A Soulful Journey

Humorist Mark Twain noticed intolerance in the religious communities of his day.  He once said that he built a cage and put a cat and a dog in it. After a while they learned to get along. Then he added a bird, a goat and a pig. After some adjustments, they too got along. Then he added a Baptist, a Presbyterian and a Catholic. Soon there was nothing left alive in the cage.” Is it really that hard to accept differences?

There’s a story going around about a man trying to cross the street. However, when he steps off the curb a car comes screaming around the corner    and heads straight for him. The man walks faster, trying to hurry across the street, but the car changes lanes and is still coming at him. So the guy turns around to run back, but the car changes lanes again and is still coming at him. By now, the car is so close and the man so scared that he just freezes in the middle of the road. The car races right up to him, then swerves at the last possible moment and stops next to the man. The driver rolls down the window. Lo and behold, it’s a squirrel driving the car. And the squirrel says to the man, “See, it’s not as easy as it looks, is it?    -Rabbi Toba August

The Berditschever Rabbi was seeking a Shofar-Blower.  Many applied for the post, and he asked each one his   mystic thoughts during the Shofar-blowing.  No one's answer pleased him.  Finally one man said: "Rabbi, I am unlearned, and I know no mystic thoughts, but I have four daughters to marry, and I have no money for their dowries.  Therefore when I blow the Shofar, I think: 'O Lord of the Universe; I have done my duty in obeying Thy command; do Thou also Thy duty and send me worthy mates for my daughters.'" The Berditschever Rabbi appointed him to blow the Shofar.  If he thought that he was inadequate for the responsibility, the rabbi chose him and declared him fully adequate.  Your  brokenness is what can bring you wholeness.  

Four Baptists preachers meet weekly for a prayer session. During the course of one of their sessions, the senior pastor says: "Our people come to us and pour out their hearts, and confess their sins and failings. Let's do the same. Confession is good for the soul. I’ll begin. I have to confess that every week my wife and I drive 20 miles and go dancing." The second pastor opened up and said: “I must confess that at least once a month I drive to the casino and gamble the night away.” The third spoke up: “I am ashamed to admit it, but I drink a bottle of scotch while preparing my sermons.” When it came to the fourth minister, he remained silent; he wouldn't confess. The others pressed him saying, "Come now, we confessed our sins. What is your sin or vice?" Finally he answered, "It is gossiping and I can hardly wait to get out of here."   - Rabbi Jonathan Waxman Funny.  But  remember: Words are the holiest of holiest or the mo...

There is a famous Hassidic story about Reb Zusha of Anipoli, who was a paragon of piety and of compassion. Reb Zusha was laying on his deathbed surrounded by his disciples. He was weeping copiously and no one could comfort him. One student asked his Rebbe, "Why do you cry? You were almost as wise as Moses and as kind as Abraham."  Reb Zusha answered, "When I pass from this world and appear before the Heavenly Tribunal, they won't ask me, 'Zusha, why weren't you as wise as Moses or as kind as Abraham,' rather, they will ask me, 'Zusha, why weren't you Zusha?' Why didn't I fulfill my potential, why didn't I follow the path that could have been mine."   - Rabbi Jonathan Waxman Do.  Do not think.  Or wait.  Do it now.

Rabbi Abish once spent a night in a tavern where he was unknown.   The wife of the tavern keeper was distressed to discover that 80 thalers were missing and she accused the guest of taking them.   The rabbi was searched, and by coincidence, 80 thalers were found on him.   The tavern keeper beat him severely and took the money away form him.   A few months later the tavern keeper’s wife found the money she had mislaid.   Her husband searched out his guest, was told his identity, returned the money and tearfully implored the rabbi’s forgiveness.   Rabbi Abish said:   “There is really nothing which I need to forgive.   It was your intention to punish a thief, not an honest man.”   - Newman , Maggidim and Hasidim What can you let go of?