A Soulful Journey

Talmud states that “childhood is a garland of roses” and that “the very breath of children is free of sin.” Shabbat 119 Not only are they an empty slate but they are pure, open. Rabbi Yochanan relates story of a man who planted carob tree, bear fruit only after 70 years.   When asked whether he thought he would live to eat from the tree, replied:   “I am doing as my ancestors did.   Just as they planted a carob tree for their children, I am planning for my children.” Ta’anit, 23. That is the basis of teaching that one who educates the young, even if not his own, as if they were his children.

“It is an unsettling thought, to think of Anne Frank naked, dead and rotting among the corpses in the pits at Bergen-Belsen.   Yet that is what the Holocaust is; that thought multiplied six million times.”   -Eric A. Kimmel

The great Rabbi Hiyya’s sons became farmers.   In time they forgot everything that their father had taught them.   One day, one of the brothers asked, “Do you think that our father knows [that we have abandoned what he taught us about Torah]?” The answer came, “Just as a man’s flesh will cause him agony, will his soul not mourn too?” -berachot 18 b That which generations survived to teach us remains as a value to be cherished.   They still watch and care.

“Religious Jews are those whose hearts smile when their mouths do. Religious Jews feel pain in another’s misery, joy in another’s happiness. They know that perfection is impossible, yet they strive for it. They are trees rooted in the earth with their branches extending towards the heavens. Religious Jews are cisterns who do not lose a drop; they are springs of water which steadily increase. They observe the commandments with an adult’s intelligence and a child’s enthusiasm. They act in a manner that is a credit to themselves and which earns them the respect of both Jew and non-Jew. They are prepared to sacrifice for God, their people, their laws, and their homeland. Religious Jews are a unified mass of sand, yet individual stars who shine on the world.” - Rabbi Hayyim Angel

“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?

A computer translates English into Chinese.   A visitor suggested, “out of sight, out of mind." Inserting it into the computer, it came out in Chinese letters.   Not knowing Chinese he ran it through- from Chinese to English.   This is what came out, “invisible idiot.” – Carl Sagan Needless to say, sometimes translations do not work.  That may be the best reason yet for delving into the sciences in the pursuit of truth.  In this way you will rely on no one or no thing, as your knowledge will direct you. And this is why we are still faithful to Hebrew after all these millennia.

A man with a few yards of material went to a tailor to ask him to make a suit. “No,” said the tailor after looking at the cloth. So he went to another tailor who told him that was sufficient.   The next week he returned for the suit and saw the tailor’s son wearing a suit made of his cloth. ”Nu?” said the man. “How come the other tailor said he did not have enough and you made a suit for me and your son?” ”That’s simple,” replied the tailor.   “I have one son.   He has two.” Buyer, beware.