The Baal Shem Tov once
said: A young man wanted to learn the
art of becoming a blacksmith. He went to
an older man seeking to become his apprentice.
Learning from his teacher, the boy was a quick study; he learned all the
skills of the trade. Going out on his
own, however, the young man soon failed.
He returned to his teacher and asked what he was doing wrong. The elder replied: “You have all the information, all the tools,
and you’ve mastered the techniques. What
remains is learn to kindle the spark.”
“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?
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