The Holy Rebbe of Tzanz used to tell parables
during the third meal of Shabbos during the month of Elul which proceeds Rosh
HaShanah*. One of them was: 'There were two people lost in a forest. One of them was going alone and he was lost
for many days in the forest, and he had no idea of the right way to go to get
out of the forest. Suddenly he saw
another person going in the forest towards him. A great joy rose in his heart
that now, finally, there would be someone to show him the correct way out of
the forest. When they came to each
other, he asked him, "Brother, tell me. What is the best way to go. I have
been lost in this forest for many days."
The second one answered him, "I cannot tell you what is the proper
way. I have also been lost here for many days. However one thing I can tell
you. The way that I have been going you
should not go. It is NOT the correct way. Come let us together chose out a new
way." ' When the Rebbe finished the
story there were tears in his eyes from emotion. Then he said, 'I am not able to tell you
anything except this. The way in which we have been going until now we should
not follow any more. This way is an
error. Let us try for ourselves a new
way.' (p 267 sefer Otzer HaChaim customs of the Holy Rebbe Chaim of Tzanz.)
“To say the right thing at the right time, keep still most of the time.” John W. Roper Those who get in trouble most often are those cannot seem to keep still, remain silent. Life teaches many lessons. Among the best lessons of life is one my father taught me at an early age was, “If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing.” The contributions we make to life via our mouth are many and varied. Most of the time, I reckon, they are not contributions at all, but things that diminish the richness of life.
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