One day Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sassov
told his students, “There is no quality and there is no power of man that was
created to no purpose. Even base and corrupt qualities can be uplifted to serve
God.”
One student raised his hand and
asked, "Rabbi, to what end can the denial of God have been created? Surely
there is no purpose to atheism."
Rabbi Moshe paused and then replied,
"This too can be uplifted through deeds of tzedakah. For if someone comes
to you and asks your help, you shall not turn him off with pious words, saying:
‘Have faith and take your troubles to God!’ You shall act as if there were no
God, as if there were only one person in all the world who could help this
person - only yourself.”
- Martin Buber, Tales of the Hasidim
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