A Soulful Journey

"We can give without loving. We cannot love without giving." - Rabbi Sidney Greenberg

"From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life." -Arthur Ashe, Days of Grace

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel once taught, a  chasid wass planning to build a house, but instead of consulting an architect, he turned to his rebbe for advice.  The saintly rebbe assured the chasid that he'll find everything he needs to know about building a house in Masechet Midot, a tractate of behavior. The chasid went home & followed the advice of the Rebbe.   But, alas, the house he built soon fell apart.  The Chasid, very upset, ran back to his rebbe & with tears in his eyes asked him how could this happen.  After a couple of minutes, the rebbe replied:  "Come to think of it, תוספות פרעגט טאקע די זעלבע קשיא ״ - Tosafot asks the same question."  - Rabbi  Charles Kraus    Sometimes there is a wide gulf of difference between that which is practical and that which is  theoretical .

"After delivering a guilty man to the Roman authorities Elijah the prophet stopped visiting Rabbi Joshua ben Levi. Much later prophet came to see the Rabbi. The rabbi asked why the prophet had stopped coming. The rabbi continued and said, the man he turned over to the Romans was guilty. What did I do that was wrong? Elijah answered and said, the man was guilty but it wasn't the job of a rabbi to turn him over to the authorities."   - Aaron Kriegel    There are some words and actions a leader should not say or do.  

Rabbi Mordechai of Lechovitz uttered, "All worrying is forbidden, except to worry that one is worried."

Rabbi Yechiel Michal of Zlotchov taught, "I learned this wisdom from my ancestors: There are two things it is forbidden to worry about: That which it is possible to fix, And that which it is impossible to fix. What is possible to fix - fix it, and why worry? What is impossible to fix - how will worrying help?"

"Leadership means never letting them see you sweat"!!   - Ed Friedman

  "Find a happy place, find a happy place, find a happy place..."   - from "Finding Nemo"

On Shabbat Shuva, the Sabbath of Repentance, a visiting maggid preached a sermon at the synagogue of Rabbi Meir Hurwitz of Tiktin.  The teacher castigate the congregation for their sins and admonished them to repent.  When the severe tongue-lashing was over, Rabbi Meir had tears on his cheeks and said to the Maggid, "I was deeply moved by your stirring words and I will repent for my transgressions.  However, I am sorely distressed that you found it necessary to put me to shame before my entire congregation.  Do I really merit such treatment from you?" Abashed, the Maggid replied, "I would never humiliate you in public.  I was not referring to you at all, for you are well known for your fear of Heaven." Unappeased, Rabbi Meir retorted, "But my congregants are all pious and holy.  Only I could be guilty of such sins." -Philip Goodman