Ben Zoma (Berakhot 58a) compared his life and that of Adam, the first man on earth: kama yigos yiga adam harishon ad sh’motzo pat lechem I’echol, “How much trouble, how much labor poor Adam had to indulge in until he had a piece of bread to eat. He had to plough, plant, sow and reap and grind, knead and bake,” v’achar kach ochal, “and only then did he have a piece of bread to eat.” V’ani ashkim u’motze kol davar muchan, “And I arise in the morning and find all prepared for me!” And consider what Adam had to do in order to have a garment to wear. He had to shear sheep and spin and weave. Only then did he have a garment to wear, v’ani ashkim umotze kol davar muchan. –Rabbi Israel Levinthal
“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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