The Fountain of Life (1961)
During my trip to India six months ago, I had the occasion to visit one of the most fabulous cities in the world. This small city, containing about one or two dozen exquisitely ornate buildings, was built by King Akbar, who lies buried in the nearby Taj Mahal, for himself, his two queens, and about 2,000 concubines. It is a most striking example of Oriental opulence and incredible splendor. Built four hundred years ago, these breathtakingly beautiful structures are made of marble, semi-precious stones, and extremely valuable building materials and composed in a marvelous architectural style. Fatehpur Sikri, as the city is called, has an unusual, weird story behind it. After spending what today would be millions upon millions of dollars to build it, employing thousands of slave laborers for many, many years, the King and his court never had much of an opportunity to enjoy the wealth and beauty of Fatehpur Sikri. For shortly after they moved in, they discovered, to their dismay, that the architects had built the city without thinking of a water supply. And since there was no well or other source of water in the vicinity, they all had to move out, and Fatehpur Sikri has been a ghost town for these past four centuries. Rich, exquisite, glorious – but empty, dead, a ghost town.I mention this today – the day of self-judgment and self-criticism – for the story and fate of Fatehpur Sikri is to me both a symbol of and a warning to American Jewry. Remember that a well or a fountain of water is more than just a supply problem for an engineer or city planner. It is a life-giving necessity for everyone and, as such, a poetic symbol in religion for G-d Himself. In the words of Jeremiah, oti azavu, mekor mayim chayyim, My people have abandoned Me, says G-d, the Fountain of living waters. G-d, as the Creator and Source of all life and existence, is the Well or Fountain of the waters of life.And we have indeed abandoned Him, Like the foolish builders of Fatehpur Sikri, we have laid…
