Yehoshua: “Are you the famous son of Levi that is so well-known for your righteousness? Tell me, did a rainbow ever appear during your lifetime?”
Hashem promised after the Great Flood that he would not destroy the entire world again. The rainbow is a sign to remind us of Hashem’s promise. However, a holy tzaddik can save the world with his merit alone. There is no need to remind us of Hashem’s promise, because even without the guarantee, the merits of the tzaddik would save the world. During Rebbe Shimon Bar Yochai’s lifetime, rainbows were not seen. According to Rebbe Yehonoson Eibshitz, this does not refer to the standard rainbow but some other rainbow-like sign. The Rema writes that it does indeed refer to the common rainbow. The Rema explains that Hashem promised us after the Flood that the world would continue following the laws of nature. He wouldn’t suspend them to bring a flood. A rainbow is a natural phenomenon and is an indication that the world is following the natural order. During Rebbe Shimon Bar Yochai’s lifetime, a great miracle happened. The common rainbow was not seen. The laws of nature were suspended, yet Hashem still did not bring a flood. This demonstrated that the merit of Rebbe Shimon Bar Yochai sufficed to save the entire world from destruction.