Parable of the Talents
In the Zohar, there is a discussion based upon the Torah commandment to 'pay a laborer his wages the same day he works for them'¹. In the Peshat/plain meaning, this is great model of mercy, ensuring a person has what they need to survive and feed their family.
I recall sitting in Sunday school many years ago as the class learned about the "Parable of the Talents". My general takeaway that morning was that we either use our G_D-given gifts or prepare for a fiery punishment for having failed to do so. This was an unnerving teaching for a kid, I felt the pressure. In my 11-year-old mind, the clock was ticking, and I barely knew what week it was, not to mention what my gifts were.
I am relieved to tell you that I think there is a deeper meaning to this parable - and, in fairness - one that was not apparent to my Sunday school teacher. First, let's unpack a few key elements of this parable from within Rabbinic literature.
Talents = Money
To alleviate some confusion, let's render the word for "talents" as "money", or "coins".
In the Zohar, there is a discussion based upon the Torah commandment to 'pay a laborer, or servant his wages the same day he works for them'¹. In the Peshat/plain meaning, this is a great model for mercy, ensuring a person has what they need to survive and feed their family.
In the mystical interpretation, the Zohar expands on this idea. In this version, "wages", or "money", represent the soul. Thus, the soul was deposited into the person at birth, and will be returned to G_D when the person passes away.
The essence of this teaching is an encouragement to work hard, doing our "job", as servants of the Creator. We read;
What Rav Hamnuna used to do when a hired man would leave his work: he would give him his wage and say to him, "Take your soul that was deposited in my hand, take your deposit...
... For a soul should be deposited only with the Blessed Holy One, as is written; "Into your hand I deposit my spirit" (Psalm 31:6) - Zohar 3:85a
It is worth noting, we see this same Psalm quoted in the Gospel account as Jesus passes away.
Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hand I deposit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. - Luke 23:46
A few paragraphs later, in the Zohar, we read;
"Come and see: When a person is about to depart to that world and is on his deathbed, three messengers come to him, and he sees there what one cannot see while in this world. That day is a day of supernal judgment when the King seeks His deposit. Happy is the person who returns his deposit to the King just as it was placed within him! If that deposit has been soiled by bodily filth, what will he say to the owner of the deposit?" - Zohar 3:88b
One could make an argument that the Gospel writer, using this tradition, sets a higher expectation. As a Galilean Chasid², it seems Jesus is teaching that we are expected to bring a return on this deposit - that is, to develop the quality and purity of the soul - working to reach our potential.
Nevertheless, the texts seem to be pulling from the same pool of mystical Rabbinic metaphors.
The Parable of the Talents
With these elements in mind, here is the passage in full.
14 “For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.
16 The one who had received five talents went off right away and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 In the same way, the one who had two gained two more. 18 But the one who had received one talent went out and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money in it.
It is interesting that the story indicates the servant buried the coin in the ground. Is this to say he buried, or immersed the soul in physicality?
19 After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled his accounts with them. 20 The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, ‘Sir, you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’
22 The one with the two talents also came and said, ‘Sir, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more.’ 23 His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’
24 Then the one who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Sir, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered, ‘Evil and lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I didn’t sow and gather where I didn’t scatter? 27 Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received my money back with interest! 28 Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has 10.
29 For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30 And throw that worthless slave into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ - Matthew 25:14-30
Notes:
¹ Deuteronomy 24:15
