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
“Between 1305 and the early 1800’s. the House of Taxis ran a form of pony express service all over Europe…. Its couriers clad in blue and silver uniforms, crisscrossed the continent carrying messages between princes and generals, merchants and money lenders.” –Alvin Toffler, The Third Wave We may think we are the first generation consumed by rapid communication but we are not. Throughout our history it has been a priority. Of course, now in the 21 st century we must ask: are we better or worse for it?
Comments