Tears in Prison

Rebbi Yishmael and Raban Shimon ben Gamliel were imprisoned together, and Raban Shimon began to weep. Rebbi Yishmael said to him, "Soon you will be among the holy ones in the World to Come. Why are you crying?"

Raban Shimon answered, "I am not crying because I am going to die. I am crying because I am being executed like one who desecrates Shabbos, or an idol worshipper, or a murderer."

Rebbi Yishmael suggested, "Perhaps while you were eating or resting, a woman came to ask whether she was a niddah, and your attendants did not allow her in to disturb you. Or perhaps a poor man knocked on the door while you were eating, and he was not allowed in." Raban Shimon replied that he had been extremely careful in these matters. Rebbi Yishmael then suggested that perhaps he had felt pride while he was teaching, and again Raban Shimon replied that he had been careful not to have proud thoughts after he preached. It is also said that the roles were reversed, with Rebbi Yishmael weeping and Raban Shimon speaking these words to him.