A Soulful Journey

  The story is told that King Frederick the Great of Prussia once asked his physician to give him proof for the existence of God. His physician replied, “Your Majesty, the continued existence of the Jews.”

 " In all cases the Jew had to roast, no matter which side he was on."  -Mark Twain

 "I prefer to be alive and have bad press than have a beautiful eulogy."   attributed to Golda Meir.

 Rabbi Akiva approached the city of Ginzak, whose residents asked him three questions to which he did not know the answer: First, does one fast for hours, or does one not fast for hours? The answer to the question was not available to Rabbi Akiva. Second, are clay jars that belong to gentiles permanently prohibited, or can they be rendered permitted? The answer was not available to him. Third, in what garments did Moses serve all seven days of the Tabernacle's inauguration, as acting priest when Aaron and his sons were initiated into the priesthood? Moses presumably did not wear the priestly vestments, as he himself was not a priest. Once again, the answer was not available to him.  - Talmud, Avodah Zarah Rabbi Akiva was one of the most influential and greatest minds in Jewish history.  In this passage he admits to being ignorant of the answers to the questions posed to him. Our tradition presents this story as an offering to us: are we humble, honest and wise enough to a...

  When our time to leave this world comes we will be asked: Did you conduct your business affairs honestly? Did you set aside regular time for Torah study? Did you ensure continuity of the world by having children? Did you look forward to the world’s redemption?  Babylonian Talmud,   Shabbat, 31  a How we live our lives will dictate how we  graduate.

  "And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it" - Ecclesiastes, 12:7.